Gwen should be first Cebuana senator

CEBU, Philippines - Some Garbo sa Sugbo awardees have endorsed Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for senator as they delivered their respective speeches during the awarding ceremony held last Friday night at the Cebu International Convention Center.

The awarding highlighted the Governor’s Ball which culminated the week-long celebration of the 443rd founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu. Former senator Juan Miguel “Migs” Zubiri spoke in behalf of the family of his uncle, the late Wenceslao “Ben” Zubiri, who was awarded for his legacy of classic Cebuano music.

Ben popularized the song, “Matud Nila” which, according to Migs, “Garcia, soon to be senator, expertly and beautifully sings it very well.”

Garbo sa Sugbo awardee, Dr. Melquiadito Allego, a writer and composer, expressed his dream that someday, there will be a third Cebuano-Visayan president of the country after the late Sergio Osmeña Sr. and Carlos Garcia.

Awarded for his dedication and commitment to the preservation of Cebuano Literature, Allego was referring to Gov. Garcia.

During his speech, Allego recited his signature poem, “Tuba ug Tubig.” Professor Jose Eleazar Bersales was awarded for his dedication and outstanding contribution to Cebuano Culture and on his exemplary work on the preservation of Cebuano Heritage.

He said that it is the governor who should be awarded for being able to bring together all local government units in Cebu Province in crafting policies in preserving the tangible and intangible heritage resources.

“Ipadayun sa Senado ug sa Malakanyang ang pagtipig sa atong kabilin,” Bersales said. (Let’s bring to Senate and even to Malacañang our advocacy for cultural preservation.)

Dr. Milagros Espina who was awarded for her outstanding contribution in the promotion of Cebu Tourism thanked “soon senator Gwendolyn Garcia” for believing in her and for giving her the chance to work with in so many projects in the provincial government.

“This award is truly unique for it is being presented by the Province’s first lady governor and soon to be a senator,” said Augusto Go who was awarded for his remarkable dedication in the field of education.

Atty. Democrito Mendoza reiterated his endorsement for Garcia to the Senate during the recent convention of the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines which he had founded.

Awarded for his advocacy of worker’s rights, Mendoza has called on the employees and laborers throughout the country to vote for Garcia for senator regardless of party affiliation.

Governor’s Medal of Merit was also awarded to Consul Robert Lim Joseph for his dedication in promoting Cebu thus he was declared by the Provincial Board as adopted son of Cebu Province.

PB Members Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. and Joven Mondigo Jr. joined Garcia in presenting the resolution to Joseph.

Also present during the awarding ceremony were Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Rep. Pablp John Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy and Vice Governor Elmo Tolosa; Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, and others.

Gov. Garcia in her speech said that the last Governor’s Ball was personally meaningful to her.

“This understandable sadness that attends any kind of ending. The hope that endings are maybe just beginnings of other beginnings,” Garcia said. 

Garcia said that honoring the Garbo sa Sugbo reminded Cebuanos who make the province great. Other awardees commended Garcia’s achievement as they also took pride having worked with her in the past eight years. - THE FREEMAN