It was a holiday in Cebu City on Feb. 24 as the metropolis celebrated its 78th anniversary as a chartered city. The observance started with a Mass at 7:30 a.m. at the Plaza Sugbu fronting City Hall.
Floral offerings were made at the statue of Don Vicente Rama, who, as a member of the Philippine Assembly, filed a bill establishing Cebu as a city in 1937.
Later that evening, a testimonial dinner to award Cebu City’s most outstanding institutions and individuals was held at the ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Hosting the program were Roy Empleo and Carole Monique de Leon. Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella gave a welcome address, then announced the city’s outstanding institutions and individuals.
Cebu’s finest
Honored that evening were Councilors James Cuenco and Hanz Abella, lawyer Manuel Legaspi, architect Melva Java, Msgr. Carlito Puno, Erlinda Alburo, Osman Jumalon, May Seno, Ethel Matugas and Arsenio Pacaña.
Special citations were given to Cebu centenarians Gerardo Cabalfin, Concepcion Unchuan Velasco, Miguela Campos and Araceli Kiener.
There were also 31 Mayor’s Special Awards, one of which went to the Amparito Llamas Lhuillier Educational Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Gualandi Volunteer Service Program, Cebu Eastern College, Cebu Normal University, the Zonta Club of Cebu I and the Zonta Club of Cebu II were among the institutions recognized that night.
Cited as well as outstanding individuals were Adela Avila Kono, Police Supt. Romeo Santander, former Sen. Rene Espina, Luz Mancao vda. de Sandiego, Napoleon Rama, Alvan Claude Evangelio, Hernando Streegan, Jose Gullas, Robinson Gokongwei and Dr. Suga Sotto Yuvienco.
Posthumous awards were presented to the families of Estelita Diola, George Rama, former Cebu City Vice Mayor Renato Osmeña, playwright Alan Jayme Rabaya and theater director Daisy Ba-ad.
“Our future depends on our present. And we must never overlook the past,” declared Mayor Michael Rama in his special message. “Together, we can make the best things happen for Cebu City.”