Sinulog 2026: Crowd hits 5.2M; over 100 persons fainted

Over 100 individuals fainted during the Sinulog Festival 2026 on January 18, while crowd estimates reached 5.2 million.

The individuals who fainted either complained of fatigue because of the sweltering heat, or the poor intake of food and water which led to dehydration. 

The patients were immediately rushed to the medical station at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Several of the patients are contingent dancers, while others are propsmen.

Most of the propsmen complained of fatigue after their performance for the Sinulog 2026 Grand Ritual Showdown.

Mayor Nestor Archival witnessed how responders and personnel of the Cebu City Health Department attended to individuals who fainted.

Minor injuries were also logged such as being hit by props, while one person was rushed to the hospital for suspected case of appendicitis based on the assessment of Cebu City Health Department Head, Dr. Daisy Villa.

Archival said the series of activities for the 461st Fiesta Señor are generally peaceful and that the grand celebration is highly successful. This, he said, is based on assessment made by the police and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Crowds that attended the Sinulog festivity reached approximately 5.2 million.

Archival also announced the suspension of classes on Monday, January 19, for both public and private schools in Cebu City, to give ample time for individuals to relax, especially those involved in the activities for the Fiesta Señor (religious component) and Sinulog (sociocultural component). — GMA Regional TV