Zamboanga celebrates 'Hermosa Festival'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/12/2008 10:00 PM
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Efforts to preserve the culture of Zamboanga City went into high gear as residents celebrated the last day of this year's "Hermosa Festival" as they aimed at propelling Zamboanga as "Asia's Latin City" and the "Sardines Capital of the Philippines."
On Sunday, students from nine different schools filled the streets of the city as they gave honor to its patron saint, Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar.
Various government and private agencies also showed their ingenuity in the float parade.
Armed Force chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano was this year's guest of honor. He was conferred the title, "Adopted Son of Zamboanga City" by the local government for his participation in the release of about a 100 civilians taken hostage by the Moro National Liberation Front rebels in November 2001.
Meanwhile, the celebration that started October 1 also served as a venue to show the tourists and other visitors the city's culture that is uniquely Zamboanga.
Local models paraded in their "maskotas", a terno that signifies the extent of Spain's influence to Zamboanga.
Ten contestants also displayed their talents in composing songs in the 26th Chavacano Song Festival, an activity that aims to preserve the local dialect.
Though very few cities in the country speak Chavacano, local officials believe it is not a dying dialect.
Capping the celebration was a kilometer-long table laid out along R. T. Lim Boulevard, where people feasted on sardines.
The Filipino masses' favorite and cheapest staple that took center stage in the city that produces 80 percent of the country's sardine supply. Qeenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN Zamboanga
