ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/13 September) – Preparations are underway for the observance of the 2011 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, a month-long festivity in honor of this city’s patron saint, Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, whose feast day is on October 12.
Mayor Celso Lobregat has issued Executive Order No. CL-418-2011 creating the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Committee that will work on the preparations, planning and budgeting to ensure a more vibrant, colorful and successful fiesta celebration.
Designated as chairman is City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. and City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez as co-chairman.
Lobregat stated in his executive order that the festival will not only revere the patron saint but will endeavor to increase people’s awareness and interest on the rich history and cultural heritage of this city as well as its potentials for the promotion of the local tourism industry.
Though the annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s patron saint, the activities, however, will be a month long affair starting October first.
Part of the festivities include agri-aqua trade fair, Chavacano song festival, Miss Zamboanga beauty pageant, sail boat race using the colorful vintas known as the Regata de Zamboanga and several others.
Lobregat said the city government has earmarked a P2-million budget for this year’s festival.
The mayor’s executive order also designates various working committees and their corresponding chairpersons to work on the preparation, planning and budgeting for the forthcoming festival.
This year’s fiesta celebration is themed “Fiesta Hermosa…Vamos a Zamboanga,” stressing the city’s goal to promote Zamboanga as a tourist and investment destination in this part of the country.
Thousands of people from here and around the world flock to the Fort Pilar Shrine in Rio Hondo during the month of October to show devotion to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar. (MindaNews)