CEBU, Philippines – Osmeña family a no-show; Tomas says it's mere publicity. To carry on their legacies, Cebuanos are encouraged to emulate the good deeds of two iconic leaders Don Vicente Rama and Sergio"Serging" Osmeña Jr.
This was the message of Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commissioner Arsenio Pacaña during yesterday's unveiling of the P3 million life-sized monuments of Don Vicente and Don Serging at the Plaza Sugbu.
Don Vicente Rama is referred to as the "Father of Cebu City" while Sergio "Serging" Osmeña, Jr. was the first elected city mayor during the Cebu general elections on November 8, 1955.
The brass monuments were designed by renowned national artist for sculpture Eduardo Castrillo who was commissioned by Insular Life, the company that shouldered the expenses for the project.
The monuments were supposed to be unveiled during Cebu City's 77th Charter Day celebration last February but they were not ready just yet.
Pacaña, a former city councilor, said the monuments will serve as an "inspiration and motivation" for Cebuanos considering the huge contributions of Serging and Don Vicente to Cebu.
"The statues will serve as our motivation and our encouragement, something that we look forward to especially to the young generation, that in our lifetime we must try to do something for people to remember us. Life is too short, we do things rightly today and not tomorrow," he said.
Mayor Michael Rama, who celebrated his 60th birthday also yesterday, said the two icons have to be recognized for making Cebu the "best" city.
"I wish all of you to be reminded by their acts. Politics can pass but recognition cannot wait. Let's all cherish our great fathers because we owe them our great city," Rama said.
Snub
Despite the recognition, however, no one from the Osmeña family showed up at the unveiling ceremony.
Serging's son, former mayor Tomas Osmeña, even accused Rama of using his father for publicity.
"It's only a publicity stunt. I resent the idea of using my father as deodorant to remove the baho of the Ramas. Bastos kaayo siya (Rama)," Osmeña said.
"I can't stand the fact that he is using my father. My father did many things for Cebu and that I did everything to glorify him," he said.
Rama, for his part, said it was not his fault that the monuments were completed in time for his birthday.
Partnership
Last January, Rama signed the deed of donation with Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. The agreement states that once the monuments are in place, the city government will be responsible for "conducting diligent and regular maintenance of the sculptural monuments including repairs and other use and providing appropriate sufficient funds for upkeep."
"The sculptures throughout their serviceable life will remain for public viewing and will not be converted to private and other uses," stated in the agreement.
Insular Life Chairman of the Board and CEO Vicente Ayllón said the monuments are the company's simple way of showing gratitude to Cebu City where its first district office was established in 1938.
"These monuments are our ways to show our deepest gratitude and appreciation for Cebu City being our home for more than seven decades," he said. – /JMO (FREEMAN)