Feb. 26, double holiday: Dia, Mauluddin Nabi
Mayor Celso Lobregat together with Councilor Nonong Guingona and council aspirants Ller Natividad and VP Elago pose with the WMSU Cheering Squad team, the champion in the 2010 Cheering Dance tilt organized by the city in line with the 73rd Dia de Zamboanga celebration Tuesday. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
February 26, Thursday, has been declared a non-working holiday in Zamboanga in line with the celebration of Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga marking the 73rd charter anniversary of Zamboanga, now known as Asia’s Latin City.
February 26 has also been declared a holiday in observance of Mauluddin Nabi, the birth anniversary of prophet Mohammad, the prophet of Islam in Zamboanga and other parts of the region.
Proclamation No. 2005, issued Monday, Feb. 22 and signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita by authority of President Gloria Arroyo, was based on request of Mayor Celso Lobregat to allow local residents to fittingly observe the different activities lined up for the Dia de Zamboanga.
The proclamation emphasizes that the 73rd charter day anniversary of Zamboanga City requires that the “people of Zamboanga City be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” thus, the declaration of the holiday.
The city government has prepared a series of activities for the celebration themed Zamboanga: Probao y Aprobao. The celebration kicked off Feb. 23 with the cheer dance competition and medical outreach missions though the Dia de Roseller Lim activities last Feb. 9 formed part of the Charter Anniversary.
Former Senator Franklin Drilon has been invited to grace the commemorative program set for February 26 at the Baliwasan grandstand.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Marine Skydiving Team will perform during the commemorative program, as an added highlight to the celebration.
The skydiving team performance is made possible by Philippine Marine Commandant BGen. Juancho Sabban.
Today, Mayor Celso Lobregat will lead city government officials in feting 10 individuals, establishments and a music band named as the city’s 2010 Local Achievers.
The awards night will be at the Garden Orchid Convention Center.
Tomorrow, February 26, the highlights will be the civic military parade from the City Hall to the grandstand in Baliwasan, the competicion del selyo de Zamboanga and the drum and lyre competition 2009. These activities will be capped by the main program at the grandstand stage. (Sheila Covarrubias)