A night study tour of Cebu history, heritage
Eleven-year-old Oswen Patrimonio religiously read the explanatory texts beside each historical figure inside the Museo sa Sugbo in Cebu City.
He was interested in every item displayed at the province-owned museum, which was once a provincial jail during the Philippine revolution in the late 1890s and the Japanese occupation in the early 1940s.
“He loves history. He keeps on asking what happened during World War II, how were the Filipinos like during the Bataan Death March,” said Owen’s mother, Genabel.
It was no wonder that the boy didn’t show any sign of boredom even if the Museo sa Sugbo was the family’s fourth stop during the “Gabii sa Kabilin” (Night of Heritage).
Eighteen museums and heritage sites opened their doors to about 5,000 visitors from 6 p.m. to midnight on May 27 during the annual cultural journey organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi).
Overflowing crowd
Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of Rafi’s culture and heritage unit, said all museums reported overflowing crowd even if it was raining that night.
Streets leading to the venues were filled with people—walking or riding in the tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) and buses.
Although they had yet to collate the total number, Gerra said this year’s attendance might have reached the target of 5,000, more than double to last year’s 2,000.
People flocked to the night market on Colon Street while onlookers stopped by Plaza Parian to witness the Santacruzan organized by Val Sandiego.
As the youth performed a drama inside the Cathedral museum, a cultural show was staged at Fort San Pedro. In the meantime, a night of music was a come-on in the Casa Gorordo Museum.
Youth education
Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who visited the Cathedral Museum about 9 p.m., said the event was a good program to inform the young people about the Filipinos’ culture and heritage.
“It is important to instill in the minds of people the values of our heritage and past. Many people are lost. They steal and sell religious artifacts because they do not appreciate what these means,” he said.
People lined up in front of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral to wait for their turn in riding in the tartanilla that would bring them to Fort San Pedro.
Dave Brian Seneno, a kuchero (carriage driver) for eight years, said it was a joy to see people wanting to try the ride.
Kucheros are only found in Barangay Ermita, near the Carbon market, and have been relegated almost to oblivion, he said.
Alvin Preciado had been at the Museo Parian sa Sugbu since 5 a.m. but at close to midnight, he was still all-smiles as he welcomed visitors at the Museo Parian sa Sugbu.
Hardware compound
Also known as the 1730 Jesuit House—the Museo was once the residence of the Jesuit Superior in Cebu inside the compound of Ho Tong Hardware along Zulueta Street in Barangay Parian, the former trading district of Cebu.
“This was only used as a warehouse (of the hardware). Two years ago, the Cebu City Tourism Council asked the (Sy) family to open this to the public,” said architect Anthony Abelgas, who is behind the house’s restoration.
The Sy family, owner of the 50-year-old Ho Tong Hardware, which maintains the museum, added their antique collection and replicas of some Spanish and Chinese artifacts used by former residents.
Preciado said the atmosphere was livelier in the area since the house—made of coral stone walls, terra cotta roof and tugas hardwood floor and posts—was restored and opened to the public.
“It’s different. People come here to see how a 280-year-old house looks like. Some of us (who work in the hardware) volunteered in helping out tour guests around the house,” said Preciado, who has been working with the store for five years now.
Province-wide next?
Gerra said the success of the Gabii sa Kabilin had encouraged organizers to embark on a province-wide night of heritage next year. This year, the Gabii sa Kabilin covered museums and heritage sites in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu.
“This is what we want to achieve—to encourage other towns and municipalities to organize their own versions of Gabii sa Kabilin,” she said.
Each participant paid P150 to gain access to all museums and heritage sites, and free bus and tartanilla rides.
The heritage sites are Mandaue City Central Plaza, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Sacred Heart Church, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Plaza Hamabar, Plaza Independencia and Plaza Sugbo.
The museums are Casa Gorordo Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Fort San Pedro, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Museo Sugbo, University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizal Museum, Museo Parian sa Sugbo, Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery, Cebu Normal University Museum and the recently reopened Cebu City Museum.
Too little time
But one night is not enough to visit all 18 sites.
Prof. Ligaya Rabago, artistic director of the University of the Philippines’ Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education, said it would be best if the heritage tour was extended to three nights so more people could visit the other sites and watch the cultural shows.
Gerra said the program was designed as a one-night event only.
“The goal is reached when you feel that you are not satisfied with just one night because it encourages you to visit the museums on other days and participate in follow-up events,” she said.
