A.S. Fortuna Street
It is the street within the jurisdiction of Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu. It was formerly called A. Bonifacio St. It starts from Gov. Manuel Cuenco Avenue, intersecting Hernan Cortes St. and ending at M.C. Briones St.
It is named in honor of "Alejandro Seno Fortuna" the Martyr-Mayor of the then Municipality of Mandaue now Mandaue City. Alejandro was born on May 3, 1903. Alejandro was the son of Narciso Seno and Brigida Seno. Alejandro had two brothers, Maximiano and Dionisio.
Mayor Alejandro along with his wife, Encarnacion Echavez and daughter Editha, were executed during the Japanese occupation in Cebu during the World War II. Alejandro was the town's last Chief Executive who carried the title "El Presidente" until it was changed to Mayor and was succeeded by Ariston Cortes.
Alejandro finished his elementary in a public school in Mandaue and went to the Cebu High School and earned his Associate in Arts at the Visayan Institute now the University of the Visayas. Alejandro or known as Andoy finished his law degree at the Southern Institute now the University of Southern Philippines.
Mayor Alejandro was a man of letters and a journalist, he wrote in 'Bag-ong Kusog", Don Vicente Rama's newspaper, "The Advertiser" of Don Jose Avila and Don Paulino Gullas "The Freeman". Mayor Andoy published his magazine, The Guard and has a Cebuano Section entitled "Ang Magbalantay" printed by the Independent Press owned by Miguel Espina. Alejandro also contributed articles to the FREE PRESS and GRAPHIC.
D.M. Estabaya wrote an article on January 25, 1967 in his column "Sa Natad sa Katitikang Bisaya" remembering the sacrifice and martyrdom of Mayor Alejandro S. Fortuna. Estabaya titled this article "Andoy Fortuna Peryodistang Walay Palad."
Mayor Fortuna who was elected Mayor of Mandaue in 1940 (supported by Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco) was executed on March 26, 1945 by the Japanese Imperial Army (this was also the fate of Cebuano leaders like Paulino Gullas, Hilario Abellana and Jose Leyson). The street renaming was made in 1987 when Restituto Soon was OIC Mayor of Mandaue City, Cebu. Aside from the street named after A.S. Fortuna in Brgy. Banilad, Mandaue City, there is another street at the corner of A. Del Rosario Avenue leading at the back of CICC. The street naming happened during the term of Mayor Demetrio Cortes (the street formerly known as Plaridel Street was renamed on August 3, 2011 by the Mandaue City Council as "Mayor Demetrio M. Cortes Avenue).
By virtue of City Ordinance No. 65 series of 1979, it is declared that every 3rd day of May as "A.S. Fortuna Day." The ordinance was authored by then Vice Mayor Alfredo Ouano. There is a life size statute of Mayor Fortuna that stands in Mandaue City Hall. A school formerly called Guizo Elementary School has likewise been renamed after him.
Mayor Alejandro had the following children: Alejandro Jr., Anunsacion, Editha, Democrito, Pontico, Cleofas and Belino. His son Pontico "Tex" who served Mandaue City as Councilor married Cirilita Briones Cabahug. Cirilita is the daughter of Bonifacio Barte Cabahug Sr. and Beatriz Solon Briones. Bonifacio Sr. is the brother of Sotero B. Cabahug and Fructuoso B. Cabahug who both became Governors of Cebu.
The grandson of Mayor Alejandro and son and namesake of Pontico, Carlo Pontico C. Fortuna who was admitted to the Bar on May 8, 1997, continue the legacy of service of the Fortuna Clan to the people of Mandaue. Carlo was elected Councilor and Vice Mayor of Mandaue City, Cebu inspired by the motto of Mayor Alejandro Seno Fortuna Sr. "Makalipay ang Kinasingkasing nga Pag-alagad sa Katawhan."
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