City dad says unity and peace vital for dev’t
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, June 12 (PIA) -- Unity and peace are essential elements to prosperity and development. This was the message of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama during the 114th Independence Day celebration here at the Plaza Sugbo this morning before a crowd of more than 1,500 people.
The celebration kicked off with a solidarity run at 5 a.m. from the Provincial Capitol Grounds to Plaza Sugbo followed by a mass officiated by Msgr. Robert Alesna of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Opening the program after the mass was a religious song “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” which set the tone of Rama’s message on unity and peace as important components to progress.
A dance presentation depicting love of country in “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” witnessed the making of the Philippine Flag by women in gold-inspired Filipiniana costume that ended with the death of Filipino hero Dr. Jose Rizal by the popular San Diego Dance Company.
Mayor Rama then raised the Philippine Flag as the band from AFP-Central Command played the Philippine National Anthem while in attendance was five other city councilors.
Two young children of city hall employees did the ‘Panunumpa sa Watawat,’ and the ‘Panatang Makabayan.’
In his message, Rama espoused the need for unity citing the popular adage ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall.’
“In my political view, avoidance of political quarrel is a must not only for the city of Cebu but the entire world in order to build a better world for all of us,” bared Rama. It has been common knowledge that Rama is at odds with former ally Rep. Tomas Osmeña who used to be the city mayor while both are contending for the mayoralty seat in the 2013 elections.
Rama cited former City Mayor Ronald Duterte who once said that we can never be free from the bondage of oppression if political obstinacy and political stubbornness continues to exist adding that “the general welfare of the people is the supreme law.”
Rama also said urged the people to reflect on whether one should exist merely to serve oneself or to serve one's fellowmen.
After the mayor’s message, a fancy drill was conducted by the Boys Scouts of the University of San Jose Recoletos, National Science High School.
The climax of the program was the releasing of butterflies that signified freedom in observance of today’s historical event where the nation gained independence from foreign rule over a century ago. (PIA-Cebu)