SHE repeatedly smiled, waved her hand, and at one point flashed a thumbs up sign.
A jovial Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday took time off from her 25-day stay-in protest over her suspension as governor of the province and stepped out of her Capitol office to watch student dance contingents assemble outside to start their annual parade of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.
Garcia heard the beat of drums, went downstairs and emerged from the side entrance door. Dancers and passersby who saw her started shouting: “We love you, Gov!”
Some approached to have souvenir photos taken with the governor.
“Maayo na lang remembrance nako kang Gov Gwen ug pang FB (Facebook),” said one student. (At least I’ll have a remembrance of Gov Gwen for Facebook)
Members of the Carcar City contingent led by renowned dance choreographer Val Sandiego approached Garcia and gave one her of their hats to try on.
She obliged.
“Mao ni nakapatandog nako (This is what rejuvenates me),” she said.
“I have seen contingents from different places in the province of Cebu. I noticed that they too are happy to see me. I wish them all the luck. I hope they will perform their very best. It’s not about winning. It’s about making an offering to the Sto. Niño,” Garcia added
Asked by reporters if she has made up her mind about dancing in the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 20, the governor said: “I will make my announcement on Monday.”.
The starting point of yesterday’s Sinulog parade was the Capitol grounds, its traditional venue.
Students had lunch there and prepared to perform for a competition at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Police assigned to secure the Capitol first stopped them from entering, but Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, who briefly visited her office at the Legislative Building yesterday morning, told them to allow the dancers inside.
Since its a weekend, security at the Capitol is tighter. Visitors are required to register their names in a log book.
Asked if the sound of drums and the sight of the dance troupes made her want to dance, Garcia said “No, because you (media) are here. I was also looking at the policemen and it seems that we are having eye-to-eye contact.”