National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu (Cebuano: Nasudnong Museyo sa Pilipinas – Sugbo; Filipino: Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas – Cebu) is a museum in Cebu City, Philippines under the National Museum of the Philippines system.

Quick Facts Established, Location ...
National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu
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The Aduana Building as a museum in 2024
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Established2023
LocationAduana Building, Cebu City, Philippines
Coordinates10°17′30″N 123°54′16″E
TypeNational museum
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Hosted at the Aduana (Customs) building, the museum building was known as Malacañang sa Sugbo (English: Malacañang of Cebu; Filipino: Malakanyang sa Cebu) when it served as the official residence of the president of the Philippines in the Visayas.[1] It was named after Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the president in the capital city of Manila.

History

Quick Facts Aduana Building, Former names ...
Aduana Building
Former namesMalacañan sa Sugbo (2004-2022)
General information
Current tenantsNational Museum Central Visayas
Inaugurated1910
Renovated2004
OwnerNational Museum of the Philippines
Technical details
Structural systemReinforced concrete
Design and construction
Architect(s)William E. Parsons
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Construction

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Customs House, 1910.

Previously known as the Aduana (Customs) building, it was originally built in 1910 to house the Bureau of Customs (BOC) office in the Port of Cebu City. It was designed by William E. Parsons, who was assigned as the architect of the Philippine government from 1905 to 1914. Parsons was chosen by Daniel H. Burnham to execute the plans for the city of Manila and Baguio. Parsons made his own plan for the development of the city of Cebu, and he Customs Office was the first building constructed according to his plan.[2]

Malacañang sa Sugbo

The building would be used as the Customs office until 2004, where it was converted into Malacañang sa Sugbo. The Aduana was restored by the national government at a cost of 700,000.[1] The Bureau of Customs was forced out of the building, and moved to a rented building from the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA).[3]

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The facade of the building from the coast.

In July 2012, the Bureau of Customs attempted to repossess and return to the Aduana after the building they were housed in suffered damages from an earthquake on February 6, 2012. Huge cracks on the ceiling, floor, and interior walls were noticed in the building after the temblor. The Aduana, which is still owned by the BOC, was not being used and is seen by the Customs office as a "white elephant."[3]

Ownership issues

In 2013, the Malacañang sa Sugbo building was cordoned off and declared off-limits after structural engineers of the Cebu City's Department of Engineering and Public Works determined it had been rendered unsafe by the October 15 earthquake.[4] The building was reopened on July 19, 2016, for inspection and ongoing assessment to identify the repairs it needed and to determine how much would be spent. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (PAV) Michael Dino held office in the room at the left wing of the building as the PAV office.[5][6]

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Malacañan sa Sugbu in 2018.

Heritage recognition and conversion to a museum

In 2019, the building was declared a National Cultural Treasure. Then, the building was converted as the National Museum Central Visayas. The museum was inaugurated on July 28, 2023, and was opened to the public on August 1, 2023.[7]

See also

References

Further reading

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