Today marks the 452nd founding anniversary of Cebu Province, what can be considered the most premier province in the Philippines and also the richest.
Having lasted for this long is no joke. This makes the province even older than some countries or monarchies.
So to what do we credit this staying power?
The central location of the province has a lot to do with its success. It happens to be in the middle of region that also happens to be in the middle of the country. This makes it a melting pot for people not just from different places in the region but also the country.
Over time it would be the varied cultural backgrounds, experiences, and talents of the people from here as well as other places that would make the province dynamic, resilient during disasters, and always open to positive change.
However, we cannot credit Cebu Province’s success to its location alone. It has also been fortunate enough to have been managed by very competent local chief executives throughout the years.
We don’t have to say who they are, but suffice it to say they are innovators, calculated risk takers, and leaders who are not afraid to stand up to and challenge Imperial Manila should the occasion call for it.
Let us not forget that on countless occasions, Cebu became the bastion of the opposition, for better or for worse.
But what can good leaders do without people? People from Cebu are also known to be independent, stubborn to a fault, and fiercely loyal, making it prime hunting ground for politicians who want to make it big during elections.
The secret behind the success of Cebu Province is a likely combination of location, leadership, and the locals. This is a good location, led by competent leaders, and populated by hardworking and no-nonsense people. Little wonder that even until now it continues to attract people from other parts of the region and the country.
And while Governor Gwendolyn Garcia may opt for a simple celebration --and for the right reasons given this pandemic-- let us not think little of this occasion.
It’s no easy feat to have existed 452 years, come out on top, and still keep on going. Congratulations, Cebu Province.