Almost 30 sites join GSK 2018

CEBU, Philippines — More than two dozen cultural destinations and attractions in the cities of  Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, accommodated local and foreign tourists during the Gabii sa Kabilin (Heritage Night) last Friday night.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) Vice President for Reputation Management Caroline Ballesteros said that the theme for this year, "Balangay," highlights the pre-colonial roots of Filipino culture.

Ballesteros added that 2018's GSK was a build-up for the 500th year celebration of the discovery of the Philippines in 2021.

"Next year's (2019) theme will be setting sail because in 1519, it was when Magellan and his crew sailed off to circumnavigate the world. In 2020, it was the journey and in 2021 is the arrival, let's look forward to that because we have a lot in store for you," said Ballesteros.

For this year's GSK new exhibits included manuscripts in the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum that were donated by the Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines Inc.

"Ang PASPI, they are artists na atong gi-tap pud, ni-donate sila’g mga boxer codex or manuscripts, mga unsa'y nakita diri in 15th century," said Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission officer-in-charge Bryner Diaz.

The opening of the event proper started with a dance presentation by the Cebu City Cultural Dance Group and followed by Cebu City Children's Choir singing both traditional and modern Visayan songs.

A Japanese orchestra also performed in the first part of the event together with the Sistemang Pilipino Children's Orchestra and Choir, the Sinfonia Academy Orchestra, the Cebu Guitar Quartet, and other local Cebuano singers.

Other activities in the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, the host venue, included such as stargazing in the library and portrait sketching for a cause organized by PASPI.

Rodel Estudillo, an artist affected by the recent Ermita fire, was overwhelmed and grateful for the fundraising activity by PASPI. He said that the group is not only making art but also a helping hand to those who are in need.

"Na-overwhelm ko ba, kay bag-o pa lang baya ko, gitabangan g'yud ko nila, ila pa g'yud kung gi-uplift na kaya ra ko ni. Mao na ang tinuod nga artist," he said.

PASPI President Efren Enolva said they have been one of the regular partners of the GSK and they are planning to donate more paintings in the museums of Cebu, starting with the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum.

All museums in Cebu City were open from 6 p.m. until midnight for heritage sites visit. Around 30 tartanillas from different areas of Cebu City ferried visitors from one attraction to another.

Florencio Moreño, curator of Casa Gorordo Museum, and part of organizing committee, said that when they established the Gabii sa Kabilin, the tartanilla became their symbol because of its transportation heritage.

In Cebu City, the participating heritage sites include the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City Museum, Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorabilia and CAP Art Gallery, FoGuang Shan Chu Un Temple, Fort San Pedro, Galeria Indepencia-Palm Grass Hotel, Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral of Sto. Niño, Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, Museo Parian sa Sugbo-1730 Jesuit House, Museo Sugbo, Museum of Bicycling, Museum of Heritage and Folk Art, Museum of Naïve Art-West Gorordo Hotel, Plaza Parian, San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church, St. Theresa's College-Folklife Museum, Sugbo Chinese Heritage Museum, United Church of Christ of the Philippines-Bradford Memorial Chapel, University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizaliana Museum, and University of San Carlos Museum.

In Mandaue City, the Mandaue Presidencia was part of the heritage site visit. Lapu-Lapu City showcased the Mactan Shrine while in Talisay City, the Museo de Talisay, Talisay City College, and Collegium Societatis Angeli Pacis participated.

The only musical museum in Visayas and Mindanao, the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, provided a short musical performance by the University of the Visayas Chorale and UV Filipiniana Dance Troupe entitled "Asin."

"Just a week of preparation, then two days practice…since Wednesday. But we had some brainstorming with the producer Ma'am Nena (Gullas), and with friends, solicited ideas from friends to have this concept," said the scriptwriter and play director Prof. Chris Mejarito.

Mejarito added that the event was beyond expectation and the performances were done five times to keep the increasing number of guests entertained.

He also said that Gullas and his wife, although not there, kept on checking for latest updates and happenings in the museum, especially as they expected to only have four performances for the night.

King of Spain expected

Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña confirmed that the King of Spain will visit Cebu City during the celebration in March 2021.

"We have been informed that even the King of Spain has created his own organization in Spain to celebrate that March 16, 2021 event and he will come as a guest. So he would come to Cebu City, Cebu City being the center of Magellanic root," Osmeña said.

The GSK is held every last Friday of May to celebrate Cebu's history and culture. For P150, people can visit museums and heritage sites from 6 p.m. to midnight. — Cris Rheanne S. Sacay, UV Journalism Intern, Kris Imea C. Ruales, UV AB-English intern, and Rena Mae Gocotano, CNU intern/BRP (FREEMAN)