Gwen gives P500T for Dinagat-Bakasi Festival

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday gave P500,000 to Cordova town during its Dinagat-Bakasi Festival.

Garcia, who is running for senator under the United Nationalists Alliance (UNA) in next year’s polls, also took the opportunity of a jam-packed gymnasium to ask not to be forgotten as she fights to become the first woman senator from Cebu.

Garcia’s brother, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, was with the governor at the affair. Pablo John is slated to replace his sister as governor.

The festival, which featured 13 contingents coming from the town’s different barangays, appeared like a political rally with streamers and paraphernalia from the political figures seen all over the venue.

Aside from the Garcias, former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño also graced the event.

Villar and Casiño are also set for the senatorial race.

Villar, in her speech, said that a festival like Dinagat-Bakasi is one way to showcase the potential of a place that would attract tourists.

“Ang festival ay nagsilbing paanyaya sa mga tao lalo na ang mga dayuhan na bumisita rito at i-explore at i-experience ang mga bagay, lugar, pagkain, kultura, aktibidad, events katulad ng Dinagat-Bakasi Festival at iba pa na mayroon dito sa Cordova,” Villar said.

Bakasi or a saltwater eel is reportedly an aphrodisiac, which is abundant in the municipality’s 3,500-hectare foreshore land, especially in Barangay Buagsong. — (FREEMAN)