The rich cultural history of Cebu is evident in a number of heritage locations in the island. Cebu is the home to the oldest fort, oldest street and oldest church in the country. Since the Queen City of the South does not have a grand museum to showcase its culture and history, a number of smaller museum were established in different parts of the city. The Casa Gorordo Museum is just one of these many small museums in the Queen City of the South.
Casa Gorordo – image source: zerothreetwo.com
Casa Gorordo was the former home of the first Filipino bishop assigned in Cebu, Juan Gorordo. Alejandro Reynes y Rosales built the structure in the middle of the 19th century before it was purchased by a Spanish merchant named Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. Four generations of the family lived in the house, including the bishop. After the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation acquired the property in 1980, the house was restored and converted into a museum.
Casa Gorordo – image source: tripadvisor.com
The museum showcases how a typical Filipino home looked like in the 19th century. On display are paintings, religious relics, and antique furniture, among others. The Guest Room of the former Gorordo home features a four-poster bed with a canopy. A traditional 19th century kitchen is also showcased in the museum. It shows some of the items found in the house when it was still being used as the residence of the Gorordo family.
Casa Gorordo – image source: flickr.com
Similar to other old structures, Casa Gorordo also has its share of ghost stories. Ghostly apparitions of one of the sisters of the bishop were reported in the past. The apparition typically appears at the courtship area of the property, in front of the chapel.
Casa Gorordo – image source: jeepneyguide.com
The National Historical Institute through Board Resolution No. 4 dated September 21st 1991 declared Casa Gorordo as National Historical Landmark. Casa Gorordo is located along Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City. It is within walking distance from the Cebu Heritage Monument and the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.
Casa Gorordo – image source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The entrance fee is PHP 10 for children, PHP 15 for college students, PHP 40 for adults and PHP 70 for foreigners. The Casa Gorordo Museum gives local and foreign tourists a glimpse of the rich cultural history of Cebu.
Casa Gorordo – image source: sunstar.com.ph
Casa Gorordo will once again join the annual “Gabii Sa Kabilin” or Night of Heritage organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Culture & Heritage unit. The event will be held on the night of May 27 and will cover 41 destinations in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. The 10th annual Gabii Sa Kabilin will start at 6 PM and last until midnight. Ticket price is at PHP 150.
Gabii Sa Kabilin– image source: www.rafi.org.ph
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