VELVET clothes and capes are in demand by Sto. Niño devotees.
Christina Barrera and her husband Raul, occupy one of several stalls along Jakosalem Street in downtown Cebu City, where they make and sell clothes for icons of the Holy Child.
As the Jan. 20 feast day nears, orders pick up.
As early as August, families started placing their orders and Christina gets busier, seweing eight sets of clothes and capes a day.
Red and green are the most requested colors.
Red is the traditional color of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
“Some people believe that when Sto. Niño wears green, it brings good luck and success,” Christina said.
Gold trim and beads are the usual materials that go in the design.
The Barreras have been in the business since 1986. Christine learned how to sew clothes for religious images from her mother.
“I don’t copy designs of others. I create my own using my imagination,” she said.
“ Each of the capes and clothes I make are not the same except for the kind of materials I use.” Christina said.
For a large 18-inch image, a velvet cape and set of inner clothing would cost P4,500.
For the smallest 3-inch image, the wardrobe would cost P150.
During peak season, the price is a little higher so the couple adds a free coating of varnish to make an image look new.
Many ask for a coating of gold paint as well to make the crown, boots and pedestal shiny.
During the Sinulog season, the couple earns at least P5,000 a day compared to a regular day’s income of P1,500.
With the proceeds, Raul said they were able to send their only child to college.
“We consider this business part of our devotion to the Sto. Niño. In return He blesses us with good health to continue the work. We get to eat three times a day and send our son to school” /Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla