Thousands of Mandauehanons yesterday joined the funeral procession to pay their last respects for former city mayor Alfredo Mendoza Ouano, who was laid to rest in the public cemetery in barangay Guizo.
The cortege stopped briefly at City Hall for a ceremony inducting Ouano posthumously into the city’s Hall of Fame.
Supporters and relatives took turns carrying the flag-draped casket of the 90-year-old patriarch of the Ouano political clan who succumbed last Nov. 7 to prostate cancer.
Ingko Pedong’s immediate family and relatives vowed to keep his legacy alive. In eulogies, they remembered his generosity, sense of humor, leadership and his role as an excellent provider.
Ouano was vice mayor from 1972 to 1986 and became mayor in 1988 until 1998.
“He was telling me lately that he wishes to see his grandchildren serve the Mandauehanons like how he served during his time. For me, I will do my very best and perhaps with the help of the other members of the family to work for it and realize his dream,” said Hazel Ouano-Alpuerto, his eldest daughter and consul-general of the Philippine Embassy in Canada.
On foot, thousands of supporters joined the funeral march from his house in barangay Opao, stopping briefly at City Hall, then on to the National Shrine of St. Joseph for a requieum Mass and to his final resting place in the Mandaue City Public Cemetery.
The family had earlier decided to have the foot procession intead of transporting the casket on a hearse.
A platoon of cadets from the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue campus formed two columns and marched alongside the pall bearers.
His remains were given arrival and departure honors by the Mandaue city police at City Hall.
The police gave Ouano a 21-gun salute accompanied by a drum and bugle corps during the final rites before the casket was entombed in the mausoleum.
During necrological service on Sunday evening, Ouano’s wife Dolores “Loleng” Zambo spoke about the late mayor’s life and how he carried out his vision for the city. She apologized to Mayor Jonas Cortes for any hurtful criticism her husband may have said against him.
In his response, Cortes said the late mayor was a great leader. He said this was affirmed by the resolution of the City Council entering the late mayor’s name int he city’s Hall of Fame.
Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, former Cebu governor and current 3rd district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy and Vice Mayor Tetchie Sitoy-Cho, former 6th District Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz and members of the City Council.