Monday, June 27, 2011

‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ in Cebu , a glimpse of cultural barangayan
By: Minerva BC Newman

CEBU CITY, June 26 (PIA) --- “Gabii sa Kabilin” or Night of Heritage in Cebu City is the only museum and cultural event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia that the Ramon Aboitiz foundation, Inc. (RAFI) organized in cooperation with museums, cultural institutions, private companies, and local government units of Cebu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Provincial Government.

The 2011 ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ on May 27 was on its 3rd year and it was another night to remember!  Eighteen (18) museums and heritage sites opened their doors from 6 p.m. until midnight to accommodate more than 2,500 people from all walks of life to experience museum musing, cultural presentations galore in various heritage sites and parks in Cebu City.

The ‘one-night only’ museum and heritage tour plus an array of cultural presentations along the way was a glimpse of the past and how the spirit of Bayanihan worked well among the smallest units in Philippine political society--the barrios, now calledBarangays.

According to the RAFI, the organizer of the event, the ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ for the last three years would not have been successful without the cultural bayanihan of the eight (8) barangays in the city that participated fully in the project.

Barangays Sto. Nino, San Roque, Tejero, T.Padilla, Cogon-Ramos, Parian, Zapatera and Day-as have pledged to continue to work together to nurture the “bayanihan” spirit and show their support to the cause of the ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’.

It was indeed a show of cultural force and more among the eight barangays.

To maintain peace and order along the routes barangay Tanods were deployed to assist the police officers of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and traffic enforcers from the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) to secure the safety of the visitors of the Gabii sa Kabilin.

The barangay Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons, side-by-side with members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) manned the information desks that were placed in the designated bus and tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) stops.

These barangay-based organizations were also instrumental in convincing other residents of the barangays to join them in manning the desks.

The barangays also lend their public buses that were used to transport visitors to the participating museums and heritage sites to augment the three buses from the City of Cebu.

The barangay buses from Barangays Sto. Niño, San Roque, Tejero, and T. Padilla plied the route from Museo Sugbo to Fort San Pedro and vice- versa.

The buses from Parian, Cogon Ramos, Zapatera and Day-as covered the route from Museo Sugbo to Sacred Heart Parish, and back to Museo Sugbu.

What is interesting in this year’s ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ according to RAFI was when the barangay residents themselves showcased their talents.  

Barangay San Roque for example presented its fire dance drama that was witnessed by spectators in the newly reopened Plaza Independencia.

Barangay Parian performed its timeless harana and the baile  at the Plaza Parian stage.

 “We strongly support and participate in the ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ that showcases the rich culture and heritage of Cebu ,” said Barangay Sto. Niño captain Pancho Ramirez.

Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Michael Ralota of Barangay T. Padilla also is a strong supporter of the ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ and has expressed to file a resolution at the Cebu city council to bring awareness of Cebuano heritage to the barangays.

The 2011 ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ was participated in by the Casa Gorordo Museum; Cathedral Museum of Cebu; Fort San Pedro; Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.

The newly-established Museo Sugbo and the Museo Parian sa Sugbo also joined in with the University of Southern Philippines-Rizal Museum ; Sacred Heart Parish Alternative Gallery; Cebu Normal University Museum and Cebu City Museum.

Historical sites and Plazas were also part of the routes that included the Mandaue City Plaza ; Plaza Independencia; Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral; Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino; Sacred Heart Church ; Heritage of Cebu Monument ; Plaza Hamabar and Plaza Sugbo.

The 2011 ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ participants increased to more than 2,500 from over 1,800 last year.

“Partly reflecting the growing awareness of the public on the importance of heritage conservation,“ according to RAFI. ( PIA-7/mbcn & RAFI)