Advantages of being the grandson of Don Sergio Osmeña and Don Vicente Rama

Like the mayoralty fight in 2013 where Mayor Michael Lopez Rama did the undoable by challenging his former boss, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, next year's slugfest for the Cebu City mayorship will be a return bout between two grandsons of two political giants in Cebu and Philippine history. Mayor Michael L. Rama achieved a landmark in history by defeating an Osmeña in an arena which has always been the domain of the Osmeñas. Before 2013, nobody and nobody could trounce an Osmeña in Cebu City. The late Serging Osmeña Jr., the father of mayor Tom and who was generally given the term of endearment as the "niño bonito" of Cebu politics has never been defeated by anybody. Many did try to challenge Serging but each one of them ate the dust.

The late Francisco Emilio Famor Remotigue (he came from my town of birth, Argao, and my official hometown, Ronda), the very popular former Cebu provincial governor tried to challenge Serging. He almost made it but "almost" did not count. There were many others too who tried to challenge Serging but they were very, very far behind. When it came to Mayor Tom, nobody could defeat him, not even Alvin Garcia, of the powerful Garcia clan. That was until Mayor Mike came along, and the rest is history. I have a strong suspicion however  that the two -Tom and Mike - have a deep respect for each other, a respect that is hidden by the veneer of current political and partisan emotions. I have a feeling that deep within their respective hearts, the two really have some affection for each other. But politics is politics.

The advantage of being an Osmeña in Cebu City is beyond any word or any imagination. The Osmeñas never betrayed the trust of the Cebuanos. They were and they are not perfect. But when all is said and done, nobody could point an accusing finger to an Osmeña that they have enriched themselves in power. They are already rich by themselves, and they never needed politics to acquire or to increase the size of their assets. Of course, they have different inadequacies, they have various excesses. But never are these related to lack of integrity or honesty. Their imperfections may be on styles and in manner of interacting. But on their principles, I could say that they have never sullied the good name of the Grand Old Man of Cebu, Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. If he were here today, he would be very proud of Tomas.

On the other hand, the advantage of being a Rama, of course, is, aside from unimpeachable integrity, is the proven ability at communication. The Ramas are excellent communicators. Their skills in having themselves understood and accepted by the people are legendary. Don Vicente Rama was a prolific writer and a great orator. He mastered not only Spanish as a medium but also English, and most of all, the Cebu-Visayan language. Mike Rama, aside from being a very good singer, is a poet, a great "magbabalak."

He could wax eloquence and regal his crowd with Visayan words that only the late Talyux Bacalso and Iyo Carpo could have done. Mike is cariñoso, "parayegon" and even his opponents could not help but grudgingly envy him. Mike Rama is a great communicator. He connects with the people. He inspires and makes people feel good. This skill is essential in politics. On this, Mike does better.

It is not easy, of course, to challenge an Osmeña in the Osmeña turf. The name Osmeña is a political brand which if compared to commodities and products are already well-entrenched in the minds and hearts of the people. Any candidate who would have the guts to challenge any Osmeña must offer something really very attractive, something that would resonate with the masses, some vision and platform that would easily find acceptance among the voting populace.

The name Osmeña is much more than a Durano in Danao, or a Martinez in Bogo, or a Garcia in the seventh and third districts, a Gullas in the first district or a Radaza in Lapulapu City, and an Ouano in Mandaue. For a Rama to win over an Osmeña, he must be a terrific Rama. The 2016 polls will settle the scores once and for all.

It is a grand return bout which many Filipinos watch with great expectations.

And Mike Rama is quite terrific. To my mind, Mike is greater than his late uncle Dr. Osmundo G. Rama who defeated the late Beatriz Duterte Durano, wife of the great Ramon Durano Sr. and mother of Ramonito Durano and siblings. Mike may even be greater than the iconic Napoleon G. Rama, another uncle who used to be an editor of The Free Press prior to Martial Law, and lately, of the Bulletin. But the coming elections, Mike will face a more prepared, more aggressive Tom Osmeña. Tom is ready to correct whatever tactical errors that were committed by his campaigners in 2013. But of course Cebuanos can never be sure how the political cookie will crumble come May 2016. Deep in my heart however I seem to know already the expected results. And in the meanwhile, I will keep it hidden until everything shall become obvious, that I would not need to reveal it anymore. What matters most is that whether it is Osmeña or Rama the city will be in very good hands.