G. Lavilles St., Cebu City

It is the street formerly named as "Bagumbayan" located in Barangay Tinago, Cebu City. The Cebu City Council on May 8, 1989 on motion of Councilor Arnulfo R. Ravina enacted City Ordinance No. 1329 renaming "Bagumbayan St" to "Gervasio L. Lavilles St."

Gervasio, not known to many, had a monumental contribution to the Cityhood of Cebu, as councilor he authored Resolution No. 185 passed on Aug. 31, 1931 calling on the Senate and the House of Representatives to enact a law converting the Municipality of Cebu into a City. The clarion call was answered by Vicente Rama, then congressman of the Old 3rd District of Cebu. Don Vicente, drafted and defended House Bill No. 3360. The bill became a law, later known as Commonwealth Act No. 58. Six years after the resolution of Atty. Lavilles, Cebu was inaugurated into a city on Feb. 24, 1937.

Gervasio Lira Lavilles was Ilonggo by birth but a Cebuano by choice. He was born in Lambunao, Iloilo, his parents were Camilo Lavilles and Sebastiana Lira. He came to Cebu when he was 14 years old. He finished his Law course at the Visayan Institute (now University of the Visayas) in 1937 and passed the bar examinations in 1938.

A prolific writer, he was a staff member of THE FREEMAN, a weekly publication of Rep. Paulino Gullas, revived by his nephew Jose Gullas (who also became a congressman). He was likewise editor of the English edition of El Democrata (published by Rep. Nicholas Rafols), he was also Staff Member of the CEBU DAILY ADVERTISER published by Don Jose Avila. He authored the book, HISTORY OF ITS FOUR CITIES AND FORTY-EIGHT MUNICIPALITIES (printed in 1965).

The newspaperman and lawyer was also an effective legislator, serving as Councilor of the Cebu Municipal Board for three terms (1925-1935). He authored the resolutions for the construction of the extension of Busay Road, Talamban Road and the Talamban-Pit-os Road and the Talamban-Balamban Road.

Gervasio survived World War II and became the War Damage Commission Chief Examiner. He died in 1986 but his patriotism and love for Cebu continues with his children. A daughter, Evangeline Lavilles-de Paula, is a historian and an author, she wrote Cebu: In Legend and in History, Cebu City Barangays: In Legend and in History. She graduated as Magna Cum Laude in her Bachelor of Science Education and her Masteral Degree. She also served the Province and City of Cebu in various positions; as consultant executive and administrative management officer of the Vice Governor of Cebu, provincial administrator and consultant on barangay affairs of the City of Cebu. Another daughter, Marietta Lavilles de Egurrola, actively pioneered the police community relations through the welfare program of the city street children. Daughter, Gloria married a Panganiban and her only son Virginio served the country during World War II.