Gabii sa Kabilin returns

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Gabii Sa Kabilin is back!

The annual event that enables the present to see a glimpse of the past is back on its feet after two years in a pandemic situation.

GSK, which is organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit, announced the return of the GSK 2022 to the physical, face-to-face activities, on October 21, with 20 museums and heritage sites to visit from 6PM to 12 midnight.

“After a 2-year hiatus brought by the pandemic, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit, its partner museums and cultural organizations, and local government units are bringing back the face-to-face Gabi isa Kabilin on October 21, 2022, from 6PM to 12 midnight,” RAFI CHU Program Manager Haidee Palapar during the press launching at the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, Friday (August 5) noon.

This year’s participants include the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City Museum, Fort San Pedro, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, Museo Parian sa Sugbo – 1730 Jesuit House, Museo Sugbo, Palm Grass Cebu The Heritage Hotel, RAFI – The Kabilin House, St. Theresa’s College – Sr. Ma. Delia Coronel Folklife Museum, Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Carlos Museum, University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizaliana Museum, Mandaue City Presidencia, the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Nazareno Heritage of Faith Museum and the Museo de Talisay.

As the host, the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, obliged to give news people a tour to its newly renovated 4-story neoclassical structure, built in 1914, and was formerly known as Gotiaoco Building in MC Briones cor. P. Burgos Sts.

On display is the replica of a Junk that ferried the first Chinese merchants from Guangzhou Province of China to the Cebu shores. The collection also includes the traditional Chinese dresses, porcelain vases that date back to the Song Dynasty, records of the Chinese immigrants that reflected on the registry books upon their arrival and many more.

However, SCHMFI promised more collections will be on display during the GSK night.

Tickets are prized P200 for regular patrons but can be availed for P180 for early buyers until September 21. Senior citizens and students’ tickets are only P180. Tickets can be bought at the participating museum. Ticket holders can use them to enter participating sites of choice and a free tartanilla ride from Sugbu Chinese Museum to Fort San Pedro only, and an unlimited ride in all the GSK designated buses.

On top of it all, ticket holders can witness the cultural presentation and activities in all participating sites, the children can also participate in specially prepared activities, can join contests prepared by the participating sites and may participate in the heritage hunt events.

Palapar also stressed that the event which was originally scheduled every Friday of April was moved to its temporary date because of the damage brought by typhoon Odette to  most of the participating heritage sites.

“That is why our theme for this year Padayon, a Cebuano word that reflects our persistence and optimism despite the crisis and challenges that we faced at the start of the year. The theme also highlights and celebrates local museums, galleries, and cultural sites – treasure troves where one can find proof of Cebuano’s knack for survival and character of resilience, optimism, and ingenuity,” stressed Palapar.

Side events that include Heritage Hunt, Vlogging and phone photography contests are also open to all ticket holders. Mechanics will be released on later dates. RCM