CNN TV Commercial, Video posted by a friend, Engr. Moon Ray Lo in his Youtube Channel.

Last year, there were 18 museums and heritage sites. This year, the 2012 Gabii sa Kabilin, the sixth run, will showcased 22 museums and heritage sites on May 25 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.

The participating museums and sites are (in alphabetical order):

1. Aboitizland Heritage Pocket
2. Alternative Contemporary Arts Studio (ACAS)
3. Ayala Center Cebu Cinema and The Terraces
4. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño through the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF)
5. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Museum
6. Cathedral Museum of Cebu
7. Casa Gorordo Museum
8. Cebu City Museum
9. Cebu Normal University (CNU)
10.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11.  College Assurance Plan (CAP) Theater
12.  Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple
13.  Fort San Pedro
14.  Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum
15.  Mandaue City Plaza
16.  Museo Parian sa Sugbo
17.  Museo Sugbo
18.  Plaza Independencia
19.  Sacred Heart Parish Church
20.  University of San Carlos Museum
21.  University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Rizaliana Museum
22.  Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

Gabii sa Kabilin’s new participating sites this year are Ayala Center Cebu Cinema and The Terraces, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, BPI Museum, CAP Theater, Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, and University of San Carlos Museum.

Places of historic and cultural significance within walking distance or along the tour routes will be earmarked for easy identification. Some of them that will be featured this year are:

-       1938 VECO Buiding
-       Asilo de la Milagrosa
-       Matilda Bradford Church
-       Cebu Provincial Capitol Building
-       Cebu Puericulture and Maternity House
-       Compania Maritima
-       early 1900s warehouses along M.C. Briones Street
-       Fuente Osmeña
-       Gotiaoco Building
-       Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral
-       Malacañang sa Sugbo
-       Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Church
-       old Southern Islands Hospital
-       Plaza Hamabar
-       the old bridges of Sikatuna and Zulueta Streets
-       Oriente and Vision Theaters
-       Plaza Sugbo
-       Plaza Hamabar
-       University of the Philippines-Cebu College
-       Yutivo Building

For this year’s Gabii sa Kabilin, there are various suggested routes according to specific themes applicable to the museums and heritage sites, which guests can choose from. There will also be a walking tour along heritage sites that are within walking distance from each other. These themes include:

-       Museums;
-       Art Galleries and Alternative Spaces;
-       Heritage Structures;
-       Historic Educational Institutions;
-       Churches, Temples, and Sacred Places; and
-       Public Spaces.

An added attraction of Gabii sa Kabilin 2012 is a set of children’s activities that will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in seven participating sites, namely:

-       Ayala Center Cebu
-       Casa Gorordo Museum
-       Cathedral Museum
-       Cebu City Museum
-       Cebu Normal University
-       Fort San Pedro
-       Sacred Heart Parish Church

Here are some things you should remember:

-       With one ticket worth Php 150.00, each visitor may go to as many participating museums and sites during the event. The ticket also allows him/her to take as many rides as they want in Gabii sa Kabilin-designated buses and one tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) trip in Cebu City’s old district.
-       You can reserve your tickets over the phone through (6332) 418-7234 loc. 703 and look for May Sanchez or online athttp://rafi.org.ph/event/2012gsktr/
-       Tickets will be sold starting May 10 at the 21 participating museums and cultural sites, including the concierge at Ayala Center Cebu.
-       The BPI Museum will be available for viewing to Gabii sa Kabilin guests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. only.
-       Visitors are treated to cultural performances, exhibits, art fairs, food markets, and interactive demonstrations in the 21 main sites.
-       On May 18, Gabii sa Kabilin in Argao and Sibonga will also be launched in partnership with RAFI and the local government units of the two towns.
-       Log on to www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph for more information about the 2012 Gabii sa Kabilin.

Implementation of Gabii sa Kabilin is made possible through partnerships with the following:

-       local government units of Cebu City and Mandaue
-       Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM)
-       Philippine National Police-Cebu City (PNP)
-       Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) of Cebu City
-       Province of Cebu
-       Department of Tourism-Central Visayas and Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation.

RAFI and its partners are also assisted by tanods, officials and residents of 26 barangays in Cebu City. Major sponsorship is provided by Smart Communications.

“The expansion of Gabii sa Kabilin in terms of participating museums and activities is a breakthrough as it means that more organizations and individuals are becoming aware of the beauty and importance of local heritage,” Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of the Culture and Heritage unit of RAFI, said.

She also said that this indicates a positive trend in efforts to promote and protect Cebuano-Filipino culture.

The diversity of presentations and activities that participating museums and cultural sites are offering this year, she added, shows the cosmopolitan character of Metro Cebu. It is fitting therefore, Gerra noted, that Gabii sa Kabilin is tagged as a highlight event in the year-long celebration of the selection of Cebu City as an ASEAN City of Culture.

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 and other Culture & Heritage programs of RAFI, please call 418-7234 local 703 and look for Florencio Moreno, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph