Monday, September 08, 2008 Mongaya: Don Sergio the journalist By Anol Mongaya
MANY Cebuanos today only know Don Sergio Osmeña as the grandfather of Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the only Cebuano who became president of the Philippines as we again mark Osmeña Day. My involvement in the history project of the Provincial Government under the auspices of the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos led me to delve into what Cebu was before and the life of the Grand Old Man. Allow me to share some information about Don Sergio.
Associated with the voluntarios leales who rallied behind Spain when the revolution broke out in 1896, the then young Osmeña wrote articles supporting the Spanish government in El Comercio. At age 19 in 1898, he received the Medalla de Merito Civil, the highest award Spanish authorities gave civilians.
When the revolution broke out in Cebu on April 3, 1898 however, Osmeña fled Cebu City with his family. The next year, he switched sides. He reportedly went to Aguinaldo in behalf of the Katipunan in Cebu to discuss the local situation.
On April 16, 1900, Osmeña published Cebu’s first daily newspaper, the El Nuevo Dia. With Rafael Palma and Jaime C. de Veyra as co-editors, Osmeña then built the reputation of being a nationalist as result of the newspaper’s “independent and critical” stance vis-à-vis the new American rulers. Though the four-page Spanish-language paper fashioned itself as a liberal, not a revolutionary publication, the American authorities suspended El Nuevo Dia twice, searched its offices and threatened the management and staff.
After taking his oath of allegiance to the US, Osmeña identified himself with the former revolutionary Juan Climaco who ran and won against pro-American Julio Llorente for the governorship of Cebu in 1902. Osmeña became provincial fiscal and impressed Americans when he took charge with re-planning the burned central business district of Cebu City in March 1905.
On Feb. 5, 1906, Osmeña ran unopposed for governor. Soon, Osmeña became one of the country’s articulator for “independence” as a result of American policy in the Islands in contrast to the revolutionary concept of “independence” as a natural right that Filipinos fought for against Spain and American colonialists.
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After successfully stopping the entry to Cebu of vehicles smuggled from other provinces, the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group should also go after smuggled sugar and other consumer goods that reach Cebu from other ports outside Cebu. I still receive persistent reports of the wholesale and retail activities of a certain George and another one called Vincent in downtown Cebu. They are giving legitimate businessmen unfair competition.
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The camp of Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura and Vice Mayor Luisa Loot should have gathered their 500 teachers who served as election inspectors before the court decided on the protest of Augusto Corro and Jose de Leon.
That would have won them the case. However, the Loot camp only produced one witness then.
After Judge Marigomen decided in favor of Corro and de Leon, the 500 teachers would legally be of no consequence to the appeal although they help make very good propaganda ammo.
The 500 teachers should however be relevant for the defense in the protest filed by the Martinez camp against Rep. Benhur Salimbangon. Nevertheless, it would be best for Cebu if both protagonists in Daanbantayan would adhere to their declarations to uphold and follow the law to ease the tension and ensure peace no matter what the legal outcome.
Unfortunately, with all the angry threats flying around from Daanbantayan, I could just be indulging myself in wishful thinking.
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Over in Mandaue City, talks of alleged operations of three factions of a so-called “Kabanay” incorporated had been coming out through the grapevine.
The camp of Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna should come up with proofs if there is some truth to this talk. If not, they better just cooperate with Mayor Jonas Cortes despite what they believe to be his failures.
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Naga City Mayor Val Chiong led Nagahanons in thanking Rep. Eddie Gullas when they celebrated Charter Day last Friday.
With all the construction work that could be seen from the baywalk, the new city certainly did not waste time during its first year.
(Check out my blog “In Between Columns” at www. inbetweencolumns.wordpress.com)
