Casa Gorordo brings ‘sinug,’ back into the popular consciousness during this year’s Fiesta Señor with performances in different venues, part of a purposeful series marking the museum’s 40th anniversary.
Performances will be staged at the SM Seaside on January 7, SM City Cebu on January 9, 13 and 14 and the Mactan Cebu International Airport, Ayala Center Cebu and Robinsons Galleria on the 10th, 11th and 12th of the month, respectively. The performance will happen at the house-museum’s garden on Monday, January 16, as one of the traditions passed down by the Gorordo Family which once owned the property.
Depicting the sea’s cross-currents, Sinug gave its name to Sinulog, the Philippines’ biggest festival. Sinug sa Casa Gorordo is a highlight of the feast celebrated on the third week of January in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño.
Rave Fabria, Museum Officer of Casa Gorordo, says that the multi-venue performances will “reintroduce Sinug as the dance that started it all.”
An array of other culturally-immersive activities, putting a distinct focus on Casa Gorordo’s House Traditions, follows the public re-introduction of Sinug.
A live re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross happens in April. Special presentations are also being prepared for the annual Gabi isa Kabilin in the same month.
Sabyag San Juan and a Fiesta Food Strip will be the key attractions at the Fiesta ni San Juan in June. On the same month Cavan: Memories of Visayan Families, an exhibit of precious collections and stories travels through key destinations.
The Best of Cebu songwriting and choral competition, to be held in August, and an art exhibit in October showcase the Cebuano musical and creative virtuoso.
The Gorordo Belen, featuring added settings, delighted visitors and passersby during the period of the 2022 Misa de Gallo and Christmas as a diorama viewable through the house’s E. Aboitiz St.-oriented ground floor window. The display will still be available from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. until January 15, 2023.
Apart from a grand 40th Anniversary event, the celebration rounds out with the launch of the latest edition of the book “Life in Old Parian: Love and Other Stories” in December 2023.
Casa Gorordo’s anniversary series was launched recently with vignettes of the experiences of National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) President and Chief Executive Officer Amaya Aboitiz- Fansler, Former RAFI Culture and Heritage Program Officer Ruel Rigor and Florencio Moreño II, Casa Gorordo Curator and Officer-in-Charge of RAFI’s Culture and Heritage Unit.
The 40th Anniversary logo, unveiled at the event, is inspired by the intricate calado design which has become the museum’s signature over the years. It depicts in florid foliage the museum and RAFI’s commitment to promoting the local culture through consistent and constant heritage advocacy.
