KABANKALANONS and Negrenses alike along with the visiting tourists have altogether enjoyed the celebration of the 44th Sinulog Festival of the City of Kabankalan in honor of Señor Santo Niño, the Child Jesus.
Thousands of merrymakers and celebrators joined the city's celebration which is considered as one of the biggest celebrations in the Island of Negros.
Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. welcomed the guests and his fellow officials to their city for the nine-day festivities.
One of the highlights is the smearing of pulverized charcoal with oil and
water-based paints either in one's face or any parts of the person's body. People find it to be fun and pleasurable. If one would come out clean, it
means one has not fully enjoyed the festivities. Having oil-filled charcoal or water-based paints all over ones face on the other hand, means quite a celebration.
Vice Governor Jeffrey P. Ferrer, one of the guest speakers, said: "I am pleased to celebrate with you, the 44th Sinulog festival in honor of your patron, Señor Santo Niño."
This is a celebration of thanksgiving for all the blessings that you have received from the Almighty God by giving your city, the growth, and progress that she deserves and by continuously enabling your people to get on with the ebb of progress, he added.
The vice-governor also said that the festival is a come-on for tourists to visit the city and when more people are gathered, this would trickle down to business to grow and flourish.
"Earnings for our local entrepreneurs are ensured and this positive economic turnout will bring in more food on the table and money to their pockets. Your theme: 'Señor Santo Niño, sa imo Bulig, kami ga Salig,' speaks well of your spiritual devotion to the Lord through your patron," Ferrer said.