Garcia matriarch laid to rest; Binay, execs pay respects

Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district comforts her father, former Deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia, during the Mass at the St. Therese Church in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

IN eulogizing his late wife Regional Trial Court judge Esperanza Fiel Garcia, former Deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia read author Elizabeth Barret Browning’s famed poem “How Do I Love Thee.”

“Mommy, farewell. In God’s good time, we shall meet again,” he said as family members wept.

The Garcia matriarch was laid to rest at the Angelicum Garden of Angels in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Vice President Jejomar Binay was among the government officials who attended the interment Mass at the St. Therese Church located in Barangay Lahug in Cebu City.

Vice president Jejomar Binay and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama receive communion during the interment Mass officiated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma for the late Regional Trial Court Judge Esperanza Fiel Garcia who was laid to rest Sunday. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Binay quietly flew to Cebu and arrived at the church with his son, dismissed Makati City mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr.

Some government officials present during the interment Mass include Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Tinago Barangay Chairman Joel Garganera, Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City’s north district, Pinamungajan Mayor Glen Baricuatro, and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th District.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma officiated the interment Mass along with two priests, three monsignors and Bishop Emeritus Antonio Rañola. The interment Mass ended at past 2 p.m.

Most of the attendees wore black shirts with a printed photo of Judge Esperanza in front with the printed message: “In loving memory of a great mother, Ma’am Inday Garcia.”

The necrological services for the Garcia matriarch were held at the Crystal Palace in Nivel Hills, Barangay Lahug in Cebu City last Saturday.

Esperanza passed away last February 1 due to kidney failure.

She left behind her husband, Pablo, a former governor and second district representative of Cebu; daughters former governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district; Deirdra; Farla; and sons Winston, a gubernatorial candidate; Nelson, the mayor of Dumanjug town; Pablo John, congressional candidate for the seventh district; Marlon, former Barili Vice Mayor; and Byron.