How do you cement the legacy of Cebu’s Grand Old Man of politics, the late Don Sergio Osmeña Sr.?
Set up a foundation in his name and buy back the house where he grew up in along Osmeña Boulevard, according to a great-grandson Jose Antonio “Jojo” Osmeña.
Jojo, an entrepreneur, yesterday asked his cousins including Miguel Osmeña, son of former mayor and south district congressman Tomas Osmeña, to help him set up a foundation to provide scholarships for the poor and to train local officials to follow Don Sergio’s commitment to academic and professional excellence.
“This is one of the best ways that we can perpetuate the good works of Lolo Serging,” he said.
“I hope our generation could start something.”
Jojo spoke on behalf of the Osmeña clan during a floral offering where kinfolk gathered to mark the late president’s 135th anniversary.
In his speech, Jojo said the “virtues” of their patriarch – simplicity and selflessness – were the source of the family’s honor
But Jojo said he also knew that buying back the Osmeña ancestral home which is now known as the CAP Building would be too costly. “I can’t afford it. That’s a lot,” he said.
Jojo also said any foundation set up in honor of his grandfather, should be created by non-clan members because it would be “self-serving” for Osmeña family members to do it.
Members of the Osmeña family and Cebu City officials gathered at the intersection of Osmeña Boulevard and Lapu Lapu Street where a stone marker is placed to identify the homestead of the late president.
Cebuanos commemorated his 135th birth anniversary yesterday, a holiday in the province.
Acting Mayor Edgar Labella joined the gathering in place of Mayor Michael Rama’s who is in Taiwan on official buisness until next week.
Former congressman Osmeña, his wife Margot and son Miguel were present along with Ramon Sergio Osmeña, Margarita and Manuel Larrañaga, Annie Aboitiz and Elizabeth Osmeña.
A Mass led by Msgr. Boy Alesna at 7:30 a.m. opened the celebration followed by a floral offering at the marker’s site where an oil portrait of Cebu’s Grand Old Man was also placed.
Labella said the ceremony honoring Sergio Osmeña was “a fitting tribute but a small thing compared to what he has done for the Filipino nation.”
He cited Don Serging’s humility as president of the Philippine Commonwealth.
Jojo later thanked the 1,000 people who attended the one-hour commemoration.
“He (Don Sergio) remained a simple man. He was already rich and powerful but he did not strive to be richer and more powerful. He instead used his riches and power to improve the lives of the Cebuanos and the Filipino people,” he said.
Jojo suggested establishing a foundation ancould grant scholarships to poor but deserving students and train local officials to honor Don Sergio’s commitment to academic and professional excellence.
“This is one of the best ways that we can perpetuate the good works of lolo Serging,” he said.