Serging is ‘Cebu’s grandest young man’

AN OSMENA AT THE CAPITOL. The birth anniversary of the late Sergio Osmena Sr. was honored by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III (third from right), Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, guest speaker former Cebu City mayor Tomas osmena and Provincial Board members before Sergio’s monument at the Capitol grounds. (CDN PHOTOS/ CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

Rather than being known as the “Grand Old Man of Cebu”, the late Philippine president Sergio Osmeña Sr. is the “grandest young man” in Cebu.

This was the opinion of his  grandson,  former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, who spoke  during the annual observance of the late official’s 137th birth anniversary.

“I think his greatest accomplishment was not in being old, but in being young,” Osmeña said in a speech  at the Capitol grounds yesterday morning.

Sergio  was elected governor of Cebu at 27 years old, and became the youngest member of the Philippine Assembly before he  moved on to become the first House Speaker  two years later.

A flag and wreath-laying ceremony was held  at the Capitol  followed by a breakfast get-together at the governor’s office.

It was the first time the Capitol held the ceremony, where Tomas was invited to speak.

The day is usually marked with a  simple flower offering by family members and city officials at Sergio’s birthplace in Lapu-Lapu Street and Osmena  Boulevard in downtown Cebu City.

The memorial organized by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC)took place separately.

The Capitol ceremony was attended by  Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board Members and other Capitol officials.

Osmeña’s wife, Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, arrived later following the flower offering downtown.

Achievements
During his speech, Tomas cited some of his grandfather’s achievements during his youth.

“Where can you find  a governor who is 27 years old?” said Tomas.

He  reflected on how many of the greatest Filipinos were young when they made a mark in history.

“Right now, we can only elect a president who is a ‘grandfather.’ It seems like we can’t trust the youth anymore,” he said.

Great things
He cited the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was the youngest mayor, governor, and senator in the country in his time; national hero Jose Rizal; and Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest general in the Philippine Army, as examples of Filipinos  who achieved great things in their youth.

“I’m sorry to disagree with you if you refer to Don Sergio as the Grand Old Man of Cebu because for me, he was the grandest young man we will ever have,” he said.

“(Don Sergio) was a young, dynamic, and very responsible person. The whole future of the Philippines was in his hands,” Osmeña said.

In the downtown flower offering, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella called on Cebu’s officials to emulate Osmeña’s example of being servants of the public, instead of their masters.

“Public officials should always be accountable to the people, and serve with utmost fidelity, integrity, loyalty, and shall live modest lives,” Labella said./ With Correspondent Juli Ann M. Sibi