Be like Sergio
The whole of Cebu yesterday celebrated the 141st birth anniversary of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Called the "Grand Old Man of Cebu", he was well-loved and was very accomplished as well. He did not only become the governor of the province but was also the first speaker in the Philippine Assembly, a senator, vice president, and eventually the fourth president of the country. He was a man who lived his life for the country, but who never forgot his roots in Cebu.
It was a simple celebration but decorated for all to see. His marker lies in the heart of the city, in the downtown where the busiest people are seen.
But this is what makes it sad - the old house of the Osmeñas where he was born in is no longer there. It has been sold to another family and is now being used as a commercial lot. Soon, we will see another building rise but the marker will remain, hopefully. The city promised to make sure that the new occupants will preserve the marker so people will remember him and the place where he was born. The house that he also used to own which is located along Osmeña Boulevard is still being preserved. Only few know this, and even only a few young people know who this man is.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, said Don Sergio was a man who served his life for the Philippines. His achievements are incomparable, even up to present. I guess here lies the biggest challenge; for all of us to reflect on what we can do for the city, province, and country. If Don Sergio went out of his way and his comfortable life in Cebu to do something for Filipinos, then maybe it is time for a new Don Sergio to rise. We may not necessarily be the next president, but who knows? Even the president today used to only be a mayor from Davao City.
My point is, even the ordinary person can do something to start the change we have always wanted. While we are at a stage of constant change, there is something to look forward to when there is development in the place we are in. We don't want to be third world forever, we want to be more than a developing country, we want to be the standard.
Although this is such a far cry from reality nothing is impossible. I believe that somehow there are Don Sergios in each of us (that being Cebuano) but we are just too hopeless and apathetic to show it. We can always contribute little by little, regardless of the affluence or the family background we have.
I will always be proud that we had a Cebuano run the country for a time, and how he gave way to then President Quezon. One thing I have also learned is that we can also pick up a lesson or two, if we are well-versed in our own history.
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