August 16, 2008 | 12:00am
Dr. Michael Cullinane, associate director of the Center of Southeast Asian Studies, discussed the other day the significant events that happened in Parian, Cebu from 1565-1900 that changed the lives of Cebuanos.
Cebu, according to Cullinane, was then not a suitable place to live in although as early as 3,000 years ago, Cebu, Zebu, Zzubu or Sugbu, was already a prosperous settlement before it was colonized by Spain.
Cullinane was the resource speaker of cultural heritage forum organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center.
At the heart of downtown Cebu is Colon, also known as the Parian District. Parian District, one of the oldest and most historic places in the country, started as small community of Chinese traders in the sixteenth century.
Cullinane said Parian grew into a residential center of eminent entrepreneurs of Cebu and became the genteel district where the wealthiest in the city resided.
Spanish merchants who initially pervaded Cebu had to compete or allied with Chinese mestizos, and invaded Cebu market from then on and left a mark on the Parian residents.Situated in the middle of the Parian District is another historical landmark- the Casa Gorordo. In 1980, Don Ramon Aboitiz acquired the house and turned it into a museum, now maintained by the Don Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
“In order to move forward, we must look back to lessons of our past,” Ma. Cristina Aboitiz, chairperson of the RAFI Executive Committee, said in her welcome remarks during the gathering. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/LPM
