Cebu Archbishop Alberto (Abet) Uy has appealed to Sinulog Festival organizers to refrain from receiving sponsorships from gambling establishments. 

In an official statement issued on January 9, 2026, Uy underscored that the Sinulog is “not merely a cultural event or a tourism activity. It is, above all, a religious celebration, rooted in our faith and centered on the Child Jesus. Its spiritual meaning must be preserved, protected, and respected.”

Uy pointed out that partnering with gambling firms sends a conflicting message. 

“Such partnerships may generate funds, but they also send a conflicting message to the faithful and to the wider community, he said, as “it contradicts the values of the Santo Niño.”

“The Santo Niño symbolizes innocence, purity, and trust in God. Gambling establishments, by their very nature, are associated with behaviors and environments that may lead to addiction, broken families, financial loss, and moral confusion. Aligning a sacred celebration with industries that often contribute to social problems does not honor the values the Santo Niño represents,” Uy stressed. 

He enumerated other reasons why sponsorships from gambling establishments should be avoided:

“It creates a moral inconsistency. The Church cannot encourage families to reject destructive habits while at the same time allowing sacred celebrations to be financially supported by entities connected to those habits. Doing so would create scandal—a situation where the faithful might think the Church approves of or tolerates gambling as a lifestyle or form of recreation;

“It protects the integrity and credibility of the festival. The Sinulog is a powerful tool for evangelization. Thousands of pilgrims, especially the young, look to this celebration for inspiration and guidance. Accepting sponsorships from gambling sectors risks shifting public perception from a religious feast to a commercial spectacle, weakening its spiritual impact and confusing its true purpose;

“It upholds the dignity of families and the poor. Gambling disproportionately affects the poor—those most vulnerable to losing what little they have. We cannot ask the Santo Niño to bless our families while inviting support from industries that have, in many cases, contributed to family breakdown and poverty; and

“It encourages responsible stewardship. The organizers are encouraged to seek partners that align with the values of faith, family, culture, and community. There are many institutions—public and private—that can and will support the festival without compromising its moral character.”"""

In addition, the archbishop pointed out that the Sinulog must remain a festival about and for the Santo Niño.  

“My appeal is simple yet heartfelt: Let the Sinulog remain a festival that truly reflects the joy, purity, and light of the Santo Niño. May we honor Him not only with our dances, prayers, and celebrations, but also through the moral choices we make in organizing this sacred event,” Uy stated further.