Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia presided over various activities to mark the 442nd founding anniversary of Cebu province. The celebrations harkened to that day in August of 1569 when King Philip II of Spain decreed the first province of a new territory that bore his name, the Philippines.

Grand highlight of the observance was the Governor’s Ball and Garbo sa Sugbo awards held at the elegant social hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol the evening of August 5. First to arrive were the governor’s parents—Representative Pablo Garcia and Judge Esperanza Fiel Garcia.

Sam Costanilla was the evening’s master of ceremonies. There was much applause when he announced the entrance, to fanfare music, of Governor Gwen in a figure-hugging gown of peacock blue satin. She was up onstage in no time for the awarding rites, assisted by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

One citation was given to the girls who form the volleyball team at the elementary school in Catmon, a municipality in northeastern Cebu. Another citation was for the internationally awarded Mandaue Children’s Choir, accompanied by conductor Dennis Sugarol and mentor Milagros Longakit Cañete. They performed during the program.

This year there were six Garbo sa Sugbo (Pride of Cebu) awards. First to be called was Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, for “international relations.” Next was shipping tycoon Chester Cokaliong for “entrepreneurship.”

The municipality of San Francisco in the island of Camotes received the award for “local community development and environmental management.” Collecting the plaque was Vice Mayor Al Arquillano. Veteran actress Gloria Sevilla, dubbed the queen of Cebuano movies, was awarded for “performing arts.”

Monsignor Rodolfo Villanueva was awardee for the music he has composed, and the literature he has written under the pen name of “Renato Madrid.” He garnered much applause with his brief, witty and meaty speech, as he said: “When you ask a priest to speak, you risk being given a homily.” Later, he regaled the assemblage with some piano renditions.

Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, regal in a sweeping blue gown by Christian Lacroix, received the award for more than two decades dedicated to “Humanitarian and Social Service.” She acknowledged the support of her husband Carlos, who was present, the rest of her family, and the members of the board of her charitable foundation.

There were more speeches, first from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and then by the evening’s guest of honor, Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Time had come for the 2011 Award of Distinction and Medal of Merit conferred on Cebu Archbishop José Palma.

“I accept this award with gratitude,” he said, adding that he may be from Iloilo, but for quite a while now his heart is deep in Cebu. He said: “If you dream alone, the dream remains a dream. But if you dream as a community, the dream becomes a reality.”

The clincher speech came from Governor Gwen herself. She expounded on the Cebuano-worded theme of this year’s celebration. Translated any which way it means that Cebu has chosen the Right Path.

South Center meeting

The night before, the Province of Cebu had hosted a formal dinner at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in honor of delegates to the 27th annual meeting of South Center. They were headed by Benjamin William Mkapa, the current chair, and former president of Tanzania.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale did the honors seated with chair and Mme. Mkapa, former Senator Leticia Shahani, and the Ambassador of Chile Roberto Mayorga. The evening was livened by songs from the University of the Visayas Chorale, fresh from more international triumphs.

Balletcenter and the Arts Council are presenting “The Sleeping Beauty” full-length ballet in three acts and prologue to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Balletcenter. It was founded in 1951 by Fe Sala Villarica who has taken up the direction of this spectacular presentation.

All performances will be at Onstage of Ayala Center Cebu: August 26 gala at 7:30 p.m.; August 27 matinee at 3 p.m.; September 2 matinee at 3 p.m.; and September 3 gala at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from Balletcenter, tel. 2322958, and from the Arts Council, tel. 2330452.

Multi-awarded Filipina ballerina Candice Adea of Ballet Philippines will dance the title role of Princess Aurora. The role of Prince Florimund is danced by Nicholas Pacaña, the co-artistic director, with Greg Aaron, of Balletcenter. Nicholas had danced this role numerous times with the Boston and the Atlanta Ballets in the USA.

Chris and Sheila (Lendio) Manlunas, formerly of Ballet Manila, are also in the cast. So is multitalented theatrical director Benjie Diola in the role of Carboose, the wicked fairy.

“The Sleeping Beauty” ballet is one of the most spectacular achievements in ballet history. It has incomparable music by Tsaichovsky who worked on the score with choreographer Marius Petipa, step by step, note by note.