New sites join Gabii sa Kabilin 2014

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from museums and heritage places that regularly participate in the annual event, this year’s Gabii sa Kabilin, which would happen this May 30, features new sites that guests could visit for a whole new experience.

The Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous/Ingenious Little Livelihood seekers (ANTHILL) is a social and cultural enterprise showcasing Filipino hand- loomed fabrics.

Located along Pedro Calomarde on the block between Gorordo Avenue and Acacia Street, ANTHILL showcases beautiful fabrics made out of scrap threads woven into traditional patterns.

As part of the Gabii sa Kabilin, ANTHILL would offer a guided gallery tour, exhibit of fabrics, and freebies for visitors.

“We want the Cebuanos to know one side of our culture. We are promoting the revival of weaving in the Philippines and the hand-woven fabrics,” said Annie Lim of ANTHILL.

Another first-time participating site is Staypi’s Souvenir, located at the second floor of Eden’s Place at the corner Acacia and Rosal Streets in Lahug, Cebu City.  Inside, one can find antique items such as old Philippine bills and coins, gramophones, vintage radios, old photos, historical paintings, and many more.  It also offers a mini-selection of old Philippine books and magazines and war books.

St. Theresa’s College – Folklife Museum, on the other hand, holds an array of old religious images and artifacts from indigenous groups, including a room of ceramic collections.

“We have 1,000 plus items here and most of them are paintings we have collected from the mountain provinces of Luzon and photos of old Cebu,” said Caridad Balisacan of STC- Folklife Museum.

She said their museum should not to be missed as it presents many items by craftsmen around the country. There will also be a guided tour in the museum.

Another participating site is the VECO building, which was built way back in 1938. It is an art deco structure which, according to Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Culture & Heritage Executive Director Jocelyn Gerra, “has something to tell about the Spanish era architecture before Cebu became a massive asphalt jungle.”

The theme of this year’s Gabii sa Kabilin is “The rise of the Queen,” where the story of how Cebu flourished would be highlighted.

“Each museum and participating site tells something about how Cebu emerged to be a queen. The idea of Gabii sa Kabilin is to give the audience a holistic idea of how Cebu came to be what it is now,” Gerra said.

“It’s important for one to know what’s the story of where you came from, what is the story of Cebu,” also said Karl Hegel Damayo, Gabii sa Kabilin 2014 coordinator.

Gabii sa Kabilin is a special annual culture and heritage event where people can visit museums and other heritage sites in one exciting night for only P150.

Started in 2007, this year will be the 8th run of  the Gabii sa Kabilin, with 29 participating museums and heritage sites this year.

The theme for this year’s GSK is “The rise of the Queen,” where the story of how Cebu flourished would be highlighted.

For ticket reservations, contact any of the participating museums and heritage sites. The phone numbers of the sites and updates on Gabii sa Kabilin are on www.rafi.org.ph or contact (032) 418-7234 local. 703. — Contributed article