I spent a month, on vacation at my tita's place in Maguikay, Mandaue, Cebu. That trip was extremely amazing for me especially since I spent time with my cousin, Ate Angel. She fulfilled my dream to visit Cebu's famous museums, Malacañang sa Sugbo and Casa Gorordo Museum. I'll never forget that morning. Ate Angel awoke me at exactly 6 a.m. and she said, "Yanyan, wake up; today we're going back in time! " At first, I felt I was dreaming, because honestly she typically gets up about 11 a.m. But that day was different; she was awake before me! I even teased her, asking whether we were going to journey back in time through a secret cabinet like in the movie Narnia. She chuckled and said "No, we're going to the museum to learn what really happened behind everything." Hearing that, I jumped out of bed quickly. I took a bath, ate breakfast, and even did a little makeup before leaving.
After almost 30 minutes of travelling, we arrived at 9 a.m. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw the structure of the building. It was so large that it looked liked a City Hall. There were guards outside, standing straight and tall, making me feel as if I was going to enter an important area. And, in reality, I was. The moment I stepped inside, I felt as if I were in another world. The air inside was cool and quiet, almost as if the walls held decades of secrets. Everywhere I turned, I saw amazing exhibitions.
The butterflies were the first ones to catch my sight. They were carefully maintained in glass cases, with their wings frozen in mid-flight. Some were brightly coloured, while others had soft earth tones. I stared at them for a while, thinking how each one before fluttered freely under the Cebu sun. Then we proceeded to see the bird. Their feathers were detailed and gorgeous, and I imagined how they would have sounded if they were still alive. Beside them were collections of rocks and minerals, each with a unique colour and texture. I realised these simple stones told stories about the area we pass on every day.
The old pottery jars attracted me the most. They appeared old yet strong, and I was thinking what they were used for. Did they hold water? Rice? Spices? Probably even treasures? My imagination took oversight, and for a minute, I saw myself as a young archaeologist discovering them for the first time.
The art gallery absolutely captured my heart. I was taken particularly to the work of Martino Abellana, the Dean of Cebuano Painters. His painting was so alive that it felt as if the people in the pictures were staring right at me, telling stories from the past. I walked slowly through the museum, observing each frame and brushstroke. It was like being inside a storybook, with each page a masterpiece. For a minute, I forgot about time. I had forgotten about the world beyond. It was just myself, the paintings, and the history around me.
Aside from the exhibitions, the structure itself impressed me. The beautiful staircase curved upward, like something from a movie. The high windows let in warm sunlight, and the wooden flooring creaked beneath my feet, reminding me of how it must have felt to walk here many years ago when the building was still used as a government office.
Of course, I did not forget to take photos! As I looked into, I couldn't help but feel like a kid again: curious, and full of wonder. Every corner of Malacañang sa Sugbo seemed to whisper stories, and I wanted to hear them all. After exploring the grand Malacañang sa Sugbo, I believed my journey for the day was over. But my cousin Ate Angel smiled and replied, "hmm not yet, Yanyan. We're still have one more location to go." My excitement grew like a flower in the field when ate angel said our next stop, the Casa Gorordo Museum.
The drive wasn't long, and when we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the lovely old house surrounded by greenery. Casa Gorordo, had a warm and inviting atmosphere.The house appeared different from the outside, with its Spanish-style design, large windows, and wooden structure. As soon as we get inside, we were taken to the Spanish colonial period. The air was different, smooth and peaceful, as if the walls themselves told stories about the individuals who had lived there.
The first room we entered was the living room, which are decorated with ancient wooden seats, tables, and religious exhibits. I saw framed old photographs and even a copy of Noli Me Tangere, which reminded me of our national hero, Jose Rizal. It seemed like being in the home of an ilustrado family, with each piece of furniture having its own story. Then we were led to the dining room. The long hardwood dining table, perfectly equipped with luxurious dishes, glasses and cutlery, caught my breath away. The chandelier was gleamed softly, making the hall appear ready to welcome guests from the past. For a few seconds, I closed my eyes and pictured a family from the 1800s sitting there, talking about their day, possibly discussing the important developments occurring in Cebu at that time.
After that, we walked out onto the balcony. It was surrounded by plants and vines, and from there I could see the amazing garden below. The fresh air swept against my face, and I imagined how previous generations must have enjoyed sitting there, having coffee or watching their children play outside. It felt easy, but it was the type of peace that people nowadays get. We then looked into other areas that described people lived in the past.
I noticed horse-driven carts, ancient farming tools, and farmers' handmade baskets. There was also a model of a ship, which reminded me of Cebu's long tradition as a trading centre. Walking around the rooms made me feel that I was a part of the story. The creaking wooden flooring beneath my feet and the smell of wood all made me go back to a time . As I took one last glance at the house before we heading out, I said to myself, "History is about people and how they lived, not the dates and names."
After how many hours of discovering history, my heart was full of stories, but my stomach was beginning to argue at me. I smiled and told my cousin, "Ate Angel, I'm so hungry already." She nodded and agreed, so we decided to go straight to Ayala Malls for some food. Honestly, I expected it was the end of my cultural adventure for the day. However, life likes to surprise us when we least expect it.
As we entered the mall, I saw something unexpected in the activity centre. The bright lights, wooden stands, colourful displays, and crowds gathered around. Out of interest, I brought Ate Angel along to find out. To my surprise, there was an art and even the architecture of student exhibition! I could not believe it. I expected to explore only two museums that day, but Ayala has its own small "art museum" waiting for me. Suddenly, my ordinary food trip became another experience.
The first piece of artwork that caught my attention was a rabbit surrounded by cloth, pins, and fabric textures. At first, I though it was just a creative decoration, but as I looked closer, I realised a deeper message about freedom, struggle, and vulnerability. Who knew ordinary materials could tell such a fascinating story?
There's a two koi fish swirling in colourful water patterns. It was both peaceful, inspiring and serving as a reminder of balance. The artist's attention to detail made the fish appear to be alive and swimming directly in front of me. There was another piece of paper art shaped like an orange with butterflies surrounding it. It was so realistic and colourful that I almost wanted to eat a slice.
I spotted also a miniature bahay kubo the Ivatan house that made of a bamboo and nipa, complete with small palm trees and a gate. It immediately made me smile. It looked like a scene from the province, reminding me of how simple and lovely life used to be. I so much enjoyed how these students used many materials to bring their imaginations to real life. These were not simple like in the classroom projects. But they reflected their passion, talent, and goals for their future.
I wanted to remember every a lil bit since it felt so unexpected and important. Then I realised something: earlier that day, the museums had shown me stories from the past. Now, this retail exhibit was displaying futuristic hopes. Both were unique, but they shared the same power art. One reminded me of where we came from, while the other offered a look of what the next generation could produce. After admiring the artworks, we finally found a restaurant. But, to be honest, the creativity I had just witnessed left me feeling just as full.
In the end , looking back on that incredible day, I see it wasn't only the museums or the exhibits that made it so memorable; it was the company I had. I'm grateful to Ate Angel for showing me that we didn't need a magical cabinet to travel back in time like the Narnia in movie but a simply spending the day together was the ultimate trip for me.