Emblem of Excellence:  Gov. Gwen Garcia

Indefatigable! That is how I can describe this year’s The Freeman ProgreCEBU Excellence Awardee, Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia! Sometimes I would wonder where she gets all her vigor. She is there when you call her to an event in the towns of Cebu. Climbs the mountains as if she were just taking on the steps. It embarrasses me when I have to catch my breath while she fluidly moves to the top or briskly walks in the plains. And such is her passion that she does not care if she opts for the unpopular as long as it is for the good of her province. What spurs her? What makes her tick?

I had to ask some of the people around her to substantiate my own observations. And here is what I gathered:

“I look up to her because of her dedication to her work. The province is so fortunate to have her as governor. Her service to the Cebuanos is a give-all, where she becomes unmindful of her time, and even the dangers of exposure during those trying pandemic years. She does not allow hindrances to stand in her way to serving her constituents.” – Amor Sarmiento, Executive Assistant to the Governor.

“Governor Gwen is a rare combination of intelligence and charm—and not just mere intelligence, it is that brilliance that overwhelms you! She is a visionary and a prime mover of what is best for her province. She is a business woman by instinct, and by this, I mean she is strategic, and high level in her thinking.  She always sees beyond what stares us in the front. She does her homework. And goes beyond relying on google or her staff for information. She really gathers data avidly and is very conscientious. I was fortunate to be with her in a sisterhood trip to Russia. In a meeting that was scheduled for fifteen minutes but lasted for four hours, simply because the St. Petersburg governor was so impressed with her that he enjoyed conversing. I am proud to have her as a leader.” – Mark Anthony Ynoc, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry President.

“She loves the Cebuanos, and this is what spurs her to do her best for them.” – Atty. Roy Salubre, Provincial Treasurer.

“Gov. Gwen is a goal-oriented person. Once she sets her sights on that goal, she really works hard to achieve it. She is very relentless, driven and passionate when she pursues something. All her heart is poured into what thinks must be done.  Her focus and energy are unmatched! She IS in everything she does.” – Stanley L. Go, Vice President, Virginia Foods.

“Gov. Gwen is really dedicated and has accomplished dso many things.  She has really shown her passion. Ge buhat  gyud niya ang gusto niyang buhaton para sa Cebuano wala lang niya ge sa-ad!  All in the right direction.” – Former Borbon Mayor Butch Sepulveda.

“Gov. Gwen’s driving force is her love for the Cebuanos and her passion to serve. She draws her energy form her love for the Cebuanos. When she feels loved also by her constituents, she get more inspired to press harder to make Cebu what it should be. When she goes out, she is very energetic because she is fueled by the pure warmth that she receives and this brings out the best in her. She settles for nothing less. She is a no-nonsense administrator and manages the province like an economic enterprise that redounds to better services for the Cebuanos. She is driven to achieve more for Cebu and to maintain that status of being the number one province, not for herself, but for her people.” – Provincial Board Member Glen Anthony O. Soco.

Love, dedication, fervor, all these are heartfelt, and indeed the Cebuanos are privileged to have a governor who has been blessed with the acumen to make her passions work for the greatest interest of the province and of the country at that. Truly a mark of Excellence; that particular strand of excellence that is distinctly, Gov. Gwen.