Nine museums join "Gabii sa Kabilin"

CEBU, Philippines - This year’s “Gabii sa Kabilin” promises to be bigger and grander as nine museums will open today from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.

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. The 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 and P50 for the tartanilla and bus rides.

The Gabii sa Kabilin 2010 will open at the USPF-Rizal Museum at 6 p.m. A reenactment of the execution of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, will be done on the grounds of Plaza Hamabar.

At 6:30 p.m., Museo Sugbo will start its evening program, beginning with the myriad of Cebuano dances to be performed by the University of San Carlos Dance Troupe and dance groups from Moalboal and Danao City.

Casa Gorordo Museum will then have a Cebu Heritage Fashion Show inside the museum at 7 p.m., with music accompanied by the Marigondon Children String Orchestra. Mr. and Ms. Cebu 2010 will be among the models of the fashion show.

International singing champion Izarzuri Vidal will offer visitors her version of classical Cebuano songs, followed by balak, awit and balitaw performances by the Dumanjug Artist Guild at around 8:45 p.m.

Members of the Sama Badjao community here in Cebu will perform their traditional dances.

At 8 p.m., the Sandiego Dance Troupe will perform at the Yap-Sandiego ancestral house.

On the side, the Casa Gorordo Museum will also showcase a Book Table featuring works published by Anvil Publishing Inc., coffee table book by Zee Lifestyle Magazine, and book collections of the University of San Carlos-Cebuano Studies Center and Casa Gorordo Museum.

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Cebu will offer quality food, lechon, wine, and beverages at downtown prices.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Center for Integrated Area Development will showcase an indigenous tree exhibit. Various merchants will be selling Gabii sa Kabilin souvenir items, like shirts and novelty items.

Radio personality Ka Bino Guerrero will hold a walking tour at 6 p.m. from Plaza Hamabar to Casa Gorordo Museum and at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. from Casa Gorordo Museum to Cathedral Museum of Cebu.

At 7 p.m., the USPF Dance Group will perform Spanish dances on Mabini Street.

Other museums will also offer performances, short films, poetry reading and art fairs to welcome guests, who may start at any of the participating museums of Gabii sa Kabilin 2010.    (FREEMAN NEWS)