CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City’s night of heritage returned for its 18th year on Friday, May 23, with the youth sharing the spotlight with the province’s rich cultural history and artistic origins.
Participants of the Gabii sa Kabilin had the opportunity to take a tour and witness Cebu’s museums and temples come to life with reenactments from theater performers and festive presentations brought to them by seasoned dancers.
The Gabii sa Kabilin, initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), is among the province’s top annual celebrations. This year’s theme is Batan-ong Bahandi (youthful treasures) which celebrates the youth’s role in preserving Cebuano history and arts.
“Over the last 18 years since Gabii sa Kabilin was launched, it has grown into something uniquely Cebuano. It is an invitation to everyone to return to our roots, to walk through our shared history, to celebrate the spirit of our heritage together,” RAFI CEO Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler said at the opening ceremony.
For Fansler, the youth bring the energy and passion needed for the promotion and conservation of Cebu’s cultural heritage.
“With an understanding of our culture, our youth will curate their own cultural experiences and breathe new life into our rich cultural heritage,” the RAFI CEO added.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared 2025 as the Year of the Youth in Philippine History, which Fansler found fitting for the occasion.
The celebration also sought to honor the 150th birth anniversaries of young revolutionary heroes Emilio Jacinto, Gregorio del Pilar, and Gregoria de Jesus.
“The [youth’s] optimism, their fresh ideas, their creativity and their limber limbs remind us that heritage is not static—it lives, it breathes, it moves, and it evolves with each new generation,” Fansler said.
– Rappler.com