Looking through the eyes of Gwen

Learning about the governor's being recognized among the most intelligent was not a surprise for me. Aside from knowing the pedigree is authentic with both parents shining with brilliance, and her brothers and sisters among those who added medals to their home's walls, I have witnessed how she has been able to graciously respond to the sometimes-grueling questions that media send her way.

The fact that she has remained young despite the pressures she experiences every day, also does not faze me for with intelligence is the wisdom to discern that things are better approached with resolve rather than the tarry of worry.

And it is relaxing to have confidence in the leader who sits at the helm of our province's destiny. Not that the citizens don't have a say if things go awry, but it is truly refreshing to be able to sit for a while and allow our government to chart the course because you trust there is a clear direction as to where we are being taken.

As our fellow citizens in Manila continue to lament, we toil daily, doing our share to make sure our economy no longer plunges to add to the deplorable image we abhor yet do not help build. I appreciate the path our governor is taking.

In the brief conversation we had with the governor when we made a courtesy call to start off Mandaue City's Charter Anniversary celebration we learned of the long-term plan of the governor for the province. She sees Cebu as a province with a good land use plan put into action. The encouragement of commerce in all areas of the province, not concentrating in the metropolis alone so as to dissipate the problems that come with development is gargantuan in itself. Over population, land squatting, space management, waste management, limited supply of potable water, and congested livelihood opportunities, plus underemployment top the list of maladies that sink a well-meaning society without a good leader.

The things she wanted to do were not really that new but the strength and political will to actualize the long- thought dream without allowing her detractors to move her away from her goals was inspiring. She would not take on models of other nations that had different people and culture. Instead she chose to pursue what was more appropriate given the conditions and the acceptance of our people.

I appreciate the firmness and the focus of this woman. I caught myself nodding a lot in agreement with most of the things she said. It was nice to share the view with an intelligent woman, and see the world I live in through the eyes of one who had the ability, the desire and the capacity to make things happen. I will anticipate my beautiful dreams coming through, true.