Gabii sa Kabilin shines in 20th anniversary kick-off

As a kick-off to next year’s 20th anniversary celebration, Gabii sa Kabilin (GSK) gave heritage champions and guests an exciting preview of what to expect when GSK returns in 2027.

Held at The Kabilin Center, and fittingly on Museums and Galleries Month, the kick-off provided the perfect opportunity for attendees to look back at the past 19 fruitful years that saw families and friends gather one Friday night of every year to do museum-hopping and get to know Cebuano culture and heritage.

The highlight of the night, was of course, the unveiling of the GSK 2027 theme: Bituon.

Embodied by the star, which is part of the GSK iconography, it reflects GKS’ role as “a guide to the Cebuanos’ culture and identity.” GSK is also optimistic that cities and towns in the Province of Cebu will be encouraged to do their own version of the GSK or initiate events that promote pride of place.

After the opening program for the kick-off, guests trooped to the 3rd floor of TKC to take part in the Gabii sa Kabilin Conversations featuring some of the people behind the success of the undertaking, led by Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, former executive director for the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit, which spearheads the annual event.

In Friday’s kick-off which ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the heritage sites and cultural spaces that welcomed participants were the following: Atua Midtown, Casa Gorordo Museum, Fort San Pedro, Mactan Newtown (Mactan World Museum), Museo Parian sa Sugbo-1730 Jesuit House, Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel, Pusô Village, Rizal Memorial Library & Museum Building, Talisay City College, and The Kabilin Center.

The GSK organizers look forward to welcoming more attendees next year as they celebrate the event’s milestone year. (Niza Mariñas)