Cebu City’s famous landmark named after the country’s national hero has just been given a much-needed facelift.
And there is no better time to reopen the three-story Rizal Memorial Library and Museum than on May 8 this year—the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
It signals a new era in reviving Cebuano art and culture as the city government can offer a venue for artists to showcase their work, says Connie Cuyos, administrative officer of the city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.
“We hope to educate the public about the rich history of Cebu … this will serve as a venue for us to show, especially to the younger generation, that Cebu played a major role in history,” Cuyos explains.
Perfect timing
The timing could not be perfect.
Cebu City, along with Manila, has just been designated the “Asean City of Culture,” which will allow it to promote local culture and arts to the member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The Asean Ministers of Culture and Arts gave the award to Cebu City, specifically because of its creative industry, including its culture, heritage, music and arts.
The Rizal Memorial Library and Museum on Osmeña Boulevard houses the Cebu City Public Library (ground floor), the Cebu City Museum of Visual Arts (second floor) and the Sinulog Hall (third floor), where cultural and historical functions are held.
In front of the 72-year-old building, a prewar heritage site of neoclassical architecture, is an imposing statue of Rizal sitting on a chair with a book spread on his lap and reading to two children.
Renovation
Cuyos says P13.75 million was spent for the renovation that started in August last year. The wooden floor was concreted and tiled, and the ceiling was replaced.
The project was funded by the city government (P11 million) and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Foundation Inc. (P2.75 million).
The building was inaugurated on Dec. 30, 1939, in time for Rizal’s 43rd death anniversary, with funds coming from carnival expositions and literary-musical programs held since 1919. It sits on land owned by the provincial government.
Later, the property was donated to the city government with then Gov. Lito Osmeña handling the title to then Mayor Tomas Osmeña, now the city’s south district representative.
“There is a lot of history in this building and it is a pity that many people don’t know about it,” librarian Rosario Chua says. “For instance, many did not know that there was a group called Los Tucayos de Rizal composed of the Joses in Cebu and they were very active in celebrating Rizal days.”
In 2008, the renovation plan was mired in controversy because it came with the city government’s announcement to close down the library, which was already suffering from a dwindling budget, outdated books and dilapidated facilities. A bigger government museum was to be built instead.
Help
The closure did not push through following strong public opposition, especially from the Friends of the Cebu City Public Library.
Several organizations have partnered with the public library. One of them, the Zonta Club of Cebu II, opened a children’s area.
Books have yet to be upgraded, Chua says, but she remains hopeful that the city government would next invest in books and reading materials.
Meantime, the museum would serve as the main venue for showcasing art works, including those made by Cebu’s young and promising artists, Cuyos says.
“We have paintings and photographs of old Cebu which really show how rich Cebu is. Our goal is to educate the public about this rich history and preserve what is left of our heritage,” she says.