Celebrating 440 years of Cebu province

I’m really glad that The Philippine STAR’s James Mananghaya came up with that front-page feature last Thursday on the four honor guards who stood at the four corners of Tita Cory’s coffin and endured that eight-hour slow trek from the Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park. Since I did not watch the full TV coverage of her funeral, I really thought that the honor guards were replaced at certain hours. But apparently we learned that these soldiers kept to their assigned post until their mission was over and completed… delivering the remains of Tita Cory to her grave.

So allow me to salute Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriquez, Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman Second Class Gener Laguindan, and Police Officer 1 Danilo Maalab Jr. for a job well-done. You have shown to our people what true military discipline is all about and we hope that your comrades-in-arms will emulate your discipline and strength. Your reward is that, you are now part of the history of this grateful nation. However, I would be the first to ask Presidential Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) for a presidential citation for you guys!

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While we couldn’t be in Manila for the funeral of Tita Cory, rest assured that well-meaning Cebuanos did go to the churches to offer Masses for the repose of her soul. Mayor Tomas Osmeña joined the Mass held in Barangay Luz that Tita Cory, as president, would often visit. Even the officers and men of the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional headquarters at Camp Sergio Osmeña held their own Holy Mass, while a forum on environmental issues turned into a tribute for Tita Cory.

While it was a nationwide day of mourning for the funeral of Tita Cory, the following day was the 440th anniversary of the founding of the province of Cebu and last Wednesday was the Governor’s Ball, where the annual Garbo sa Sugbo awards were bestowed by the Cebu provincial government to three organizations, notably the ProFoods International Corp. the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc., and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., and to Guam Lt. Gov. Michael Cruz.

In deference to the passing of Tita Cory, this formal affair gave a long moment of prayer for her complete with a video presentation and the song Hindi Kita Malilimutan. The affair was graced by the presence of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lutfo Dlamini, his Majesty the King’s special envoy from the Kingdom of Swaziland; Hon. Minister of Tourism Macford Sibande, Ambassador Mpumelelo Hlophe, and his Royal Highness Prince Mphiwa. Also in the entourage was Guam’s Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz who told us that his grandmother hailed from the town of Carcar, the same hometown of my grandfather Don Jose Avila.

In her speech, Gov. Gwen Garcia said, “We honor 440 years of hope, of struggle, of trials, of triumphs. We cannot begin to say the appropriate words or do the fitting rituals, to express our gratitude for those who began the journey and our promise to carry on and to continue. Cebu is one at 440 and we celebrate our unity not merely because it is an achievement in itself, but because it is the fulfillment of a hope of 440 years. This is not only unity at work, but unity that works! And it does not end there. The story of Cebu’s unity, after all, is what sets it apart from any other province in this country… is the story of our strong public and private sector partnership!”

The 440th anniversary of Cebu province will be a month-long celebration starting with the One Cebu Expo, then experiencing the Flavors of Cebu, and there’s the Pasigarbo Festival Queen Competition. Then on Aug. 13 are the Museo Sugbo inauguration and a bridal fashion show. On Aug. 14 there’s the Cebu Heritage Tour and on the 15th is the Festival of Festivals. There is no doubt that these activities bring a lot of foreign and domestic tourists to Cebu.

Yesterday was the opening of the One Cebu Expo at the Cebu International Convention Center with an added spice with the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly Inc. holding its Business Forum also at the CICC. This is through the effort of Russian Honorary Consul Armi Garcia who has single-handedly brought Russian tourists to our shores and a Filipino mission to Russia, thus strengthening Philippine-Russian ties.

Another highlight in the festivities of the province of Cebu, although it is not part and parcel of the official celebration, is the wedding today of two beautiful people, Mayor Vicente Franco “Duke” Frasco of the municipality of Liloan and Atty. Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Codilla, daughter of Gov. Gwen Garcia, at the Metropolitan Cathedral at 4 p.m. Call it Cebu’s Wedding of the Year and may the Lord bless this happy couple.

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