Tirso Uytengsu, Sr. Street, Cebu City

It is the street that connects Jones Avenue (now President Sergio Osmeña Boulevard) to the residence of Don Tirso Uytengsu Sr.

The honoree originated from Fujian, South China, and first settled in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. He then made Cebu as his residence until his death on May 2, 1964.

Don Tirso incorporated the "Uy Matiao & Co. Inc." He was a prominent member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Cebu. He served our country as member of the PHILCOA Trade Mission to the United States and Europe and twice as Philippine delegate to the International Chambers of Commerce in Paris and Washington and three-time delegate to the International Oil Congresses at Rapallo, Italy; Cannes, France; and Brussels, Belgium.

He married Honey Tan, and they had twelve children. One of his sons, Wentworth, a Pre-Law student of Silliman University, died in 1945 as a guerilla in the war against Japan. The Wentworth Uytengsu Memorial Scholarship Fund is offered in Silliman University for deserving students in the College of Law.

His other son, Wilfred Sr. born on Oct. 6, 1927, graduated at the Silliman University in 1946, went to the United States and earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree at Stanford University in 1950 and the following year earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the Indiana Tech.

Wilfred Sr. established the Grand Milling Corp. and the Alaska Milk Corp. in 1972. In the 1960's Don Tirso acquired the house owned by Gen. Gavino Sepulveda, this he made as his office. Later his son, Henry transferred the Dimsum House in 1981 to the place.

Don Tirso was among the pioneers of the Boy Scout Movement, Cebu Council. As a matter of fact, he was one of those responsible for the building of the original building of the Cebu Council, Boy Scout Building.

The Cebu City Council enacted City Ordinance No. 848 on Oct. 29, 1973 naming the street in honor of Don Tirso Uytengsu. Months later, the Cebu City Council amended the ordinance (City Ordinance No. 852), and this time, the street covers the street which connects Jones Avenue (Pres. Sergio Osmeña Boulevard) up to the corner of Urgello Road to be called the Tirso Uytengsu Sr. Street, while that portion of the main street from the curve or corner leading towards the residence of the honoree named as "Tirso Uytengsu Sr. Extension Street."

 

 

 

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