Wow Zamboanga reels off at Paseo
Mayor Celso Lobregat (second to left) cheers Cluster 7 barangay officials and performers in the cultural presentation dubbed "Wow Zamboanga" which kicked off Thursday, October 1st, as opening salvo for this year's Zamboanga Hermosa FEstival. Wow Zamboanga goes live nightly starting at 6 p.m. from Oct. 1-2 and 4-9 at the Paseo del Mar. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Panoramic Paseo del Mar, the city’s newest landmark located near the Fort Pilar is the center of attraction every night as cultural presentations featuring the city’s 98 barangays went full blast starting Thursday, October 1st.
Dubbed as “Wow Zamboanga”, the nightly cultural presentation is the local version of WOW Philippines and is aimed to showcase the city’s multi-cultural heritage and the potentials of the different barangays in an hour-long program.
It is part of the city-initiated activities for the 2009 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival held in honor of the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s most revered patron saint.
Cluster 7 composed of the far flung and island barangays from the east coast was the first group to go on stage Thursday, October 1st. The different songs and dances featured during the presentation spoke of the colorful and rich history of Zamboanga. The barangays under cluster 7 are Licomo, Tictapul, Limaong, Vitali, Mangusu, Tigbalabag, Tagasilay, Sibulao, Muti, Buenavista, Calabasa, Latuan, Taguiti and Tumitus.
Last night, Oct. 2, was the turn of cluster 4 composed of barangays located in the city proper area such as Pasonanca, Tumaga, Sta. Maria, Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, Mariki, Rio Hondo and Sta. Barbara.
Tomorrow night, October 4, it will be the turn of Cluster 1 composed of Limpapa, Labuan, Patalon, Sinubong, Dulian-Pasonanca, La Paz, Tulungatung, Pamucutan and Baluno.
Mayor Celso Lobregat in his message thanked the different barangays for their support and cooperation in the conduct of Wow Zamboanga and urged the barangay folks to join and participate in the other activities lined up for the fiesta celebration.
“Celebra kita el fiesta con un voz, un tono y un sueño,” the mayor urged emphasizing the Fiesta celebration theme.
The mayor stressed that the Zamboanga Hermosa 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 Señora La Virgen del Pilar for the many blessings and for the guidance and protection all through the years,” the mayor added.
The Wow Zamboanga is a city-initiated activity and is organized by the City Tourism Office in coordination with the Barangay affairs office under the Office of the mayor. (Sheila Covarrubias)