WHEN the excitement of the Sinulog celebration fades, it’s worth reflecting on the grand spectacle that unfolded in Cebu City, where an estimated four million people gathered to participate in one of the country’s most anticipated annual festivals.
Sinulog is a cultural and religious festival honoring Sto. Niño, the beloved Child Jesus. It showcases cultural dances, usually performed in the streets during processions, as well as a grand parade, various contests, cultural shows, fireworks displays, street parties and more.
It is a long-standing tradition and the biggest festival in the Philippines. Tourists from different countries visit to join the festivities, along with Filipinos from various parts of the country.
However, due to the massive crowd, the festival often results in several challenges, not just concerning the health and safety of individuals but also its environmental impact.
A dense crowd and loud music can be disruptive, especially since the festival requires a huge amount of energy for lighting, sound systems and other equipment, leading to increased gas emissions.
Overcrowded streets filled with people and vehicles cause traffic jams, disrupt residents and contribute to air pollution.
The volume of waste generated from the festival is another major issue. Numerous food stalls are set up, making food easily accessible, but excessive consumption also leads to uncontrolled waste. Food leftovers, plastic packaging and bags are often improperly disposed of, which can clog drainage systems.
During one of the times I joined the festivities, I saw garbage and food scraps littering the roadside — it was such a dreadful sight that I almost puked. I could barely move through the crowd and was just grateful I survived the experience.
To address these issues, stricter waste management systems should be implemented and people should be encouraged to use eco-friendly and reusable materials, especially those running eateries, food stalls and other businesses, to help reduce waste and pollution.
Additionally, increasing the number of security personnel is crucial to putting order into the celebration. Given the size of the crowd, a strong presence of authorities is needed to regulate harmful behavior; otherwise, people may become reckless and disorderly.
If we look at it closely by examining our capability, we shouldn’t need the government to impose these rules on us, we can take responsibility on our own; we just often choose not to.
It is important to be mindful of our behavior and act responsibly so we can continue celebrating meaningful and enjoyable Sinulog without worrying about negative consequences.
After all, we humans are the ones who suffer from our own misdeeds.