Governors' gallery opens tonight

CEBU, Philippines - To cap the month-long celebration of the Cebu Province’s 440th founding anniversary, the Capitol will be unveiling tonight the governors’ gallery as tribute to the former governors who had served as chief executive of the province from 1901 to 2004.

The gallery will display the former governors’ portraits, personal achievements and memorabilia during their stint in office.

Incumbent Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the 24th and the first lady governor, said that it is just right to honor the 23 past governors saying that “we would not be where we are right now if not for them, their talents, their competence and their vision and we should always be reminded of that.”    

The present administration has specially chosen a room at the right wing of the Capitol building to be the site for the governors’ gallery.

Elizabeth Francia, chief of staff of the Office of the Governor, told The FREEMAN that invitations were already sent to former governors and their families to attend the activity.

Of the 23 past governors, according to Francia, they have difficulty in locating the family and relatives of then governor Julio Llorente, who was appointed as Cebu’s first governor in 1900-1901.

After his term as governor of Cebu, Llorente was also appointed as governor of Samar in 1902.

Historical accounts revealed that Llorente sold all his properties in Cebu and lived in Manila because of feeling that he was not given due recognition by his fellow Cebuanos. It was allegedly in Manila where he died a “poor and largely forgotten man” in the 1950s.

On February 3 to 5, 1902, the first election for governorship in Cebu was held. There were two candidates for the governorship – Llorente and Juan Climaco. The latter won and served as governor from 1902 to 1903.

Francia said they were able to trace the relatives of Climaco and they are expected to attend the event tonight.

Ma. Victoria “Minnie” Osmeña, daughter of former governor Sergio “Serging” Osmeña Jr. and granddaughter of former president and governor Sergio Osmeña Sr., contributed photos of her father to be placed on display at the gallery.

Among the memorabilia, which Minnie contributed is the portrait of her father’s oath taking.

Osmeña Sr. was the third governor of the province from 1904 to 1906, while his son, Serging was the 15th governor from 1951 to 1955.

Aside from the Osmeñas, the relatives of former governor Jose Briones, the 16th governor of Cebu, also sent the barong Tagalog, which Briones wore during his oath-taking in 1956 and some pictures of Manuel Roa, who served as governor from 1912 to 1922.

Former governor Eduardo Gullas, who was the longest serving governor of Cebu during the Martial Law years from 1976 to 1986, sent a frame, which highlights the electrification program he implemented during his stint.

Francisco Remotigue’s wife, Teresita, already called up at the Office of Governor confirming her attendance today. Remotigue is the 17th governor from 1961 to 1963.

Of the past governors, only Rene Espina, Eduardo Gullas, Lito Osmeña, Vicente de la Serna and Pablo Garcia are alive.

Gullas and Garcia are currently active in politics, who are both district representatives in the first and second district of Cebu province, respectively. —Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)