Butterfly Alphabet in Jumalon Museum

If there are places you should not miss visiting when in Cebu, these are the Jumalon Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery. Located in Macopa St. Basak, Pardo, sometimes it is hailed as the three-in-one destination because this cultural landmark is composed of a private museum, art gallery and nature reserve run by the Jumalon Foundation.

History

Built in 1974, it originally served as a residence of the late Cebuano lepidopterist Julian Jumalon. Prof. Jumalon amassed a vast collection of butterflies through his travels worldwide and by trading local Philippine species with foreign ones. Jumalon's fascination with Lepidopterans did not just end in having them preserved and framed. He wanted the butterflies close by, especially the rare ones. So to invite these insects he planted his residence with butterfly food plants. He also caught live specimens and released them in his garden. His butterfly collection is known to be the oldest and perhaps the biggest in the Philippines.

At his death, a foundation (Julian N. Jumalon Foundation, Inc.) was created by his children and grandchildren to foster to his collection and the compound which, prior to the founder's death, has become a tourist attraction.

Points of Interest

Inside the compound is a salon and garden. The garden is a collection of a hundred butterfly food plant species. Among these plants flutter around 50 local and foreign species of butterflies. Some rare species are kept in captivity. It is also a residence of the Papilio daedalus.

Inside the salon is Jumalon's collection of butterflies and other insects. Also found inside is the histories of butterfly species. The salon also houses the paintings and other works of Jumalon, who was also an artist. The most popular among his works are his mosaics made entirely of butterly wings (lepido mosaic) from damaged butterflies taken from his collection. This mosaic depicts several places around Cebu City and National Heroes among others.

How to get there

From Manila, there are daily flights going to Cebu City. From the airport, you can ride a multicab, jeepney, or taxi. Simply ask around for which route to take. They are available 24 hrs and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Just be sure you know what part of the city the jeepney will take you to. 

Casa Gorordo Museum is located at 35 Lopez Jaena St. To get there, you need to take a jeepney going to Colon, then drop off to Colon Street Marker and ask the locals for the location. Just be sure to ask the driver first before taking the ride if he is going to Casa Gorordo Museum. You can also take a taxi to go directly to the place.

Nearest accommodations:

• Castle Peak Hotel - F.Cabahug Cor. pres. Quezon Sts, Villa Aurora, Mabolo, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
• Citi Park Hotel - F Cabahug Street, Kasambagan, Mabolo, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Cityscape Hotel - Ayala Access Road, F. Cabahug Street corner H. Cortes, Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu - Serging Osmena Boulevard Corner Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Alpa City Suites Hotel - Hernan Cortes Street corner, F. Cabahug Street, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014
• Sugbutel Bed and Bath - Don Alfredo D. Gothong Center, Serging Osmena Blvd., cor. Road East, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Cebu City Marriott Hotel - Cardinal Rosales Ave.,, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Holiday Spa Hotel - Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Hotel Pier Cuatro - 3rd Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino - 1 Salinas Drive Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000