Capitol ‘All Set’ to Turn Over Cebu History Books

Broadening our humanity and outspreading awareness by familiarizing differences and similarities throughout the recorded past is an important reason for learning history.

Acquaintance with the human past is the only way to self-knowledge.

After its inception in 2007, a book project chronicling Cebu province’s history will now be turned over to cities, municipalities, public schools, and libraries this month.

The book project consists of 55 volumes that covers all cities and municipalities, including Cebu Province and the Provincial Capitol Building.

The volumes were described as enjoyable and useful. They hope to gives readers a broader overview of Cebu over the past centuries. They contain a good deal of knowledge that the public may not have known in the past.

Each municipality will receive 200 copies of their town or city history, Vice-governor Agnes Magpale said at the book launching last August 3. Other sets will be given for the safekeeping of public schools and libraries around the province.

Magpale, head of the committee on history writing, will formally turn over the books to Governor Hilario P. Davide III at the “Gabi-i Sa Sugbo” on August 19.

Davide will then hand over the books to all the municipal and city mayors through League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu Chapter President, Mayor Democtrito Diamante.

History book timeline

The book project began during the term of then governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia. The idea of writing the history of Cebu with the contribution from each town and cities was introduced by former governor and Deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia.

The University of San Carlos (USC)-Cebuano Studies Center was commissioned to write the history book following the execution of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Cebu Province and USC in 2007 with a project cost of P11 million for a period of 24 months.

Dr. Resil B. Mojares and Dr. Erlinda K. Alburo of the Cebuano Studies Center were appointed to lead the project.

Four other editors helped in the work of the 60 writers—Emilio Pascual, Jose Eleazar Bersales, Madrileña dela Cerna, and Jocelyn Gerra.

Project Manager Rene Alburo requested for a one year extension since not all writers were done with their manuscripts on time.

In 2011, USC had submitted their manuscripts and was reviewed by all history committee members. They were submitted to the local government units for further verification and additional input.

Women in Literary Arts (WILA) was contracted to proofread and create the books’ design, an arrangement that cost P800,000.

Due to some supervening events, the book launching didn’t not push through in 2012. The committee decided to update the books and include the 2013 election results. The target date was moved to August 2015.

Moreover, in January 2015, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) President Roberto Aboitiz donated P2 million while USC, through Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD, donated P3.6 million to cover for the printing expenses.

The project was delayed due to hitches in gathering available materials used for writing the book, said Wilfred Toledo, in-charge of monitoring the book’s progress under Magpale’s office.

“It’s not easy to write history, considering that this is the first of its kind in scope and length. It’s really complete,” Toledo said.

Available online

Electronic copies of the book will soon be available and downloadable at the Provincial Government’s official website.

“It will be useful for both teachers and students in the academe who wish to access the books,” Toledo said.

Source: www.cebu.gov.ph