Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in Cebu City: Proposed Resolution

PHILIPPINE-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY IN CEBU CITY: Proposed Resolution

By Frances Aurem Villaflor, SUPERPOWER

The City of Cebu as we all know is a city brimful of rich history and historical firsts. It is a city wherein Spanish ancestry and religion is vivid and greatly practiced. There is a need for the City of Cebu to officially celebrate the Philippine-Spanish friendship day in order to commemorate the historical ties and friendship between Cebu and Spain and to bring back the good memories that were made during the Spanish colonization.

 The Philippines was first discovered when a Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan and his troops arrived in the island of Cebu in 1521. Magellan was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the native chieftain of Cebu and his wife Queen Humammay. Magellan started converting a lot of people to Christianity and planted a cross that served as a symbol of natives accepting the religion and embracing the Christian faith. He also gave the image of Santo Nino to Queen Humabon as a present and the symbol of the native’s alliance to Spain. However, it was opposed by the local chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, which led to a bloody fight between the natives and Magellan’s people.

In 1565, an expedition from New Spain arrived, commanded by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. He was appointed by King Philip II of Spain to be the first Governor-General in the Philippines. This was the time when Spanish colonization finally began in Cebu. The first Philippine peace treaty was signed in June 4, 1565 by Rajah Tupas and General Legazpi. Under the agreement, Cebu recognized the Spanish government which, in return, would protect Cebu in times of war. The Basilica del Sto. Nino is the first Roman Catholic Church in the country that was built in Cebu around 1565.

The presence of the Spaniards bolstered and transformed Cebu. It did not only make churches but it also helped in establishing schools. The agriculture, trade and commerce in Cebu also flourished during this time. With the things aforementioned above, we can really say that there is a need to celebrate a Philippine-Spanish friendship day here in Cebu City. History shows the importance and impact of Spain brought to the former fishing and trading village.

A proposed resolution hereby follows to establish a celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in the City of Cebu:

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in recalling Republic Act No. 9187, s. 2002, an act declaring June 30 of the year as Philippine-Spanish friendship day, as a means to strengthen the relationship between two nations that share history, traditions, and values;

WHEREAS, in reaffirming the aforementioned Republic Act, the City of Cebu should also have an official celebration on the said friendship day to commemorate the historical ties and friendship between Cebu and Spain;

WHEREAS, the City of Cebu, is where the first permanent settlement of the Spanish colonizers was established and is the cradle of Christianity;

WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that the City of Cebu will celebrate a Philippine-Spanish friendship day every year in order for Cebuanos to remember the rich history and influence that the Spanish colonizers have left here in the country and in Cebu;

NOW THEREFORE, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Cebu, as moved by Member_________________, and seconded by Member ______________;

RESOLVED, to request the Mayor, Hon. Michael L. Rama to approve the celebration of the Philippine-Spanish friendship day here in Cebu City; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, to authorize the Acting City Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to furnish copies of this resolution to the Office of the Mayor, Cebu City Tourism and International Relations Commission, Sister City Commission, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and all other concerned parties for their information and guidance.

REFERENCES:

Cebu City and the Spanish past. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015 http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/cebu4.htm

History. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015. http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/history

History of Cebu. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015. http://www.everythingcebu.com/lifestyle/culture/history-of-cebu/