Gabii sa Kabilin: The night of Cebu's museums

Tonight is the 5th year of the Gabii sa Kabilin, this one-of-a-kind annual event that the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) initiated to promote our Cebuano heritage and culture so that in remembering the past, we can perhaps become a better people and community. This cultural event is the only one of its kind being promoted in the Philippines, which is why it was given an “Award of Merit” during the prestigious 2010 Anvil Awards last February.

RAFI patterned this event from Germany’s Long Night of the Museums and I’m sure that the Gabii sa Kabilin will definitely go a long way in improving our Cebuano culture and heritage. For this year, these are the participating museums. The Casa Gorordo Museum, the Cathedral Museum, Fort San Pedro, the Yap Sandiego Ancestral House, Museo Sugbo, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizaliana Museum, Museo Parian sa Sugbo or the Jesuit House, the Cebu Normal University Museum, the Cebu City Museum, the Sacred Heart Alternative Gallery and the Mandaue City Plaza.

The various heritage sites are the Plaza Hamabar, Plaza Sugbo, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica del Sto. Niño, Plaza Independencia and the Heritage of Cebu Monument or Plaza Parian. 

The CNU Museum will also be blessed at 5:30PM this afternoon, but the rest of the Gabii sa Kabilin activities start at 6:00PM up to midnight. So come and join the thousands of Cebuanos who want to retrace their roots, or at least take a peek in Cebu’s past so they can reminisce what life in Cebu was in the good old days. Thanks to RAFI for hosting this wonderful annual event!

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The Cebu City Council has issued a resolution asking Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to immediately stop the clearing operations in the creeks and riverbanks until the City of Cebu designates a relocation site for the affected settlers. Meanwhile the National Housing Authority (NHA) has written the Mayor and Rep. Tomas Osmeña informing them that P78 million is available for release from the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAP). So that means; there is money to give to those illegal settlers.

Of course with Typhoon “Chedeng” showing signs of unpredictability, the ball is now in the court of Mayor Mike Rama whether or not he would heed the call of the City Council to stop these demolitions. If the flash floods come and it results in casualties, then someone will be responsible for those people who will perish in the next disaster.

Let me point out a clear parallel. If and when someone constructs a shanty along the roadside or worse in the middle of it, does the City of Cebu have the power or authority to remove that offending structure? More so that it is not only a threat to motorists or to the person living in the shanty? Of course the City of Cebu can remove that illegal structure and yes, it is not obligated to provide a relocation site otherwise, we will have shanties appearing out of nowhere in all our city streets!

Incidentally, certain pundits are using this issue to further divide the rich and the poor, claiming that the 3-meter easement should include the business along the estero behind Colon St. These people do not know that there is such a thing as a “grandfather clause” where establishments that were already in placed before the law came into effect cannot be subjected to this law. Secondly, what is important of all is to unclog the riverbanks or creeks to drain the water into the sea. The estero between Colon St. and Manalili is where the estero begins, so it cannot be the cause of the flooding.

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Here’s an emailed response to the article we wrote against the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill last week. I always respond to comments, because we have enough references on this issue which can range from population control to the teachings of the Catholic Church on the sanctity of marriage.

 “Good day to you sir,

I’m amazed reading your column today in The Freeman May 19 issue “The Pacman vs. the Rich and the Powerful”. You have shown your tremendous love for the truth and faith vs. the evil belief of the RH bill. Yes, your conviction to tell the truth to the people and for the love of God will certainly not be forgotten. Yes you are risking your popularity maybe even to some of your friends that follows the conscience of men, not God. Today’s generation wants to play like gods and idols thus inviting the wrath of God. Yes, for sure there are consequences that all may suffer. The sword is also prepared for judgment. I’m proud of you. I always remember you in my prayer. May the Spirit of the Risen Christ be with you.

Voltaire Suico”

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