Labella to be laid to rest today in Talamban

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City mayor Edgardo Labella will be laid to rest this afternoon at the Golden Haven Memorial Park in Barangay Talamban.

A necrological service will be held for Labella at 8 a.m. today at the Cebu City Hall where his remains currently lie. After, a foot procession will follow to take his remains from the City Hall to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with the assistance of the Philippine Navy.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will lead the requiem mass at 12 noon at the cathedral.

Apart from Palma, other priests who are “Labella’s friends” will also be co-celebrating the mass with him.

Ahead of today’s proceedings, the prelate had expressed his sympathies to the bereaved family, as well as the rest of the Cebuano constituency. Palma said he hopes that Labella will have eternal rest as part of the rewards for the services he had done to the people.

From the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Labella’s remains will be brought immediately to his final resting place in Talamban.

Labella’s convoy will pass through P. Gomez, D. Jakosalem, and Colon going to Osmeña Boulevard, Fuente Osmeña Circle, N. Escario Street, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Governor M. Cuenco Avenue, Talamban, Miramonte Riverdale road to Golden Haven Memorial Park.

It is also expected to make a stopover at the Police Regional Office-7 as the police force is expected to pay a brief tribute to the late 70-year-old mayor.

The interment rites today will include a gun salute, taps, folding of the Philippine flag and its turnover to the family, and final viewing.

The roads mentioned will be closed temporarily and will be reopened immediately as soon as the convoy has passed, according to City Councilor David Tumulak.

City Hall employees are allowed to pay their last respects by attending mass and burial.

Labella passed away last November 19 due to septic shock secondary to pneumonia. He also had recurring prostate cancer.

The first five days of Labella’s wake were at the Crystal Palace of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Barangay Lahug. From there, his remains were brought to the City Hall for public viewing. — with Decemay P. Padilla and Rowena D. Capistrano, JMD (FREEMAN)