by: Amaryllis Rodriguez

            When all people were anticipating for the coming of the 2016 Sinulog celebration, the Department of Education- Region 7 did not get away with the same anticipation as some personnel of DepEd-RO7, including the OIC-Regional Director herself, Juliet A. Jeruta, Ph.D., offered a traditional Sinulog dance at the Basilica Pilgrim Center last January 15, 2016. It was also the time when the different school district areas from the Divisions of Cebu Province and Cebu City participated in the offering. This yearly Sinulog Halad of DepEd-RO7 that has been offered for several years now is one of the living legacies of how the Holy Child, Señor Santo Niño, has placed impeccable faith and hope to the people of the Cebu Island. It was sure a day of celebration since the traditional dance also symbolizes a joyous moment of thanksgiving for all the prayers and favors granted by the Holy Child Jesus. All personnel from the Regional Office and from the Divisions of Cebu and Cebu City who offered their Haladgave remarkable performances for they were clothed in Filipinianas and Barong Tagalogs. Some were even clothed in their favorite Disney princess costumes. Others were in color coding with their Sinulog shirts. The celebration lasted for almost two hours as another novena mass had to start. Although they blocked for different dance numbers, the finale ended with a united Sinulog Halad dance from all DepEd personnel from the Regional Office, Divisions of Cebu and Cebu City.

Meanwhile, after the hours of recognition and awarding during the 2015 Harvest of Excellence Awarding Ceremony on February 1, 2016, DepEd- Region 7 celebrated its Sinulog Fiesta and Halad alang kang Sr. Santo Niño in the DepEd-RO7 Conference room, Sudlon Street, Lahug Cebu City. It started with the sacrament of a Holy Mass. The production number of some personnel from the office was once again witnessed by the entire employees of the Regional Office; and, a sumptuous dinner followed.

It is not by tradition that the Department of Education –Region 7 office celebrates this Sinulog Halad and Fiesta Celebration, but it is by a sure fact that the people who compose the agency gathers that same immaculate hope and faith that have outlived the most Holy Child Jesus, Señor Santo Niño in the lives of the people in different walks of life.