Justice Sotero Cabahug award goes to USC grad

CEBU, Philippines - A magna cum laude graduate from the University of San Carlos is the recipient of this year's Justice Sotero Cabahug Medal for Academic Excellence.

Alexis Isok Cabalda, 22, from Tawason, Mandaue City graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Accounting last March 25.

Cabalda was chosen among 20 applicants for garnering the highest honors.

He is the youngest of six children. Father Wilfredo Cabalda is a retired accountant of Chong Hua Hospital while mother Teresa is a retired public school teacher of Canduman Elementary High School.

Cabalda who received the gold medal during a ceremony held yesterday evening at the Cultural and Sports Complex said he is preparing for the upcoming board examinations, and later on will apply for a job in accounting firms.

During the awarding ceremony, other applicants received medals from Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede.

On May 2, 1923, Justice Sotero Cabahug, then a private legal practitioner, offered to donate, through the municipal council of the then Mandawe, a gold medal to be awarded to a resident who would graduate at the top of his class with a rating of not less than 90 percent in secondary or special course from any school recognized by the government.

Since then, there were 64 recipients of the award and is now handled by the Cultural, Historical, Educational, Sports and Tourism (CHEST) Foundation, Inc. which was instrumental in the restoration of the statue of Justice Sotero B. Cabahug at the Mandaue City Garden Plaza.

Mandaue City officials led by Mayor Jonas Cortes laid a floral offering at 8 a.m. yesterday in commemoration of the 120th birth anniversary of Justice Sotero Cabahug.

Sixth district Rep. Luigi Quisumbing and Capitol officials led by Gov. Gwen Garcia were invited but failed to attend.

The Cabahug heirs led by Guadalupe Cabahug Latonio also offered flowers.

A mass was held earlier at the St. Joseph Shrine. At 9:30 am, a Cabahug Memorial lecture delivered by Erlinda Alburo, Ph.D Cebu Studies Center was held at Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

Sotero Cabahug served in all three branches of government. He was elected governor of Cebu Province during which the present Capitol building was conceptualized.

After the second world war, President Sergio Osmeña appointed him as secretary of public works and later appointed as secretary of national defense by President Ramon Magsaysay. 

He was later appointed as justice of the Court of Appeals where he served until his retirement.