Dipolog City-The annual Sinulog Festival Celebration in Dipolog City featuring this year’s theme “Senior Sto. Niño Hiusaha Kami, Pit Señor.” (Señor Sto. Niño unite us, Pit Señor.)  made the heart of the Dipolognons beats hard and wild with passion to the Lord Jesus as they celebrate his feast day last January 27, 2001.

The activity was organized by the Catholic Church with a strong support from the City Government of Dipolog and the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte.

The feast day of Señor St. Niño, the Infant Jesus was started with a fluvial parade from Fisherman’s Village to the Dipolog Airport and back to Punta Corro.  The fluvial Parade was headed by Rev. Father Genaro Daguplo and received by Msgr. Emigdio Socias along with Vice Mayor Edelburgo Cheng and Provincial Col. Marcelino Lipana.

A solemn Eucharistic Mass took place at Sta. Cruz, a holy cross, at around 8:00 a.m. that was participated by most public officials and believers of the Christian Church.

At 9:00 a.m. the consecration of Mary to Sto. Niño assumed and the Sinulog Street dancing began where all the participants begin dancing to celebrate and acknowledged the Feast Day of the Infant Jesus.  They showed the audience their skillful dancing and swinging combined with eye-catching colorful and unique costumes.

Despite the intensity of the sun’s burning rays are seen in their faces their sincerity to St. Niño.  The participation of the tiny audience especially the kids this year could not be overlooked as they go back and forth the streets just to feel themselves dancing as part of the group of street dancers.  Some wear various costumes, others painted their faces, while more shouted ‘Pit Señor.’

It’s a great and majestic day for the Dipolognons as almost everybody participated in the event as audiences, spectators, judges, crews and participants.  Participants present from various barangays and municipality were from barangays Olingan, Miputak, Barra, Sicayab, Estaka, Turno and the municipality of Manukan.  They presented a lively and gay festivity dancers.

During the program at the Zamboanga del Norte Sports Complex, the Honorable Governor Isagani S. Amatong and Mayor Roberto Y. Uy gave their privileged speeches as co-chairman of the activity.

Sinulog is a thanksgiving festival of the people to the most Holy One for all the blessings and graces He has been pouring us especially to the people of the Orchid City of Dipolog.  They worship God for having a better life with a healthy and happy soul.

Before the program ended various awards have been given to all participants.  Winning parties were given the most simple award, the most unique award, the most ethnique award, and most colorful award.