EDITORIAL - Cebu City, the strong

Today we celebrate the 84th anniversary of Cebu City’s charter. The second most powerful and influential city in the Philippines is still hanging on to its crown as the Queen City of the South, although we might have to add “barely” considering the developments of last year.

This city has survived a lot; the Second World War, several coup attempts, numerous administration changes, frequent destructive typhoons and other natural disasters, and even martial law.

Now it faces its most unique challenge so far; a pandemic that has turned the world upside-down.

While we can say we were spared the worst that the pandemic can bring, we were still affected. The city saw many businesses close, many workers lose their jobs and means of livelihood, and people die because of the pandemic.

The drought in tourists also took its toll on Cebu City, long known as a center of culture and heritage.

However, if there is anything Cebu City residents know what to do, it is to survive and thrive.

Cebu City residents have a natural resilience as well as an inborn strong belief in the will of the Almighty. And this makes them tough; they are willing to do anything and everything they can to achieve something, to reach a goal, until they can no longer do anything and leave the rest to God.

There is no doubt Cebu City will prevail over these challenges and rise again. It has survived disasters, upheavals, and other world-changing events before, and it will continue to do so.

On the occasion of our 84th Charter Day, allow us to congratulate this city, its executives, and its constituents for continuing to be an example of what people who work hard, think smart, and trust in the Almighty can achieve.

This too shall pass, this pandemic, this loss of livelihood, this economic slump, and all. It will take more than a pandemic to bring Cebu City, to bring us, down.