Sea Goddess to Appear at Celebration of Christ Child

From Cebu Daily News online
Gov says 'sea goddess’ gown her personal expense for Sinulog
Cebu Daily News

First Posted 12:08pm (Mla time) 01/18/2008

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Two days before the Sinulog parade, the designer of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia's gown is halfway through his job.

International couturier Cary Santiago, working overnight, finished the base of the governor's gown which is made of light turquoise jersey. He still has to sew on intricate “fish scales” made of metallic gold lamé.

Santiago, who’s built a reputation for making luxurious gowns with a flawless fit, said the costume would be finished on Saturday. He declined to give the tag price but said he was giving the governor a discount. A gown by Santiago would cost at least P50,000.

The governor will portray a sea goddess in her Sinulog performance with 100 dancers of the Palawod group from Bantayan Island.

Santiago, a favored designer, made five gowns for her in one year. The governor said the gowns were her personal expense and that those she wears on important functions of the provincial government have a personal value.

Asked what she would do with her Sinulog gown after Jan. 20, Garcia said she would keep it.

“I’d be embarrassed to auction the gowns. That's my personal choice. It's only mga hinangad nga icons angayan ana,” she said.

The five-minute Sinulog dance with the Bantayan contingent will portray how Sto Niño's blessing to a group of fishermen yielded a bountiful catch. Garcia started practicing her dance routine on Wednesday night. It will be her fourth straight year to dance in the Sinulog parade although this year, she’ll perform only in the Cebu City Sports Center. Garcia said she’s excited.

“First of all, I will fulfill my yearly promise to the Sto Niño. Many Cebuanos are waiting to see me dance. For that I am very glad ma highlighted pud ang palaod sa Bantayan,” she said.

Garcia said her participation this year is proof that she and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña can rise above their political differences. She said that “during that brief moment when I am dancing, I will be one with the Cebuanos. It will be my offering to the Sto Niño and to the Cebuanos.”

Dancing in four other Sinulog parades has made it easier to face the millions who will be watching. “I'm getting used to it,” she said.
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Sto Nino is Santo Niño de Cebu is a representation of the Child Jesus, per Wikipedia. Here's an interesting article on the history of the Sto Nino. A Philippine goddess of the sea is Aman Sinaya.