Vicente Gullas St, Cebu City

It is a portion of the street formerly known as Manalili Street from its junction at Mariano Jesus (M.J.) Cuenco Avenue to its junction at Juan Luna, now President Sergio Osmeña Boulevard.

Don Vicente Gullas, was the son of Herminigildo Gullas and Necifora Arandia, he was born on Jan. 12, 1888.

He studied at the following schools: San Nicolas Elementary School (Carlock St., Cebu City), then went to Maasin, Leyte, Seminario de San Carlos, Cebu High School and Manila High School in 1909. His classmates then were Jose Laurel, Manuel Roxas and Elpidio Quirino, who later became presidents. Ironically Don Vicente, who never entered politics, was President of the Debating Club.

After passing the Bar examinations He chose not to practice Law, after his brother, Paulino, asked him to join in his Law office. He chose the path of an educator, he founded the Visayan Institute in 1919 (the school was renamed University of Visayas in 1948). On Oct. 1, 1921, Don Vicente converted the school being a sole proprietorship into a non-stock corporation, he invited his close friends to be its incorporators; Pantaleon E. Del Rosario, Manuel C. Briones, his brother Paulino Gullas and Eugenio S. del Rosario.

He married Josefina "Inday Pining" Rivera and had the following children: Eduardo, Jose and Gliceria. He died on Dec. 22, 1970, at the street named in his honor. He may have died but the greatness of the man continued with the molding of successful alumni of the school he built for the Filipino youth. His descendants, became leaders of society, his son, Eduardo became Governor of Cebu, Congressman of the 1st District of Cebu (now succeeded by his great grandson, Samsam); another son, Jose, also served as Congressman of the 1st District of Cebu and revived the newspaper (The FREEMAN) founded by his uncle, Atty. Paulino A. Gullas.

Months after he died, a grateful people honored him with a street. This was on Aug. 5, 1971 when the Cebu City Council, on motion of all its members, renamed a portion of Manalili Street in his name.

Presiding the Council then was Jose L. Rodriguez, the other members were: Florencio S. Urot, Arturo L. Abellana, Caridad A. Trocino, Jose V. Arias, Jesus S. Gabuya, Jose V. Cuenco and Bienvenido B. Tudtud. It was approved on Aug. 11, 1971 by City Mayor Eulogio E. Borres, the latter's secretary then was Ribomapil E. Holganza.