Gwen not dancing in Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia will not be seen dancing in the Sinulog grand parade this year. The former governor, who had been dancing in the festival for the past nine years, said she will only join in the fluvial procession on Saturday.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide, III is also uncertain whether to join or not in the grand parade on Sunday. The Capitol, however, will have a float joining in the parade.

But as a devotee of Senior Sto. Niño, Davide said he will attend in the solemn procession on Saturday together with his family. Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, on the other hand, said she will be at the Sinulog grandstand on Sunday to hear the mass before the start of the grand parade.

Garcia said she opted to stay in the sidelines this year saying that "things have changed."

"This time I will be staying in the sidelines. Why? Because circumstances change and I am no longer the Governor of Cebu," Garcia said.

Her "love and devotion" to Sto. Niño, however, remains.

"I would like to thank you for being there for me. So many of you have been, and continue to be, a valued source of strength and inspiration by your constancy and consistency," Garcia added.

Garcia was first seen dancing in the Sinulog in 2005 together with the San Diego Dance Company after her election in 2004 as the first woman governor of Cebu.  Since then, it has become her yearly devotion to the Holy Child.

She danced as a Maranao princess with the Haladaya Festival of Daanbantayan town in 2006. In 2007, she performed in the opening and closing ceremonies as an Egyptian queen.

In 2008, Garcia danced with the Palawod Festival of Bantayan as the goddess of the sea, the Tostado Festival of Santander in 2009, and the Ani-anihan Festival of Tabuelan in 2010.

In 2011, the former governor performed in the Sinulog grand parade with the Bonga Festival contingent of Sibonga town and La Torta Festival of Argao in 2012.

Last year, Garcia performed with the Rosquillos Festival contingent of Liloan. (FREEMAN)