20 museums and heritage sites in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay will be opening their doors on October 21, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight for the highly anticipated Gabii sa Kabilin (GSK). 

This year’s Gabii sa Kabilin theme, “Padayon”, highlights why the Cebuano race, spirit, and personality have continued to exist and thrive amidst the many crises and challenges that came his way. 

The theme also highlights and celebrates local museums, galleries, and cultural sites — treasure troves where one can find proof of Cebuanos’ knack for survival and character of resilience, optimism and ingenuity. 

On GSK night, special activities and presentations of selected participating museums and heritage sites will center on this year’s theme. 

Aside from access to all these museums and heritage sites, participants can enjoy special activities and presentations in the participating sites, unlimited bus rides, and one complimentary tartanilla ride all in one night for just one ticket.  

Those who wish to participate in Gabii sa Kabilin can purchase tickets at any of the participating museums and heritage sites for only Php 200 each. Senior citizens and students can purchase tickets for Php 180 each, upon presentation of a valid ID at any ticketing site.  

Here is the complete list of #GabiisaKabilin2022 participating museums and heritage sites:

Cebu City 

• Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu
  • Musical serenade featuring Jose R. Gullas Visayas chorale 
• Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish 
  • Kaplag reenactment, Sinulog dance, AVP: Padayon sa Pagtuo
• Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus  
  • Chinese traditional games, tour of the church 
• Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Museum
  • Exhibit on Ecce Homo de Cebu, Documentary: Finding of the Ecce Homo de Ceb”,  AVP: Padayon ta Niño: Devotion to the Santo Niño in the time of the Pandemic
• Casa Gorordo Museum  
  • Binisaya Film Festival, Fashion Show & Exhibit, COVID street exhibit 
• Cebu City Museum  
  • Floral artforms in Cebu: Lagang” and “Buwak-Papel” 
• Fort San Pedro  
  • Tambolista exhibition, harana by Cebu Blind Acoustics 
• Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple  
  • Make a wish with light offerings, Chinese art cutting and calligraphy, Tai Chi and Martial Arts, musical performances and Chinese instruments, tea ceremony, vegetarian food 
• Museo Parian sa Sugbo – 1730 Jesuit House  
  • Art exhibition, free ice cream and cotton candy 
• Museo Sugbo  
  • Presentation of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo winners, product exhibition of Sugbo Negosyo
• Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel  
  • Short videos: Hello, love, lumay, Art Exhibit: “Gugmaoy (Love and Perseverance  amidst Crises) by Cebuano visual artists, weapons, love and sex gadgets in Cebu  History, demo: Traditional Way of Life of Cebuanos 
• RAFI – The Kabilin Center
  • Pagsagubang: Courageously Facing the Future An Exhibition of Cebuano Resilience and Creativity in Overcoming the COVID-19 Pandemic, dance drama on Cebuano struggles in history, COVID monologues, basa-balak, a documentary on museums, Cebuano songs showcase  
• St. Theresa’s College – Sr. Ma Delia Coronel Folklife Museum
  • Video: Contribution of ICM Sisters in the growth and development of Christian education in Cebu 
• Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum  
  • Calligraphy contest, theatre/interpretive dance: Struggles of the Filipino-Chinese
• University of the Philippines Cebu
  • Exhibition of artworks, exhibit on UP Cebu Institutional History, film showing of Binisaya films
• University of San Carlos Museum  
  • Handloom weaving DIY and demo 
• University of Southern Philippines Foundation Rizaliana Museum
  • Vignettes from Noli Me Tangere, live trivia / Q & A about the life of José Rizal, poem reading by Rizalore

Mandaue City

• Mandaue City Presidencia
  • Exhibit and video of Mandaue History, tour of Mandaue Presidencia, Panagtagbo Festival, Mandaue delicacies, experience Mandaue in a Box 

Talisay City

• Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Nazareno Heritage of Faith Museum
  • Exhibit of images of Blessed Virgin Mary apparitions; Hardim de Sao Jose
• Museo de Talisay
  • Live performances from various Talisay talents and Talisay City College Folkloric Dance Troupe 

This year’s participating museums and heritage sites include the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Nazareno Heritage of Faith Museum in Talisay and RAFI – The Kabilin Center in Parian, which will be joining the event for the very first time. 

During Gabii sa Kabilin, participants will also get a sneak peek of the soon-to-open National Museum in Cebu, which will be housed in the former Malacanang sa Sugbo near Plaza  Independencia. Although the museum is yet to open to the public, it will be showcasing special exhibits and presentations outside the National Museum building. 

Freedom Park will also be featured through an exhibit about its historical and cultural significance at the Senior Citizen’s Park beside Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum. The special exhibit, mounted by Megawide subsidiary Cebu2World Development, Inc., will also feature conservation efforts and archaeological findings in the area.

Freedom Park will be rebuilt in its original location as part of the historical commemoration of the Carbon District. Once a  space for gatherings and freedom of expression, the park eventually became part of the public market.  

Participants can also join the vlogging and phone photography contests which are open to all ticket holders. Children’s activities will be provided on some sites so kids can enjoy and have their first encounter with their Cebuano heritage through Cebuano gams. In partnership with the RAFI Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund, kids can get a prize if they are able to complete the activities of five sites. 

Minimum health protocols must be observed during the heritage night including physical distancing and wearing of face masks, especially inside museums and buses. Event organizers will also be monitoring foot traffic and regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in participating museums and heritage sites.  

This year’s Gabii sa Kabilin is made possible through partnerships with the LGUs of Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City. Other government agencies and offices supporting the event are the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CCTO), the Philippine National Police  (PNP), and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). 

Initiated in 2007 by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Gabii sa Kabilin aims to celebrate Cebu’s rich heritage, cultivate a sense of identity and pride of place among Cebuanos, and help preserve local culture and heritage by encouraging Cebuanos to visit museums.

For more information and updates, visit the official Gabii sa Kabilin Facebook page or scan the QR code below to access the official e-magazine.