In celebration of the 438th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu, Governor Gwen F. Garcia played host to a formal dinner reception at the beautifully decorated and elegant Social Hall of Provincial Capitol. The guests— oh, they came in force and were dressed to the nines!
As she was nearing the entrance of the historic Capitol building built more than 300 years ago, Gov. Gwen Garia, passing through a platoon of cadets uniformed in white, looked gorgeous in her off-white gown (a Cary Santiago creation with a round low neckline embellished with dangling nacres) was welcomed with a thunderous applause. Never in the history of the province of Cebu was there such a well-loved Governor like our first lady governor of Cebu.
Fleeting from table to table, shaking hands with Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors and other provincial officials and political allies, guests and classmates. One couldn’t help but marvel at the warm response of those present. We had goosebumps seeing those people…the elite and everyone who were mesmerized by the contagious smile the lady governor had shown them. We were also awed to see her dear parents, Congressman Pablo Garcia and ex-Judge Inday Garcia so proud of their daughter.
Anyway, the grand affair, the first ever to happen at the Capitol Social Hall, had a special guest, His Excellency Ambassador Marciano Paynor who felt tremendously happy of his being an adopted son of Cebu. He told his audience that “this is the happiest moment in my entire life and I will always treasure this honor given me!” And he thanked the governor for the honor bestowed on him.
Before the program ended, Gov. Gwen and Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez Jr gave awards to a few Cebuanos who gave Cebu a niche in the world of arts, business and environment. Those who received the Garbo sa Sugbo awards were: lawyer Antonio Oposa (environment); Junjet Primor (arts); UP High School represented by Principal Purita Baltazar (information and communications technology); Steve Benitez (entrepreneur); and Cebu City Councilor Arsenio Pacaña who received the award on behalf of his nephew Nicolas Pacaña.
After dinner, Gov Gwen led guests to the dancefloor where dancing went on, and on, and on!