Born from widespread devotion to the Santo Niño, the festival follows the more popular sinulog traditions including the religious conversion of the Moro population. Staged January 13 as a fiesta highlight.
Streetdancing and a grand showdown dramatize the Santo Niño's presence in the varied pursuits of Jimalalud's different sectors; the festival preludes the town fiesta honoring the Holy child; another crowd-drawing highlight is the rousing traditional horsefight.
Old folks tell of fishermen who went off for their usual catch. They meet a terrible storm. Meanwhile, the villagers waited until night but no fisherman returned. Worried, they scour the beach and find an old chest floating ashore. Upon opening, they find an image of the Santo Niño.
They venerate it and seek divine intercession for the safe return of the fishermen. Not long after, the fishermen do return, safe, with tales of a frightening encounter with a fierce storm. The villagers erupted into celebration, in gratitude to the Holy Child for keeping their kin safe.
Began in the traditional sinulog manner. Unique features are mock battles between moros and Christians resolved by the conquering St James the Greater, who is the city patron and the focus of the event's devotion, thus giving it a distinct character.
The Tanjay Sinulog is known for its extravagant costumes and grand showdown productions.
