Cebu is one of the biggest landmark and developed provinces in the Philippines. It is mostly called the “Queen City of the South”. Cebuanos are not just proud of its famous hospitality but also, the rich cultural heritage of the place. From the history of Cebu, it is the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It is one of the major ports and the center of trade and commerce during the Spanish-colonial era. And until now, Cebu is one of the biggest and strongest economies in the whole country. There are a lot of historical and cultural spots here that promotes nationalism and pride. One of the most significant places and heritage here in Cebu is the famous Fuente Osmena Circle.
Fuente Osmeña Circle is one of the common spot people mostly visit. The Fuente Osmeña is located at the center of a rotunda along Jones Avenue and General Maxilom Avenue. Firstly, people mostly visit Fuente Osmeña because of its open location. Most of the jeepneys and private vehicles from big barangays of Lahug Guadalupe, Mabolo, Banawa and Manadaue pass on Fuente Osmeña Circle before going to downtown. It is located on a public place and everyone has a free access of the place. At the same time, the Circle is surrounded by buildings and institutions. The Robinsons Cybergate, the Chonghua Hospital, banks, Women Maternity Hospital, Robinsons Main Mall, Rajah Park Hotel, the Filipino Casino building, drugstores, Fastfood stores of Mcdonalds and Orange Brutos and Watsons are the small and large infrastructures surrounding the Fuente Osmeña Circle. Most of the people working in these small and big institutions will always pass and see the whole Circle. There are major roads leading to the rotunda. It is the intersection of B.Rodriguez Street, Osmeña Boulevard, more popularly known as Jones Street and General Maxilom Avenue or Mango Avenue. Cebu Provincial Capitol and Crown Regency Hotel and Towers are its nearby infrastructures and landmarks.
Secondly, Fuente Osmeña Circle has a large inviting park where people can stroll, walk and sit. Every morning and late afternoon, I can see a lot of people do their exercise routines and jog around the Circle. There are many groups who practice their dance routines and moves here because of its very large space. The Fuente Osmeña Circle is surrounded by a white metal fence with two big openings at opposite sides. As you enter the Circle, you can see a stone tablet with a welcome message and states a little background of the place. The whole Circle is also surrounded by ornamental plants and flowers to beautify the place more. There are big trees scattered in the place that gives shade and warm feeling to the people who wants to rest. Under the trees are benches where people can sit after they stroll, walk and exercise. There are big lampposts to make the place more attractive and appealing to visitors especially at night. “Mostly at night, there are a lot of people especially pairs and lovers strolling and sometimes holding their little picnics in this place,” a frequent passer of Osmeña Circle said. Another passer states that the Fuente Osmeña Circle and Plaza Independencia are two of the most visited place because of its free access and spacious area where you can do a lot of things. At the center of the park is a large white fountain that adds up to the place’s grandeur. This fountain is also called the “Osmeña Fountain”. The fountain makes the place more captivating. It is the first thing that you could see going to the Circle because of its grand size and its elegant white color another passer said. As you look closer to the Fountain, there is a big mark of year 1912, which is the year the waterworks system in Cebu completed. Under it is Spanish words that states:
“Esteha dado el nombre de Osmeña a estats ageras en reconocimiento Les muy seña ladus servicios prestados a su patria pa Sergio Osmeña.”
It states that the fountain is in recognition of Osmeña’s service to his homeland signed by Sergio Osmeña himself.
You can also observe the place’s cleanliness. Preserving the place, the government makes sure that the place is clean, in order and safe for the people who passes and visits the place. They post environmental signs and rules about the proper disposal of garbage and how to segregate their trashes. They put up big garbage cans so people can easily see it.
Lastly, the Fuente Osmeña Circle is not just a public park or place but its one of the national heritage here in the Philippines. The Fuente Osmeña is an honor of Cebu’s “Grand Old Man”, President Sergio S. Osmeña, the second president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. That is why the fountain is called the Osmeña Fountain. The Fuente Osmena is a fountain built to commemorate the completion of the Osmeña Waterworks system from January 1911 to February 1912. The Fountain symbolizes the progress of Cebu City during the American-colonial Era as an important infrastructure completed (Emperor Karl, 2010). And later, they add a park and widen the place to lighten up the whole place. Actually, Osmeña’s Residence is near the rotunda, which is occupied by the CAP building presently. In honor of the Osmeña Fountain, you can see it at the back of a 50-pesos bill with the face of Sergio Osmeña. The Osmeña Circle serves as witness to many of Cebu’s significant gatherings like the grand and colorful Sinulog Festival that is annually celebrated here in Cebu. Some of the socio-civic groups also gather and hold their celebrations inside the Circle. The Circle also holds concerts and feeding programs inside its area. The circle is a centerpiece landmark of the city and the site of numerous festivals and rallies (Eugene, 2008). The Circle plays an important role every December. They will construct a big Christmas tree inside the Circle and the whole Cebu will light it up together at the peak of the Christmas Eve. And every December, they beautify and add up different colors of light in the fountain to make it more romantic and enchanting.The Fuente Osmeña Circle and park is not just a simple spot but a significant trademark in Cebu because of its historical background. It is truly a Cebuano pride. And until today, the government and the people are working hand in hand in improving the Circle. A concerned citizen says that: “Through the years, we can see a lot of effective changes and improvements form the facilities and infrastructures surrounding the Fuente Osmeña Circle. And these institutions also aid in Cebu’s improvement economically and culturally”. Cebuanos are encourage in preserving the place and its historical background, maintains the place’s cleanliness and make the park safe for the next generations to come.
