Cebu Basilica Dress Code Sparks New Business for Local Vendors
The implementation of a strict dress code policy at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu has unexpectedly created a new revenue stream for candle vendors operating outside the historic church. These vendors, traditionally selling candles to devotees, have adapted by offering clothing rentals to tourists and pilgrims who are turned away for inappropriate attire.
From Free Shawls to Paid Rentals
Vendors like Remedios Vega and Daisy Abrasaldo have been assisting visitors for years. Initially, when the dress code was more lenient, they provided shawls or sarongs for free, allowing people to borrow and drape them over their clothes. "At that time, there were no rentals for skirts, pants, or blouses -- only sarongs or shawls, borrowed freely and simply draped," Abrasaldo recalled.
However, as the policy tightened in 2024, the need for more formal attire grew. Vega and Abrasaldo began renting out skirts, pants, and blouses for a fee of P50 per rental. This shift transformed their casual assistance into a small but steady business, capitalizing on the basilica's rules to generate additional income.
Flexible Pricing and Community Support
Despite the set rental fee, the vendors maintain a compassionate approach. Vega noted that when renters are short on cash, they accept whatever amount is offered—sometimes as low as P20—and occasionally allow free rentals. This flexibility highlights the vendors' role not just as entrepreneurs but as community helpers ensuring everyone can participate in religious activities.
The dress code, intended to maintain decorum, has thus fostered a unique micro-economy. Candle vendors, once reliant solely on candle sales, now diversify their earnings through clothing rentals, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in Cebu's vibrant tourism and religious landscape.
