0:03 Good day everyone. Today I will talk
0:04 about one of the most important
0:07 landmarks in Cebu, the Cebu Provincial
0:09 Capital. This building is not just a
0:11 place where government officials work.
0:14 It is a symbol of democracy, leadership,
0:16 and sibu pride. The capital serves as
0:20 the seat of the provincial government
0:22 where the governor and other officials
0:25 make decisions for the province. It also
0:28 reflects Cebu's progress and identity as
0:30 one of the most developed provinces in
0:33 the Philippines. Through the years, it
0:36 has witnessed many important events that
0:39 shaped Cebu's history. The story of the
0:42 Cebu Provincial Capital began during the
0:43 Spanish colonial [snorts]
0:46 period. The first provincial building
0:49 was called the Kasa Provincial Libu,
0:51 which was built near Fort San Pedro in
0:55 the 1800s. It served as the center of
0:58 the provincial government during both
1:01 the Spanish and early American periods.
1:04 However, as Ibu's economy and population
1:06 grew, the area near Fort San Pedro
1:08 became too crowded and the old building
1:10 could no longer meet the needs of the
1:14 government. This led the leaders to plan
1:17 for a new, bigger, and more modern
1:19 provincial capital that would better
1:22 represent the progress of Cebu.
1:25 In 1937 under the leadership of Governor
1:28 Sutero Kabah construction of the new
1:31 Cebu Provincial Capital began. The site
1:34 chosen was at the northern end of the
1:36 Smanya Boulevard facing Pentesmania
1:39 circle. This location was chosen because
1:42 it was open elevated and symbolized a
1:44 new beginning for Cebu's government. The
1:46 building was designed by architect Huan
1:48 Marcos Aureliano, one of the best
1:50 architects in the Philippines at that
1:54 time. He used the neocclassical style
1:56 which can be seen in its tall white
1:59 columns, symmetrical design and grand
2:02 dome. The construction was finished in 1938
2:03 1938
2:06 and it was inaugurated on June 14 of
2:11 that year by President Manuel El Kisan.
2:12 At the entrance of the building, a
2:15 phrase was engraved that says, "The
2:17 authority of the government emanates
2:19 from the people." which reminds everyone
2:22 that government should always serve its
2:26 citizens. However, during the World War
2:29 II, sec the Cibbu provincial capital did
2:31 not escape destruction when Japanese
2:35 forces occupied Cebu in 1942.
2:37 They used the building as one of their
2:39 headquarters. By the time the war ended
2:41 in 1945,
2:44 the capital was heavily damaged due to
2:47 bombings and battles.
2:49 After the war, the provincial government
2:51 worked hard to rebuild it with the help
2:54 of funds from the Tidings Damage Act or
2:58 the Tidings War Damage Act provided by
3:00 the United States. The restoration was
3:03 completed by the late 1940s, returning
3:06 the building to its former beauty. This
3:09 rebuilding symbolized the resilience and
3:12 courage of the Cibuano people after the
3:15 hardships of the wild. Today, the Cebu
3:17 Provincial Capital continues to stand as
3:20 a proud symbol of Cebu's history,
3:22 culture, and government governance. It
3:24 remains the official seat of the
3:26 provincial government, where important
3:28 plans and decisions for Cebu's
3:30 development are made. On August 11,
3:33 2008, it was declared a national
3:34 historical landmark by the National
3:36 Historical Commission of the
3:39 Philippines, recognizing its historical
3:41 and architectural importance. The
3:43 capital is not just a government
3:45 building. It is a reminder of Cebu's
3:47 journey through time. From colonial rule
3:50 to independence, from destruction to
3:53 recovery. Its enduring presence shows
3:55 the unity and progress of the Sigwanu
3:57 people. The Cebu provincial capital
4:00 stands as a living witness to the
4:02 province's strength, its rich history,
4:04 and its continuing promise for the
4:07 future. As I end this discussion, let us
4:09 remember that the Cebu provincial
4:12 capital is more than historic site. It
4:14 is a living symbol of Cebu's strength,
4:17 pride, and governance. It reminds us
4:19 that leadership should always come from
4:23 the people and served the people.
4:25 The capital continues to inspire civilos
4:28 to value their history, protect their
4:30 heritage, and work together for a
4:32 brighter and stronger civil. Thank you,
