Out at last

Finally, the question that many asked—Will  suspended Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia dance in the Sinulog grand parade? —was answered last Sunday when she appeared on stage at the Cebu City Sports Center, danced with the contingent from Liloan town and was applauded by  spectators.

Gwen had promised to dance during the Sinulog 2013 to show her devotion to Cebu’s patron, the Sto. Niño. Fortunately for her, she was able to return  her Capitol office where she has been staying for more than 30 days.

The time she spent at the sports center was the longest she spent outside her office since the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas served her suspension order last December 19.

Gwen’s coaster van  was escorted to the sports center by SWAT policemen from Cebu City. The policemen were  later summoned to the Philippine National Police regional office to explain their action.  The gesture was contrary to the situation in the first few days after the suspension of the governor, when she feared the presence of the SWAT near the Capitol compound meant the police were ready to bodily carry her out of the office.

When she appeared at the sports center, the crowd greeted her with a round of applause instead of jeers that some political commentators expected. I think the crowd was happy to see Garcia  of her office and dance the Sinulog.

Some quarters  may not be happy about the episode and may have chided Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale for letting Garcia step out and later return to the Capitol but I think the acting governor was just being  Christian about it.

It would have been improper  for her to stop Gwen from dancing or returning to her Capitol office later.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was right when he said  the Sinulog unites the  people and that the Sinulog is beyond partisan politics.

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Congratulations to Mayor Rama, organizers of the Sinulog 2013 especially the Sinulog Foundation Inc., the police and all the volunteers for a successful 2013 grand parade. I think the event exceeded the expectations of many.

The crowd contributed to the success although there were  areas where unruly groups of people were difficult to control.  Some revelers were seen drinking beer on their floats, ignoring the warning of Sinulog  organizers. A councilor was seen drinking beer inside a vehicle, blatantly violating the prohibition against drinking along the parade route.

Be that as it may, the parade was a success. Some very important visitors also came over like Vice President Jejomar Binay and some senatorial candidates from the United Nationalist Alliance.

Peace and order reigned though there were some incidents of pickpocketing and other petty crimes. There were slight injuries and accidents that involved some parade participants but again, they just brushed it aside and said that it was part of the sacrifice to the blessed Sto. Niño.

The weather also cooperated the whole day last Sunday. It did not rain as in the previous Sinulog parades.

I have some suggestions to improve the Sinulog celebration but these can wait for my next column as I continue to gather well meaning recommendations from other observers.

Overall we can say  the Sinulog 2013 was a great success, thanks to our patron,  the blessed Sto. Niño and to our new Visayan saint, Pedro Calungsod.

To everybody who in one way or the other made the grand parade peaceful and successful, let me congratulate all of you.

Congratulations to all the winners especially the out-of-town contingents who topped the competition.

In the Sinulog-based dancing category, Triub  Sinanduloy from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental,  won the grand prize.

In the free interpretation category, Tribu Lingganay of Alang-alang,  Leyte province bagged the grand prize. To all, congratulations and Viva,  Pit Señor!