RIZAL REPAIRS

Marc Cosep

Cebu City (October 11, 2022) -- The Knights of Rizal—Cebu City Chapter
volunteered to repair damages in the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum
Building caused by Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021.

“Naa karon ang mga member sa Knights of Rizal atong mag site inspection sila
para ma assess ang mga damages,” said Bryner Diaz, head of the Cultural and
Historical Affairs Office- Cebu City.

According to Diaz, portions of the building were damaged after the city was
ravaged by super Typhoon Odette.

Although initial repairs were already made after the typhoon, the limited
resources made it a challenge, especially in the repair of its Sinulog Hall which is
one of the important cultural properties in the City.

“Mapasalamot kaau mi nga naa sila dinhi para mo tabang,” said Diaz.

Repair works will begin once they have finished the assessment.

He said that four chapters under the Knight of Rizal will partake in the repairs of
the building at no cost to the City.

For the Sinulog Hall, Diaz said that restoration will only be done in the area as
changes would require approval from the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines.

“This is also an important cultural property man sab so dili gyud siya usbon, and
mag require pa ug permits and taas kaayo ang process,” he explained.

As to the completion of the project, Diaz said that Mayor Mike Rama, challenged
the group to finish their repairs on October 28, which also falls on his birthday.

“Ganahan si mayor na mo bisita daw siya dinhi on his birthday maong

paninguhaon…,” he said.

Diaz also shared that in 1900s, Mayor Rama pushed for the repairs of the
building back when he was still serving as a councilor in the City.
“Maong duol kaayo ni sa kasing-kasing ni mayor kai siya gyud ang nangusod
atong mga panahuna,” he added.

Likewise, Diaz also said that on the 28th, CHAO will also hold a “Balak” contest
on the Cebuano translation of Dr. Jose Rizal’s poem titled Mi Último Adiós.

“Maong among paningkamutan gyud na ma human siya, but nevertheless

mapasalamot kaayo mi ani,” said Diaz.