Governor Gwen’s Farewell

On the day Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia was to endorse everything to incoming Governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide III at the Capitol, there was quite a stir. Speculations ran high and were felt everywhere.

But peoples’ thinking were wrong. When Gov. Gwen and Gov. Junjun entered the Provincial Social Hall, both were wearing a smile. We saw how cordial she was, accommodating and attentive to the new guv. She introduced Gov. Davide to Dame Mariquita Yeung, to Msgr. Roberto Alesna and PB Sun Shimura as they shared the same table.

Governor Gwen was in her element, and when she spoke her last, one could hear a pin drop. She presented to her successor everything the province has, and reported to the incoming governor in detail all that she has been doing the past three terms as the first lady governor of the province of Cebu.

When Gov. Gwen turned over the records of the province to Gov. Junjun, she also gave him a personal gift, a painting she loves most – of Señor Santo Niño which she hang at her office and had it pulled down when it was time for her to give to Gov. Junjun. And in giving so, she added: “I wish you well!”

And so, to all her supporters and close friends who were present and teary-eyed, she could say…wish me luck on my new endeavor as Congresswoman of the 3rd district of Cebu. But to all the Capitol employees and staff, her last words were: “Assist Junjun!” And the new governor, in his response said: “Thank you very much, Governor Garcia, God bless all of us and God bless you!” Truly we know that our Governor Junjun Davide III is a man of few words, and we hail his coming to be the young Governor of the Province of Cebu. PTL. (All photos by Loy Jurado)