The 75th Charter Day anniversary series of memorial lectures to commemorate the contributions of seventy-five distinguished Cebuano families to the development of Cebu officially kicked-off on Friday, 16 March, hosted by the University of San Carlos through the Cebuano Studies Center.

Fr. Louie Punzalan, USC Presidential Assistant for External Affairs, together with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Dr. Lourdes de Dios Jereza, Chair of the core group committee, cut the ribbon to open the photo exhibit showcasing the representative families for the month of March.

Fr. Punzalan warmly welcomed the public that afternoon to walk through the memory lane of spectacular family achievements.

The memorial lecture featured presentations by the Abella, Almendras, Solon and Veloso clans and was attended by no less than Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who gave a message of inspiration, and the other members of the core group committee, Mrs. Alice Queblatin, Dr. Ester Velasquez, Dr. Erlinda Alburo, Dr. Madrilena dela Cerna and Dr. Hope Sabanpan-Yu, as well as students from USC and other Cebu universities.

Dr.Jereza introduced the rationale for the search for the 75 Families of Distinction. 

Mrs. Rosita Rizada presented the accomplishments of the Abella clan; Vice Governor Magpale showcased the contributions of the Almendras clan; Mr. Michael Solon discussed the achievements of the Solon clan; and Mr. Angel Veloso enumerated on the long history of his clan’s contributions to Cebu City.

The photo exhibit will run for a week at the USC main lobby before it will be moved to the Ayala Mall.