Davide closes 444th anniv with simple ‘salu-salo’

The Gabii sa Sugbo, a banquet hosted by the Capitol to mark the end of the province’s 444th founding anniversary, reflected the character of Gov. Hilario Davide III.

Edgardo Labella, Cebu City vice mayor, described the banquet held at the Capitol Social Hall, as “simple and dignified”.

“It speaks of the kind of governor that we have. Very simple yet dignified,” Labella added.

For Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, the “simple dinner” gave the guests more room to interact.

“The simpler, the closer. We got to talk with everyone,” said Radaza who was accompanied by her brother, Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro.

Meanwhile, former Cebu City south district congressman Tomas Osmeña said he was proud of Davide, his partymate in the Liberal Party (LP). Davide was city councilor when Osmeña was mayor of Cebu City from 2004 to 2010.

Osmeña came with his wife, Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña, and shared the same table in the banquet with Davide, wife Jobel and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

In his short speech before proposing a toast, Davide said the get-together was a mere “salu-salo” [get-together] unlike the ball hosted by his predecessor.

The governor said he is also considering to hold the culminating dinner in a beach setting next year.

“I’ve been told that in the past, it was a ball but ours is just a “salu-salo.” Let us hope for the best for our beloved province of Cebu. Thank you very much for everyone who came,” he said in Cebuano.

“I thought the venue would be filled. Next time it will be much livelier because we’ll do the party in the beach. It’s more convenient there,” he added.

renewal

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama said he attended the occasion to represent the capital of the province, Cebu City.

“This is a renewal of the ties of the city and the province. The celebration is something to remember,” he said.

He said he will sit down with Davide in a separate meeting to discuss the resettlement of the Capitol-owned lots, referred in Cebu City that is now inhabited by thousands of informal settlers.

Short celebration

Around 20 out of the 53 mayors and vice-mayors of the towns and cities of the province were in attendance during the banquet that lasted for two hours in the Capitol Social Hall.

Also present were consulate representatives of countries that have consular offices in Cebu, members of the police headed by outgoing Cebu Provincial Police Office head Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr. and Police Regional Office 7 director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino.

Provincial Board (PB) members affiliated with LP were also present.

Meanwhile, various performers such as the Talisay City Rondalla Troupe, San Diego Dancers, Cebu City Dance Sports Team and Capitol employees who won in the song and dance competitions held earlier in the week provided entertainment for the guests.

Davide’s father, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. who came to the banquet said that simplicity is in line with good governance.

He said government funds should instead be allocated for basic services.

This year, the Capitol spent P1.73 million for its anniversary celebrations while in 2012, it spent P17.5 million including the expenses for staging the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.