The lasting legacies of Don Vicente Rama, Father of Cebu City

Many readers asked me why Don Vicente Rama is called the founder of Cebu City and not Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Read your history. Rama authored the Cebu City Charter. Osmeña opposed it vigorously because it would deplete the income of Cebu Province where Osmeña was once governor.

Rama authored House Bill No 1428 in 1936, as a congressman representing the old third district of Cebu, now the first district. The bill became Commonwealth Act 58, signed into law by President Manuel Quezon on February 24, 1937, eight years before the Philippines gained independence from the USA. So Cebu City is older than the Republic of the Philippines. We have to remind people in Luzon that Cebu was visited by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Manila was visited by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi only in 1565. Cebuanos have a historic preeminence compared to Manila then.

Rama's advocacy was opposed by all political titans in Cebu who were aligned with Osmeña. They marshaled the chambers of commerce and industry, and the provincial government which passed all resolutions sent to Congress. Osmeña was very influential as Speaker of the House. But the distinct advantage of Rama was that he was strongly supported all the way by Quezon. Quezon summoned both Rama and Osmeña to Malacañan to debate whether or not Cebu should get a charter. Rama won Quezon’s support.

As father of Cebu City, Rama left us with a legacy of honest public service, complete focus, and dedication to duty, service to the people over self and even over family. Rama was lucky to have a strong mother, Engelberta Rama, and a very devoted wife, Catalina Genson, who were the ones taking care of Rama's 13 children; five daughters and eight sons. Rama was too busy as publisher, editor and writer of Bag-ong Kusog or Nueva Fuerza. He was busy with politics and public service. The women were keeping the family intact and in order, well-fed, well-sheltered, and well-dressed, and educated in excellent schools.

Rama also left us a legacy of unsullied loyalty to party and to his political mentor, Quezon. Rama never shifted party affiliation which other trapos do now and then for expediency and aggrandizement. He remained true to the people whose trust he never betrayed. The name of Don Vicente Rama has never been linked to any shenanigans or any questionable deals. Rama was faithful to his wife and kept his family united and in harmony with each other. He was a good husband and a loving father. He was a good public servant who served his people well. He sacrificed his ambition to become a congressman to represent Cebu and the rest of the towns in the second district. He obeyed President Quezon and accepted appointment as mayor of the city he founded.

Vice Mayor Mike Rama's integrity in public service is Don Vicente Rama's most auspicious legacy to the Cebuanos. Mike is loyal to Cebu even making great sacrifices for the sake of unity. That trait is really inherited from Don Vicente Rama. Perhaps the only little difference between Mike and his illustrious lolo is their love life, but that is another story.