CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu will finally have its own center that will host performances of artists in the province and around the country as it opens the Sugbo Performing Arts Center located at the University of the Philippines campus in Lahug, on August 12.

The opening comes after 18 years of waiting. The construction of the said facility and the UP Dormitory started in 1993 during the term of governor Vicente dela Serna.

During the inspection over the weekend, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn said that whether it is finished or not, she is determined to open the facility as she gave a “non-negotiable deadline” to the contractor.

Garcia also made an announcement during her State of the Province Address last July 15 at the Capitol about the opening of the facility next month. Garcia got the assurance of the contractor to finish it on the given deadline.

The center would be the only one of its kind in the entire Visayas with a sitting capacity of 1,600. It will be a venue of different kinds of presentations like stage plays and opera showcasing Cebuano culture and traditions.