City Approves Construction of Life-size Monuments of Elder Rama, Osmeña

Mayor Michael Rama had finally authorized the officials of Insular Life Assurance Company to construct, free of charge, the life-size monuments of former senators Don Vicente Rama and Serging Osmeña Jr. in front of Cebu City Hall.

After Mayor Rama and Insurance Life Assurance Company vice president Enrico Cordoba signed the Deed of Donation, the mayor said he is hoping that the project will be completed before February 24, the 76th Charter Day of Cebu City.

Cordoba told the reporters at the City Hall that the P3 million-worth brass-made statues of the two Cebuano former senators were are to be designed and to be created by renowned national artist, Eduardo Castrillo.

According to the mayor the installation of the life-size monuments of Don Vicente and Serging Osmeña is a “dream come true” because it is his wish that the two Cebuano leaders shall be given an honor by way of putting up their monuments in front of the City Hall.

It was Don Vicente, the grandfather of the mayor, who authored the law that created then Municipality of Cebu to become a city in 1937, while Serging was the first elected city mayor.

“These two people worked hard in making Cebu what it is today,” said Rama, as he thanked the donor for realizing his vision.

Rama said the City Council will decide on what to do with the old statues of Rama and Osmeña at the vicinity of the Bureau of Fire Protection office and along Sergio Osmeña Boulevard in North Reclamation Area, respectively.

“Everytime there’s floral offering being conducted at the Bureau of Fire Protection vicinity, where the past Don Vicente Rama is located, I’ve always been asked by this question, ‘why is your grandfather being placed and the offering being done in that area?’ Funny question: was he a fireman?” the mayor shared.