Proudly Cebu
Just recently, the island of Cebu has been hailed as one of the best islands of the world in the 2016 Reader's Choice Awards. It placed alongside other islands in the Philippines too, chart topping with the rest of the places in the world. The international list reasoned that the upscale lifestyle of Cebu matched with its power to bring about culture makes it unique in one sense.
Being a Cebuana, I take so much pride in this new distinction. I grew up in Cebu; and of most of my life was spent in the city despite having to travel sixteen kilometers to and from home. I can spell the difference between the usual traffic flow and a traffic jam under my nose. For sixteen years, I have traveled back and forth the city and yes, there is so much change over time.
For one, there are too many cars now. Back in the day, we, commuters, only competed for a few jeepneys with routes that were pretty much basic. There were fewer large trucks so the roads were not as scary as what pedestrians face today. There was also a time when I could go home on a bus that used to wait for passengers in one of the malls in Cebu city, now that's long gone. The travel time was different then too; today we would happy to reach one's destination in an hour back then an hour was too much time spent commuting.
I basically know the ins and outs of the city even when I was still a child. The heart of Cebu City-what was used to be called Jones Avenue and Mango Avenue were the main roads that I used to walk around when I was younger. I did not mind having to walk in these places; it wasn't that humid and hot then as well.
Traffic, population, and pollution are all direct effects of the progress that the province is undergoing. We try to cope with the times, be abreast with the latest technology, and try upgrade our facilities to meet world standards, but there are consequences that we have to face and this is what we are going through now.
On top of that, progress often leads to an increase in waste production. We are currently in a state of limbo as to manage our solid waste and where to place them properly. It is just sad that we cannot emulate other countries who take pride in having zero waste in their area because of proper facilities that recycle and reuse their trash.
Lucky enough, others still think we are one of the best places to visit or live. I couldn't disagree despite the many issues Cebu must face. I think Cebu in its own has an ability to stay on its feet despite the large number of people coming in to invest. We have not forgotten who we are and the historical significance of our province.
We have a thriving economy that does not only cater to the local market but also international market with Cebu's many exporters. Cebu's top exports consist of shell crafts, furniture, and food products.
Our natural resources are incomparable to what others have. We are blessed with great mountain ridges, clear seas, and sights that could not be seen in another place. Cebu is truly what it is.
So, that's Cebu, a place which we call home. It may not be perfect but then we remember that others see the best in us. I guess that's something to ponder upon which could change our entire mindset.
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