Gabii sa Kabilin to fete cultural mix in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Organizers of the Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) hope that this year’s participants will see how the mixture of different influences helped shape Cebu’s modern society.

Understanding this mix of backgrounds will allow locals and tourists to better appreciate the present multicultural landscape in the Queen City of the South, according to Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of the Culture and Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. which is spearheading the heritage event for the 10th time on May 27.

“It is more of the desire to really work together as one people. Through history, we have always been one, and that is the reason why we understand who we are,” Gerra said, explaining why they decided to choose the theme “Forging Peoples” this year.

The six-hour heritage event will feature this year at least 41 destinations from four major cities in Cebu, including 29 known heritage sites in Cebu City such as the Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, Museo Sugbo and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

The heritage trail will also include three sites from Mandaue City, namely the National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue Central School Gabaldon Building and Bantayan sa Hari.

In Lapu-Lapu City, participants will drop by the famous Mactan Shrine and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is now operated by the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. In Talisay City, they will visit at least seven heritage sites, including Talisay City College and Museo Talisay.

During the Gabii sa Kabilin, guests will get to see exhibits, join scavenger hunt, listen to storytelling of myths and legends, create an original pineapple monoprint, learn to play the ukulele, make and taste “linusak” or pounded banana with sugar and grated coconut,among others. There will also be activities for children in the select participating museums.

Organizers have pegged the ticket price at P150, inclusive of bus rides and a ride on the “tartanilla” or horse-drawn carriage which is designated for the trip in Cebu City’s old district. Participants may also opt to ride SM’sMyBus to the indicated stops.

Children ages seven years old and below get free admission and rides, as long as they are accompanied by adults.

Gabii sa Kabilin is an annual event by RAFI, together with its partners. It is inspired by the Lange Nacht der Museen or Long Nights of Museums in Germany and other European countries and is held in Cebu in time for the celebration of theInternational Museum’s Day and National Heritage Month.

Gabii sa Kabilin is said to be the only cultural event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia, according to its organizers.

Since its inception, Gerra said they have noted increased awareness among the public on Cebuano culture and heritage. She said young people are now also actively joining and few have come up even with blogs and write-ups about the event.

“Cebuanos are discovering the rich heritage they have and beginning to get familiar with places of cultural ang historic significance. The event also serves as a venue for strengthening community involvement and multi-sectoral partnerships,” RAFI said in a statement.— (FREEMAN)