Gabii sa Kabilin: Celebrating National Heritage Month 2012

by Jhaypee Guia on October 24, 2012

During the Celebration of Gabii sa Kabilin – Museo Sugbo (Carcel de Cebu) 2012

Gabii sa Kabilin, or Night of Heritage, is a celebration of culture and heritage where all the museums in Cebu come together to celebrate the Month of National Heritage, which is the month of May.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. is the organization behind this event and it was started in 2007 where all the museums in Cebu reunite in a one night event that happens yearly.

The event aspires the promotion of the museums as integral places in the country where culture and history can be gleaned and experianced. The concept of this event was originated in the long night museums in Germany and other European countries.

Gabii sa Kabilin was celebrated again last May 25, 2012 in Cebu City. The participating museums and heritage sites were open from 6pm until 12 midnight. Visitors can enjoy and experience a night tour from various museums in Cebu.

The website, Everything Cebu, says that in this year’s celebration, many of the museums in Cebu joined the event, about 22 participants, and that every year the number of participants and visitors are increasing.

Each heritage site and museum showcased programs and activities made for visitors.

Ayala Center Cebu, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, BPI Museum, CAP Theater, JRG Halad Museum and University of San Carlos Museum were the new participants in the 2012 celebration.

According to www.cebucentral.com, here is the list of museums who participated on the last event.

Aboitizland Heritage Pocket
Alternative Contemporary Arts Studio (ACAS)
Ayala Center Cebu Cinema and The Terraces
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño through the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF)
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Museum
Cathedral Museum of Cebu
Casa Gorordo Museum
Cebu City Museum
Cebu Normal University (CNU)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
College Assurance Plan (CAP) Theater
Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple
Fort San Pedro
Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum
Mandaue City Plaza
Museo Parian sa Sugbo
Museo Sugbo
Plaza Independencia
Sacred Heart Parish Church
University of San Carlos Museum
University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Rizaliana Museum
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

Gabii sa Kabilin featured a variety of themes. Visitors can also consider the suggested routes based on the specific themes of museums and heritage sites. A walking tour of heritage sites can also seen during the celebration which were at walking distance to each other.

Here are the featured themes:

Museums
Art Galleries and Alternative Spaces
Heritage Structures
Historic Educational Institutions
Churches, Temples, and Sacred Places
Public Spaces

Children Activities

The RAFI website noted some activities were catered for children during the event and was open from 6pm to 8pm. The concept of putting the activities for children was first implemented in the latest event as an added attraction on the celebration.

Here is the list of museums who provided an activity for children on the last celebration: