National Museum and Freedom Park join Gabii sa Kabilin

The soon-to-open National Museum in Cebu, located near Fort San Pedro and Plaza  Independencia, and Freedom Park in Carbon District will be joining Gabii sa Kabilin on October  21, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight as featured sites. 

Although the National Museum in Cebu will not be operational on the day of the event, it will be  mounting a special exhibit on the history of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) along  with a sneak peek of the museum’s future galleries. 

The museum’s exhibit will also include findings from NMP’s archaeological excavations all over  Cebu province since 1985, and an interactive display of archaeological objects and artifacts for  children.  

In 2019, after being housed in Museo Sugbo, the NMP found its new home in Cebu with the  conversion of the Malacañang sa Sugbo (former Port of Cebu Customs House) as the new  National Museum, thus strengthening and completing the agency’s presence in Central Visayas. 

The NMP signed a usufruct agreement with Cebu Port Authority on December 13, 2019, with  approved funding from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the  Department of Tourism. The rehabilitation of the century-old building commenced in 2021 and is  set to be turned over to the NMP before the year ends.  

Gabii sa Kabilin participants can also learn more about Freedom Park’s historical and cultural  significance through an exhibit at the Senior Citizen’s Park beside Sugbu Chinese Heritage  Museum.

The special exhibit, mounted by Megawide subsidiary Cebu2World Development, Inc., will also  feature conservation efforts and archaeological findings in the area. Freedom Park will be rebuilt  on its original location as part of the historical commemoration of the Carbon District. Once a  space for gatherings and freedom of expression, the park eventually became part of the public  market.  

This year’s Gabii sa Kabilin will feature 20 participating museums and heritage sites in the cities  of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay. For just one 200-peso ticket, participants will have access to the  participating sites and their activities, unlimited bus rides and a complimentary tartanilla ride. 

Initiated in 2007 by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Gabii sa Kabilin aims to celebrate Cebu’s  rich heritage, cultivate a sense of identity and pride of place among Cebuanos, and help preserve  local culture and heritage by encouraging Cebuanos to visit museums. 

For more information and updates on Gabii sa Kabilin and the complete list of participating  museums and heritage sites, visit www.facebook.com/gabiisakabilincebu. (PR)