Cebu's new shining stars

Ponder on these new hopes for Cebu: Pam Baricuatro, Samsam Gullas of the 1st District, Gungun Gica of the seventh, Shun Shimura of the fourth and John Ismael Borgonia of the third. These are our new hopes for Cebu. Let’s search for more.

Let the young ones take over the reins of Cebu. We need new faces, new hopes.

If Pam Baricuatro does well unfettered by the Dutertes, she should remain governor until her term is limited. Gwen Garcia, if she still has stamina and will, can think of running for senator. She can reinvent herself. Junjun Davide may want to pursue a career in the judiciary. Bury the hatchet, move on and become united for the sake of Cebu and the Cebuanos.

Mike Rama may want to go to Congress too and exchange positions with Edu. Mikel can run for vice mayor but should show his mettle before the City Council first. I can see Raymond Garcia reconciled with Tomas Osmeña. When Cutie del Mar shall reach her term limits, Raymond can explore the north district and go to Congress. He has shown more grace than his aunt in the Capitol, he became the ultimate politician when he embraced Nestor Archival. He could teach a lesson or two to other sourgraping losers.

Samsam Gullas is a worthy grandson of his great grandpa, Eddiegul. Samsam carried on the legacy of the city that then Congressman and first Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Rivera Gullas founded. Gerald Anthony Vargas Gullas Jr. was born on December 1, 1984, he will be 44 by 2028, a ripe age to become governor of Cebu. Samsam finished his tertiary education summa cum laude in the Center for International Education. He earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School in 2015.

From 2013 to 2019, Samsam was congressman representing the 1st District replacing his lolo who reclaimed his old post as mayor of Talisay. He ran for mayor and won in 2019 and was reelected unopposed in the last midterm polls. His wife Rhea Aquino Gullas also ran unopposed to represent the 1st District. Samsam has all the making of a good governor. If Gwen is the daughter of a former governor, Samsam is the grandson of a former governor too.

Efren Guntrano Zozobrado Gica is a son of Atty. Edgar Gica, a successful law practitioner. His vice mayor, Wado Gica, is his elder brother. Under his able and dynamic leadership Dumanjug has been transformed into a very progressive town which is on the way to be reclassified as a first-class municipality. Dumanjug is known to be the hometown of governors DionisioJakosalem, Pablo Garcia, and Gwendolyn Garcia. Someday, Gungun will rise to be another governor of Cebu if he doesn’t run for 7th District congressman.

Shun Shimura was the young mayor of Daanbantayan when he decided to challenge Representative Janice Salimbangon and won with 149,336 votes as against Salimbangon who got only 132,290. That was a very impressive victory considering Salimbangon enjoyed all the perks and advantages of an incumbent member of the House. Shun won in the city of Bogo, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, and Tabuelan. The incumbent won over him in Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, and Tabogon.

If and when these young Cebu leaders would come together and form a new alliance for greater Cebu, there shall be hope for Cebuanos. In collaboration with Governor Pam Baricuatro, they must help each other in making sure the government focuses more on agriculture and food security, on better and more accessible medical services and hospital care, improved and non-partisan social services, a safe and more modern infrastructures, and better quality of governance and public services. These young leaders are more progressive in their perspectives, more dynamic and passionate and are still imbued with a high degree of idealism.

Between the old guards and the trapos, especially the political dynasties and these young leaders, I repose more trust and confidence on Samsam, Gungun, Shun, and Pam to steer the future of the province to better times and greater heights. And watch this guy Borgonia from Balamban. He will shine if he keeps up his new trajectory away from the Garcias.

The old guards have been rejected, except for Tomas Osmeña who can mentor the young. He is a true visionary and an incurable dreamer. Let’s continue searching for new names and better hopes for Cebu and for the nation as well.