As the vibrant Sinulog festivities of January 2026 draw thousands of devotees to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu, a stark contrast emerges among the small businesses that rely on the event. While the religious celebration boosts sales for many, some candle vendors report that strict administrative requirements and limited space are hindering their ability to earn during this crucial peak season.
Permit Requirements Create Hardship for Distant Vendors
For vendors positioned outside and far from the main Basilica entrance, the season has been challenging. Nanay Flora Martinez, a candle vendor, expressed difficulty in meeting her daily income targets. She cited the need to secure official business passes and submit identification documents as a significant hurdle, especially for vendors without permanent stalls. Martinez hopes authorities might consider easing such restrictions for small-scale operators whose primary annual income depends on Sinulog-related sales.
Contrasting Fortunes for Vendors Inside and Near the Basilica
The experience is not uniform for all sellers. Vendors with positions closer to the Basilica have reported a welcome surge in business as crowds swell in the days leading up to the festival. Vivian Paran, a "sulog" or candle-prayer vendor who has operated inside the Basilica for nearly six years, confirmed that demand for candles spikes every January. Devotees arrive to pray and fulfill religious vows (panata), making her work both a livelihood and a personal devotion to the Señor Santo Niño.
Just outside the Basilica gates, Melodina Donayri, who offers candle lighting and skirt rental services, also noted that sales typically increase as Sinulog approaches, with peak hours in the afternoon bringing the most customers.
Balancing Safety with Livelihood During Major Events
The enforced regulations are primarily for safety and effective crowd control during the massive festivities, which is one of Cebu's largest religious celebrations. However, the rules appear to have a disproportionate impact on vendors operating farther from the central activity. Sinulog, held every January, is a major economic driver, generating essential seasonal income for hundreds of small vendors around the Basilica area and attracting both local and foreign visitors.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of managing large-scale public events while supporting the informal economy that grows around them. For vendors like Martinez, the festival's spirit of hope and devotion is tempered by the practical struggles of compliance and competition for prime selling spots.
