To produce ‘Better Politicians’ Don Sergio charity opens in 2015

CEBU, Philippines - Nephew recalls Osmeña legacy in flower offer; Tomas leads separate rite

To carry on the legacy and political teachings of Sergio Osmeña Sr., a foundation under his name will be instituted next year, eyed to produce “better politicians” in Cebu City and the entire country.

Don Sergio Memorial Foundation Inc., proposed by Don Sergio’s great grandson Jose Antonio “Jojo” Osmeña in last year’s Osmeña Day commemoration, nears full implementation.

This was confirmed by Jose Antonio’s father, Antonio Osmeña, in yesterday’s 136th birthday celebration of the late Philippine president who is popularly known to Cebuanos as “Don Sergio.”

Speaking on behalf of the clan, the Osmeña nephew said the foundation will be established according to Don Sergio’s good governance advocacy, offering a scholarship program for the underprivileged.

Antonio said they are still gathering various groups, including the academe and non-government organizations, to take part in the creation of the said foundation.

Though the specifics were not yet discussed yesterday, the charity group is envisioned to provide aspiring leaders an avenue to get themselves trained and eventually become “better politicians.”

“We, the perpetually nonpolitical Osmeña heirs wish to perpetuate the enduring legacy of Sergio through an ongoing undertaking of a foundation…It should be ready for next year. Our admission is to produce better politician either Osmeña or non-Osmeña,” he said.

He added the foundation will incorporate leadership program to cater and teach aspiring politicians in line with Don Sergio’s six essential principles of honesty, respect, patience, good governance, patriotism and giving value on education.

Remembering

During his speech, Antonio also collated excerpts from renowned Filipinos who have regarded Cebu’s Grand Old Man, such as “The First Gentleman of the Philippines” by Carlos P. Romulo; “Don Sergio Osmeña Sr.: People’s Educator and Mentor” by Sotero H. Laurel; “Sergio Osmeña: Statesman and Public Servant” by Arturo M. Tolentino; “A Tribute to a Rare Brand of Leadership” by Jovito R. Salonga; “Imperatives of a Moral Government: The Osmeña Legacy” by Marcelo B. Fernan; and “Osmeña’s is the Only Authentic Independence Declaration” by Vicente Albano Pacis.

The article of Sotero reads, “At the heart of Don Sergio’s philosophy of education was the moral regeneration of the people to be achieved and realized by teachers who would inculcate in our youth the virtues of honesty, honor and self-respect, the habits of toil, industry, and perseverance, the attributes of loyalty, respect for elders, self-reliance, initiative and imagination, and, not least, a hierarchy of values that would place honor above gold, and country above self.”

Before yesterday’s commemoration, Jojo Osmeña had said they were planning to incorporate a scholarship program for poor but deserving students to get a higher education.

“Through the foundation, we can perpetuate the legacy and we can continue the good works and deeds of our beloved president,” he said.

Yesterday, more than 500 people from different organizations, including City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, wife of former congressman Tomas Osmeña and other Osmeña clan members, offered flowers and prayers at the corner of Osmeña and Lapu-Lapu streets, where once stood a house Don Sergio was born.

While in a simultaneous wreath-laying event, Tomas Osmeña and PNP officials led the floral offering on the bust of Don Sergio at Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr., Police Regional Office.

Present were City Councilors Sisinio Andales and Eugenio Gabuya Jr., City Hall department heads, officials and representatives of government agencies, civic groups, the police, barangay officials and students.

Bust

In a related development, a 30-inch bust of Don Sergio sculpted out of fiber cement by Christopher Java of Barangay Sangat, San Fernando town was showcased yesterday,

Java finished the masterpiece in two months. Unfortunately, this will not be permanently displayed as it was only borrowed from the Cebuano portrait artist for Don Sergio’s 136th birthday.

The bust, though, would be part of the artist’s forthcoming “Great Cebuanos” exhibit, which will also be featuring the busts of Gwendolyn Garcia, Vicente Rama, Serging Osmeña Jr. and Eduardo Gullas, among others.

Legacy

Don Sergio, known as the first Filipino statesman, was born on September 9, 1878. He became Cebu’s acting governor, provincial fiscal, provincial governor, member of the First Philippine Assembly and Speaker of the House at the age of 29.

He spent his 42 years in public service. In his early career of public life, he worked as the editor of El Nuevo Dia. At the age of 25, Osmeña served as governor from 1904 to 1906.

He was the Speaker of the First Philippine Assembly in 1907 at the age of 29, the youngest ever. He also became a senator and was then elected vice president in 1935.

At the outbreak of World War II, Osmeña became one of the most famous politicians in the country and became acting president in 1943 and later succeeded the presidency when then president Manuel Quezon died in New York during exile.

The “Grand Old Man” of Cebu breathed his last on October 19, 1961 at the age of 83. — (FREEMAN)