City unveils street named after Cokaliong patriarch

COKALIONG WAY. Cebuano businessman Chester Cokaliong (in checkered shirt), flanked by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella (left) and Vice Mayor Michael Rama (right), looks up at the street signage that bears the name of his late father Edgar. The Edgar Cokaliong St., which stretches more than half a kilometer, was unveiled on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2020. (SUNSTAR FOTO / ALLAN CUIZON)
COKALIONG WAY. Cebuano businessman Chester Cokaliong (in checkered shirt), flanked by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella (left) and Vice Mayor Michael Rama (right), looks up at the street signage that bears the name of his late father Edgar. The Edgar Cokaliong St., which stretches more than half a kilometer, was unveiled on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2020. (SUNSTAR FOTO / ALLAN CUIZON)

The Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission unveiled the new name of the Third Ave. on Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2020: Edgar Cokaliong St.

“Ma, I have fulfilled my promise,” said Chester Cokaliong to his mother Gregoria.

The Cebuano shipping magnate said in his emotional speech that when Mayor Edgardo Labella was still a councilor in 2010, the latter proposed an ordinance naming the Third Ave. after Chester’s late father Edgar. However, this was not approved by the body.

Ten years later, Councilor Raymond Garcia proposed the ordinance naming the avenue after the late Cokaliong patriarch. The legislation was approved.

Edgar Cokaliong St. stretches 550 meters, according to Google Maps. It starts from the corner where Robinsons Galleria Cebu stands. It passes by the Cokaliong Tower and ends on the corner in front of Sugbutel.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama said Edgar Cokaliong had contributed to the Cebu City economy when the latter started in the textile industry.

The companies under the Cokaliongs have been hiring Cebuanos and the Edgar Cokaliong Foundation Inc. has been helping children in need.

In his 11-minute speech, Chester described his father as a simple man, who taught him and his siblings the virtues of humility, self-discipline and education.

Edgar was poor when he married Gregoria, who came from a wealthy family, said Chester.

The parents of Gregoria opposed the marriage and they refused to give a dowry to the young couple. The Cokaliongs had started from scratch before their business became successful, said Chester. (PAC / KAL)

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