Climaco Streets (Arsenio and Felicidad), Cebu City

Members of the Climaco Clan of Cebu immensely contributed to the struggle for freedom and independence of the Cebuanos. Three of the many great members of the clan were honored by street names. They were JUAN, ARSENIO and FELICIDAD. But in this article, we will discuss two of them;

Arsenio Climaco Street

On Sept. 10, 1968, the Cebu City Council on motion of Councilor Bienvenido Tudtud enacted Ordinance No. 635 entitled " An Ordinance renaming certain streets within the Cebu Heights Subdivision, City of Cebu, to the names of some exemplary sons of Cebu." In the ordinance, seven streets were renamed, among is the ORCHID ST., changed to "Gov. Arsenio Climaco Street."

Don Arsenio, was the Governor of Cebu from 1923 to 1930, he succeeded Gov. Manuel Roa. It was during his term that the Mananga Bridge in Talisay City was constructed. His grandfather, Don Juan, was the first elected Governor of Cebu.

Felicidad Climaco Street

On Oct. 14, 1968 the Cebu City Council on motion of Councilor Bienvenido Tudtud enacted Ordinance No. 641 entitled " An Ordinance naming the unnamed streets within the Espina Subdivision, City of Cebu. In the ordinance, four unnamed streets were given names, among them is the "Felicidad Climaco Streets. It is the semi-circumferential street beginning and ending at the upper and lower power of Gen. Troadio Galicano Street.

Felicidad, is the " Tandang Sora" of the Cebuano Revolt against the Spaniards. She championed for the Independence and Women's Suffrage. During the American Period, on February 10, 1933 she spoke at Washington Park, facing an audience of 15,000, the only woman who spoke in the rally against the Hare-Haws-Cutting Bill. Among the speakers in the rally were the famous orators of the time, like Jose Delgado, Cesar Sotto, Alberto Mansueto and Vicente Rama.