Cheer dance tilt, med mission kick off ‘Dia’ fest
The 73rd Dia de Zamboanga festivities went high gear yesterday with the inter-school cheer dance competition and a medical-dental-surgical mission for the badjao community in Sangali.
Now on its 8th year, the cheer dance competition, organized by the city government was participated by four schools—The AMA Computer College, Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and the Pilar College.
The fine weather contributed to the successful holding of the contest at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan. The winners slugged it out for the huge cash prizes prepared by the city government through the Tourism Division that included P25,000 for the first prize, P15,000 for the second prize, P10,000 for the third prize and P7,000 for the fourth prize.
Each participating school was allowed with not more than 35 team members, excluding the crew or props men whose number is between 5 and 10. An official will be designated to count the actual number of performers during the contest proper.
Under the guidelines, each cheer dance team was given a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 7 minutes to perform. Participants were judged according to synchronization- 35%, Artistry/Choreography and Style- 35%, Costume- 10% and Acrobatic skills- 20%.
Mayor Celso Lobregat personally handed over the prizes to the winners during the competition held at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.
On the other hand, a two-day medical mission started commenced yesterday through the initiative of the Lingkod Timog, a group of US-based Filipinos, in Sangali (Feb. 23) and Taluksangay (Feb. 24), as part of its yearly humanitarian mission in Zamboanga.
Held in coordination with the city government’s Health Office (CHO) and other agencies, the activity forms part of the celebration of the 73nd Dia de Zamboanga which culminates February 26, Charter Day. The medical outreach will culminate with a feeding program for the badjao community in Maasin on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Lingkod Timog President Cely Heredia and husband Armando, the association’s former chief executive officer, are in the city together with several other volunteers from Rhode Island, California, Manila and other areas in the country to personally spearhead the outreach activity.
The outreach mission for Badjao communities in Zamboanga started in 2005 upon the initiative of Zamboangueno couple Maj. Gen. Juancho and Irene Sabban. The couple developed close ties with the US-based Lingkod Timog during their year long stay in 2004 in Rhode Island where Gen. Sabban underwent training at the Naval war College.
The 73rd Dia de Zamboanga marks the day when Zamboanga was declared a chartered city. The celebration is themed “Zamboanga: Probao y Aprobao”.
Other highlights of the celebration include the Awarding ceremony for most outstanding Zamboanguenos at 7 p.m. on February 25 at the Garden Orchid Convention Center; grand civic military parade with the competicion de selyo de Zamboanga and inter-school drum and lyre competition 1p.m. and the commemorative program at 3 p.m. at the Joaquin Enriquez Grandstand on February 26 with former Senator Franklin Drilon as guest of honor.
Other events are the 13th Celso L. Lobregat Cup-Dart Tournament Feb. 26-27 at the Ram’s Beer Garden; Crimson Mania (a mini-concert, fashion show and dinner for a cause) Feb. 26; Sam Concepcion Live in Zamboanga on Feb. 27 at the City Coliseum in Tetuan; 3rd Mayor Celso L. Lobregat Lawn Tennis Tournament Feb. 27-28 in Pettit Barracks and the 1st Dia de Zamboanga Invitational Mountain Bike Circuit Challenge Feb. 28 at the Pasonanca Park.
Mayor Celso Lobregat has conferred with the members of the Dia de Zamboanga committee to ensure the success of the different activities. (Sheila Covarrubias)