The challenge to uphold the Gullas legacy

To many Cebuanos, when we mention the family name, Gullas, we always think of the great Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas, currently City Mayor of Talisay. A former multi-term congressman, both of the current first district of the province of Cebu, and the old third district, Mayor Gullas was also governor of the province much earlier than the rise of the Garcias. The name of Mayor Gullas has become a trademark of Cebu politics, in fact, a model of politics without a single blemish of corruption. Eddiegul has proven that it is possible for one to be involved in politics for more than forty years, without any stain. Today, his grandson, Representative "Samsam" has a very tough act to follow. The original Gullas was Don Vicente and Lady Josefina R. Gullas, founders of UV, and Don Paulino Gullas, a Bar topnotcher, founder of the Gullas Law School and The Freeman, and brother of Don Vicente.

There is, however, a lesser known Gullas, but one who is not lacking in passion, vision and leadership. While his elder brother Eddiegul immersed himself in the political cauldron for more than four decades, the one who took care of the University of the Visayas, their parents' (Don Vicente and Lady Josefina) legacy, as well as The Freeman, their uncle, Don Paulino Gullas' legacy to the Cebuanos. He is no other than Jose "Dodong" Gullas, Eddiegul's much loved younger sibling, aside from Inday Cering, or Gliceria R. Gullas-Lucero. Sir Dodong, is to us, the one who works very hard in making UV what it is now, much-improved infrastructures, better led and administered, and with a very strong faculty and curriculum.

While Sir Eddie is serving the larger segment of the people, Sir Dodong is focused on managing the university with its many campuses, a number of colleges and high school and elementary campuses. He attends to internal and external affairs every day. He talks to the vice presidents, to the directors and to the deans and principals. He also doubles up in the management of this paper, talking to editors, writers, and reporters. In his tender age of 83, which he jokingly says 38, Sir Dodong is indefatigable. He calls the middle managers and asks for reports, follows up on pending tasks. I have seen him work. He even writes books and visits his music museum that features Cebuano-Visayan music and arts in their best.

I remember when Sir Dodong became, albeit reluctantly, a member of the House of Representatives, he authored one of the most important pieces of legislations that made the life of the public teachers much easier. He enacted that law that localized the salary administration of DepEd employees.

Sir Dodong is a man of vision and action. He has deep concern on the future of UV and this paper. Sir Eddie and Inday Cering, too. The challenge is how to keep the UV spirit burning and how to keep The Freeman as one of the most respected icons of the fourth estate in this part of the world. I told him that the next generation has been amply prepared. We only hope and pray that UV and this paper shall be spared from what happened to the other universities and institutions. The Gullases are very hard acts to follow.