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The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. kicked off the 20th anniversary of Gabii sa Kabilin at The Kabilin Center in Cebu City on Oct. 2, 2026, with tours of 10 heritage sites.
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) officially launched the countdown to the 20th anniversary of Gabii sa Kabilin (GSK) with an evening celebration at The Kabilin Center in Barangay Tinago, Cebu City, on Oct. 2, 2026. The gathering set the stage for the heritage night's landmark 2027 milestone and was held during Museums and Galleries Month.
The event brought together cultural workers, government partners, youth, international guests, and 38 candidates and reigning queens from the Miss Asia Pacific pageant. Organizers also led structured tours across 10 participating heritage and cultural sites in the area.
Two Decades of Cebuano Heritage
In her opening address, Estee Marie Plunket, event chairperson and executive sponsor of Gabii sa Kabilin, reflected on the initiative's evolution over the past 20 years. She said the annual heritage movement grew beyond initial expectations, creating spaces where families, students, and communities connect with their shared identity.
Plunket told the audience that 20 years is a long time and deserves a pause. She said that looking back, Gabii sa Kabilin has become much bigger than what organizers probably imagined when they started two decades ago.
She added that the event continues to demystify local history by turning academic subjects into an engaging experience for citizens. By replacing historical memorization with interactive site visits and storytelling, the event fosters curiosity and community pride.
Plunket explained that culture and heritage can sometimes feel intimidating because people think they need to know history, dates, and the difference between Spanish era and American era architecture. She said GSK instead invites people to come, explore, ask questions, and have fun, stressing that no one has to be an expert to appreciate heritage, only curious.
Partnerships Behind the Heritage Movement
Addressing the collaborative nature of the movement, Plunket said that while Rafi initiated the concept, its two-decade longevity relies on the collective dedication of local government units, museum administrators, artists, and volunteers.
She said GSK has always belonged to many people, including museums, heritage sites, cultural groups and artists, government partners, volunteers, and everyone who continues to show up. She described partnerships as more than working together, saying they are about believing together that stories matter, that heritage is worth sharing, and that culture should belong to all people rather than only a few.
While Gabii sa Kabilin is traditionally held in May, organizers adapted to regional energy challenges by shifting the event to October, aligning it with national Museums and Galleries Month. The GSK spirit also reaches beyond Cebu City, partnering with neighboring local government units like Liloan, which hosted its own Handuraw heritage event earlier in the year.
Launch Highlights and Participating Sites
The official launch featured the unveiling of the 20th-anniversary theme, discussions with the original founders of the movement, and structured tours across 10 participating heritage and cultural sites throughout the area.
Participating locations included Casa Gorordo Museum, Fort San Pedro, Mactan Newtown, Museo Parian sa Sugbo, Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel, Puso Village, Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, Talisay City College, Atua Midtown, and The Kabilin Center.
Among the attendees were local leaders, representatives from the Department of Education and the Commission on Human Rights, and business leaders from the Cebu and Mandaue Chambers of Commerce, along with the Miss Asia Pacific pageant delegates.
Organizers said that as Gabii sa Kabilin looks toward its next 20 years, it remains committed to expanding cultural access, preserving historical landmarks, and ensuring Cebuano identity inspires future generations.
Please follow us on Google to support usGabii Sa Kabilin Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Cebu City Estee Marie Plunket The Kabilin Center Miss Asia Pacific Museums And Galleries Month
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