David S. Odilao, Jr., then regional director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, organized the first-ever Sinulog parade. He gathered a group of students, dressed them up, taught them how to dance the Sinulog to the beating of the drums.
The Sinulog fiesta before the parade was a feast featuring Sinulog dancing performed by various groups to fulfill religious obligations. On the third Sunday of January each year, besides the faithful who joined the Sinulog to fulfill a panaad, the event began to attract an increasing number of tourists.
