CEC marks 94th year with Confucius icon

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Eastern College yesterday unveiled a life-size statue of Chinese philosopher Confucius (Confusius) at CEC’s main campus along Go Chan Street, in line with the school’s celebration of its 94th founding anniversary.

CEC officer-in-charge Johnny Sy told The FREEMAN the unveiling was especially scheduled yesterday to coincide with Confucius’ birth anniversary, as well as with the school’s teachers’ day celebration.

It was the government of China that donated the 1.8 meter, three-ton marble statue of the “great teacher” to CEC. No less than Chinese Consul He Shi Jing came to Cebu to personally unveil the sculpture.

Sy said the statue may be the first icon of Confucius in the country.

Known as the master teacher, Confucius was born on September 28, 551 B.C. in Lu, China—now Shandong province. He died sometime in 479 B.C.

Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings deeply influenced the thoughts and lifestyle of not only the Chinese, but also the Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese.

His philosophy is said to have emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.

It was from these values that he gained prominence in China over other doctrines, such as Legalism or Taoism during the Han Dynasty in the early part of the third century. His thoughts, meanwhile, have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. It was then introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinize the name as “Confucius.” — Liv G. Campo/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)