Marker seals Cebu City’s Asean title

A circular marker made of granite was unveiled yesterday sealing  Cebu City s new title as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations “City of Culture.”

Cebu was cited “for its rich tapestry of history, culture and heritage, and creative industry,” an accolade engraved in  gold   letters of the  marker  established at the Family Park in Talamban, Cebu City.

The marker was unveiled by six ambassadors from  Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia and the Second Secretary of China together with Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña.

Osmeña said the designation would  open  “more possibilities” for Cebu to bring creative and tourism exports to Asia.

The marker, with the red ASEAN logo on top,  will be set near the foot of a bronze bamboo pole sculpture made by  Cebuano artist  Raymund Fernandez, who sculpted  the centerpiece of the Asean Friendship Grove in the park.

The bamboo sculpture was commissioned when   Cebu hosted the 12th ASEAN Summit in  2007.

The three “core factors” or criteria for a City of Culture are all found in Cebu, said Eva Mari Salvador, member of the ASEAN committee on culture and information and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

She said the committee will recommend to Asean senior officers to make a road map of possible projects in Cebu.

A  training team will be sent to Cebu in October to conduct a textile workshop.

Exhibits on Cebu designs in furniture and fashion, and the visual arts impressed visiting Asean ministers.