The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan returns to where it all began—Barangay Mabolo. This year’s event, set for January 12, 2025, pays tribute to the late Estelita “Titang” Diola, the Keeper of the original Sinulog beat. Her legacy, which has shaped the festival’s identity, lives on in the hearts of the Mabolo community.
A Historic Homecoming
The Sinulog traces its origins to the early 1980s, when Titang Diola first introduced the Sinulog dance to the children of Mabolo. She led them in prayerful movements to the beat of drums, an offering to the Santo Niño. What started as a small local event soon blossomed into the grand festival we know today. For this year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan, organizers have decided to bring the celebration back to Mabolo to honor the community’s role in preserving the tradition.
“This return is about looking back to the roots of the Sinulog,” said Elmer “Jojo” Labella, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI). “Mabolo is where it all started.” The route will kick off at the St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish, following a Holy Mass, before winding through MJ Cuenco Avenue and culminating at the Cebu City Sports Center.
A Tribute to Titang’s Legacy
For Mabolo residents, the return of the Sinulog parade is a point of pride. Barangay captain and Titang’s descendant, Lawyer Daniel Francis Diola Arguedo, emphasized the significance: “We wanted to honor my grandmother, Titang, who preserved the Sinulog dance for generations.”
The parade will feature 18 contingents, with performances rooted in the authentic choreography that Titang once taught. This return to Mabolo is not only a celebration of history but a reaffirmation of the community’s enduring devotion to the Santo Niño.
