A 26-year old Bachelor of Laws magna cum laude graduate of University of Cebu–Banilad is this year’s recipient of the Sotero Cabahug Medal of Academic Excellence.
Judiel Manzo Pareja was conferred the award yesterday during the 121st birth anniversary of the late Justice Sotero Cabahug.
“I feel proud and with a sense of responsibility,” said Judiel Manzo Pareja, this year’s recipient of the award that honors students from Mandaue City for academic excellence.
Pareja of Maguikay, Mandaue, is now reviewing in UP-Diliman for the bar examination in October this year.
He also graduated magna cum laude in BSEEd major in physics and math in the University of San Carlos. His father is an artist while his mother is a vendor.
The local government of Mandaue led by Mayor Jonas Cortes and the Mandaue Cultural, Historical, Educational, Sports and Tourism (Chest) Foundation Inc. honored Justice Cabahug with a Holy Mass at 2 p.m., followed by a floral offering at his statue located at city garden plaza.
A lecture followed at 4 p.m. at the session hall by former UP Economic Professor Dr. Ernesto Pernia, a family friend of the Cabahugs then the awarding of the prestigious Cabahug medal for academic excellence at 7 p.m. at Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.
Cabahug born on April 22, 1891, in Mandaue City was well remembered as a statesman having served the three branches of government which included as a governor of Cebu (1934-1937).
Sixty-nine-year-old Guadalupe Cabahug-Latonio, one of the three surviving children of Cabahug, represented the family of Justice Cabahug in the commemoration. /Correspondent, Norman V. Mendoza