Outgunned, outclassed

The City Council has recently approved a proposed ordinance renaming Ranudo Extension in barangay Sta. Cruz to “Lim Tian Teng Street” after a famous Chinese businessman who made significant contribution to the trade and commerce of Cebu.

 The council approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera during the regular session last Wednesday.

The lady councilor explained that at present, the road has no official name and it is being referred to as Ranudo Extension because it stretches from Ranudo Street. 

Pesquera acted on the request of the family of Lim asking the council to enact an ordinance naming the existing road “Lim Tian Teng Street,” in honor of the late Lim Tian Teng, who was “one of the influential figures in the history of Cebu, particularly in the shipping industry, in the guerilla forces of the World War II and the Cebuano community.”

Lim Tian Teng was an orphan from China who tried his fate in Cebu by starting as a copra worker, to a helper, janitor, and “bodegero” to trader and businessman while retaining his kind nature, sympathetic to the plight of the poor where he once belonged.

While he was involved in the trade business with products like copra, Lim Tian Teng ventured into the shipping industry by purchasing his first ship, the M/V Gorliz in the 1930s. Later, he then bought three more ships, the Governor Taft, Governor Smith and Governor Forbes.

In his involvement in the shipping industry, which was then still in its infant stages in Cebu, Lim Tian Teng became significant in Cebu City’s development as the center for commerce and trade in the Philippines.

Lim Tian Teng was among the founders of the Hoa Hin, which took firm hold on the shipping business, handling ship repairs of up to 300 tons and providing dry docking, shipbuilding, boiler making and machine tool services.

In September 1927, the company was commissioned by Aboitiz Co., Inc. to build the first steel ship in Cebu. Hoa Hin was later named Cebu Shipyard after liberation. Today, it is known as Keppel Philippines.

Lim Tian Teng also became instrumental in the inclusion of Don Ramon Aboitiz into the board of the Hoa Hin, executing with Jose Sy a five-year voting trust in favor of Aboitiz & Co. in April 1938. Aboitiz was then elected president and remained in the post for 29 years.

“This man, who was once a mere helper and bodegero himself, expanded his business and gave employment to many. He was one of the dominant figures in turning Cebu City into a center of trade and commerce during that time,” Pesquera said in her proposed measure.

Lim Tian Teng also extended financial and moral support to people who need him most. He provided several scholarships to persons whom he deemed promising.

During the World War II, he stood up against the Japanese invaders by agreeing to be the president of the Anti-Japanese Association of Cebu City. He also voluntarily sent food and medicines for the guerillas with much needed supplies providing link between the Cebuano business community and the guerillas. He also helped many poor families who had no means to leave the city by financing their evacuation.

At present, Lim Tian Teng’s legacy can be seen in his daughter, Beling Go Ching Hai, whose civic mindedness bore several charitable projects centered on development of women, the elderly, and the environment.  — Wenna A. Berondo/MEEV