THE 461st Fiesta Señor 2026 officially concluded on Friday, Jan. 23, with the traditional “Hubo” ceremony led by Rev. Fr. Andres Rivera Jr., rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, together with the Augustinian friars. Held inside the centuries-old basilica in downtown Cebu City, the rite marked the quiet close of one of the Philippines’ largest and longest-running religious celebrations, as hundreds of devotees solemnly witnessed the Hubo ritual in silence and prayer.
The “Hubo,” a Cebuano term meaning to undress, is a centuries-old liturgical ritual performed only at the end of the Fiesta Señor. During the ceremony, priests carefully remove the jeweled crown, scepter and ornate vestments of the Sto. Niño. The sacred image is then gently dipped in perfumed water, symbolizing cleansing and renewal, before being dressed in simple, ordinary vestments. This act reflects Christ’s humility and closeness to the faithful, emphasizing that beyond royal adornments, the Child Jesus remains a servant and companion to the people. The ritual signifies the end of public veneration, as the image is returned to its house altar to remain until the next Fiesta Señor.