The year 2023 opened with Gov. Gwen Garcia bringing her act to the Municipality of Carmen in northern Cebu and offered her dance-prayer to the Holy Child Jesus on the occasion of the 50th Sinulog sa Carmen celebration.
For 14 years that she has been offering her dance-prayer to the Sto. Niño, it was the first time that the governor danced in the Sinulog sa Carmen. For this year, she danced in the company of Consolacion’s Sarok Festival dancers.
She was also joined by sixteen other contingents in the Sinulog-based and Free Interpretation categories.
The contingents included Toledo City, Talisay City, Carcar City, Mandaue City, City of Naga, Moalboal, Tuburan; as well as Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu City barangays, namely: Brgy. Tejero, Brgy. Labangon, Brgy. Guadalupe, Brgy. Mabolo, Brgy. Tisa, Brgy. San Roque, and Tribu Lumad Basakanon.
“Kaning tanan pagbuot sa Señor Sto. Niño. Iya kitang gigiyahan pasidulong ngadto nga kita magkahiusa dinhi aron kining 50th anniversary of the Sinulog sa Carmen will be truly amazing indeed,” Gov. Gwen said in her speech.
A highlight of the governor’s performance was when she, caught on camera, slipped and fell. However, she recovered and continued the performance.
“I’ve been through tougher times than this. I will stand up and perform halad sa atoang pinalanggang Señor Sto. Niño!” the governor commented on the then-viral incident.
Aside from Cebu officials, the event was also attended by Sen. Bong Revilla; while celebrity couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli performed to the delight of the crowd.