CEBU CITY, Philippines—For one night, local and foreign tourists in Cebu will have the chance to visit 18 museums and heritages sites.
Their doors will open up to midnight of May 27 during the fifth Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi).
“Gabii sa Kabilin is a platform to educate the public about our treasures. It aims to build a culture of visiting museums,” says Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of Rafi’s culture and heritage unit.
About 5,000 people are expected to register for the cultural event, more than double last year’s attendance of 2,000.
A registration fee of P150 will allow participants multiple entry to museums and free rides. They will show the ticket in every museum entrance. At the back of the ticket is a map, detailing the walking, tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) and bus routes.
They are encouraged to plan their routes in going around the 18 sites.
Patterned after the long night of museums in Germany, Gerra says the Gabii sa Kabilin reinforces the belief that local museums are venues for the understanding and appreciation of Cebuano history and culture.
“Museums are not just repositories of dead objects but venues for live cultural activities. We aim to raise that awareness of our identity and culture,” she stresses.
Included this year are 10 museums and eight heritage sites, including the latest addition, Mandaue City Central Plaza.
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 (Jesuit House), Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery, Cebu Normal University Museum and the recently reopened Cebu City Museum.
Aside from the Mandaue City Central Plaza, the heritage sites are Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Sacred Heart Church, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Plaza Hamabar, Plaza Independencia and Plaza Sugbo. The Gabii sa Kabilin started in 2007 with four museums and generated 200 visitors. But it has grown since and has encouraged barangays to play an active role in the organization.
Since the heritage sites are found in the barangays, Rafi with the support of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts have organized storytelling and writing sessions, as well as theater workshops, to equip the community with skills to preserve tales, stories and dances unique to the place.
“It is in consonance with Unesco’s call in making heritage activities as a source of economic activity of the community,” Gerra says.
For the Gabii sa Kabilin, Gerra says kucheros, who still make a living mostly at Carbon Market in Barangay Ermita, will be hired. “This way, we do not only uplift the economic condition of the kucheros but also bring back their sense of dignity,” she says.