REFLECTING on Chinese history, situated at the heart of Cebu City, the newly refurbished 106-year-old historic Gotiaoco Building finally opens its doors as the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum.
At this creative space, history is presented through interactive technology and artifact displays, featuring a replica of a Chinese Junk symbolizing the journey of the Chinese upon leaving their homeland in the 12th century in search for greener pastures. A projected map illustrating the settlement and humble beginnings of the early Chinese in the Cebu port area, as well as their migration to neighboring islands, covers the rich and versatile history of the Sugbu Chinese. Valuing the Chinese legacy through research, curation and exhibition, the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum conserves many of its artifacts, documents and other collections through technologies and techniques as well as enriching the community through its educational programs.
A celebration of culture, history and architecture, this iconic landmark was built in 1914 as a business and commercial hub by Manuel Gotianuy, in honor of his father Don Pedro Gotiaoco. The building’s illustrious history includes its very first tenants namely the Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Bryan & Landon Electric Company (now Visayan Electric Company), Cebu Telephone Company (now PLDT Inc.) and the Philippine Railways Company.
This treasured historic building, restored in hope to inspire people to a greater interest in the Chinese heritage, is located at M.C. Briones cor. P. Burgos St., Cebu City (a two-minute walk from Magellan’s Cross).
The Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum is now open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.