Lay witness to my so-called fundamental existence.

There I found myself,  soaked in the cold January rain and baked in the hot midday sun on the streets of Cebu with my own little plan of walking the entire parade route along with one of the most revered contingents in the Sinulog.

People would repeatedly shout “sayaw” or “dance” when the SanDiego Contingent passed by. They swarm to either Val or Buging or both and hastily took pictures of the couple while a friend would pose in front, some holding their babies and some with their hands in ‘peace’ signs held high.

We were there to make sure that the group could move and dance smoothly through the route. It was not of course a straight-forward instruction or a clearly-defined task but it was rather an internal voluntary or self-imposed duty to help the San Diego.

There were no ropes to enclose the contingent and no sticks to hold on to,  to protect the dancers from spectators, photographers or merry-makers. The San Diego couple were in fact accomodating and were very much patient while people take turns in shooting pictures of them and the group.

You would not be able to miss this group. In the several years that they have been joining the Sinulog, their costumes were always beautiful and remarkable. The women dancers always had the “modified terno” dresses with fancy details. The men were usually clad in a 16th century conquistadores attires in their balloon shorts on tight pants with a long cape and shiny armor hat.

People were truly drawn to them  not only because of their elaborate costumes or their amazing and often brilliant choreography but primarily so, the  SanDiego Dance Company is a multi-awarded and highly respected group of performers in the Sinulog.

Since they have won a lot of times, the dance company have become guest performers  in the festival under the Sinulog-based category. It was in this category where they’ve won back-to-back in 1996-97.

Huge prizes are at stake. Bragging rights are up for grabs. Fame and prestige at arms-reach for all the participants in the Sinulog. The SanDiego Dance Company had achieved these things already.

And beyond the sparkle and glitz of being a multi-awarded group, the SanDiego had a deeper purpose in joining the annual event.  Their devotion to the Sto. Niño and the obvious unwavering faith had made every Sinulog worth joining.

It is not an easy thing to do. Organizing a contingent to participate in the street dancing is such a herculanean task. The costumes, the hours of practice (although it only took them a week to perfect their routine), the musical band, the drum and bamboo bugle, food and drinks, the props were major elements to a dancing contingent.

Suffice to say that each and every participant had their own personal reasons for joining in the dance. Some had to make sacrifices just to be present in the celebration.

There was one, a 13 year old from Carcar who had to hitch a ride on a neighbor’s truck just to come to the city to help the SanDiego. He travelled basically alone. He had no relatives in the city. After the celebration, he had to travel back to his town deep into the night. His body frame did not match with his age, he’s often mistaken as an elementary student. Just like me,  he accompanied the SanDiego, helping out on the food and drinks for the dancers. As young as he was, he said that he’s coming back next year to do the same thing.

There’s this state university scholar who decided not to come home for christmas and new year.  He had to let go of the chance to celebrate the holidays with the family all because he wanted to participate in the Sinulog.  He decided to skip classes, flew from Manila to Cebu and practiced with the SanDiego for a week. His was a sacrifice, taking a break from his Calculus and Organic Chemistry just to dance on the streets under extreme conditions.

The woodwind band leader had a story to tell. He had some passion uniquely of his own. As an advance party for the SanDiego contingent, he organized a band composed of young kids, each playing an instrument made of bamboo and wood.  His passion for music led him to create wonderful wooden instruments. He trained them how to use them. He trained the kids for the Sinulog. And for the entire time, on the streets of Cebu, he and his woodwind band played the Sinulog anthem without end.

And of course, the dancers. They who had to be up at dawn, lacking sleep because of their participation in the fluvial parade and procession, were already at the assigned assembly area in their costume and make-up even before the crack of morn. They had to endure the discomfort of wearing heavy dresses or tightly wrapped costumes while dancing almost without end.

I heard that the dancers could not even get a leak. They could not sit. The female dancers stood with their elevated shoes most of the times.  Add to the fact that they were exposed to the terrible heat and the harsh precipitation, they, the  SanDiego group danced with subtle abandon.

They brought me down to my senses. Now at least, I understood a fair amount of témoignages from those who joined SanDiego. Different stories but bound with similar dose of sacrifice. We may see this dance group flowed through the streets, like waves or current that pushed forward and a half-step back. But beneath the crest of their performance and the amazement-bewilderment of those who came to watch them, a deeper yet silent dedication and endurance happened to those who joined the SanDiego.