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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Walking Colon’s past
By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano
EVEN in today’s burgeoning metropolis, plush malls in newly-developed areas can’t take the vibrance from the older streets.
Contemporary Cebu has transformed into a mega-city, offering a wide choice of places to go. With all the progress and development taken into consideration, the old Cebu, particularly downtown and Colon street still seems so fresh, alive and teeming with trade.
Even the oldest street in the country hasn’t lost its regular crowd and traffic. Though its denizens have changed over time, there are a number of them that remind us of the old days.
For example, there is that imposing design of Vision Theater’s architecture that features nude figures. Another is the campus of the University of the Visayas, established in 1919 as the Visayan Institute, and later renamed when it transferred to its present location.
Colon street does not look old, sans the cobblestones and tile-roofed buildings with capiz shell windows of yesteryears. But what reminds us of its heyday are markers, like the one installed by the National Historical Institute. And if you’re not very familiar with the street’s history, a stroll on its sidewalk will be a learning experience that will take you back in time as you will, no doubt, notice new historical markers with brief notes on the people, businesses and residences that used to be there in the past. Amidst a city that is striving to keep pace with modern times, it is a relief that history isn’t at all forgotten.
Colon’s history-instilling project by W.I.L., Hapsay Sugbu Foundation Inc., will benefit future generations. Installed with marble markers are the locations of Guidetti’s Studio, the homes of the Rallos and Vaño families, the residences of Juana Suico de Osmeña, Modesta Singson-Gaisano, Victorino Osmeña, Gavino Sepulveda, and notable places like Teatro Empira, Imprenta Avila, Teatro Junquera, Rodriquez building and schools like Southern Institute, Visayan Institute and Colegio Logarta.
These markers are a way to keep in touch with local history. Try walking this heritage trail and you’ll see what it’s like to travel back in time.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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