Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) of Cebu Features Nine Museum
How much should you peg for a priceless historical tour of nine museums for a night? In Cebu, Philippines it will only take you 4 hours and a hundred pesos bill.
Staged for fourth time, Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) once again captured the hearts of history lovers and romantics as we were toured through the rich historical pasts of Cebu. The tour commenced at exactly 6PM and ends as late as 10PM of May 17 and May 28.
I had the opportunity of participating Paseo sa Sugbu organized by the Cebu City Tourism Office, but I never had the time of seeing it at night, until now. I never realized that the busy and rustic feel of the old buildings and infrastructure along the busy streets of Cebu is home to some of the priceless memories of the Renaissance Cebu.
GABII SA KABILIN
Unknown to us,“Gabii sa Kabilin” is the local translation for “Night of Heritage”, and featured four museums in its beginning in 2007. These are the Casa Gorordo Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Fort San Pedro and Basilica del Sto. Niño Museum.
After a year, the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House joined the list of the historic sites featured for the Kabilin.
In May 29, the Kabilin brought in Museo Sugbu in the list maintained by the Provincial Government of Cebu and this year, the addition of the 1730 Jesuit House, University of Southern Philippines Foundation-Rizal Museum and Sacred Heart Parish completes the list.
Organized this year by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) in partnership with the Visayas Association of Museums and Galleries Inc. (VAMGI).
“The Gabii sa Kabilin concept is patterned after the long night of the museum in Germany and other European countries to draw and encourage people to visit museums as a venue for cultural understanding” said Dr. Joy Gerra, Executive Director of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)-Cultural Heritage Program.
Dr. Gerra adds: “We would also like to offer our guests a chance to ride the calesa or tartanilla (parada), a mode of transportation at the turn of 19th century as they move around from museum to museum. We also encourage people to dress in period costumes for the event”.
Currently, Gabii sa Kabilin is the only museum and cultural event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia, is the culmination of the International Museum Day (May 18) and the Philippine National Heritage Month (May) Celebrations.
Can’t wait for Gabii sa Kabilin 2011.
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Cultural Heritage Program
L-line: (63 32) 418-7234 local 701
E-mail: jocelyn.gerra@rafi.org.ph
You can also click the names of the museum below for more information about the landmarks
- Casa Gorordo Museum
- Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
- Cathedral Museum of Cebu
- Basilica del Santo Niño Museum
- Fort San Pedro
- Museo Sugbo
- 1730 Jesuit House
