Dia de Sen. Roseller T. Lim: 106th Birth Anniversary Commemoration

Mayor Beng Climaco led activities in observance of the Dia de Roseller T. Lim, marking the 106th birthday of the first and only Zamboangueno senator today, Tuesday, February 9.

The activities that took place virtually, was highlighted by the wreathlaying ceremony at the R.T. Lim Monument at the Normal Road in Baliwasan. Another highlight of the commemoration was the awarding of the five outstanding Zamboangueno Youth Leaders (FOZYL), a joint project of the JCI Zamboanga and the City Government.

Historical records show that Roseller Tarroza Lim (February 9, 1915 – July 5, 1976) was a Filipino politician who served as a member of the Senate and House of Representatives from 1949 to 1963. He also served as Court of Appeals Justice from his appointment in 1973 until his death. Lim was known as the "Great Filibuster," after he filibustered for more than 18 hours in an attempt to prevent the election of Ferdinand Marcos as President of the Senate.

Roseller Lim was born to Antonio Lim and Mercedes Tarroza. He earned his law degree from Silliman University in 1940, and passed the bar the same year. He married Amy Schuck of Jolo, Sulu and had five children — Rosamy, Mercibel, Victoria, Roseller Jr., and Amy. Lim was the first Senator to served from the city of Zamboanga.

Roseller Lim was the first and only politician from Zamboanga to be elected to the Philippine Senate. In March 16, 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos signed the Batas Pambansa No. 183[5] creating the municipality of Roseller T. Lim in the province of Zamboanga del Sur (now in Zamboanga Sibugay) in honor of Lim.[6] A famous boulevard in Zamboanga City was named after the latter which has the view of the beautiful Basilan Strait and the Sulu Sea beginning from the city proper to the industrial complex of the city. In 2006, the Zamboanga City Council approved Ordinance Number 283 designating February 9 as "Dia de Roseller T. Lim" (Roseller T. Lim Day) and a bronze monument was carved at the rotunda of the Normal Road and the R. T. Lim Boulevard.

JCI Zamboanga, Inc. in coordination with the City Government of Zamboanga, annually celebrates “DIA DE R.T. LIM” by conferring the Five Outstanding Zamboangeno Young Leaders otherwise known as FOZYL Award to five (5) deserving young Zamboangueño community leaders, who best exhibit the traits of leadership, excellence, civic responsibility and community service as exemplified by the late Senator Roseller T. Lim. Since 2007, Seventy (70) passionate Zamboangeno Community leaders had already been recognized by the search. Most of which are now champions of various advocacies and leaders of their respective fields. On its 15th year celebration, the search proudly confers the award to: Mario R. Obra Jr., Joseph Lou C. Sta. Teresa, Aljaser J. Hadjibata, John Carlo C. Oboy and Maid T. Jammang, a variant of young professionals, student leaders, community servants and indigeneous leader/s.

Our first Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leader is Dr Mario R. Obra,Jr - is the Office Director for External Linkages and Quality Management Systems of WMSU and championed the certification of the WMSU Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2015, and has been involved to scientific and civic engagements in the recent years on aspects of teacher trainings, science investigatory research, environmental protection; biodiversity conservation; biosafety and biosecurity for Zamboanga City.

Joining the roster of this year’s Five Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders is Engr. Joseph Lou Sta Teresa. He currently holds the position of an Education Supervisor II at the Commission on Higher Education. He was part of the delegation of Youth Ambassadors of the Philippines in the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japan Youth Program and his exposure to the programs of the Association of South-East Asian Nation strengthened his advocacy for Youth Leadership and Development.

Our next Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leader is Mr. Aljaser Hadjibata. a 3rd year student of Universidad de Zamboanga taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, an alumnus of Philippine Youth Leadership Program batch 14, Area Coordinator of PYLP for Zamboanga City and Sibugay, and the Alumni Relations Officer of USGAA. He is an active volunteer and led various projects for the community.

Our Youngest FOZYL Awardee this year is Mr. John Carlo Oboy, a college freshman in the University of the Philippines Cebu, where he is currently taking up Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He has been competing in different debate competitions locally and internationally and was recently crowned as 8th Open Best Speaker of the world in the Open Octofinalist in Uhuru Worlds. He is a community leader; the founder and project head of Project Tabang Ayuda, and is currently a student council member in UP Cebu.

Last but not the least, joining the lineup of prestigious FOZYL Awardees is Mr. Maid T. Jammang, an active bajau youth from Arena Blanco with the great tradition and rich culture. He was elected as an SK kagawad in his community and is a volunteer in NGOs like PAZ and KKI (katiligban sa kalambuan inc.). Through scholarship and help from his High School teachers, he was able to enroll in college and currently he is a third year student at ZSCMST and a student leader. He believes that his poor life is not a hindrance to pursue his ambition to become a teacher so that he can teach his fellow Bajau in his community and to educate them about their rights and responsibilities. He wants to encourage and inspire the young generation of this era to be the best version of them, to do good things and avoid negativity in life.

Watch the full virtual commemorative program and awarding of Five Outstanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders here: