EMPTY – A contrast of the pre-pandemic buzz, streets, establishments, airports, malls, museums and other public places were eerie silent and frighteningly empty. The emptiness that was felt weighed heavy on every individual’s mind especially with the uncertainty, confusion and distress the COVID -19 pandemic has brought to the globe.

As the world grappled with the unrelenting challenges posed by the virus, Cebu and its people confronted it head-on with an indomitable spirit.

Springing from this unprecedented crisis shines the inspiration behind the exhibit, Pagsagubang: Courageously Facing the Future – a visual tale of the Cebuanos courage and resilience during the pandemic. This exhibit, hosted at The Kabilin Center in 2022, is a testament to the resilience, unity, and creativity of the Cebuanos. Its artifacts, objects, images, and works of art were carefully gathered to narrate the story of how Cebu and its people not only survived but thrived in the face of a pandemic.

A Glimpse into Cebu’s COVID-19 Journey – Phases

Walking through the exhibit, visitors are transported back to those early days when uncertainty loomed large. The exhibit was sectioned into 8 phases – each capturing the Cebuanos as they navigated the confusing terrain of lockdowns, travel restrictions, and a virus that seemed unconquerable.

One of the exhibit’s most powerful sections was the visual representation of the virus through large installations made from repurposed fabrics and other materials. Exhibited to embody a sign of awareness and caution, the installation art underlies a message that the COVID-19 virus is deadly and though not visually seen, is still upon us in the new normal.

Art as a Voice of Resilience

Pagsagubang, which was curated by Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales and Prof. Jay Nathan Jore featuring the works of Photojournalist, Aldo Banaynal; Installation Artists, Roy Tristan Ingente; and Digital Illustrator, Bastinuod, channeled emotions and touched experiences of the exhibit goers. Shining a light on the beauty and chaos that emerged from adversity, the exhibit creatively presents how Cebuanos made it through serious lockdowns, wearing facemasks, travel restrictions, to the emergent hope through the vaccination roll outs.

Among the notable works is the wall full of portraits of medical and non-medical personnel dressed in superheroes, who stood unwaveringly on the frontlines, risking their lives to save others. This visual tribute encapsulates the gratitude and admiration felt by the community towards these brave individuals.

While the central theme of the exhibit focused on resilience and adaptation, it also featured the sorrow and suffering experienced by the families and individuals affected by the virus. A spacious memorial wall became a canvas for visitors to inscribe the names of their loved ones or friends who had passed due to the virus. This part of the exhibit served as a poignant reminder that even though they have departed, they continue to hold a place in the hearts and memories of those they left behind.

Cebu’s Community Spirit

Though socially distanced, the spirit of belonging to a community has never felt that warm. The exhibit showcased the incredible community initiatives that sprung forth during the darkest days of the pandemic. Photos of selflessness, from food drives to mutual aid groups, illustrate how Cebuano neighborhoods united to support one another. These tales of compassion and solidarity serve as a testament to the unwavering community spirit that defines Cebu.

A Journey to Healing and Hope

Rising above the virus, the exhibit unfolds as visitors were taken to end of the tunnel. From the initial chaos and fear to the gradual return to a semblance of normalcy, the journey reflects the collective strength of Cebu’s people. The term “New Normal” started to surface presenting radical changes in the normal life like wearing face shields, face masks, and constant sanitation. Eventually, vaccines start to roll out in the hopes to achieve herd immunity. The government along with private sectors in Cebu massively advocated and conducted free vaccination in different sites. As days roll by, statistics of vaccinated individuals start to grow while deaths and incidents start to decrease.

Pagsagubang: The Pandemic Exhibit

The pandemic has indeed taught us a lot of things. Through the exhibit, the curators hope that unlike the previous pandemics/ epidemics, the COVID – 19 pandemic serves as a reminder to everyone to not be complacent and to stay alert especially with the possibility that viruses may come and wreck the globe’s normal processes again in the future. At the end of it all, Pagsagubang hopes to reminds us all that resilience and hope are forces more contagious than any virus.