Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Carcar opens museum in first year as city
THE unveiling of Carcar museum is the most fitting way to celebrate the city’s first charter day anniversary, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the occasion’s honored guest, said.
The first batch of City Council of Carcar, home of century-old houses and historic sites, approved a measure last year observing every July 7 as its cityhood anniversary.
In her speech, Garcia described the museum’s opening as a fitting tribute to the bravery, courage and heroism of the Cebuanos in the past.
The array of artifacts, which are on display in a two-story museum, give today’s generation of Cebuanos a clue “on how our forefathers live,” she said.
The edifice is actually an old dispensary that was built during the stint of Mariano Mercado, mayor of then Kabkad town.
It is located between the century-old St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church and the City Hall building.
The governor took pride that the museum would preserve Carcar’s “unique, rich and glorious past” for the next generations of Cebuanos.
Instruments
Garcia and Mayor Patricio Barcenas led the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, which was followed by a blessing rite officiated by Msgr. Rolando Jimenez.
With lighted candles on hand, they toured the edifice along with city legislators, education officials and barangay leaders.
On display inside were old paintings, gowns, lamps, swords, bolos, antique platters, cups and saucers and musical instruments such as trumpets and bass.
Carcar’s City Charter Day anniversary began with an 8 a.m. mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria church.
Among the activities highlighting the celebration were the painting, Balak Bisaya and Dama Utokay competitions.
Fireworks
A civic parade around the city proper and Kabkaban dance presentation and fireworks display were held in the afternoon.
A special program at the City Sports Complex capped the whole-day affair which formally conferred on Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) as father of Carcar City.
The veteran Cebuano lawmaker drafted Republic Act 9436, converting the former first-class Carcar town into a city.
It was Gullas’ second “fatherhood” distinction because a similar honor was bestowed on him when Talisay became a city in 2001.
Both Carcar and Naga were converted into Cebu’s newest component cities last year through Gullas’ efforts. (GC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 8, 2008 issue)
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