2009 Zambo Hermosa fest kicks off
Zamboanga City will be the center of activities starting today, as the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the grandest annual celebration that highlights the city’s unique blend of multi-cultural heritage, officially reels off.
Cosechas de Zamboanga, showcasing agricultural products, processed foods and plants and flowers will begin today, October 1st until the 15th at the Plaza Pershing. It will formally open at 8 a.m. with Mayor Lobregat as the guest of honor.
Another fiesta activity that will kick off today will be the Wow Zamboanga, the nightly cultural performances featuring the 98 barangays. It will be held at the panoramic Paseo del Mar from October 1-2 and 4-9 starting every 6p.m.
In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Mayor Lobregat announced that the city government is all set to with the festivities themed “Celebra kita con un voz, un tono y un sueño”.
The celebration is an all-encompassing and complete festival that culminates on the 12th day of October, the feast day of the Nuestra Senora de la Virgen del Pilar, the city’s most revered patron saint.
“Come witness and take part in the celebration! Visit the booths, hang out in the parks, watch the shows and presentations! But amid the fun and excitement, the parties and the merriment, let us find time to reflect and thank the Lord Almighty and Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar for the many blessings and for the guidance and protection all through the years,” the mayor said.
Mayor Lobregat said the different events intend to give honor, pay our homage and extend our gratitude for the benevolence and generosity of Our Lady.
Lobregat has convened the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival committee several times the past weeks to look into final details concerning the different activities lined up for the celebration.
Aside from the Cosechas de Zamboanga and the nighly cultural performances, the other city-sponsored activities are the Art Exhibit, a gathering of all artists in Zamboanga from Oct. 1-31 at 6 p.m. at the Garden Orchid Hotel; 5th Mayor Celso Lobregat Golf Cup at the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park at 9 a.m. from October 3-4; Regatta de Zamboanga, a sailboat race at the R.T. Lim Boulevard on Oct. 4 at 8 a.m.; Mascota de Zamboanga, a display of Spanish-inspired gowns on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel; Dance Sport Competition 2009 at the Vitaliano D. Agan coliseum on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.; Chabacano Song Festival on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Executive Hall of the Garden Orchid Hotel; Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar Nutrition Feeding on Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12nn at the City Health Compound; Sisterhood signing (hermanamiento) between Zamboanga City and the Benkulu City, Indonesia on Oct. 10 at 10a.m. at the City Hall Conference Room; WOW Sardinas on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. at the R.T. Lim Boulevard; Float Parade with Street Dance Competition on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. and the commemorative program at 3 p.m. the same day at the JFE Sports Complex.
A fireworks display will cap the activities on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. at the Paseo del Mar.
October 12, an official holiday in Zamboanga by virtue of a law initiated by the late Congresswoman and later Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, will be devoted to religious activities. The Fort Pilar shrine will be the center of activities.
The parade of floats and participants to the street dance will commence at City Hall and will end at the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex where the commemorative program will be held.
Several personalities from Manila are expected to attend the various activities initiated by the city.
Meanwhile, a temporary traffic rerouting scheme will be implemented in the streets leading to the Fort Pilar Shrine in view of the establishment of the open bazaar by travelling merchants in Pettit Barracks and other activities that will be held within the area.
The press conference at City Hall yesterday was also attended by District II Cong. Erbie Fabian, Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmena and some members of the City Council. (Sheila Covarrubias)