“Gabii sa Kabilin” bigger this year

CEBU, Philippines - On its seventh year, “Gabii sa Kabilin” has grown bigger with 34 destinations to be featured in its heritage tour.

Cinbeth Orellano, Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) executive director and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) officer-in-charge, said that this year’s number of destinations has surpassed the 22 destinations last year.

The “Gabii sa Kabilin” heritage tour, which will be on May 31, will be featuring the historical spots and sites of the four major cities in Metro Cebu including Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City.

Orellano said “Gabii sa Kabilin” does not only feature museums but also heritage sites where tourists can enjoy and participate in cultural shows or performances, culinary experiences, special exhibits, art fairs, food markets, and children’s activities.

As part of CCTC’s project, they also developed historical and heritage sites which are almost forgotten and included them in the tour this year.

The tickets at P150.00, is as an admission for all destinations, unlimited “Gabii sa Kabilin”-designated bus rides, and one tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) trip within the city’s old district. The admission is for free for children aged seven and below.

The bus route, which connects all the destinations of Gabii sa Kabilin, makes individual tours possible.

Within the duration of the Gabii sa Kabilin, some streets are closed to ensure the safety of guests walking to the sites located at the downtown district.

CITOM head Atty. Rafael Yap, earlier said that they will be using their new Global Positioning System (GPS) to monitor traffic during the event and that several major roads will be closed from 6:00 p.m. to 12 midnight for the annual event.

The roads which will be closed for the said activity include Lopez Jaena; Mabini, from corner Bonifacio Street to corner Urdaneta Street; Ballesteros; P.Burgos, from Urdaneta Street to M.C. Briones Street, from D. Jakosalem to Mabini Street, and Osmeña Boulevard, from D. Jakosalem to M.C. Briones Streets.

Yap earlier assured motorists and participants that the roads mentioned will not be busy and they will not be congested, since Gabii sa Kabilin will be held on a Friday night.

From 6:00 to 9:00 pm, children can enjoy activities organized in seven destinations including Casa Gorordo Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Colegio del Sto. Niño, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, Fort San Pedro, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City.

The implementation of the event is made possible through the collaboration with local government units of Cebu Province, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City, as well as government agencies including the Department of Tourism (DOT)-7, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM), Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), CHAC, Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission, Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy and the Santo Niño de Cebu-Augustinian Social Development Foundation.

Orellano said the event’s partner barangays in Cebu City will provide additional security personnel and volunteer tour guides.

Tickets may be purchased and reserved in advance at any of the participating destinations or one may call at 255-4997/254-1109 Cultural & Historical Affairs Commission. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil/MIT

Major sponsors are City Savings Bank, SM Prime Holdings Inc., San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc.

Orellano said that due to the success of the previous runs, the Cebu City council, last year, approved City Ordinance 2327, declaring the last Friday of May of every year as “Gabii sa Kabilin” or Night of Heritage.

She added that the event was also made possible as they partnered with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit.

Orellano said culture and heritage is one of the focus areas of RAFI, which aims to help communities understand value and share their culture and heritage with others.

The “Gabii sa Kabilin” is one of the highlights of Cebu’s celebration of the Philippine National Month and International Museum Day.

Tickets may be purchased and reserved in advance at any of the participating destinations or one may call at 255-4997/254-1109 Cultural & Historical Affairs Commission.  (FREEMAN)