Get a handy guide to everything Sinulog–from religious activities to festive parties, through the 2016 Sinulog Guide, made possible through the collaboration of mobile leader Smart Communications (Smart), Cebu-based new media startup InnoPub Media, and the Sinulog Foundation, Inc.
“With the Sinulog Guide app, revelers can plan their itinerary ahead of time so they can maximize their stay in Cebu during one of the country’s most celebrated festivals,” said Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto.
Schedule of Sinulog activities and parties
Available for free download on Android and iOS devices, the guide provides a comprehensive resource on the Sinulog festival, including schedule of processions and novena masses, backgrounder on contingents, and information on the exciting line-up of activities and parties such as the Oh Ship!, Invasion Cebu, and LifeDance Cebu, which are all co-presented by Smart.
A section in the app provides timely updates on the festival, from relevant Sinulog tips to information on street dancing contingents, as it draws near and until after the Grand Parade.
Tips on what to do, where to go
The app also includes listings on the top things to do, best places to dine at, and most popular pasalubong-shopping outlets in Cebu.
Top tourism attractions featured in the app contain GPS data and feature “check location” links that, when tapped, use GPS to guide a tourist to a particular site.
Directory of restaurants, hotels, emergency services, tour guides
A directory of Cebu establishments like restaurants and malls, consular offices, and emergency services such as hospitals and police stations are available in the Sinulog Guide. It also had a full listing of tour guides and tour operators accredited by the Department of Tourism.
Virtual concierge
The app also now includes a “virtual concierge” feature that allows app users to send questions and inquiries.
“Sinulog Guide is a platform for information and services. With the new virtual concierge feature in the app, we hope to make it even more useful to visitors – with help and additional information a bell tap away,” said InnoPub Media co-founder Max Limpag.
Instant access to games, music, and movies
To enable Sinulog revelers to live the ‘Smart Life’ and instantly share with the rest of the world their Sinulog experience, Smart is also offering Big Bytes 50 which includes 350MB for surfing, and access to apps like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat; plus 600MB of videos and music from Fox, iFlix and Spinnr, valid for three days – all for only P50.
“With Big Bytes 50, Sinulog revelers can instantly share the sights, the sounds, and the revelry of Sinulog, and have access to games, music, and videos at the same time,” said Ariel P. Fermin, PLDT Smart EVP and Group Head of Consumer Business.
To register, dial *121#, the all-access number for all Smart promos.
Live streaming
Like in the previous years, Smart has partnered anew with Sun.Star-Cebu to live stream Sinulog festivities so that Filipinos can witness the festivities for free, wherever they are in the world. The live stream will also be available in the Sinulog Guide app.
“Sinulog Guide is a useful resource that provides important information to our guests and visitors. It’s all about Sinulog and how to make the most of it. It is all about Cebu, its culture and the places you can visit here. It’s all about our celebration that never ends,” said Sinulog Foundation executive director Ricky Ballesteros.
“The development of tourism apps such as the Sinulog Guide app is part of Smart’s nationwide Digital Tourism program, in partnership with InnoPub Media. Through this initiative, we hope to enhance the tourist experience by using mobile technology to deliver tourism, cultural, and historical information,” Isberto concluded.
The initiative was given an Anvil Award of Merit in February 2013 and commended by the Cebu City Council, in a resolution passed on mass motion in January 2012, as an “ingenious” way to deliver tourism information. (Press Release)
