Judge Leoncio P. Abarquez Street, Talisay City, Cebu

It is the street with no official name to the main street of Barangay Tanke, City of Talisay, Cebu starting from the boundary of Barangays Cansojong road and Tanke road to the shoreline bordering the Juling's Kilawan to Buwaran in the north boundary to Sawsawan Bridge.

The street is named after a humble, soft spoken, fair and honest public servant Judge Leoncio P. Abarquez, he was born on Sept. 12, 1927, son of spouses Mariano Abarquez and Rosalia Padin. He finished his elementary at the Talisay Central School. He finished his pre-Law course at the University of San Carlos, he had his Law course from first to third year at the University of San Carlos and finished it at the University of Southern Philippines.

He married Amparo Zanoria on June 20, 1964. He entered politics in 1972 and was elected Mayor of Talisay when it was still a municipality. He won as Mayor of Talisay in 1983, but he resigned a year later after he was appointed Regional Trial Court Judge of Tagbilaran. In 1985 he was designated as Presiding Judge of Branch 19 of the Regional Trial Court-Cebu City, retired in 1993 and ran as mayor in 1995.

Leoncio, was the Personal Secretary of Senator Mariano Jesus Cuenco, then later to his son Dr. Manuel Cuenco when he was Secretary of the Department of Health. He was also legal counsel of the Bisaya Shipping Lines owned by the Cuenco family.

Leoncio died on Sept. 21, 1995, but he bore children to continue his legacy of service to God and country, Gwendelina who married Atty. Romeo Villarante, who was elected Vice Mayor of Talisay in the 2013 elections; Liza married to a lawyer, Lemuel Auza; Leah a banker; Lani who served as councilor and Vice Mayor of Talisay City; Letty married a "Sericon" and only son Allan.

The Talisay City Council on its ninth regular session held on Sept. 16, 2004 approved Resolution No. 2004-45 naming a street in honor of Judge Leoncio P. Abarquez, it was later submitted to the Provincial Board for its approval. May we rightfully and justly honor "Judge Leoncio P. Abarquez" with the Talisay City Government officially installing and marking the street in his name, as almost a decade had passed that this should have been done.

Coincidentally, the land where the Laray National High School stands was donated by the father of Leoncio as its contribution to the people of Talisay and deserves to be named after "Mariano Abarquez".