Vicente Rama

Vicente Rama (June 6, 1887 – December 24, 1956) was a Filipino Visayan legislator, publisher, and writer from Cebu, Philippines. Recognized as the Father of Cebu City, he authored the bill for its cityhood which was approved into law by October 20, 1936. He also founded the leading pre-war Cebuano periodical, Bag-ong Kusog.

Early life Vicente Rama, also known with the honorific title, Don Vicente and Nyor Inting, was born in Cebu, Philippines on June 6, 1887. He was the eldest child of Gabriel "Abi" Raffiñan y Buzón and Engilberta "Iya Bita" Ramas y Enguio, who was the child of Laurente Ramas and Juana Enguio from Naga. He carried the last name "Rama" later on in life, providing no hint why he decided to drop its last letter. His mother, who managed a copra-tobacco brokerage, named him after St. Vincent Ferrer and raised him

Education Rama attended the Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos, now known as the University of San Carlos, from 1904 until 1908, and he excelled at school. After his graduation, Rama went to Manila for further studies as was the practice among children of prominent families. It was also perceived as a positive attainment to possess when applying for jobs. Three of the 16 offspring did not survive childhood. He insisted that his children put more effort into their studies, and had all of his daughters sent to school when it was customary for families to do so only with their male children. In addition, he edited several publications including Kauswagan that was founded by Francisco Labrador from 1912 until 1914. and wide readership in Cebuano-speaking provinces of Visayas and Mindanao, as well as among immigrants in Hawaii. Its contents dealt with public life of pre-war Cebuanos

Cebuano literature Other than being a newspaperman, Rama wrote non-fiction, poems, short stories and novels also a novel that was printed from August 18, 1933, to March 9, 1934, and an adaptation of Jose Rizal's novel.

Even after Bag-ong Kusog failed to release new issues after World War II, he continued to write. In 1947, he finished the novel Donya Marcosa and a year after, Ang Silot ni Bathala (God's Punishment). He replaced Alfredo V. Jacinto, the first municipal mayor of Cebu and former provincial treasurer of Cebu. Rama later resigned as mayor in order to run for senator in 1941.

From 1916 to 1935, all senators were voted into office from 12 senatorial districts. By November 11, 1941, Rama ran for a seat in the senate in the national elections. He won, receiving overwhelming electorate support in Cebu, and placing first in Bohol and third in Davao. The outbreak of World War II prevented him and the rest of elected senators from serving their term until Congress reconvened in 1945. During the war, he was appointed acting mayor of Carcar on May 15, 1942.

Rama was known to be skilled at public speaking, fluent in Spanish and English. After he retired, he wrote on the various highlights of his political life. His vision was to endow more power to the new city under the law by decreasing its dependence on national government's revenue allotment. The evacuation stalled when he refused to leave behind his son Napoleon who was in a seminary studying for priesthood. The seminarians were told to stay in the seminary that was relocated away from the city. Previously known as Calamba Street, Vicente Rama Street in Cebu City was named in his honor. Approved on March 24, 1992, Republic Act No. 7287 declared February 24 as special nonworking holiday known as Cebu City Charter Day in Cebu, Philippines. Ang Tinagoan (The Secret) is cited as one of the notable works in the Cebuano literary canon. In 2004, Basak National High School was renamed Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School.