Sinulog was a success.
Right before the mass started on Saturday, I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to think those words.
The church group showed up together and set up prior to mass at 2 pm. Costumes were set up, microphones were tested, and food (so much food) was brought in.
Then, right when mass was about to start, something kind of crappy became glaringly apparent: no one was there.
Now, we minorities like to run a little later than what’s scheduled, but it was very disheartening to look at the parking lot and realize that there were maybe a dozen cars that didn’t belong to members of our group. So, that was a bit of a bummer.
But, as usual, people trickled in after mass started and, by the homily, our church was pretty full of worshippers. After receiving the eucharist, I stepped outside and watched my kuyas grab their drums to prepare for the procession while I turned off to the hall to make sure the music was set for the “Baby Jesus Idol dance” as I’d been referring to it to my best friend. And, within minutes, the procession led into the hall, I hit “Play” and pictures, statues, and pendants swung into the air to the beat of the music.
About a year ago, I was slightly appalled since the scene looked like something out of a cult. But this time, it was just funny…and just a little heartwarming.
Since I was set to be the emcee, I had to man the mic, which wasn’t a big deal since my voice had returned. But, setting up the program for the show was just a pain in the ass. There were about 30 minutes between the start of the program and beginning of the performances. During those 30 minutes alone, the program got changed around about 4 times over. Then, after the performances actually started, the program got changed about another 3 times again.
Awesome sauce.
There were dances and songs and audio malfunctions and children running through our stage when people were trying to dance and sing and it was a generally great time.
Afterwards, we headed back to my Tita’s place. Per tradition, a few of us ran to the local BJ’s and bought a bottle of rum that we proceeded to drink up happily while sitting on my Kuya’s bed and talking large amounts of shit and watching people pole dance on Youtube (which is so much classier than it sounds).
Like the night before, it was cold outside, warm in, and filled with good people, good food, and good times. I loved every minute of it.
Written 1/10/11
