June David | June 8, 2018
It was a cultural spectacle. Gabii sa Kabilin never fails to bring out the best of what the Queen City of the South has to offer as Plaza Parian lit up in bright colors while a stage was prepared for the awaited show. Despite the heavy rain that almost didn’t allow the festivity to commence, everyone was still hyped up for what was in store for the night.
The countdown for Lumba Pangita officially kicked off the event. While 13 teams of three raced through important heritage sites around town, guests immersed in a visual and auditory feast that showcased Visayan films and impeccable performances from local talents.
There were 30 sites in four cities including Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Lapu-Lapu joined the celebration. With the theme “Balangay” which is a reference to a historic wooden sea vessel that’s an apt symbol for the Visayans, the pre-Hispanic way of life of the Filipinos was indeed highlighted through the arts.
Attended by over 4,000 participants, this annual event continues to spark interest not only for Cebu but the whole region as well. Now on its 12th year, the following run would definitely be much bigger as it leads up to the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s arrival in Cebu slated on 2021.
Driven to encourage a deeper appreciation for the Cebuano culture, the Aboitiz Group through Gabii sa Kabilin truly advances communities by bringing people together and further promoting heritage tourism.