Like men, cities who turn 40, are at their prime - wiser to the world by experience but with an ache to make a difference through a vision.

Life indeed begins at 40 and for Tagbilaran City, watta life!

Consider the fact that it is picked as one of the Dream Cities in the Philippines by the Institute of Solidarity in Asia and one of the "Most Comprehensive Cities" and adjudged "Pinoy Cities on the Rise" by no less than the renowned Asian Institute of Management, which is stingy with its praise.

Fighting Mayor Dan Lim speaks of a vision of an uptown modern road network which will be the future home of the City Sports and Convention Center accentuated by the much awaited completion of the Tagbilaran Business Center (of the old Agora whatchamaccalit).

Back in former mayor Jose Ma Rocha's time, Lim as city administrator already dreamt of a "satellite city." Lim is a born pragmatist who dances different tunes to fit the priorities of the moment. But gee, people still rave about the legislative and city executive symbiotic relationship - both dancing the tango in sync - all the time - benefiting the happy citizenry.

Dan Lim is your drug buster who puts his pistol where his mouth is. Not just a tough talking hombre but one who spares no friend or foe to stop the nefarious drug business. There is also that concerned set of programs for children which should be every local LGU's goal.

In fairness, Dan Lim did not create wine from water nor did he part the Read Sea and voila! - the city of wonders - Tagbilaran City - charming gateway to the most desired traveler's destination this part of the planet. We are a product of the choices that we make - and among them was choosing mayors that delivered their own unique brand of quality service to the growing metropolis today - once a sleepy town inhabited by tartanillas and slow-poke folks. Not today.

Four of such mayors - Venancio Inting, Rolando Butalid, Jose Ma Rocha and Jose Torralba will be honored fittingly tomorrow along side the personalities and firms that made Tagbilaran the city that it is today without exception, each carved a niche to the beautiful figurine that is our city caricature today.

On July 1, 1966, the woe-be-gone town went citified under the term of mayor Nanciong Inting, feisty as they come and a mayor for that kind of environment then.

Rocha, Butalid and Torralba took turns over the cityhood chariot - and though Ben Hur they were not in the beginning, somehow, sometime we finished the race. We became a city - a rare gem at that today. The best come also for those who strive and wait.

And we are grateful for all the city past chief executives - for indeed we are a sum total of our own history - there is no denying that.

We now see a most efficient transport system of air and sea - a sine qua non for a province that is an island - since you have to be seen first to be appreciated. We cannot sell the province vicariously. One must taste the pudding - not imagine the brochures to say what the city and province really are.

We have the major airlines falling over each other, to out-serve the rival. The Bullet Express of then speaker Monching Mitra followed by the Singaporean-Filipino fleet of businessman Lambert ushered the sea-craft revolution that brought Aboitiz' Supercat that triggered a sea wave of competition (you like the pun as we do, don't you?). And why not? Tagbilaran City has one of the best ports in the country with an air-conditioned terminal building - the pride of the Philippine Ports Authority.

Lastly, as we turn 40 - count not the gray hair. Instead look at the men and women around you. And be proud. These are the Tagbilaranons that contributed their share to city-hood building by being upright citizens, excellent hosts and friendly neighbors. The city is us.

Forty years old and counting? No sweat. We've only started the best years of our lives. Cebu City's poor, bashful cousin? No mas, no mas!

Viva La Ciudad de Tagbilaran.. Ole!