Zambo New Year begins with record firework display
The city government staged a spectacular fireworks show with huge chrysanthemum starbursts lighting up the most popular Paseo del Mar, Friday, kicking off the New Year celebration in Zamboanga.
The first ever to be held in Asia’s Latin City, the grand fireworks display was preceded by the New Year countdown personally led by Mayor Celso Lobregat. Thousands of Zamboangueño revellers who queued the park as early as 5 p.m. to secure prime positions, witnessed the triumphant fireworks show.
Mayor Lobregat initiated the holding of the New Year countdown to showcase Paseo del Mar, the newest and most popular park in the city today.
A crowd drawer since the first day of its operation last July 10, the Paseo del Mar has been teeming with people of all ages, creed and race and social standing. Most of them came in groups—either a family, a group of friends, couples or officemates—to taste the food, enjoy the ambience or to enjoy each other’s company.
The same event gave Zamboanguenos the opportunity to enjoy and marvel at the pyrotechnic extravaganza without the risk of being injured or getting hurt, as all they had to do was witness the show and not personally exploding their own firecrackers to usher in the New Year.
The extravaganza with live band show started 8 p.m. with an hourly mini fireworks display, staged as an early taster before the main event at midnight. All business stalls at the Paseo were opened to serve the revellers. A collective cheer reverberated the Paseo as spectators applauded the fireworks spectacle.
No less than Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles and some members of the City Council including council aspirants belonging to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and other city officials and the business groups joined in the revelry.
Mayor Lobregat thanked the different sectors that supported and contributed in the success of the grand fireworks display. These included the Los Contratistas, the Zamboanga Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing company (SOPHIL) and other business groups.
Meanwhile, the Paseo del Mar is a former squatters’ area and a known lair of criminal elements. It was acquired from the CDCP (Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines) during the time of Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, the late mother of Mayor Celso Lobregat. The area was cleared of squatters also during Mrs. Lobregat’s time, but its development was realized when her son, Celso took over the helm as chief executive.
The park is a product of the creativity and ingenuity of a group of architects from the Western Mindanao State University, which was tapped by the city government to prepare the design during the project’s planning stage. It is one structure that has a dialectical relationship with the residents of the city—built in style that reflects the culture and history of Zamboanga. It has become one of the city’s main attractions that constructs identity and consciousness; that fosters unity and attachment among the city’s diverse people and creates a sense of belongingness.
The architecture combined with the location near the Fort Pilar and with a fabulous seafront view, makes the Paseo del Mar only one of its kind.
People who visit the Paseo del Mar have only praises for the park and the city government. While Manila has its Baywalk, Zamboanga can also be very proud of Paseo del Mar, they exclaimed.
The next phases of development for the Paseo del Mar are forthcoming which will mean more facilities for the enjoyment and comfort of the residents. All these are being done to improve Zamboanga City and to make it more attractive to the locals and the tourists as well. (Sheila Covarrubias)