Xavier University is hosting the last stop of the Mayor Justiniano R Borja Photo Exhibit, commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Cagayan de Oro City’s first mayor. The exhibit has been touring various schools since last year.

XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ, at the opening of the exhibit on Aug 14, mentioned the special relationship between the late mayor and the Jesuits. He said that Fathers Nicholson and Masterson would help Mayor Borja in the city planning.

For incumbent City Mayor Oscar Moreno, the memories of Mayor Borja are a source of inspiration. “I am privileged to be holding office in the same office he had held,” he said.

Executive Justice Romulo Borja, the mayor’s son, was also present at the opening. “It’s very gratifying that almost 50 years after his death, people still remember him,” he remarked.

He added that the culmination of the traveling exhibit at XU feels not like an ending but “like a homecoming.” He shared that his father was very involved with XU and vice versa.

Mayor Borja taught at the XU College of Law and was a recipient of an honorary doctorate in Public Administration from the University.

Through the exhibit, the City Historical Commission hopes to impart knowledge and understanding of local history.

“Local history is not taught in our schools,” said Nanette Roa of the Historical and Cultural Commission of the City Hall. “[The exhibit] is our way of making the community know of the legacy Mayor Borja left to us.” She said that the mayor helped make what Cagayan de Oro is today, one of the most progressive cities in the country.

The Mayor Justiniano R Borja Photo Exhibit is open to the public and will run until Aug 30 at the Old Library lobby.