Santo Niño’s “hubo” signals end of fiesta

CEBU, Philippines —The traditional “hubo” ritual, or the undressing of the Santo Niño image, this Friday is set to cap off the 453rd Fiesta Señor, which is an annual celebration that honors the Holy Child Jesus depicted through the highly-revered and miraculous relic.

Augustinian priest Ric Anthony Reyes, who is the Fiesta Señor 2018 secretary, said the essence of the “hubo” rite indicates that the feast has already ended formally.

“Ang hubo ritual buot nagpasabot nga humana na ang fiesta. Si Niño ilisan ug paliguan. I-ilis ang simple na nga sinina tungod kay humana man ang kapistahan,” he told The FREEMAN yesterday in an interview.

The local Augustinian community, particularly members of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, serves as the custodians of the original wooden image which was a gift from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the early natives and chieftain’s wife who were later Christianized.

This historical event stretched back to 1521, which marks the arrival of Christianity in the country that came first through the shores of the Cebu islands.

The image, believed to be miraculous according to several accounts, is now carrying the title Santo Niño which is a representation of the Holy Child Jesus.

Given the significance of the image, the “hubo” ritual is not just a mere re-enactment, said Fr. Reyes.

He said the rite carries a religious importance wherein undressing the image of its royal or kingly vestment means Jesus’ “self-emptying and humility.”

“Gihuboan siya sa iyang harianong sapot tungod kay deep within niya siya nagpakatawo alang kanato,” he explained.

He said the rite also has a cultural touch because dressing and bathing is an act of caring and rearing children, a value of protecting and nourishing them.

Finally, Fr. Reyes said the re-enactment is devotional in a sense as the “hubo” rite is made a part of the vast devotion of the Catholic faithful to the Santo Niño to officially close the grandest festivity in Cebu.

The “hubo” rite commonly takes place five days after the feast, which is celebrated every third Sunday of January.

This year, it is set on January 26 at 4 a.m. in a Mass that will be presided over by Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr., the rector and prior of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

After the homily, there will be a rite, accompanied with prayers and dances, of undressing the image of its new vestments and bathing it, then dressing it back with its ordinary vestment. —GAN (FREEMAN)