KIM Angelo Mansueto was dumbfounded when asked if he knew why today is a holiday in Cebu City.
The Secondary Education student immediately threw back a question, “Today? Isn’t the holiday on Sunday (Feb. 25), to commemorate the People Power Anniversary?”
Approved on March 24, 1992, Republic Act 7287 declares Feb. 24 of every year a special nonworking holiday in Cebu City to celebrate its founding anniversary.
Kim, though, wasn’t the only youngster who didn’t know.
Grade 12 student Kyla Cabañero had the same reaction after learning that Feb. 24 is a holiday in the city.
She said this must be because people are too busy focusing on their daily business, making them forget about celebrations on heritage.
Mansueto, on the other hand, said that it would have been helpful if the information was disseminated on banners and tarpaulins.
Last year, the City Government stopped putting up tarpaulins for Charter Day to cut down on expenses and to keep the celebration “simple and grounded.”
But unlike Mansueto and Cabañero, 20-year-old Mara Kaye Gabilan has always known what today signifies.
The fourth year undergraduate student said she cannot forget the date since it’s a reminder of “how blessed we are as Cebuanos.”
Psychology student Joesyl Banogbanog shared the sentiment.
“Charter Day is a reminder of the privileges and rights that the government has given its people. It’s a celebration of freedom, in a sense,” she said.
The City Government will hold a short program this morning at Plaza Sugbo to celebrate the event.