Screenshot of the video from Viva Sto. Niño Items Facebook page, one of the so-called ‘pseudo accounts’ promoting the Sto. Niño Hubad statuettes / Facebook
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Churches here in Cebu warned faithfuls not to buy statues of a naked Snr. Sto. Niño, commonly referred to as ‘Sto Niño Hubad’, which supposedly brings fortune to the owners.
The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu has issued a public advisory, urging devotees of the Holy Child to be cautious on ‘pseudo accounts’ using the Sto. Niño on social media.
The Augustinian friars also said they do not promote the Sto. Niño in green vestment, which was marketed as ‘paswerte’ or lucky charms.
“Sacred images remind us to deepen our trust and faith in God,” they added.
The matter has also reached the attention of the Archdiocese of Cebu, with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma himself debunking rumors that they gave their blessings to the Sto. Niño Hubad.
“Wala akoy gibenditahan nga hubad nga Snr. Sto. Niño, ug ang gisulti (sa nikatag nga video) dili tinuod,” Palma said in a pre-recorded message published on the Archdiocese’s official Facebook page.
Sto. Niño Hubad Viral post
The Sto. Niño Hubad has been widely circulating online.
A Facebook page with the name Viva Sto. Niño Items has been promoting the so-called Niño-inspired lucky charms since September.
The video showed what looked like an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated animation of a priest, enticing viewers to avail themselves of the naked statuettes of the Holy Child.
It also used locations inside the Basilica compound as background pictures.
According to the video, while the Sto. Niño Hubad is free, anyone interested in getting one would have to pay the shipping fee.
The post has already generated over 40,000 reactions, and shared more than 1,500 times since its publication on September 16.
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