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Binibining Pilipinas candidate draws flak for Sto. Niño-inspired costume
Joy Dacoron, a Binibining Pilipinas candidate representing Cebu Province, has drawn flak for her national costume inspired by the Sto. Niño.
Inspired by the Sto. Niño statue, Joy’s look is comprised of a red cape with gold trimmings. She has a crown on her curly hair, a globe in one hand, and scepter in another. Her national costume was designed by Chino Ledesma Christopherson.
“My costume symbolizes unwavering faith and pays tribute to our province’s patron," Joy wrote on Instagram. "The Senor Sto. Niño de Cebu is a source of inspiration and strength of numerous Catholic faithful. I am one of those.”
Joy said that when she lost her father to an accident in 2022, she questioned God, but that the Sto. Niño “paved the way for me to shed off my doubts and made me realize that everything happens for a reason.”
“In gratitude, I am sharing this faith to the national stage,” Joy added. “Thus, with pride and deep respect for our heritage, I wear this costume that signifies faith and gratefulness. Viva! Pit Senyor!”
In a follow-up post, Joy shared photos of her meetings with church officials as well as photos of her in costume with an altar in the background.
Netizens in the comments section of both her posts expressed dismay at Joy's costume. Although they saw her good intentions, they said the costume was offensive, disrespectful, and even blasphemous.
“As a [senior] Santo Niño devotee this [doesn't] look good to me. I feel offended that these women will do anything just to get the attention they crave! [And] how funny that they always say this is to pay homage/tribute. For me it felt that you [don't] respect the devotees and the ‘Sacred Image,’” one user said.
“The damage has been done but in the future always think when [entertainment] becomes offensive and when [it] is too much,” another netizen said.
The Augustinian Friars of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu released an official statement on their Facebook page about the use and wearing of Sto. Niño vestment.
“The wearing of Sto. 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. Children are the direct manifestations of the Holy Child—special blessings that hold the family together. For parents as the first teachers of faith, it is part of their duty to let their children be closer to Jesus,” the statement said.
“Despite the many expressions of faith and devotion towards the Sto. Niño, it is also important to keep in mind the appropriateness of our actions,” they added.
“As Cebuano Catholics, the Sto. Niño has a profound religious and cultural importance to us. Let us approach and treat the Sto. Niño with reverence and respect in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding. As one Catholic community, let the Sto. Niño be our source of peace in our walk of faith.”
Binibining Pilipinas started posting the queens’ national costumes on Tuesday, with the National Costume Fashion Show and press presentation happening at the New Frontier Theater today, at 3 p.m.
The Binibining Pilipinas coronation night will be on May 28 at the Araneta Coliseum. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will be the host. — Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News
