Justice Jose Abad Santos’ obelisk soon to rise in Carcar

CEBU, Philippines — An obelisk honoring the late Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos will soon be an added attraction in the Heritage City of Carcar.

The Department of Public Works and Highways in coordination with Leon Kilat Masonic Lodge No. 437, Free and Accepted Masons held yesterday the groundbreaking ceremony for the obelisk at the site just steps away where one of the Chiong sisters was found dead in 1997 in Sitio Tan-awan, Guadalupe, Carcar City.

The site of the obelisk is where Abad Santos was reportedly captured by the Japanese on April 11, 1942 before he was sentenced to die by firing squad on May 7, 1942 during the World War II.

Acting as president while President Manuel Quezon was in exile in the United States, the Japanese imputed to Abad Santos the destruction of the bridges and other public works in Cebu to delay the invasion of the island.

DPWH Cebu Second District Engineer Leslie Anthony Molina said that it was during a meeting with Undersecretary Rafael Yabut last December in Manila that the idea of putting up an obelisk was conceptualized in honor of their “Most Worshipful” brother.

Molina said he was asked by Yabut to suggest the project to Leon Kilat Masonic Lodge No. 437, F&A.M. and submit proposal to Mayor Mercedita Apura.

Molina is also the District Grand Lecturer of Red Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 241, F&A.M.

As Most Worshipful Grand Master, Abad Santos said to have imbibed deeply at the wells of Masonic learning and teaching, and never forgot the duties he owed to God, to his country, to his neighbor, and to himself.

Molina asked the local government units of the City of Carcar and Barangay Guadalupe to help maintain the place once the obelisk is completed.

Leon Kilat Masonic Lodge No. 437, F&A.M. Worshipful Master David Alexander Patriana said they will immediately start the construction of the obelisk to be completed by February 2021.

Molina said the DPWH is not spending money for the project while Patriana did not disclose how much it costs for now.

City Councilor Harold Nacua who represented Apura assured the LGU will maintain the place as an added attraction to surrounding springs and caves of Tan-awan.

Patriana added that the obelisk would change the impression of the site from being a “murderous” area after the Chiong sisters’ incident to a historical one that remembers the man called “The Hero of World War II.”   (FREEMAN)