Kasadya sa Downtown: City to unveil 32 historical markers

CEBU - At least 32 of the 54 historical markers strategically situated in “Calle Colon” or Colon Street, the oldest street in the country, will be unveiled on November 30 as part of the activities during the launching of the Kasadya sa Downtown 2008.

The holding of the Kasadya sa Downtown is part of the City Government’s Downtown Revitalization Project conceived by Acting Mayor Michael Rama to restore the old downtown’s beauty that make Cebuanos proud of.

Rama said the Cebuanos should be glad because Cebu has so many tourist attractions like the famous Magellan’s cross located across the City Hall.

The cross was planted by Ferdinand Magellan beside the Basilica del Santo Niño when it was still a shore.

Tonette Panares of the Women International League said that unknown to many Cebuanos, there are 52 historical sites along Colon Street and one of them is the site where one of the oldest newspapers El Nuevo Dia was being printed.

George Chu of the Downtown Revitalization Project said the activities on November 30 will include the so-called “Heroes Walk” along Colon Street to relive the ancient town that later became the center of the city.

Some city officials will dress on ancient clothes so they would look like the real heroes and leaders of the past as they walk along the country’s oldest street.

Rama will portray the role of Spanish conquestador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi with Councilor Edwin Jagmoc acting as his interpreter.

Councilor Raul Alcoseba will portray Magellan, Councilor Arsenio Pacaña as Pigafetta and Warfe Engracia as King Tupas.

They will start their “history walk down the memory lane” at Pahina Bridge located at corner Panganiban and Colon Streets where the Puente Revolucion market was formerly located.

The members of the tanod unified force will also dress as Katipuneros who fight and died for freedom.

As usual, during the whole month of December, the portion of Colon Street from Osmeña Boulevard up to D. Jakosalem, will be closed to traffic every evening to give way to the night market. – Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)