With Shanice Kae O. Suarez
USJ-R Mass Comm Intern
TO HELP Cebuanos connect to their culture and heritage, the Gabii sa Kabilin will be held on May 29, giving participants a chance to visit several museums until midnight using one affordable ticket.
This year’s event, the ninth Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage, will include 37 heritage sites in four cities, namely, Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. Its theme is “Founding” and will highlight the museums and heritage sites’ past lives.
Jose “Dodong” Gullas, a former first district congressman, said he will request Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to declare May 29 a holiday, so that the public will have a chance to explore the museums.
Organizers from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) held a press conference on the event in the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum on D. Jakosalem St. in Cebu City yesterday morning.
Other activities
During the annual event, celebrated every last Friday of May, participating museums stay open until midnight. Various performances and interactive activities are also featured.
Dr. Jocelyn Gerra said this year’s Gabii sa Kabilin will help connect the Cebuano people, especially the youth, to their history. “It will be a storybook which would tell Cebuanos of their history,” said Gerra, executive director of RAFI’s culture and heritage unit.
Gerra added that staging the event will cost around P790,000, including food, security and gasoline. The museums will be paying for their own expenses.
The opening ceremony of the event will be held at Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, V. Rama Ave., Cebu City at 5 p.m. The temple is also one of the newest additions to the list of heritage sites.
Master Yonlin Shih of the Chu Un temple said the opening ceremony will be a surprise and encouraged people to get there early to find out what it is.
Archie Modequillo, representing The Freeman, said they are honored to join the list of heritage sites this year, as the oldest running newspaper in Cebu.
RAFI will provide an e-guide booklet which may be downloaded from www.rafi.org.ph or facebook.com/rafi.org.ph
Dr. Gerra is encouraging families, groups of friends, and others to plan which destinations they would like to go to.
Each ticket will be sold at P150, but children seven years old and younger will have free admission. Tickets will be sold at the participating museums and can also be reserved online.
The ticket will also include a ride on the famous tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) within Cebu City’s old districts, and unlimited Gabii sa Kabilin-designated bus rides.
Guests will be treated to cultural performances, culinary experiences, art fairs, special exhibits, and activities in which children and adults can participate.
In interviews, representatives from different destinations said they have already prepared what to perform and exhibit this Gabii sa Kabilin, and are encouraging the public to visit the museums.
Here are the participating sites for this year’s event:
Cebu City:
Casa Gorordo Museum, The Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu (Cathedral Museum of Cebu), Cebu City Museum (Rizal Memorial Library), Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod, Don Sergio Osmeña and CAP Art Gallery, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, Fort San Pedro, Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral of the Holy Child, Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, The Freeman, University of the Visayas, Museo Parian, 1734 Jesuit House, Museu Sugbo, Plaza Parian (AboitizLand), Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Magellan's Cross, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish-Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Bradford Memorial Chapel, University of Southern Philippines Foundation-Rizaliana Museum, University of the Philippines Cebu, Anthill Fabric Gallery, St. Theresa's College Folklife Museum
Mandaue City:
Bantayan sa Hari, Mandaue Central School (100-year-old Gabaldon building), Mandaue City Presidencia, Rizal-Bonifacio Memorial Stage and Public Library, Mandaue City Heritage Plaza, National Shrine of St. Joseph Parish-Alternative
Lapu-Lapu City
Mactan Shrine
Talisay City
Talisay City College, Museo de Talisay, Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish, Tres Aliños Monument, New Talisay City Hall, National Historic Shrine Liberation Monument