Monday, January 17, 2005
‘Amid pomp, the message is: Cebu is blessed’
Jeanette P. Malinao

AFTER four practice sessions and intense prayers for guidance, a “very nervous” Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia braved the crowd at the Cebu City Sports Center, in the first performance of a Cebu governor in the Sinulog’s 25 years.

“When the organizers asked me to dance, it took me a few seconds to recover. It was something that I’ve never really gone through in my entire life and I was very, very nervous. I’ve never danced in the Sinulog and with such a huge crowd. I didn’t have much time to practice because of my schedule,” said Garcia.

“I prayed hard to the Sto. Niño. I hope this offering will be worth it,” she added.

The responsive crowd was “heartwarming,” she said, and made her “give it a little more and perform even better.”

Professional help

She danced with the Sandiego Dance Company, a perennial winner in Sinulogs past and always a crowd favorite.

The Province spent some P380,000 for the costume, props and other expenses for the Capitol contingent. Garcia said she decided to tap Sandiego instead of picking some provincial workers so as not to disrupt their work.

As in previous Sandiego Sinulog presentations, the choreography of yesterday’s performance carried a religious theme.
Garcia first danced bringing a crucifix, signifying Cebu’s being the center of Christianity, while the Sandiego couple played the role of Joseph and Mary.

Thanksgiving

The governor said the dance was in “perpetual gratitude” for all the blessings God showered not just on her but on Cebu Province.

Becoming Cebu’s first lady governor is, she believes, one that she achieved with the grace of Señor Sto. Niño. She is also thankful for the awards many Cebuanos garnered in their respective fields.

“With all the pomp and the pageantry, the fantastic costumes and the excellent choreography, the message really is that Cebu is blessed by the Sto. Niño and for that, we are one in thanksgiving,” she said.

Former governor Pablo Garcia and his wife, retired judge Esperanza Garcia, were already at the grandstand at 7 a.m. yesterday and waited hours to watch their first-born perform..

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