UC law student is this year's recipient of "Cabahug Medal"

CEBU, Philippines -  A magna cum laude of the University of Cebu College of Laws is this year’s recipient of the Cabahug Medal of Academic Excellence.

Judiel M. Pareja, 26, of barangay Maguikay, is currently reviewing at UP Diliman for the October bar examinations.

Pareja also graduated magna cum laude in Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED) Major in Mathematics and Physics at the University of San Carlos and once taught mathematics at the Mandaue City Science High School.

“I feel proud and with a sense of responsibility,” Pareja said for being this year’s awardee for the Cabahug Medal of Academic Excellence. Justice Sotero Cabahug is remembered by his three surviving children as a perfectionist in everything.

 “He was a perfectionist even in little things and asked us to excel in everything we do. He told us not to start doing if we cannot do it well,” said Guadalupe Cabahug-Latonio, 69, one of the three surviving children of Justice Cabahug.

Two others, Jesus and Ramon are already very old but are still managing their farm in Leyte.

Latonio who manages CLEAR, an environmental group, represented the family of Justice Cabahug in commemorating his 121st birth anniversary yesterday.  

The city government of Mandaue led by Mayor Jonas Cortes and the Mandaue Cultural, Historical, Educational, Sports and Tourism (CHEST) Foundation, Inc. honored Justice Cabahug with a Holy Mass at 2 p.m., followed by a floral offering at his statue located at city garden plaza.

A lecture followed at 4 p.m. at the session hall by former UP Economic Professor Dr. Ernesto Pernia, a family friend of the Cabahugs, then the awarding of the prestigious Cabahug medal for academic excellence at 7pm at Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.

Cabahug, born on April 22, 1891 in Mandaue City, is well remembered as a statesman having served the three branches of government which included as a governor of Cebu (1934-1937) during which he caused the completion of the present capitol building.

Cabahug, a lawyer by profession, was also elected congressman of the second district of Cebu during which he co-authored the Women’s Suffrage Act and Paraphernal Property Act.

He was appointed secretary of Public Works and Communications during the administration of President Sergio Osmeña and then as secretary of National Defense during the term of President Ramon Magsaysay.  (FREEMAN)