What to expect from the 2025 Gabii sa Kabilin

A night of heritage takes visitors to a walking tour of Cebu’s museums and heritage sites

CEBU, Philippines – Celebrating a memorable night of heritage, Gabii sa Kabilin (GSK) returns for its 18th year to bring Cebuanos in a vibrant and youthful cultural experience, set to unfold on Friday, May 23. The yearly activity is initiated by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated, with a vision for both young and old generations to walk through Cebu’s history. 

Started in 2007, Gabii sa Kabilin — which is “night of heritage” in Cebuano — is an annual cultural event that aims to promote and preserve Cebu’s rich culture, history, and architectural heritage. Participants embark on a night-long walk visiting various cultural landmarks until midnight. 

This year’s theme, Batan-ong Bahandi (youthful treasures), celebrates young Cebuanos as key in preserving Cebu’s rich history and arts, while honoring the 150th birth anniversaries of revolutionary heroes Emilio Jacinto, Gregorio del Pilar, and Gregoria de Jesus. 

“The youth are treasures who carry the torch of our culture and heritage,” GSK chairperson Marie Sol said. 

Also organized by the GSK’s young volunteers in collaboration with 22 partner museums and sites, this annual heritage walk offers a rich lineup of immersive activities, including a Heritage Hunt, a Kid’s Corner, and an online contest.

Going to this year’s GSK? Here are some tips to have a meaningful experience.

• Plan your route. Plot ahead of time the sites you’re excited to visit and use the Gabii sa Kabilin map to navigate bus routes to your chosen destination.
• Always be prepared. Pack your heritage bag with umbrellas, water, and some light snacks. Also wear clothing suited for any weather.
• Join the food bazaar.  Savor a colorful array with a vibrant selection of Cebuano traditional delicacies to complement your cultural adventure. 
• Explore. Dive into the fascinating museums, sites, and other exciting activities specially prepared  for Gabii Sa Kabilin. 
• Enjoy. Immerse yourself into a historical adventure and don’t forget to capture these unforgettable moments. 

To help you in plotting your GSK route, here are the following participating museums and sites for the 2025 edition:

Cebu City 

• Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu 
• Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu
• BPI Museum
• Casa Gorordo Museum 
• Cebu City Museum 
• Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel 
• Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple 
• Fort San Pedro 
• The Kabilin Center 
• The Archdiocesan Shrine Of The Most Sacred Heart
• Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum 
• National Museum of The Philippines Cebu 
• Saint Theresa’s College
• Cebu Institute of Technology-University 
• University of San Carlos Museum
• University of The Philippines Cebu 
• University of San Jose-Recoletos
• University of Southern Philippines Foundation Jose Rizal Museum 

Mandaue City 

Talisay City 

• The Heritage of Faith Museum 
• Museo de Talisay 

Lapu-Lapu City 

GSK has also provided bus, tartanilla (horse carriage), and walking routes for the convenience of participants.

– Christine Asas/Rappler.com

Christine Asas is a communication student specializing in marketing communications and press relations, and a Digital Communications intern at Rappler. She loves to explore in her creativity through creating beauty contents and UGC videos to boost brand awareness and help girls find confidence.