Rama’s showbiz kin draws crowd

ABOUT 100 spectators screamed or cheered at the sight of the showbiz Gutierrez family.

Anabelle Rama, husband Eddie Gutierrez and son Rocky arrived early for the floral offering for Don Vicente Rama at the Pahina Central Fire Station yesterday morning.

Movie actor Richard Gutierrez, their son, waited in a vehicle and got down just before it was his turn to deliver public remarks on behalf of the Rama clan.

Richard recalled how his great- grandfather stood before the Philippine Assembly 75 years ago to lobby for the passage of House Bill 1428 to transform the municipality of Cebu into a city.

“He wanted Cebu to take its rightful place, which is to become a more progressive city,” said Richard reading a prepared message.

Richard said Cebuanos today are “reaping the fruits” of its being a charter city.

Cebu City’s 75th Charter Day celebration provided a venue for reunions of the Rama clan and 74 other Cebuano families who were recognized for contributing their knowledge and talents for the growth of the city.

A  7:30 a.m. outdoor Mass was officiated by Msgr. Roberto Alesna followed by a flag ceremony at  the Plaza Sugbu in front of  City Hall.

The mayor led department heads, city hall employees and other guests to a flag-raising ceremony.

City officials present included councilors Edgar Labella, Edu Rama, Leah Japson, Roberto Cabarrubias, Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla and SK Federation president John Philip Po.

(Councilor Sisinio Andales joined the floral offering at the fire station.)

Also in attendance were four generations of the Rama clan, including Corazon Luna Rama del Prado, daughter of the late Don Vicente and Catalina.

The mayor’s daughter Michelin, who flew in from Manila, joined her brother Mikel, a lawyer.

Mayor Rama said he did not expect 100 percent attendance of the council, whose members belong to the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan, the party he left in July last year.

“Maybe some of them have other commitments to attend to,” said the mayor, who said having eight present was already good.

In a brief message at Plaza Sugbu, Mayor Rama said he didn’t want politics to distract him.

“Ang ako trabaho, trabaho, trabaho. Minusan ang politika.  Serbisyo dili pwerhisyo, dili negosyo ang atong pag anhi,” he said.  (My priority is work, work, work. Reduce the politicking.  Be of service, not a burden. We’re not here to take advantage of business opportunities.)
He referred  to policy clashes with the Osmeña-dominated city council.

“Dili ta mag sige ug away. Ug naa man gani away, naay katapusan ang tanan,” he said. (We shouldn’t always fight. If there is a conflict, there’s an end to everything.)

During Thursday night’s recognition rites for outstanding employees, Rama said the staff should continue to deliver the best service to Cebuanos.
“Political skirmishes will never bother me because we are accountable only to our fellowmen,” said Rama.