Garcia remains undecided to dance

CEBU, Philippines - Six days before the Sinulog celebration, suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia remains undecided whether or not she will dance in the grand parade.

“As of this time, I believe I still have to weigh my options very carefully, ” she said.

For the past eight years, Garcia always performs in the Sinulog Festival as part of her devotion to the Sto. Niño and to thank the Holy Child for all the graces that Cebu has received.

But with the recent events in the Capitol, she has to weigh her options.

Earlier, Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale said that Garcia can “gracefully dance her way out” but not as governor but as a devotee.

Garcia said that if she decides to dance this Sunday even without practice, she will apply the basic Sinulog steps that she has learned through the years and reuse one of the gowns that she wore during the past Sinulog, which are now being displayed in the Governor’s Gallery at the Capitol.

“Her (Gov. Garcia) devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño as with all other Cebuanos is great. And so I think it breaks her heart as it does ours if she would not be able to dance in the Sinulog,”  her daughter and lawyer Cristina Garcia-Frasco said.

Anna Marie Conejero, Sinulog Foundation Marketing and Promotion Director, and Dolores Suzara, Sinulog Project Director, visited Garcia yesterday and invited her to dance in the grand parade.

“The Sinulog has not been kuripot to us in terms of blessings and protection. I think, this is the time to give back. Dapat hindi rin sana tayo kuripot and if I were the one to decide, we would have given a much bigger amount from the Province since this is the Sinulog afterall”, Garcia said.

Magpale earlier announced that Capitol will only be giving P500,000 to the Sinulog Foundation.

Garcia said she will be giving her personal assistance but she did not disclose the amount.

“Whether or not I will dance, I would want the Rosquillos Festival to be part of the entire Sinulog presentation because they are part of what we achieved being the Pasigarbo champion”, Garcia said. —/MBG (FREEMAN)