Celebrate Museums and Galleries Month by delving into the history of Cebu.
Did you know that Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) is observed every month of October in the Philippines?
This was declared by former President Corazon Aquino in 1991 to highlight the country’s culture and arts. Several museums in the Philippines are known for hosting all kinds of special events and exhibits, with some even offering free admission.
That being said, now is the perfect time to tour the many galleries and museums in Cebu.
As the oldest civilization in the Philippines, there is surely a lot of history to learn about.
Museums in Cebu highlight specific aspects of the Philippines, such as its relations with other nations, the early lifestyle, its natural resources, and its artistry. Each shows the significant changes the island underwent over the years.
TOP MUSEUMS IN CEBU
- National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu Branch
The National Museum of the Philippines opened its first Cebu branch in 2023, instantly becoming a fan-favorite hotspot for museum enthusiasts. It stands in what was previously the Malacañang sa Sugbo near Plaza Independencia.
It is arguably the city’s biggest museum, with numerous galleries of Filipino artwork and historical artifacts. The great thing about it is that admission is free.
The galleries on the first floor focus on natural artifacts like excavated treasures and pieces of the land, as well as models of plants and animals endemic to the island.
The National Museum in Cebu celebrates Cebu artistry through the numerous paintings on the walls, depicting important moments in the history of Cebu City. You will also find sketches of churches in the province and busts of prominent figures.
Lastly, the museum has a gallery of abstract paintings and intricate sculptures from the Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974.
- Casa Gorordo Museum
Many ancestral houses in Cebu (especially the ones in Pari-an) have been converted to museums to showcase the early Cebuano lifestyle. One of the most popular is the Aboitiz Foundation-owned Casa Gorordo Museum.
This was previously the residence of the Gorordos, a prominent family during the Spanish colonization. With all of its rooms preserved and maintained, it showcases Cebuano life during the 19th century.
Tickets cost Php 100, inclusive of a tour around the house.
Aside from this, the museum has an open lot where you can host different events. It also has a Bo’s Coffee shop within the premises.
On their Facebook Page, Casa Gorordo Museum announced that they have several events planned for MGM, which could possibly include free walking tours and talks about Cebu history.
- Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum
Chinese influence and culture play an important part in Cebu’s history. You can learn all about this at the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum.
The museum is open on a select few days, but they have confirmed that they are giving free admission to guests every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for the whole month of October.
Located right across Cebu City Hall, it stands inside the Gotiaoco Building, which is the city’s first structure to have air-conditioning and an elevator. You can also learn about these things as part of their exhibits.
This is one of the smaller museums in Cebu, with only two floors. However, they are popular for their life-size exhibits.
One of its prominent displays is the Chinese junk ship model located in the middle of the first floor.
The museum also has a display of spices, aromatics, and home-use ceramics, which were famously traded and bartered between Chinese merchants and early Filipinos.
- Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu
Another aspect highlighted by the museums in Cebu is Catholicism, especially since the island was the first region in the Philippines to be converted. This rich history has spawned multiple religion-based museums, including the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu.
Located across from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the structure is an artifact in itself, with its limestone and wood construction which was commonly used during the colonial era.
It houses the biggest collection of ecclesiastical artifacts in the city. These include liturgical objects like chalices, bibles, and oil containers, as well as vestments worn by deacons and priests and broken parts retrieved from century-old churches in the province.
The museum has preserved the vestment worn by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the city in the 90s.
There is also a collection of images of saints and busts of figures in Catholicism, including a section dedicated to Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, the first Cebuano cardinal of the Philippines.
NOTABLE GALLERIES IN CEBU
- Qube Gallery
Many will agree that this is the most popular art gallery in Cebu, known for housing original artwork from prominent Cebuano artists.
It is located at Crossroads Banilad, with a secondary branch along A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City.
- Yap-San Diego Ancestral House
The oldest ancestral house in Cebu City was previously owned by the Chinese-Filipino Yap-San Diego family. It is located within the Pari-an district.
- Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
A butterfly preservation center with a museum for lepido mosaics, which are paintings made from butterfly wings.
- Jesuit House
Another ancestral house turned museum in Pari-an, which was formerly the headquarters for the Jesuits in Cebu.
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This October, go on a tour and rediscover the country’s history in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month. Check for announcements about events and offers from each of these museums to make the most of your visit!
Museums in Cebu are located close to each other, so you can experience the artworks and exhibits within a day.
