Osmeña Day

It is often the pride of a locality when one of their very own becomes president. In Bohol, they celebrate former president Carlos P. Garcia so much that many edifices are named after him, which includes an avenue, a complex, and even a town. That is how they make sure his name is remembered. Similarly, the same affinity should also be felt here in Cebu when our very own rose to become the president . He is very familiar if you have several fifty-peso bills in your wallet, as he goes by the name of Sergio Osmeña Sr.

Yes, he is the person whose name graces that long stretch of avenue you see if you come from the North Reclamation Area traversing towards the South Road Properties. Both of which, interestingly, were brainchild projects of his grandson. Records tell us that he was the fourth president of the Philippines, serving from 1944 to 1946 after assuming the position upon the death of his predecessor. He was instrumental in the founding of the Nacionalista Party and has the proud distinction of being the first Visayan to ever become the country’s top official. Aside from his polished political career, he also made sure that the values of meritocracy, honesty, and sound decision-making were instilled in the next generations of his family.

Days like these are important because they remind us not to forget the people in our society who helped shape what we are today. Their names should not only remain in textbooks or street signs but in the collective consciousness of our people. In the many times I have spoken to young individuals, I noticed that they are often in disarray when asked about events of the past. The influence of social media and the widespread circulation of altered content has created confusion within their subconscious. The facts that we once took for granted in our social studies lessons are now heavily distorted, leaving many with only fragments of the truth.

This is why we must appreciate the effort of the city in ensuring that key individuals such as President Osmeña are remembered. However, the downside is that his memory has been reduced to a mere marker and a statue, noticed only by a select few who pass by. The challenge now rests on the Cebu Historical and Cultural Commission to ensure that the story of Osmeña is not forgotten but shared widely, especially with the younger generation of Cebuanos.

Today may simply be a holiday for many, a convenient excuse to wake up late or take a break from the daily grind. Sure, we can enjoy the benefits of rest and leisure that the day provides, but let us not lose sight of why we are not at school or our offices today. A quick look into our history would teach us lessons most beneficial for the present and the future. They say history repeats itself, that events of the past often find ways to resurface in new forms.