Nine Museums to Welcome Visitors in Grander, Bigger Gabii sa Kabilin

On its fourth year, Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) promises the public a richer experience of Cebu culture and heritage as nine museums welcome visitors from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 28, 2010.

On this special night, families, friends, and tourists can visit Casa Gorordo Museum along 35 Lopez Jaena Street, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and Basilica del Santo Niño Museum on P. Burgos Street, Fort San Pedro in Plaza Independencia, the Yap-Sandiego ancestral house on the corner of Mabini and Lopez Jaena Streets, Museo Sugbo on M.J. Cuenco Street, 1730 Jesuit House along Zulueta Street, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) - Rizal Museum on Mabini Street, and Sacred Heart Parish along Jakosalem Street and witness the different cultural presentations for a fee of only P100 per person for multiple entry to each venue.

More museums participate in Gabii sa Kabilin

Rediscover Cebu's rich history by going on a walking tour to the museums. Ride a tartanilla and experience Cebu's colourful past. Visit the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Basilica del Santo Niño Museum for a glimpse of religious relics and old statues and images.

Learn how Filipinos lived in the Hispanic times at the Casa Gorordo Museum. Or explore the richness of colonial architecture when you visit the Yap Sandiego House and the 1730 Jesuit House in the old Parian district. Know interesting things about Jose Rizal, our national hero, at the USPF-Rizal Museum. And be attracted to the beautiful contemporary paintings of Cebu's very own artists at Sacred Heart Parish.

Listen to traditional Cebuano love poetry and music by local performers or watch dance performances by the Sandiego Dance Company and other dance troupes. Watch reenactments of Rizal's last moments as well as award-winning indie films.

Parada or tartanilla rides are offered at between Fort San Pedro and Basilica del Sto. Nino Museum. Mini-buses are offered from Museo Sugbo, Fort San Pedro and Sacred Heart Parish.

To be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience, get your Gabii sa Kabilin tickets at the respective participating museums for P100 per person. Ask any of the tartanillas to bring you to Fort San Pedro and Basilica del Sto. Nino Museum for only P50.00 per person.

Definitely a must-do this summer vacation, Gabii sa Kabilin is on many counts a wonderful way of spending your Friday night. Whether you are with family or friends, this cultural event is sure to be an enjoyable learning experience where you will see and experience museums beyond their collections.

More activities await visitors of Gabii sa Kabilin

"The Gabii sa Kabilin concept is patterned after the long night of the museum in Germany and other European countries to draw and encourage people to visit museums as a venue for cultural understanding" said Dr. Joy Gerra, Executive Director of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)-Cultural Heritage Program.

"We would also like to offer our guests a chance to ride the calesa or tartanilla (parada), a mode of transportation at the turn of 19th century as they move around from museum to museum. We also encourage people to dress in period costumes for the event," she added.

Gabii sa Kabilin, the only museum and cultural event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia, is organized by RAFI in partnership with the Visayas Association of Museums and Galleries Inc. (VAMGI).