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THE ANG PANUBLI-ON MUSEUM

For the first time, since its operation as the city museum in the middle part of the 90’s, the Ang Panubli-on readies itself to host rare and irreplaceable items that are set to exhibit comes CAPIZTAHAN 2013 which is slated on April 12-15. These rare items are reportedly borrowed from Malacañang Palace. These include an Amorsolo painting of President Manuel Acuña Roxas and the original Philippine Flag raised duringduring the historic 1946 Independence Day. A soft opening for the exhibit has been set on April 8, and the same can publicly viewed on April 12 to coincide with the opening of CAPIZTAHAN 2013 celebration. The exhibit is expected to draw public inter-est as these irreplaceable items will be on exhibit only for a limited period of time, after which the same will be sent back to their places of origin. According to Melanie Arancillo, Executive Director of ONE Capiz, it took time and effort to convince Malacañang to allow these items to be shipped outside for Capizeños and visitors to view them locally or be given this op-portunity to see it without going to Manila.

Since its operation in 1995, no irreplaceable items have been put into display at the city’s “Ang Panublion” Museum, which was recently renovated and privately managed. Im-provements have been affected and noticed by the local folks, particularly the local culture buffs who make occasional visit to the museum. The exhibit of rare items will compliment the rare history of the museum itself which served as a water tank ffor local residents for thirty years. Built in 1910, during the in-cumbency of then Presidente Pastor Alcazar Capiz 3rd town mayor (1908-1912) of the old Capiz town, the edifice was just adjacent to the old municipal hall. On rainy days, water flowed from the roof of the 2-storey municipal hall to the water tank. Originally intended to serve as a water reservoir for the local residents during summer days, the tanked served its purpose for more than 30 years until World War II broke out. During the war, the municipal hall was destroyed but the water tank,

which s 115 meters in diameter, 6.10 meters in height with walls almost 11 inches thick, was spared. After the war, public offices were built around the tank completely hiding it from view with only a water faucet visible. In 1993, these offices were demolished exposing the concrete tank after three de-cades. Younger generations have to be told that the edifice was a water tank.

With the city water system now in place, through the ef-forts of then Congressman Dinggoy Roxas, the usefulness of the water tank has become obsolete. The old water tank looks like an imposing structure inside the plaza. Likened to a lady, serene and gracious and meant to stay – to have it demolished was like cutting the umbilical cord of the past and all its links to the present. The City Government with a group of local cul-ture buffs brainstormed on what to do with the water tank. The idea of converting the water tank into a museum was consid-ered and approved. Thus, in 1995 the Roxas City “Ang Panub-li-on” Museum became a reality with the late Ofelia Rendon in-stalled as its first curator

By the City Government, The initial operation of the museum was dependent on the budget allocated and some support from the private donors who wanted to see the museum continue its advocacy to keep the local culture kept and alive for the next generation. It showcased the Kapisnon lifestyles – how they lived, ate, danced, drank, prayed and dressed. Old Chinese wares, old coins, artifacts and old items borborrowed from prominent families were displayed to keep the young in touch with the past. The present museum manage-ment has embarked on a more simplified but artistic way of showing how Capiz came to be. From the various regimes that dominated the place, everyone will learn how Capiz has evolved through the years.

The coming CAPIZTAHAN 2013, “Ang Panubli-on” Museum will be an added attraction for all visitors wanting to see Capiz’ past and how well it has been kept alive for the present genera-tion to appreciate. (CAPIZtahan Publicity and Promotion Committee/Alger O. Inocencio)

THE ANG PANUBLI-ON MUSEUM TO HOST RARE, IRREPLACE-ABLE ITEMS