Journey to the Past: Museo Sugbo

I think I owed everyone a better blog entry for my first experience during the Gabii sa Kabilin. I also needed my own personal account in the events that had happen. I am writing this now with so much zest and excitement! Let this series take you back in time and let this virtual tour piqued your interest and hopefully, you will decide to join next year. I will create a 10-part series of the things that has taken place from 6PM til midnight.

We arrived at Museo Sugbo at 6:22PM. Armed with two bottles of water and a 3 pack Snickers bar we commuted from Army NavyBurger + Burrito for a heavy dinner in preparation of the night’s events.

The place was packed! We were given a booklet showing us the map of the museum. This two-storey museum houses the Museo Sugbo Permanent Exhibition Galleries which comprises four rooms. 

The Archaeological Gallery

The Golden Tara which was found in Butuan. The artifact dates back to 1917. 
The Spanish Colonial Gallery  
Boat-shaped coffin used for re-interment, reburial secondary burial.  
Katipunan documents. 
Civil works back when the Spanish Occupation reigned. 
A postcard of Jose Rizal with his last words Mi Ultimo Adios.
The Sen. Vicente Rama Special Exhibition

This was once the old prison infirmary of Sen. Rama. He is the Father of Cebu City Charter and publisher of three newspapers and undefeated opposition DemocrataParty legislator.He served as a lieutenant in the Revolution against Spain as well as the subsequent war against the Americans in Cebu from 1899-1901. 
To be caught with these notes meant Instant Death! This is the Guerrila Currency of the Philippine Islands.
Two Type 1 12.7mm “Ho-103”. Machine guns and one Type 92 7.7mm single flexible machine gun. Unknown origin but possibly retrieved from the wreck of a Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive bomber.

American Colonial
1920 Remington Typewriter which is on loan from the Abellana Collection.
 There were different groups performing some of the local dances and festivals.



National Historical Commission of the Philippines Museum of Philippine Political History

The political history gallery threads through our political history, from the early period of family-based groupings thousands of years back up to the presidency of Benigno Aquino III and beyond.  The 15 presidents of the country through their official portraits with their signatures etched in 24-karat gold plated metal amidst object and artifacts of their different reigns. 
Poets of Mindoro Islands.
Pagtuo: Visayan Religious Arts from the Arcenas Collection

Collected over 20 years by Ramon and Rosita Arcenas, the exhibit comprises images of saints wrought in wood that form part of a remarkable gathering of ecclesiastical objects.  These works of ecclesiastical art date to the late 1700s up to the early 1900s.
Rueda or a Spanish term for wheel, is a bell ringer. Attached to the wheel were bronze bells of varying size to be rung during liturgical services.  
The Desmayo is the caro of the Arcenas family which is part of procession on Maundy Thursday. It depicts the Christ fainting after being scourged. It is over 100 years old.
 Cebu Journalism and Journalists Gallery

The gallery is established by the Cebu Citizens-Press Council, the Cebu Journalism and Journalists Gallery houses antique equipment of the tri-media (print, radio and television), period newspapers and magazines as well as profiles of Cebu’s pre-war journalists.





This is the classic Linotype machine which is prominently displayed outside that leads to the gallery. Yes, you have guessed it! This is my favorite bit of the tour. :P
Serenading you with lovely tunes, the rondalya.

As we were heading out, you can see a tarpaulin or various bus routes and corresponding colors to take you to another site. We opted to walk instead. Thank God we knew where to go! It saved us time than waiting for the bus to arrive. Even saw ex-workmate Krem with her friend who joined us in walking to Casa Gorordo. :P
Almost finish booklet.
I was quite happy that we were able to get to all the galleries and have our booklets stamped. What an accomplishment. It made the tour even more enjoyable. :)

Museo Sugbo
M.J Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
Office Hours: Monday - Saturdays 9AM - 6PM
Contact Number: (032) 239-5626