A modern home for Cebu’s Casino Español

Many years ago, Cebu was the hub of los españoles, who sailed from Spain to the Philippine islands and who became investors and entrepreneurs, traders and businessmen – economic leaders of their newly adopted communities.

In time, these fun-loving permanent residents yearned for a place of their own – a slice and parcel of their Madre Patria – where they could gather together to relax, to socialize and, most importantly, to commemorate and celebrate their numerous fiestas.

A quaint chalet located en la esquina de las calles Legaspi y Zamora was their second home – their España en Filipinas. This became the Casino Español de Cebu.The year was 1920.

Among the founding fathers and prime movers then included los hermanos negociantes Don Vidal y Don Ramon Aboitiz, el naviero Don Francisco Jarque, los hermanos hacenderos Don Luis y Don Bernardo Alvarez, capitan del barco Romualdo Moro and Don Silviano Cermeno, who was installed as the first president of this exclusive club.

A tennis court was constructed, and at a far end of the property stood a grandiose glorietta where las esposas de los miembros would play dominoes or canasta.

As the membership grew, the original clubhouse became too small to adequately serve their needs. A move to a bigger property was imminent – la bella mansion de la familia Sepulveda en la calle Colon, the oldest street in the country.

Bowling alleys enhanced the club facilities. A library was set up as well, with impressive large volumes of periodicos y libros en español.

With the outbreak of the Pacific War, Casino Español de Cebu ceased operations as the whole structure went up in flames.

It was only in 1947, just days before Christmas, when it reopened its gates and welcomed its members back on its present site on Ranudo St. Since then, the members of the club, together with their families, have enjoyed the sports and recreational facilities all year round and the various social and cultural activities. Among the more well-attended celebrations include El dia de Santiago Apostol in July, El dia de la Hispanidad in October, which observes la fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, la Patrona de España, and the much-awaited baile de disfras on New Year’s Eve.

However, the club’s president Jesus Cuenco and the current board of directors, composed of vice president Ed Misa, secretary Edgar Gica, treasurer Angel Veloso, social and cultural chairman Manuel Sainz, sports chairman Manuel Guanzon, and house chairman Mari Miranda, together with los miembros de numero voted that the club premises was in need of a complete rehabilitation.

At the recent evening reception held at the ballroom of the club, which featured the talented Jose Mari Chan, the singer with a heart, the marketing committee, with Bunny Pages as chairman and Bobby Aboitiz and Earl Kokseng as members, presented a complete and detailed plan for the two-year renovation project. Estimated to cost some P300 million, it would be funded from the sale of the association’s 1,500 proprietary ownership shares, which may be sold to individuals, corporations and organizations.

At this particular launch, the members were one in declaring that they all wish to own a piece of the tradition while they look forward to the year 2004, when the club will have world-class facilities and host unforgettable activities while preserving the glorious past.

Viva Casino Español de Cebu!