IT'S strictly politics, our cover girl says. Join Clint Holton P. Potestas as he finds out why it is so.
Christina Garcia-Frasco, in her early years, thought of escaping politics. She lived in Manila for 10 years to pursue her studies, to chase her career, and to build a life of her own. Ironically, the very social aspect that she tried to flee from led her to finding love and grasping what she truly desires without losing any idiosyncrasies.
So when she bet her heart on a silver platter (really, complete with spoon, knife, and fork), she found reasons to laugh it all out. And just like that, she’s one happy girl.
Growing up in a familyof politicians, being the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Christina is well acquainted with the standard operating procedure of politics, but perhaps, she is the only one in the family who has initiated a tongue-in-cheek definition of it.
“Nothing serious, strictly politics,” she repeated the phrase that first came into former Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia’s mind, her grandfather, when he called to confirm Christina’s and husband Duke’s, Lilo-an’s youngest mayor, final decision to open a restaurant and café named Politics.
Barely two months in operation, Politics has captured the appetite of pasta and seafoodlovers, especially those who are north-bound as it strategically sits in the center of Lilo-an Municipality, a few meters gap in between the town’s pride, Titay’s Rosquillos, and the parish church.
“Duke and I love pasta. We are always in search of the best pasta in town, so when we both decided to open a restaurant, it can’t be helped but share what we enjoy eating,” Christina said. “Of course, if you’re in Lilo-an, you would not dare miss the fresh oysters.”
The space used to be Duke’s campaign headquarters during the May 2010 polls. Since the couple didn’t want to give up the place, they both agreed to convert it into a restaurant.
While it aims to promote the town’s culinary edge, she takes advantage of its soothing ambiance after a hard day’s work. She badly needs it; after all, juggling three occupations has never been that easy.
As the legal consultant of the municipality, not to mention the town’s first lady, Christina visits remote areas to provide free legal aid and to campaign for the rights of women and children. This year, she has also organized a livelihood training program that would help the residents earn additional income.
It doesn’t come as a surprise then, that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry nominated Lilo-an as the country’s Business Friendly Local Government Unit.
“I can’t limit my practice to corporate clients only,” the 28-year-old lawyer went on. She finished Bachelor of Science in Management major in Legal Management at the Ateneo de Manila University before accomplishing Juris Doctor of Laws at the same institution.
As associate of the Romulo-Mabanta law firm in Cebu, she appears at court hearings, assists its clients, and participates in the whole court emotional ride, saying: “It’s tough; it’s stressful, but at the same time fulfilling.”
If experience is the best teacher, then Christina has the cutting-edge in teaching Moot Court or Forensics at the University of San Carlos and Private International Law at the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
“I am a strict teacher,” she declares. “As I’ve said, it’s a tough practice out there, and I cannot dare to lower the standard. I want to prepare my students for that.”
But when the going gets tough, she just relies on Politics where she can just relax, sip a glass of wine and savor a creamy carbonara over the din of stories and laughter.