ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of people have celebrated the feast of the Virgin Mary in Zamboanga City which is one of the most awaited and biggest Catholic events in southern Philippines.
Mayor Beng Climaco led local officials and residents in the joyous celebration of the annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival over the weekend. Security was tight and policemen and soldiers were deployed around downtown Zamboanga to ensure peaceful celebration of the event which drew local and foreign tourists to the “City of Flowers.”
The Regatta de Zamboanga or vinta (sail boat) racing which was participated by at least 180 fishermen; and the colorful street dancing were two of the most well attended events in the festival.
Another event, the Mascota showcased the talents, craftsmanship and creativity of Zamboangueno designers in creating Zamboanga’s traditional wardrobe used during the Spanish era.
Locals also trooped to hundreds of stalls put up by travelling merchants mostly from Luzon and Visayas who travelled to Zamboanga to showcase their products in an open bazaar and this was on top of a regional trade exposition held here.
A beauty pageant and parade of lights were among the programs prepared by the local government, including the Chavacano Video Music Festival which was won by Alshamir Aripuddin, who bagged the top awards in all three categories – Song Composition, Performance Competition, and Music Video – for his song “Para Contigo” (For You).
A dance party, Danza La Vida, with disc jockeys from Manila, was also held in Pasonanca village.
Residents also feasted on grilled foods held nightly as part of the “Zamboanga Smoke Out – Grilled Food Fiesta” by the seaside.
Climaco also welcomed locals who returned home to participate in the Feast of the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar, the patron saint of Zamboanga. “The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is a big success and we thanked everybody for this joyous celebration in honor of the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar and this reflect this year’s theme Junto y Unido, Celebracion de Harmonia y Buen Amistad,” Climaco said.
While locals celebrated the feast of the Virgin Mary, some politicians took advantage of the festival by guesting on radio and television programs – others went as far as reporting the events themselves – while others joined the crowd for publicity.
The festival also featured week-long novena masses, cultural shows, agricultural fairs, art, photo and flower garden exhibits, torch parades, fireworks, and carnivals. It was the biggest and grandest so far in the last decade.
Zamboanga City had been under Spanish rule in the past and was also used as a base for American soldiers. The area around Zamboanga Peninsula has been occupied by indigenous people as early as 30,000 years ago. The first inhabitants were the Subanons and Lutaos and later, the Islamized ethnic groups of Samals, Bajaus, Tausugs, and Yakans. (Mindanao Examiner)
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