Discriminatory? Cebu basilica dress code draws mixed reactions

CEBU CITY, Philippines – It took couple Ping Panilay, 17, and Jomar Abella, 18, two hours to get to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño from the City of Naga in southern Cebu. As they were about to enter the church compound, the guards turned them away.

The two were denied entry to the church compound on October 5 for wearing flip-flops. Panilay wanted to light candles as an offering for her birthday on October 7.

“Okay ra man jud siya nga naa’y policy kay bawal man jud sa simbahan ang sexy clothes,” Panilay told Rappler in an interview. (It’s okay to have a policy because sexy clothes should really be banned from the church.)

Starting October 1, administrators of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu started strictly implementing its dress code and refused entry to those wearing what it described as inappropriate attire.

Considered inappropriate are spaghetti straps, tube and tank tops, sleeveless dresses, plunging necklines, racerbacks and barebacks, short skirts and crop tops, shorts of any kind, low-waist pants and those that are torn or ripped, caps and hats, and sandos or dresses without sleeves.

The basilica has also stopped the practice of lending shawls to cover those considered wearing inappropriate attire.

The regulations are printed on huge billboards and posted at the basilica’s entry points.

The dress code, similar to one implemented at Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo, drew mixed reactions from locals and tourists. Some violators said they deserved to be turned away, while others said the policy might discriminate against people who cannot afford the required attire.

Augustinian friars said the policy was implemented to “maintain the solemnity of our worship space.” It will also “align with practices observed at other churches and shrines both locally and internationally.”

The Augustinians also discourage tourists from visiting the basilica “on Fridays and Sundays unless they intend to participate in the liturgical services.” 

The basilica houses the original image of the Holy Child that the Spaniards, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, gave as a gift to Queen Juana when they reached Cebu in 1521. It is the subject of deep and popular devotion.

The basilica also houses a less known image that the friars said is as old as the Santo Niño de Cebu — the Ecce Homo or the bust of the suffering Christ that was given by Magellan to Rajah Humabon also in 1521.

But it is the image of the Santo Niño that has attracted stronger devotion. People visit the basilica to offer prayers and to light candles, mostly on special occasions. Old women inside the compound sell candles and perform what is called the tindera Sinulog, waving the candles while dancing  in place and chanting a prayer for the offerers.

Recognize ‘the dignity of the individual’

Edu Albaro, 47, accompanied his wife and their youngest son, who is in Grade 7, to the basilica to light candles and hear Mass. It was their son’s birthday last October 5. Albaro, however, was refused entry because he was in shorts. He decided to just wait outside and told his wife and son to continue inside.

Albaro said the basilica administrators are right to impose a dress code because the church is a holy place. He said he wore shorts because the last time he was there, in July for their other son’s birthday, he also wore shorts but was allowed to enter.

Minerva Gerodias, who works for the local water utility, was refused entry last October 4 despite wearing a knee-length skirt. She decided to continue to hear the basilica’s First Friday Mass by standing outside the church compound. There were many who attended the Mass that way, also barred from entering the compound.

While the dress code is an expression of reverence, Jerome Babate said in a Facebook comment: “The dignity of the individual must also be recognized, and policies should be compassionate, especially for the poor who may not have access to compliant clothing. Perhaps the basilica could offer alternatives, such as shawls or wraps, to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can participate in Mass and prayer without feeling excluded.”

A minor girl selling candles near the basilica entrance said many are turned away every day. A Rappler team in the place counted 12 who were denied entry in a five-minute period in the afternoon of October 5.

AJ Lacsamana, 26, and Ely Pletado, 25, were part of a group of tourists from Manila who were also not allowed in. The two are first-time tourists in Cebu. While the two agree that the policies should be respected, Pletado is worried that the regulations may be discriminatory.  

“Not everyone is capable of wearing the formal types of outfits. For example, there are people who cannot afford to wear something elegant or decent. Maybe they should be allowed to enter the church,” Pletado told Rappler in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Besides that, entering the church is more on your intention. If you want to pray, you should be able to do so without needing to change your clothes,” Pletado added.

One of Pletado’s friends really wanted to enter the basilica and light a candle but she was not allowed in because her dress was above the knee.

Even before the strict dress code, lawyer Jessica Banzon-Natad said her family was denied entry to the basilica during the pandemic over their quarantine pass having been issued by a different local government. She said in a Facebook comment that she was very disappointed that they never returned since then, they go to the nearby Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Among those turned away were teen couple Flora Peña and Andre Himaya, both 17. It took them an hour to reach the Basilica from Consolacion, a town north of Cebu City. 

She said she was frustrated they weren’t able to get in “because of my fault.” Peña wore a denim skirt several inches above the knee. She said she thought it was okay because she was allowed to enter when she heard Sunday mass some weeks back.

Peña said there was nothing wrong with the new dress code because the church is “very sacred.”

The two, who have been in a relationship for six months now, make it a point to visit the basilica at least once a month.

“Manglaag na lang mi,” Flora said when asked what they would do after they were turned away. (We’ll just hang out.) – Rappler.com

Max Limpag, a freelance journalist from Cebu, is a 2024 Aries Rufo Journalism fellow.

Cris Fernan Bayaga is a campus journalist from the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Lanog, the official student publication of the College of Communication, Art, and Design. He is also an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.