Martinez seeking repair of Cebu Cultural Center

CEBU, Philippines - The province-owned Cebu Cultural Center inside the premises of the University of the Philippines-Cebu is eyed to be turned into a multi-purpose building for art exhibits, theater performances, functions and other social gatherings.

Provincial Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III said it is about time to repair the cultural center since it was not used for various purposes, particularly as venue for performing arts.

 “If we keep it as a theater which is mao na siya karon, we don’t think it would be feasible to keep it running. For one, we don’t have many theater groups diri sa Cebu and we don’t look at the possibility of having plays once every quarter. Wa gyud siya magamit,” he said.

 He said they plan to retrofit the building to make it a center for culture, arts and heritage.

 He said the damaged walls and ceilings of the center need to be repaired and the electrical equipment and sound systems have to be fixed but the air-conditioning units and lightings can still be used.

 “Some of the proposed changes include kung puede mahipos ang chairs if there are functions nga magamit ang whole floor. Naa pud mga rooms sa kilid nga puede mapaayo as additional spaces,” he said.

 Martinez also said they are also checking on the insurance coverage of the cultural center which is reportedly around P7 million.

 “If it was, there will be an amount enough to start the minor repairs. Hopefully there is money from the insurance to start,” he said.

 Martinez said he already spoke with Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora, who shall lay out the plans for the renovation, to discuss the final budget.

 “We will meet again. We will decide on how it is going to be retrofitted and how much it will cost,” he said.

 Martinez explained that if they will still need more funds, they can include the project in the provincial budget next year.

 The estimated budget for the center’s renovation could range from P10 to P20 million, he said.

 “We have to do something about it because the longer we wait, mas dako nya ang damage and mas dako ang cost to repair it. Let’s repair everything and clear everything lang sa. I know it’s not gonna cost a lot,” he said.

 Martinez’s idea stemmed from the concern raised by local artists, especially distinguished Cebuano painter Jose “Kimsoy” Yap, during an exhibit at the Capitol last month.

 He said Yap raised the issue on lack of venue to showcase arts, cultural values and heritage of the Cebuanos.

 “With that alone, that can already be a tourism asset sa province that would cater to foreign and local tourists who might want to look at art galleries, cultural shows, and plays,” he said.

 The Cebu Cultural Center has been idle for more than a decade after it was constructed during the term of former governor Vicente “Tingting” de la Cerna.

 The construction was stopped during the term of former governor Pablo Garcia.

 It was finished during the term of then governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who is now a congresswoman of Cebu third district.  (FREEMAN)