Gabii sa Kabilin 2017 Tomorrow!

CEBU, Philippines - The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit and its partner organizations will hold the 11th run of the Gabii sa Kabilin tomorrow, May 26, from 6 p.m. to midnight. This time around the heritage event features 27 cultural destinations in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

“GSK 2017 will bring out Cebu’s identity as a unique Philippine destination for its cultural history and laid-back lifestyle,” said Florencio Moreno II, Casa Gorordo Museum curator. “This is what we really want people to get out of GSK – enjoyment of Cebuano culture. We want them to go around and visit the participating sites in a relaxed pace, especially that it is held in the summer when the metropolis winds down.”

Throughout the night, participants will be treated to cultural performances, culinary experience, art fairs, and special exhibits, among others, while select participating sites also offer activities for children. Additional highlights for this year’s Gabii s Kabilin is the “Heritage Hunt,” which is in partnership with RAFI - Kool Adventure Camp, and the Gabii sa Kabilin “Blogging Contest.”

In Cebu City, the participating heritage sites include the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City Museum, Democrito T. Mendoza Museum, Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorabilia and CAP Art Gallery, FoGuang Shan Chu Un Temple, Fort San Pedro, Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral of Sto. Niño, Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, Museo Parian sa Sugbo-1730 Jesuit House, Museo Sugbo, Museum of Bicycling, Museum of Heritage and Folk Art, Museum of Naïve Art (MoNA)-West Gorordo Hotel, Plaza Parian, San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church, St. Theresa’s College-Folklife Museum, Sugbo Chinese Heritage Museum, United Church of Christ of the Philippines-Bradford Memorial Chapel, and University of the Philippines Cebu.

In Mandaue City, the Mandaue Presidencia is part of the site visit. The visit to Lapu-lapu City includes the Mactan Shrine. In Talisay City, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish, the Talisay Beach Landing, and the Collegium Societa Tis Angeli Pacis Museum are participating.

To join the event, guests must purchase a Gabii sa Kabilin ticket worth P150 per guest. It comes along with a Gabii sa Kabilin tour map and e-magazine. A ticket also entitles one guest to a tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) trip in the city’s old Parian district, and unlimited rides in Gabii sa Kabilin-designated buses. Admission is free for children ages seven and below. The tickets can be purchased and reserved in advance at any of the participating museums and heritage sites.

To allow participants to walk freely and safely in the historic downtown area of Cebu City, certain streets will be closed to traffic tomorrow from 5 p.m. to midnight. These are Mabini, P. Burgos and E. Aboitiz (formerly Lopez Jaena) streets. Drivers are encouraged to make detours away from these areas at least two hours before the road closure to avoid getting stuck in a traffic jam.

In 2012 the Cebu City Council passed Ordinance 2327 declaring the last Friday of May of every year as Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage.

For more information about Gabii sa Kabilin and other programs of the RAFI Culture & Heritage Unit, one may call 411-1700/3431700 local 24537 and look for Junnale Castro, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or follow @rafiorgph on Twitter. (FREEMAN)