Rizal Memorial Library and Museum

Rizal Memorial Library and Museum is a three-story, pre-war, neoclassical heritage site and landmark in Cebu City, Philippines. Dedicated to the national hero, Jose P. Rizal, it was designed by Filipino architect Juan Marcos Arellano, who also designed the Cebu Provincial Capitol building. Inaugurated in 1939, the building survived World War II. It is located along Osmeña Boulevard and houses the offices of Cebu City Tourism, the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, the Sinulog Hall on the third floor, the Cebu City Museum of Visual Arts on the second floor, and the Cebu City Public Library on the ground floor.

Rizal Memorial Library and Museum
Facade of the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum
Location in Visayas
Former namesRizal Memorial Library Building
General information
TypeLibrary, Museum, Offices
Architectural styleNeoclassical architecture
LocationCebu City, Philippines
Address102 Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Cebu
CountryPhilippines
Coordinates10°18′44.23″N 123°53′31.28″E
Current tenants
InauguratedDecember 30, 1939
OwnerCebu City Government
Design and construction
ArchitectJuan Marcos Arellano

History

Origin

In the 1930s, an association called Los Tocayos de Rizal[1] that was composed of men who shared Jose Rizal's first name held a fundraising campaign to erect a monument in his honor. Flavia Suson-Muaña, the librarian at the National Library of the Philippines' branch in Cebu, came to know about the project and reached out to Jose Nolasco,[2] member of the first council of Cebu City that was elected on December 14, 1937[3] and Tocayos' project chairman.[2] Muaña dissuaded the group from pursuing the original plan and, in the place of a monument, proposed to construct a building to house the library.[4] National Library of the Philippines director Teodoro Kalaw later approved Muaña's proposal.[1]

Funding

Nolasco, Los Tocayos de Rizal, and the general public contributed to fund the construction of the project.[4] Aside from being a councilman, Nolasco was the organizer of the annual Cebu Carnival, the local version of Manila Carnival, a festival held to celebrate the harmonious US-Philippine relations. The pioneering provincial event hosted shows like circus acts, acrobatics, and amusement rides, and culminated in a beauty pageant. Its first beauty queen, Sibonga mestiza Enriqueta Aldanese de Lasso de Vega, was crowned in 1914 and she would later become Queen of the 1918 Manila Carnival.[5] Funds were raised from the proceeds of the carnival expositions and from the ticket sales of literary musicals since 1919.[4][6]

Design and construction
Details on the facade of Rizal Memorial Library and Museum

Filipino statesman Don Sergio Osmeña donated a property near Fuente Osmeña for the project. The design of the three-story building was created by the Manila-based architect Juan Marcos Arellano, who was also responsible with the design and construction of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.[4] It featured the iconic sculpture of Rizal with an open book flanked with two children.[6]

Construction began during the term of Cebu governor Sotero Cabahug.[7] On December 30, 1939, coinciding with Rizal's 43rd death anniversary, the building was inaugurated under the administration of Governor Buenaventura Rodriguez[8] and known as Rizal Memorial Library.[9] When it was completed, all three floor spaces were designated as library areas.[4]

A plaque, donated by Don Ramon Aboitiz through Los Tocayos de Rizal, was installed as the marker of the building upon its inauguration.[4] The dedication reads:

A bronze marker at the foot of Jose Rizal statue.

To the memory of the most outstanding Filipino educator, patriot and martyr, Dr. Jose . Rizal. Conscious of the importance of education, the people of Cebu voluntarily contributed to the construction of this memorial. The contribution came from net proceeds of the literary-musical programs and Carnival Expositions periodical held since 1919 in celebration of Rizal days. A committee composed of municipal president Fructuoso Ramos, Councilor Jose P. Nolasco, and municipal treasurer Tomas Cerilles invested the money realized from the said activities in the Cebu Mutual Loan Association where forgotten in later years, it was earning dividends. In 1935, Gov. Sotero Cabahug looked for the money and took the necessary steps leading to the erection of this structure which on December 30, 1939 was inaugurated and christened. Rizal Memorial Library. (Sic)

World War II

Upon the arrival of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, the Japanese forces utilized the building as their headquarters.[10][11] The books from the library, which were extensive with copies unavailable in the National Library in Manila, were moved to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, or tossed away. Towards the end of World War II, the building was subjected to bombings by the American forces.[4]

Post-war

The building became the seat of the city government after the war while the city hall was being rehabilitated.[2] The government, which was preoccupied with restoring order, later allocated ₱40,000 for the building's restoration amidst public demand. The library was relocated while repairs were ongoing. Donated books and references from the United States Information Service rebuilt its collections as many original books were lost or irreparably damaged.

In the 1940s, Perpetual Succour Hospital rented the building for a nominal fee of ₱50,[4] and then moved out in 1959.[1] The City Health Department (CHD) later occupied the building in the 1960s while the library was moved to the third floor and eventually to another location. The library only moved back in the 1980s when the CHD relocated to its own building[10] and after repair works that were funded by the government were done.[2][4]

The lot where the building stands was officially donated by the provincial government under the administration of then Governor Emilio Osmeña to the city government, which was led by then mayor Tomas Osmeña.[4][8] It was during this time that the museum was created.[2]

In the 2000s

The city government unveiled a plan to renovate the building in 2008, but it was met with controversy as it was also announced that the library would be dissolved and its collection donated to satellite libraries. The ensuing public outcry stopped the plans of abolishing the public library.[8]

The building underwent renovation funded by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Foundation, Inc. which donated ₱2.75 million, and the city government which gave financial assistance of P11 million,[12] for a total project cost of P13.75 million. Repairs and renovation works commenced on August 2010. The building was reopened on May 8, 2011, the 150th birth anniversary of Rizal.[8]

The Rizal Memorial Library and Museum houses the Sinulog Hall on the third floor, the Cebu City Museum of Visual Arts on the second floor, and the Cebu City Public Library on the ground floor.[8] It is also the location for the offices of Cebu City Tourism Commission and the city's Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.[13]

Cebu City Public Library

Also known as the Rizal Memorial Library, the Cebu City Public Library is located on the ground floor of the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum. Established in 1919,[10] it began as the Philippine Library's branch in Cebu and Museum (presently National Library of the Philippines).[14] It has free Wi-Fi internet connection available to users, offers dedicated services for LGBTQIA members and the hearing-impaired,[15] and is the first public library in the country that is open 24/7.[16]

Cebu City Museum of Visual Arts

Occupying the second floor, Cebu City Museum displays antiques, sculptures, furniture, and woodcarvings given by prominent Cebuano families. It also contains works of art such as portraits of notable Cebuano people and paintings that show Cebu, its people and lifestyle during the 1500s until the Japanese occupation.[17]

Sinulog Hall

Named after Cebu City's annual festival every January, the Sinulog Hall is located on the third floor and dedicated for cultural and historical functions.[8] Rehabilitation is underway to convert the Sinulog Hall to become a study area and a venue for events and other functions.[18]

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References
  1. Lato-Ruffolo, Cris Evert B. (April 13, 2019). "100 years of Cebu City Public Library". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  2. Bagares, Gavin (2011-07-24). "'Panihapon sa Museo' caps Cebu Asean culture city celebration". Inquirer Lifestyle. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  3. "Today in the History of Cebu" (PDF). www.library.usc.edu.ph. University of San Carlos. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  4. "Cebu City Museum: Witness to Cebu's history and growth". Sunstar. 2016-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  5. Nuyda, Doris G. (1980). The Beauty Book: A History of Philippine Beauty from 1908 to 1980. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde: Mr. & Ms. Publishing Co,.
  6. Tabada, Mayette (2017-10-19). "Of readership and citizenship: A library's tale". Cebu Journalism & Journalists. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  7. Newman, Jenara Regis (2015-09-15). "Viewing a slice of Cebu history". Sunstar. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  8. Lato, Cris Evert B. "Library, museum, gallery under one roof". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  9. "Rizal Memorial Library Building | Southeast Asia Digital Library". sea.lib.niu.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  10. Lato-Ruffolo, Cris Evert (March 17, 2019). "24/7 Cebu City Public Library: The First Year". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  11. Mojares, Resil B. (2015). The war in Cebu. Bersales, Jose Eleazar R. (Jose Eleazar Reynes). Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines. ISBN 9789715390705. OCLC 945648989.
  12. "Bid Invitations". www.cebucity.gov.ph. Cebu City Government. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  13. "Sinulog Foundation gives P5M for renovation of Rizal Library". philstar.com. March 16, 2006. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  14. Tariman, Jun (March 7, 2018). "PH's first 24-hour public library to open in Cebu City". cnn. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  15. Lato-Ruffolo, Cris Evert (January 1, 2019). "Cebu's 24/7 public library hits 103K visitors in 2018, offers more services in 2019". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  16. Macasero, Ryan (January 1, 2019). "Cebu City Public Library visitors up 296% after opening 24/7". philstar.com. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  17. "Gabii Sa Kabili" (PDF). www.rafi.org.ph. Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated. May 25, 2018.
  18. Demecillo, Jean Marvette A. (March 9, 2009). "City library users grew four times". www.pressreader.com. Philippine Star; The Freeman through Pressreader. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
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