Cebu Celebrates President Osmeña Day

September 9 of every year is a holiday here in Cebu. We Cebuanos commemorate the birthday of Cebu's favorite son, President Sergio Osmeña.

Yesterday's commemoration of the Grand Old Man of Cebu's 131st birthday was organized by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC). The immediate family of Don Sergio led by his grandson Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña came to the event. Everyone placed flowers at the foot of the marker on Lapu-Lapu St. The marker was erected to identify the place where the former president was born.

Highlight of this year's commemoration was the announcement of Mayor Tom that his last act as mayor is to set up the 10-hectare Osmeña Shrine in Barangay Kalunasan as a memorial park for all religions.

Georgia Osmeña, the mayor's younger sister shared the ideals of her grandfather in another gathering. “Sergio Osmeña Sr. was a sitting president when he ran for reelection. But he refused to use the resources of the government for his campaign. He believes that they were the people’s money and that one should not use or abuse to further one’s own personal ambitions the resources of the government.” Georgia had earlier announced her intention run as mayor of Cebu City in the coming elections.

President Sergio Osmeña is immortalized in Philippine Philately. Check out my website at http://philippinepresidents.110mb.com/ for all his stamps.