Emotional noche buena for the Garcias

She called it  “the most unique Christmas celebration in my entire life.” Suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia stuck to her word  about not leaving the Capitol, and spent her noche buena with family and supporters in her second floor office.

They also celebrated the 31st birthday of her  elder daughter and lawyer, Christina, who turned 31  last Dec. 25.

At 12 midnight, Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco surprised his wife Christina with a birthday cake with two lighted candles.

Mother and  daughter  embraced, an emotional moment for both, as daughter-in-law  Michelle kissed the governor.

Gwen also hugged her nieces and nephews who  visited. “I had to apologize to them because I couldn’t buy them any gifts,” she said.

Before dinner, Gwen led the singing of the Cebuano carol,  Kasadya.

On the table was  turkey, lechon, fried shanghai, beef steak and caldereta and other food sent over by friends like Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung. Instead of waiters, family househelpers served.

Also present were Medellen Mayor Ricky Ramirez, Anad partylist Rep. Jun Alcover, and Joel Garganera. Former Lahug barangay captain  Mary Ann delos Santos and her siblings spent Christmas with the Garcias. Rep. Eduardo Gullas dropped by earlier with grandson Samsam.

Family included Gwen’s  father Rep.  Pablo Garcia and mother  Esperanza, brothers  Rep. Pablo John  Garcia and  Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia.

In normal times, they would be spending  Christmas in their parents’ home in Dumanjug town, south Cebu. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent