EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
Sergio Osmeña was born in Cebu to Cebu Chinese tycoon Don Pedro Lee Gotiaoco and Juana Osmeña y Suico, who was reportedly only 14 years of age when she gave birth to him. Owing to the circumstances of his birth, the identity of his father had been a closely guarded family secret. Although carrying the stigma of being an illegitimate child – Juana never married his father – he didn't allow this aspect to affect his standing in society. The Osmeña family, a rich and prominent clan of Chinese Filipino heritage with vast business interests in Cebu, warmed to him as he established himself as a prominent figure in local society.
Osmeña received his elementary education at the Colegio de San Carlos and graduated in 1892. Osmeña continued his education in Manila, studying in San Juan de Letran College where he first met Manuel L. Quezon, a classmate of his, as well as Juan Sumulong and Emilio Jacinto. He took up law at the University of Santo Tomas and was second place in the bar examination in 1903. He served on the war staff of General Emilio Aguinaldo as a courier and journalist. In 1900, he founded the Cebu newspaper, El Nuevo Día which lasted for three years. In 1904, the American colonial administration appointed him governor of Cebu. Two years later he was elected governor of Cebu.
Personal life
Family
Descendants
Several of Osmeña's descendants became prominent political figures in their own right:
Osmeña received his elementary education at the Colegio de San Carlos and graduated in 1892. Osmeña continued his education in Manila, studying in San Juan de Letran College where he first met Manuel L. Quezon, a classmate of his, as well as Juan Sumulong and Emilio Jacinto. He took up law at the University of Santo Tomas and was second place in the bar examination in 1903. He served on the war staff of General Emilio Aguinaldo as a courier and journalist. In 1900, he founded the Cebu newspaper, El Nuevo Día which lasted for three years. In 1904, the American colonial administration appointed him governor of Cebu. Two years later he was elected governor of Cebu.
Personal life
Family
- On April 10, 1901, he married EstefaniaChiongVeloso, the couple had ten children: NicasioVeloso-Osmeña, VicentaVeloso-Osmeña, EdildertoVeloso-Osmeña, Milagros Veloso-Osemeña, Emilio Veloso-Osmeña, Maria PalomaVeloso-Osmeña, Jesus Veloso-Osmeña, TeodoroVeloso-Osmeña, José Veloso-Osmeña, and Sergio Osmeña, Jr.
- In 1920, two years after the death of his first wife, Osmeña married Esperanza Limjap, the couple had three more children, namely, Ramón Limjap-Osmeña, Rosalina Limjap-Osmeña, and Victor Limjap-Osmeña.
Descendants
Several of Osmeña's descendants became prominent political figures in their own right:
- Sergio Osmeña, Jr., son and former Senator
- Sergio Osmeña III, grandson and incumbent Senator
- John Henry Osmeña, grandson and former Congressman and former Senator
- Tomas Osmeña, grandson and former Mayor of Cebu City; 2nd District representative
- Emilio Mario Osmeña, grandson and former governor of Cebu