HUBO

By : Bro. MJ Castillo, C.Ss.R.

Thinking about the Hubo now, all the way here in Davao City, feels special. It’s like the heart of Cebu’s love for Señor Santo Niño beats even from far away, especially because I felt that ritual so deeply when I became a religious. It wasn’t just watching something; it felt like my own soul was going through the same changes, a really important moment where what happened on the outside matched what was happening inside me.

When I remember choosing those things from my old life – the long-sleeved shirt, the jewelry I wore, the watch on my wrist – it feels even more meaningful now. They weren’t just old stuff; they were like anchors, things that kept me tied to how I used to live. The shirt was comfy, something I knew. The jewelry was how I liked to look, maybe even how people saw me. The watch was always there, reminding me of the usual day-to-day things. Wearing them into that holy place, knowing I was going to take them off, was like saying goodbye to my past, really accepting it before moving on.

And when my parents offered me to the provincial superior… that still feels like a big deal. It was such a loving and faithful thing for them to do, giving their child over to follow this bigger calling. For them, it must have been happy but maybe a little sad too, letting go. Their willingness to trust my future to this path shows how much they believed and supported what I wanted to do. Standing there with them, between my old life and my new one, their offering felt like a blessing for the journey I was starting.

Taking those things off… it wasn’t just clothes and jewelry coming off; it felt like I was shedding parts of myself, both what you could see and what was inside. With each piece, as everyone was quiet and respectful, I felt lighter. The weight of caring too much about those worldly things felt like it was going away, making space for something new to grow. Just in a simple white shirt and pants, I felt really basic, equal to everyone, ready to be dressed in the clothes of my new life. It was like showing I was humble, just like Jesus was when he gave up everything for us.

Then, getting the new clothes – the habit, the cross, the cincture, and the rosary – that moment is so clear in my mind. The habit felt like a new skin, showing who I was becoming, someone dedicated, a reminder of the poverty of Christ. The cross felt cool against my skin, always reminding me of Jesus’ big sacrifice, his obedience to the Father and how we’re saved. The cincture, tied around me, felt like it was focusing me, keeping my heart set on God, a chaste and wholehearted love. And the rosary in my hands felt like a connection to Mary’s love and help. These weren’t just new things to wear; they showed the promises I was making. It was like the Santo Niño getting simpler clothes, not because he was less important, but because it showed his new life after rising from the dead and a new purpose.

Thinking about how the Hubo is like Jesus giving up everything, as it says in Philippians 2:7 the self-emptying of Jesus, makes my own journey make more sense. It wasn’t about losing who I was, but about willingly giving up a former self to follow a bigger purpose, a life of loving and helping others. Just like Jesus loved us so much he gave up everything, my choice to leave my old life was also about loving God and wanting to serve Him. It wasn’t something I had to do, but something I wanted to do with joy.

And how the Hubo shows change, like the Santo Niño going from fancy clothes to simple ones, really hits home. It’s not just about how things look on the outside; it’s about a change inside, turning away from just worldly things to focus on what’s really important spiritually. My religious profession was a big turning point like that. Saying yes to poverty, obedience, and chastity wasn’t just following rules; it was changing my whole way of thinking and living, putting God and serving others first. It was like being born again in my spirit, a step towards a bigger calling, just like the Santo Niño’s simple clothes showed his new life after rising.

Even now, so far from Cebu, remembering the Hubo from when I became religious is still really important to me. It always reminds me how much faith can change you, how beautiful it is to give up things out of love, and how happy you can be when you live for something bigger than yourself. It wasn’t just something I saw; it was something I lived, a special moment that still shapes who I am and helps me understand what my life is all about.