The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit and its partner organizations will hold the Gabii sa Kabilin 2016 on May 27, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

This year, the heritage event features 41 destinations in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Gabii Sa Kabilin 2016 Destinations

Cebu City

Anthill Gallery
Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu
Casa Gorordo Museum
Cebu City Museum
Don Sergio Osmena Sr. Memorabila and CAP Art Gallery
Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple
Fort San Pedro
Iglesia Filipina Independiente- Cathedral of the Holy Child Jesus
Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum
Magellan’s Cross
Museo Parian – 1730 Jesuit House
Museo Sugbo
Plaza Parian
San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church
Theresa’s College – Folk life Museum
The Freeman
United Church of Christ in the Philippines – Bradford Memorial Chapel
University of the Philippines Foundation – Rizaliana Museum
University of the Philippines
University of the Visayas
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
Cebu Palm Grass Hotel
Museum of Naïve Art (West Gorordo Hotel)
Golden Prince Hotel
Oriente Theater
Archdiocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish
Basilica Minore del Santo Nino
Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod
Redemptorist Church

Mandaue City

National Shrine of St. Joseph
Mandaue Central School (Gabaldon Building)
Bantayan sa Hari
Lapu – Lapu City

Mactan Shrine

Mactan Cebu International Airport/ GMR Megawide

Talisay City

Talisay City College
Museo de Talisay
National Historic Shrine Liberation Monument
Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish
New Talisay City Hall
Aliño Brothers Monument
World War II Pillbox

Gabii Sa Kabilin 2016 Theme

The theme of Gabii sa Kabilin 2016 is “Forging Peoples”, which means that the different participating sites will dwell on Cebu being a blend of different cultures of people from different parts of the world, on its being a multicultural society shaped by the numerous events in its past.

“The mixture of the different influences and culture gave birth to new complex society filled with different characteristics from each country (Spaniards, Americans, Chinese, Japanese, etcetera) that have made an impact on the Cebuano people. This new multicultural society not only changed perspectives but also helped in the transformation of Cebu from just a trading harbor in the Southeast to an advanced society, which Cebuanos could now take pride in. But even if Cebu’s native culture was overshadowed by the different influences that have come and stamped itself in, traces of the original native culture could still be seen through various traditions that are still visible and present up to today,” read a part of the storyline for this year’s theme.

During the Gabii sa Kabilin 2016, participants will be treated to cultural performances, culinary experience, art fairs, and special exhibits, among others, during this one extraordinary night. Select participating sites also offer children activities.

In particular, new participating sites GMR Megawide and Golden Prince Hotel will showcase their own exhibits, while at the Paulina Constancia Museum of Naïve Art (MoNA), which is located at West Gorordo Hotel, Gabii sa Kabilin guests can join a scavenger hunt, listen to storytelling of myths and legends, make an original pineapple monoprint, make and taste linusak, learn to play the ukulele, among other exciting activities.

How To Join Gabii Sa Kabilin 2016

To join the Gabii sa Kabilin 2016, guests must purchase a Gabii sa Kabilin ticket, which serves as an admission ticket for all destinations, one tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) trip within the city’s old district, and unlimited rides of the Gabii sa Kabilin-designated buses.

The ticket price is Php150. Admission is free for children aged seven and below. The tickets can be purchased and reserved in advance at any of the participating destinations.

The bus routes, which connects all the destinations of Gabii sa Kabilin, make individual tours possible. Within the duration of Gabii sa Kabilin, some streets are closed to ensure the safety of guests walking to the sites located at the downtown district.

The e-form of the Gabii sa Kabilin Guide Booklet, which provides detailed information about the destinations and their program and the maps of the tour routes, can be downloaded at www.rafi.org.ph, www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or HERE.

View Gabii Sa Kabilin 2016 Guide HERE or download it HERE.

Gabii sa Kabilin is made possible through the collaboration with the local government units of Cebu Province, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City; government agencies, which includes Department of Tourism Central Visayas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Cebu City Traffic Office, Cebu City Police Office, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission.

The event’s partner barangays in Cebu City provide additional security personnel and volunteer tour guides. Our partner barangays are namely, San Roque, Snr. Sto. Niño, Tinago, Parian, Tejero, T. Padilla, Zapatera, Cogon Central Ramos, Day-as, Kamagayan, Lorega San Miguel, Sambag II, Sta. Cruz, Mabolo, Kamputhaw, Lahug, Apas, Pahina Central, Ermita, Hipodromo, San Nicolas, Suba, and Kalubihan.

In 2012, due to the success of the previous runs, Cebu City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod passed City Ordinance 2327 declaring the last Friday of May of every year as Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage.

Culture & Heritage is one of the focus areas of RAFI. It aims to help communities understand, value and share their culture and heritage with others. The foundation’s other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about Gabii sa Kabilin 2016 and other programs of the RAFI Culture and Heritage Unit, you may contact the following: