Editors’ Note

International Museum Day is a global event held annually on or around May 18 to promote the role of museums worldwide. The theme in 2024 is Museums for Education and Research. This month we turn our spotlight on the Gubat Heritage Center (GHC) in Gubat, Sorsogon, a fascinating, well-curated lifestyle museum set in an ancestral house built in 1918. It was recently featured by Kara Santos, a freelance writer, photographer, and blogger for TRAVEL UP who has family roots in Bicol (FB post, April 24, 2024). We feature the photos she took during her museum visit as well as content from Patrick Omar Erestain, former Municipal Administrator and Tourism Officer (GHC inauguration video), GHC FB page (museum updates), Dr. Luis Dery (Gubat abaca trade), Jam Escandor (Gubatnon Mural), and Bicol Mail (GHC history and conservation).

Inauguration and Purpose

The Gubat Heritage Center was inaugurated by the Local Government of Gubat on June 12, 2021, coinciding with the celebration of the 123rd Araw ng Kalayaan (Philippine Independence Day) that year. Its main feature is the lifestyle museum, which vividly recreates the culture and history of Gubat during the Spanish and American colonial periods.

As a living museum, the GHC also includes a multifunctional space where cultural events can be held. Additionally, the center serves as the Municipal Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (MTCAO) for the Gubat LGU.

The first floor is dedicated to artworks by the town’s thriving local art community. Some artworks are for sale. The second floor is about the town’s past lifestyle, including the prominent Escurel-Sabater family, the original owner of the historical structure before being donated to the Local Government of Gubat by their heirs.

GHC is also located a few meters away from what the locals call “Almacenes.” These were collection houses where abaca was stored and processed when Gubat was its major trading center in Bicol. Some of these structures exist up to now. During the heyday of the abaca trade, large sea vessels called batels regularly docked at the port of Gubat loaded with abaca from Samar and Leyte.

Historical Significance

Erected in 1918, Casa Escurel was the residence of Don Juan Pura Escurel, his wife Eduvijes Prado dela Cruz and their five children: Getulio, Maria, Servando, Rosalia and Alberto. Don Juan served as Gobernadorcillo of Gubat, 1873 – 1874, 1881 – 1882, and 1887 – 1888. Getulio, one of sons, became the Presidente Local of Gubat during the American occupation from 1908 to 1909. He was married to Eustaquia Fajardo Estavillo with whom they had a daughter, Paz. In 1934, she married Atty. Luis G. Sabater, son of Go Yngui, a Chinese immigrant who was baptized as Jose Sabater and Maria Gonzales. Luis and Paz settled in Gubat and had five daughters. They bought the Escurel House in 1938 from the surviving owners, her father Getulio, and his siblings Rosalia and Alberto. In 1943, Luis bought the house’s adjacent lot from Iglesia Evangelica Unica. The family permanently resided in Manila and the house was left to the care of caretakers with Paz acting as the administrator of all Escurel-Sabater properties in Sorsogon. When Paz died in 1964, the youngest daughter Edita assumed the responsibility in taking care of the house and other properties until she died in 2007.

In early 2017, the 148 square meter family residence and the adjacent 364 square meter vacant lot were donated to the Local Government of Gubat by the surviving Sabater children: Paz Maria, Celia, Diana, and Luisa.  The family wanted the property to be kept intact and maintained by the LGU-Gubat as a heritage center that would become the home of artifacts and antiques; arts and literature by Gubatnons, as well as distinctive products of Gubat. As a catalyst of cultural preservation, the local government believes that protecting and preserving culture defines the identity of the town. Historical and heritage structures, like the Casa Escurel, shall showcase the age-old traditions of Gubat.

Safeguarding the Cultural Heritage

Then Mayor Sharon Rose Escoto recognized it was the responsibility and duty of all Gubatnons to safeguard this cultural heritage and to conserve the full richness of its authenticity for future generations. In 2018, the Gubat LGU headed by then Administrator Patrick Omar Erestain sought technical and professional knowledge in the design and restoration of the heritage structure by consulting with De La Salle University – College of Saint Benilde Architecture Program and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Furthermore, in March 2018 scoping and exploratory works were done in partnership with the LGU of Liliw, Laguna. The Gubat LGU also sought the assistance of volunteers from France Volontaires Philippines and Pistes Solidaires in the cultural mapping tasks and design study. Distinguished Gubat historian, Dr. Stephen Henry Totanes also helped in the verification of historical inputs for display in the museum.

In 2019, the restoration and construction work of Casa Escurel began but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project encountered delays. The works were only completed by the first quarter of 2021.

The Ginubat Mural

The Gubat LGU commissioned young artists to paint the Ginubat mural at the patio of Gubat Heritage Center. Serving as a reminder of the town’s historic past, the mural was designed and executed by Joshua Fajardo, Jhaz Enguerra, Daniel Hubilla, and Hanna Lingayo, under the mentorship and guidance of visual artist Gilbert Gorospe.

Inspired by the legend of Ginubat, the artists reimagined and reinterpreted an old tale that has long resided in the memories of the old, passed on to generations as bedtime stories for children, in folk songs, and now being brought out in visual art form.

The legend revolves around the tale of a pre-colonial settlement that was constantly raided by Tagulipnan, a half-bird, half-human monster. Causing the settlers’ constant distress, the monster would visit every full moon to feed on infants and children.

The community’s horror persisted until a stranger from faraway land called Mardawan, a divine being, appeared and rallied three local chieftains, Aramag, Maragadaw, and Mararag, to fight alongside.

The monster was eventually defeated when Mardawan summoned fishes, named Bugiw (swordfish), Malasugi (blue marlin tuna), and Manabang (barracuda), that pierced Tagulipnan to death. Overjoyed, the villagers shouted, “Gubat! Gubat!”, which meant raided. Thus, in the legend, that was how the name of the town came to be.

A Town’s Vision and Invitation to Visit

The Gubat Heritage Center aims to provide Gubatnons with a tangible structure where their sense of identity, belonging, and cultural space can be preserved. Before the establishment of the center, there was not a single repository to showcase Gubat’s rich cultural heritage and pride.

GHC stands as a testament to the town’s vibrant past, culture, and pride, inviting visitors to explore the fascinating history of Gubat in a beautifully preserved ancestral home. If you’re ever in the area, Gubatnons highly recommend that you pay a visit!

Featured header image (credit: GHC FB page)