MANDAUE'S FAVORITE SON. The late Justice Sotero B. Cabahug. April 22 has always been a special day in Mandaue as it marks the birth anniversary of its favorite son, Justice Sotero Barte Cabahug, whose public service included stints in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments.
Cabahug Medalist 2026
Jillian Mae Gonzaga Agus, flanked by her proud parents Rodelo and Ana Melona Agus, was this year's Cabahug Medal awardee. Guadalupe Cabahug Latonio, the only surviving child of the late Justice, was seated center stage with her husband Raul Latonio and niece Corazon Cabahug Corbo. Behind them stood past Cabahug medalists: Excelsis Jee Balaza (2023), Angel May Flores (2025), Dr. Regina Cabahug Perez (1984), Jillian Mae Agus (2026), Dr. Anne Mae Sarra (2013) and Visitacion Flores Mendoza (1980).
A Life of Public Service
Mano Terong, as he was fondly called, served as representative of Cebu's 2nd district from 1928 to 1934. He later became governor of Cebu, after which he was named secretary of Public Works and Communications, and later, secretary of National Defense. His final government post was as associate justice of the Court of Appeals. Early in his career as a public servant, he established the Cabahug Medal for academic excellence to encourage his fellow Mandauehanons to strive for excellence in their studies.
Celebration Highlights
The Justice Sotero Barte Cabahug Day celebration this year marked his 135th birth anniversary. The festivities began with a Holy Mass at the Mandaue Session Hall, followed by a floral offering at his statue led by Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede. Also present were members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, past Cabahug medalists and academic awardees, as well as other city officials. The action shifted to Water World Hotel for the dinner and the program that followed. Centerstage was the 2026 Cabahug Medal awardee, Jillian Mae Gonzaga Agus, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Cebu Normal University. Very much around was Guadalupe Cabahug Latonio, the only surviving child of the well-loved Mano Terong, along with other members of the Cabahug family.
Mandaue City officials present included Councilors Eugene Andaya, Benjamin Basiga, Fritz Villamor, Raul Cabahug, Carlo Fortuna, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano, Councilors Jennifer Del Mar, Joel Seno and Andreo Icalina. Celebration frontliners included Visitacion Flores Mendoza (medalist 1980), Fr. Adrian Louie Atonducan (medalist 2009), Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano and June Mir Velasquez (medalist 2024).
