For some reason, fate wouldn't allow me to experience Sinulog for the past years. There would always be a hindrance to my plans: fares would either be too expensive; my friends wouldn't be available; or some work would require me to be in the office during the 3rd week of January. It is also during this time when hotels would be fully-booked and even the cheapest ones would jack up their rates ridiculously, impeding any chance of spontaneous travel. Well, not this year! I chanced upon a super cheap airplane ticket months back and immediately booked it. ALONE. Like, "I don't care if my friends aren't coming, I'm going to Sinulog in 2016!"
Luckily, my dancesport friends got infected with my determination to go to Cebu they got convinced to go along when they saw the teaser of Oh Ship! Sinulog I shared on Facebook. Oh Ship, in partnership with SMART Prepaid and 2Go Travel, launched their first cruise party last January 15 en route to Cebu! Knowing that SMART always throws the best parties, this awesome idea which involves great music, booze, breathtaking sea views, and cool people totally got my friends hooked onto the idea of invading the Queen City. So at the last minute, I found myself having Sinulog companions!
Oh Ship! was awesome and it was an amazing intro to my Sinulog escapade. The was some confusion over the tickets before boarding—resulting in a very delayed trip—but once we got into the boat, things got better. We cruised aboard 2Go's St. Leo the Great, which I found to be pretty decent (and freezing cold, LOL)—it sailed smoothly all throughout the 24-hour journey. We stayed in one of the well-appointed Staterooms, which had two single beds, a TV, a coffee area with sofa chairs, a closet, and a bathroom. Lovely and comfortable room!
The party started at around 5:00PM, and early goers got the chance to enjoy the magnificent sunset. I walked up to the deck to witness this spectacular scene as well. DJ Abdel was already playing as the tables were being set up. Some were already drinking beers and cocktails. I spotted DJ Nix Damn P and took a photo with him! Haha! #groupie
Soon more people poured in and the deck was transformed into a full-blast party. Please note that only the deck had some party going on, not the whole ship. Those who purchased Oh Ship! tickets are the only ones who had access to the deck. Kat DJ was awesome—people were bouncing up and down to her chosen beats. But it was during DJ Nix's set that people really went crazy (including me and my friends, LOL).
Hennessy cognac, Belvedere vodka, and Budweiser beer overflowed as the wind blew and ruined everyone's hairdos and threw styro cups all over, but nobody cared because we were all having such an awesome time. I was so happy that I got enough footage for my Oh Ship! video before I got completely drunk, which was hastened by not eating dinner because of what passed for food in the boat's restaurant. By the time the party was almost over, we were doing ballroom and salsa up there on the deck, with friends and complete strangers. I met a couple of awesome people in this cruise (including my idol YouTuber, Wil Dasovich)! Special shout and thanks to DJ Abdel for playing until the last drunk dancer has left the deck! Haha!
And of course, thank you SMART for this incredible experience! We're looking forward to more amazing parties like this all over the Philippines!
As for Oh Ship!, I heard they're sailing really soon for La Boracay. I hope the next cruise will be a lot more organized and smooth. If you guys like to party, you should definitely follow them on Facebook and Instagram and reserve your cabins ASAP!
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More photos below:
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Oh Ship! Sinulog 2016
15 to 16 January 2016
Do you love to party? How does a party cruise sound to you?
Special thanks to Frances Rafio of SMART Prepaid.
If you like my posts and would love regular updates on travel photos, food finds, restaurant reviews, dance articles, and drunken tales, follow Pepe Samson on Facebook!
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