Osmeña, Sergio (1878–1961)

Fuente Osmeña, an impressive circular park in the heart of Cebu city, on the island of Cebu. The park is named after Sergio Osmeña Sr, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth and a native of Cebu. Situated in the Visayas region, Cebu is a major port and the second city of the Philippines, after Manila.

Filipino independence leader and politician, president of the Philippines government in exile 1944–46. In 1942, when the Philippines was occupied by Japan, he fled with President Manuel Quezon and became president of the government in exile when Quezon died in 1944. Osmeña returned to the Philippines with the US invasion forces in October 1944, but was defeated by Manuel Roxas in the first presidential elections, in 1946, in the independent Philippines.

Born on Cebu island, Osmeña trained as a lawyer and served as provincial governor of Cebu and the first speaker 1907–16 of the Philippine assembly. He later served in the Philippines senate 1922–35, representing Cebu. He campaigned for the Philippines' independence, leading missions to the USA.