Interest in Cebu culture thrives

CEBU, Philippines - Despite today’s technological advancements, the executive director for culture and heritage of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. does not believe that Cebuano traditional art and culture is dying.

In a press conference at the Casa Gorordo Museum yesterday, Dr. Jocelyn Gerra said that the yearly “Gabii Sa Kabilin” event has seen “a lot of youth participation,” citing big attendance turnout from the youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

She also pointed out that this year’s “Gabii Sa Kabilin” has partnerships with architecture students from the University of the Visayas.

“I think at some point in time, our traditional culture seemed like dying, because [the youth] didn’t really know what they had,” said Gerra, adding that with the help of elder members in the community, young people are getting more interested in learning about their heritage.

Since its conception in 2007, “Gabii Sa Kabilin” has featured different cultural sites from all over Metro Cebu. This year, 33 museums, cultural centers, and heritage sites will be open to the public on May 31 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight, surpassing last year’s 22.

Participants also get to watch cultural shows and taste local cuisine at very affordable prices.

Gerra added that although they have printed about 7,000 tickets at P150, they expect more people to come to the event.

City Traffic Operations Management head Rafael Christopher Yap said that motorists should expect changes in the flow of traffic during the Gabii Sa Kabilin as they will implement road closures that evening.

Major roads such as Colon St. and Osmeña Boulevard will be closed on the night of May 31, Yap said.

“In Colon, roads will be closed from Jakosalem St. to Mabini St., and in Osmeña, from Jakosalem St. to M.J. Cuenco Avenue,” Yap said.

He added that car owners who wish to join Gabii Sa Kabilin can park their vehicles in gateway areas such as Plaza Independencia.

Shuttle buses and horse-drawn carriages or tartanillas will be available to participants for free as they travel from one museum to another.

Gabii Sa Kabilin is organized by RAFI and is inspired by Germany’s Lange Nacht der Museen, or Long Night of Museums. It is the only event of its kind in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific. (BANAT NEWS)