21/01/2026
❤️❤️❤️
If you were present, online and offline, during Sinulog 2026, you might have already seen the HIGANTE that went viral, capturing hearts and attention at the Sinulog Festival 2026 – Higante Category Competition.
Declared Champion, Entry H-03 “𝗚𝗨𝗚𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗞𝗢𝗗” stood out not just for its scale and craftsmanship, but for the message and intention poured into it. The winning piece was a collaboration of Darrel Jan Larisma (Medellin), John Michael Baruc, Siblings, Family and Friends (Bantayan Island), and our very own Marvin Castro.
Marvin hails from Barangay Malapoc, Danao City and currently serves as a Barangay Kagawad. A self-taught artist, he has loved drawing, painting, sculpture, and architecture since childhood, actively joining art competitions from elementary to college. What began as a hobby grew into a passion, and eventually, a livelihood, through years of joining exhibits and art organizations in Danao and across Cebu.
When asked what inspires him to pursue art, Marvin shared that it is his love for art as a form of self-expression and gratitude—a way to honor his beautiful family, community, people, and hometown by inspiring others through his work.
From public service to the Sinulog stage, Marvin Castro’s journey is a powerful reminder of what it truly means to be —art with heart, purpose, and love beyond measure.
[Photo Credits: Marvin Castro]