EXPLORING THE HISTORICAL

AND CULTURAL FACTORS IN

SELLING STO. NINO IMAGES
 INTRODUCTION

Every 3rd Sunday of January

The Sto. Nino Fiesta Celebration is

 CULTURAL
 HISTORICAL
 INTRODUCTION

Thousands flock to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

Carrying the image
Participating in the Holy Eucharist
Praying the novena and holy rosary
Singing the “Batobalani sa Gugma”
 INTRODUCTION

Vendors
Selling images
Doing repair works
Painting
Dressing up the image
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 This mini research intended to explore the historical and cultural

factors of selling Sto. Nino images. Specifically, this study delved to
answer the following objectives:
(1) explain the reasons why vendors choose the
trade and describe the length of time in doing
business,
(2) relate the cultural practices in selling, and
(3) analyse the symbolism of the cultural practices.
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES
OF SR. SANTO NIÑO

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL OBJECTIVES:

 INTERPRETATIONS AND SYMBOLS FOR THE CLOTHES,

GESTURES AND ACCESSORIES OF THE SANTO NIÑO

 MATERIALS USED IN STATUE MAKING

 STATUE VENDORS AT SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU

Santo Niño de Cebu: A symbol of a child-
God

The Sto. Niño that was brought by

Magellan is pictured like a little child
wearing a long-sleeved silk shirt accented by
a bib or lace ruff is worn with a gold
embroidered vest over pantaloons. A sash
and belt, knee-high leather boots and a cape
of rich brocade complete the princely look.
 INTERPRETATIONS AND SYMBOLS FOR THE CLOTHES, GESTURES AND ACCESSORIES OF THE SANTO NIÑ

According to Ferrales:

 Crown - signifies sovereignty and possession of all the material wealth of the empire. is a
symbol of the kingly ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the king
 Scepter - represents martial power and the right to dispense justice ; may stand as the authority
over the entire world.
 Orb conjures two images at once: - the dominion of the Niño over the world of creation and the
sovereignty of Spain over a large territory of the globe in its role as defender of the Catholic
Faith.
 Red Cape – stands as the passion and death of Jesus Christ. In the liturgical color, red is the
color for martyrdom.
 Inner white robe – is a symbol for resurrection like the Easter Jesus.
 Size of a child – is a symbol of our being children of God. Jesus was a child of God that called
him a son of God.
 Right hand – (two fingers, middle and pointing finger, are pointing upward as the two natures
of Christ and the three remaining fingers are closed, which stands as the three persons of God.
 What does Santo Niño red mean?
- the red vestments are worn
during the celebrations of
pentecost, palm sunday,
good friday, holy cross. for
some, red is also a
recognizable color to
symbolize christ the king.
 What does the green Santo Niño mean?
- in a liturgical view, green is
for the season in the church
known as "ordinary time" for
some people, the green
wearing image represents
good luck in business or
financially.
“MATERIALS USED in
STATUE MAKING”
  

The doll-figure of the Christ-child appears all-year in hundreds

of versions. The material, from which the statues are produced
can be the following:
 polished ivory,
 ebony,
 gold braids,
 damask,
 velvet or simple plastic
 Ceramics
 Wood
 fiber
 RESERCH ENVIRONMENT

 The mini research was conducted at the back of the Basilica Minore
del Sto. Nino, Cebu City where Sto. Nino images are sold in various
stalls.
 RESEARCH TOOLS

 The researchers used purposive sampling.

 The researchers interviewed three (3) informants aged from 52 to 58
who started selling Sto. Nino images at least in the last five years.
 The third informant was a client of the second vendor.
 An interview guide was used to elicit responses from the
informants.
STATUE VENDORS AT Santo Niño de Cebu
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 The Vendors’ Choice to Sell Sto. Nino Images

Two respondents disclosed:
“I’m now the third generation which inherited this livelihood.
My grandparents started selling candles in front of the basilica
as early as the 1950’s. Then later incorporated selling the images,
pamphlets and other religious items.” ( Ikatolo na ko nga henerasyon
nga nagsunod ani nga panginabuhia. Ang akong mga apohan
nagsugod pagpamaligya og kandila sa mga 1950. Sa kadugayan
namaligya pud og mga imahen, libreta ug uban pa) R-1
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 “My parents started the business in the ‘70s. I inherited the business.
This is my only source of livelihood.” ( Akong ginikanan ang
nagsugod sa patigayon. Ako lang ni nasunod. Mao ra gud ni
ang akong nahibawang panginabuhi) R-2
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 A third one commented:
“I got sick in college. I was brought to a faith healer. He
gifted me with the Image of Sto. Nino and I got
healed. In 2006 I was diagnosed with cancer.
I prayed to the Sto. Nino all through the years till I was
given a clean bill by the doctor in 2011. Now I am
completely healed.” (Sa college nasakit ko. Gidala ko sa tambalan.
Gitagaan ko niya og imahen ni Sto. Nino. Naayo ko. Niadtong 2006
nadiagnose ko og cancer. Sige lang gud ko og ampo ni Sto. Nino
Hangtud nga naayo ko sa 2011. Wala na koy cancer) R-3
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 Vending was inherited. It is the only source of livelihood. Because it

is the only means of making a living, they find it the most
convenient livelihood. However, the Sto Nino in one’s faith is
powerful being who heals. Sto. Nino is a healer. He has the healing
power.
 
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 Cultural Practices
 There are so called material culture and non- material culture.
Values and beliefs are examples of non-material culture. Influenced
by religious culture, man’s relationship with the Infant Jesus is
driven by a humanist behaviour. His beliefs matter much in a
seemingly human to human relations with his God.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 “ Before receiving customers, I see to it that I pray to the Sto. Nino asking
for a good income throughout the day. I have to talk to Him. When clients
requests for changing the cape of the image, I have to talk to the Holy Child
not to make it hard in removing the old cape. There are times that they
spend long hours in changing His garb. Maybe he doesn’t like to change his
garb. When I experience things like this, I talk to Him. And things get easy.”
(Una pa modawat og customer, magampo ko sa Sto. Nino. Og dunay
customer nga matangtang ang iyang kapa. Dunay mga panahon nga lisud
tangtangon ang iyang sinina. Basin dili siya gusto magpailis. Makigistorya ko
niya og maglisud ko. Unya taud taud sayon na tangtangon iyan biste.) R-1
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 “ I start the business day by praying to the Sto. Nino.” (Magsugod
ko sa pagpatigayon pinaagi og pagampo ngadto ni Sto. Nino.) R-2

 “ Yearly, I changed the cape of Sr. Sto. Nino. I keep the old cape. I
alrea have a lot of them. When I get sick, I put his cape on my bed
and sleep on it. I am relieved of my sickness.” (Matag tuig akong
ilisan ang sinina ni Sto. Nino. Akong hipuson ang mga daang
sinina. Daghan na ang akong gitaguan. Og masakit ko, akong
ibutang ang sinina ibabaw sa akong higdaananog higdaan nako.
Dali ra ko nga maayo.) R-3
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 The relationship of the human person with the divine child is

personal. Praying to him makes the relationship closer that man can
simply invoke the Holy Child’s name as if He is just a friend, a
neighbour or a family member. The humanist treatment of man’s
relationship to Him prevails. The relationship must be intimate that
even his garb can be a source of healing for a man with fervent
belief in Him. Miracles do happen.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 Symbolism in Cultural Practices

 Behind the non-material culture, are meanings which help deepen man’s
relationship with God. The temporal meaning of temporal symbols are
given divine meaning only to express what is behind the practices in
culture.
 “ The dark skin of the image is historical. The image was burned.
 The green color of the cape means good business or wealth.
 Yellow means peace as introduced by “Mother Rebeca”, a known
Faith healer in the ‘90s” ( Ang itom nga imahen nay history na
siya.Ang imahen nasunog. An green nga kapa para sa maayong negosyo.
Ang yellow kalinaw siya.) R- 1
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 “ The red cape symbolizes kingship or royalty. He is king. Christ

The king.” (Ang pulang kapa nagsimbolo og pagkahari. Hari Siya.
Kristong Hari.) R-2

 As part of the humanistic relationship of man with the Sto. Nino,

even the different colors of His cape are given significant
symbolism. Seemingly, the temporal practice of man is brought to
his relationship with the divine. It seems that even if He is God, His
human nature remains with His beloved children so as to assure
them that their God is not a distant God. That man, in his weakness
can easily call for help to a God near him.
 FAITH AND BUSINESS: 
“Sto. Niño Statue vendors expect brisk business every month of January”

 And for vendors of Sto. Niño statues and velvet clothes among other religious items, January is a lucky month for
business as they brace for the influx of domestic and foreign revelers coming to Cebu to join the festivities.

 As early as December, traders say demand for velvet clothes and repair works on broken Sto. Niño images already
started to rise.

 Sellers of statues, capes and velvet clothes always take advantage of the Sinulog celebration to drive up their revenues,
recovering from losses during the off-season when sales are down. They also offer specific elements of the Niño icon
such as the crown, bastion, globe and beads and trims for cape designs.

 During the festival period, vendors said devotees customarily change clothes of their Niño statues and do some repairs
in them.

 While repair works are mostly in-demand during Sinulog, the sidewalk sellers describe the sales of Niño images as
not “very brisk” during this time, saying most customers buy them after the festival.
 CONCLUSION
 Selling images of the Sto Nino for generations is not purely a
business activity but an act of faith and devotion to the Child Jesus.
 Vendors and devotees are witnesses to the God who is near to them;
a God whom they can lean on; a God who is miraculous. For them
the Sto Nino symbolized as the giver of strength and source of
support.
 The Fiesta Senor epitomized love, trust and humility which heaved
the devotees, Cebuanos and non- Cebuanos alike, to fervent faith, as
devotees of the Infant Jesus.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING !!!!!!