Gwen dances sinulog for 9th and last time as governor

Suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last night got her wish to dance for the last time in  the 33rd Sinulog Festival  at the Cebu Sports Center as thousands in the crowd cheered.

Dressed in a crystal-studded white gown by high-fashion designer Cary Santiago   and holding an image of the Sto. Niño, Garcia blazed on  stage where she was introduced by emcee Sam Costanilla  as the “governor” of Cebu, as “Mabuhi Ka Sugbuanon”, the song often used  during her ceremonial events at the Capitol,  was played.

The governor appeared atop a high platform draped in red.  She was flanked by her daughter Cristina Codilla Frasco and son-in-law Mayor Duke Frasco of Liloan town.

Garcia  emerged from behind sliding panels on stage after a few minutes of the dance performance of Liloan’s Rosquillos Festival as the last guest contingent of the day.

Her ten-minute surprise presentation was applauded several  times by the audience  and some guests in the VIP section   stood to applaud.

Some boos were  heard but they quickly died down.  A few spectators were also heard saying “Klaro kaayo, wa’y practis.” (It’s obvious, she didn’t have enough practice.)

Garcia’s  brothers,Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Byron and Nelson, including   opposition leaders of the United National Alliance led by Vice President Jejomar Binay were there to cheer her on.

“The reaction of the crowd showed they are worth fighting for. Mabuhi ka Sugbuanon,” said Garcia in an interview, before boarding a coaster to take her back to the Capitol.

Yesterday was her 33rd day of a stay-in protest by   refusing to vacate her office in the Capitol in defiance of a six-month preventive suspension issued against her by Malacañang for grave abuse of authority.

Garcia’s fear that she would not be allowed to get back inside the building didn’t materialize as Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale repeated her assurance that Garcia  was free to return.

“I stand by my assurance that we’ll let her go back to the Capitol after her dance,” said Magpale in an interview.

“I will watch her dance from my TV set,” Magpale added.

Garcia left the Capitol at 4:30 p.m. on a coaster van  and proceeded to the Cebu City sports center using its exit gate on  P. Del Rosario Street, Cebu City.

She was escorted by her brother, Byron Garcia; children, Paulo and Cristina and son-in-law, Duke.

“Well I am happy to see the outside world. It was quite difficult to prepare but I’m here for the Cebuanos,” Garcia said.

The group waited in an  air-conditioned tent behind the stage where dance contingents were to perform for final judging.

Garcia first danced to the tune of  “Mabuhi ka Sugbuanon”.  When the song ended, she went down the platform and was met by daughter, Christina who handed her the image of the Sto. Nino which she used in her five-minute Sinulog dance.

This was  the ninth time that Garcia danced in the  annual Sinulog Grand Parade, her last year as chief executive of the province. The first time  was in 2004 when she was first elected  to her first term as governor.

But during those years, she represented the contigent from the province of Cebu. This year, the province didn’t send any contingent to the Sinulog Grand Parade, apparently as an offshoot to Garcia’s suspension.

Instead, Garcia danced with the Rosquillos Festival dancer of Liloan.

Interviewed inside the tent prior to her performance, Garcia admitted having mixed feelings, saying she was both happy and scared.

“As far as I’m concerned, this will be a day to prove once again my devotion and commitment to Sto. Niño. The risks would always be there. What is important is to fulfill a promise,” she said.

“Never have I danced in a manner brought with so much difficulty. This is a supreme sacrifice,” she added.

Garcia admitted that she didn’t have time to rehearse but said she decided to dance as a petition to the Sto. Niño to bring Cebu back to how it was before.

“These are not normal times. I pray that justice and truth will prevail,” she said. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Carmel Loise Matus and Doris Bongcac