Cebu City (CNN Philippines, May 17) — The national costume of Miss Cebu Province in the Binibining Pilipinas 2023 competition is receiving backlash from the religious community after she wore vestments similar to that of the Santo Niño de Cebu.
The pageant’s Facebook page posted the national costumes of the candidates on Tuesday, including the photo of Cebu Province’s Joy Dacoron. However, it can no longer be found on the page as of Wednesday noon.
Dacoron also posted the photos from the shoot on her social media accounts.
For the national costume competition, she wore a red cape, crown, scepter, and a globe, which are also seen in the images of the Santo Niño de Cebu or the Holy Child Jesus. Her costume was designed by Chino Ledesma Chirstopherson.
The pageant hopeful explained on her Instagram account that her costume symbolizes the unwavering faith of Filipinos and pays tribute to Cebu’s patron.
She added that Señor Santo Niño de Cebu is a source of inspiration and strength of the Catholic faithful.
“When I lost my father to an accident last year, I questioned God: “Ngano man, Lord (Why Lord?),” she wrote. “The Santo 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.”
“Thus, with pride and deep respect for our heritage, I wear this costume that signifies faith and gratefulness. Viva Pit Senyor!,” she added.
Dacoron said she received permission from the Archdiocese of Cebu for the shoot. But according to Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo, her team only asked to feature the churches as background.
“I have no idea that they will promote the vestments of the Holy Child as national costume, and especially the Augustinian priests also do not know about it,” Labajo said in the vernacular in a statement sent to reporters.
Fe Mantuhac-Barino, chairperson of the commission on laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu, also asked for respect to the religion and culture.
“Creativity should be guided by the Holy Spirit so the true beauty of God’s creation will come out,” she said “It is important to respect culture and religion.”
The 40 candidates will feature their elaborate outfits during the national costume and fashion show on Thursday at the New Frontier Theater.
Hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, the grand coronation of the 59th edition of Binibining Pilipinas will be held on May 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The winners will represent the country in the Miss International and Miss Globe pageants to succeed Nicole Borromeo and Chelsea Fernandez, respectively.
Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg will also be crowning the new Bb. Pilipinas International. The winning Miss International Philippines will have to wait until 2024 to represent the country in the pageant since Borromeo is set to compete in Tokyo, Japan on Oct. 26.
Cebu-based correspondent Dale Israel contributed to this report.
After the photo went viral online, Augustinian Friars of the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño De Cebu reminded the Catholic faithful to treat the Sto. Niño with reverence and respect to avoid misunderstandings.
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. As Cebuano Catholics, the Sto. Niño has a profound religious and cultural importance to us,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.
