The leadership of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu appealed for “proper respect” for the image of the Child Jesus, popularly known as the Santo Niño, after a Binibining Pilipinas contestant went viral on social media for wearing a vestment of the Child Jesus as her national costume.
Joy Dacoron, 27, a native of Balamban town in the western part of Cebu, went viral on social media for dressing up like the Child Jesus in the national costume competition at the Binibining Pilipinas 2023 pageant.
“Despite the many expressions of faith and devotion toward the Sto. Niño, it is also important to keep in mind the appropriateness of our actions,” read a statement from the Basilica.
“As Cebuano Catholics, the Santo Niño has a profound religious and cultural importance to us. Let us approach and treat the Santo Niño with reverence and respect in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding,” added the statement.
The Augustinian missionaries who are taking charge of the Basilica acknowledged in their statement that during the feast of the Child Jesus every January, many children are dressed in Santo Niño vestments, but this serves as a way of teaching them the importance of devotion.
“The wearing of the Santo Niño vestment to children is one of the expressions of faith by parents in order to help them understand and grow their faith to the Child Jesus,” read the statement.
“Children are the direct manifestations of the Holy Child — special blessings that hold the family together,” it added.
Dacoron’s camp explained that wearing the vestment as her national costume is a recognition of the deep faith of the Cebuanos in the Child Jesus, as well as their gratitude for the patron’s guidance.
However, Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo of Cebu said Dacoron did not seek permission to use the vestment as a national costume during the pageant but only for a “photo opportunity” in front of the Basilica.
