CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama and Pachico A. Seares, executive director of the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC), led the unveiling yesterday of the M. Oyson Jr. Road, crossing Tambis Circle in Barangay Sambag 2.
City Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, a former barangay captain of Sambag 2 and a neighbor of the honoree, authored City Ordinance 2279 that officially named the road after the sports writer.
The council approved the ordinance last Aug. 31 yet, but the unveiling was conducted yesterday to coincide with the culmination of the Cebu Press Freedom Week.
Wenceslao said the council and the City Government have been paying tribute to Cebuanos who made exemplary contributions to the city.
“It is for this reason that we are having today’s unveiling ceremony, naming this street in honor of our brother, a fellow Sambag 2 resident, the late Manuel Oyson Jr. recognizing his contribution in the field of journalism, particularly sports writing,” Wenceslao said.
Background
Oyson was a veteran sports columnist of Sun.Star Cebu, publisher of the defunct Money Saver magazine, a leader of the defunct National Press Club Cebu chapter and assistant director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7.
Linda Gabuya of the council’s committee on tourism, local and international relations and arts and culture said that last May 9, Wenceslao’s ordinance was referred to the committee for comments and recommendations.
Gabuya said the committee recommended approval of the ordinance to honor Oyson, who died in February 2006, leaving behind a legacy of achievements and valuable contributions to Cebuano culture and history in the field of sports.
“This is consistent with the policy of the City Government of Cebu, to honor its distinguished citizens who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the city to perpetuate their memory,” Gabuya said.
Praises
Former SK chairperson (ex-officio city councilor) Rengel Pelayo and incumbent Councilors Edgar Labella, Sisinio Andales and Alvin Dizon praised Oyson for his good deeds.
Rama said Oyson is listed in the Cebu Hall of Fame and his recognition, naming a road after him, is long overdue.
Dr. Katherine Oyson, an educator and newspaper columnist, thanked the Cebu City Government, Atty. Seares and other media leaders for honoring the legacy of her late husband.
“We are delighted. I know he (Oyson) is with us here today with much delight. We are very grateful for naming this street in honor of my husband,” she said.
Seares, in an interview, said the mandate of the CCPC is to remember deceased journalists who left legacies that benefit the Cebuanos, among them Concepcion Briones, Jose Logarta, Orlando C. Sanchez and Pedro Calomarde, who were already honored with streets named after them.
