The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is a month-long celebration commemorating the Feast of Nuestra Senora la Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of Pillar) and to introduce the Patroness of the Asia's Latin City to those who are not familiar with her. The occasion will be celebrated in the entire month of October, but the concentration of activities usually takes place in the early part of the month from October 1 to 12 with the latter being the Feast Day of the Lady. Although, the celebration is more of a Roman Catholic festivity, the Locals from the city, including Muslims, Lumads and other Christians alike, congregate to take part in the city events like culinary festivals, fashion and music shows, and street dancing.

Aside from the influx of pilgrims who have the religious devotion to the patroness, the highlights of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival are what draws both local and foreign travelers to Zamboanga City. .

Regatta de Zamboanga is basically an event for sailing boats. Locals use vintas, a traditional banca with vibrant sails, to paddle across the Sulu Sea. Although you may not be familiar with the phrase, a vinta is one of the symbols of the Zamboanga peninsula, so even if you are, you have probably seen one in photographs before. To give you some context, a vinta (also known as a lepa-lepa) was once used by the Sama-Bajau and Moro, but contemporary motorized boats have already supplanted them. Through this competition, Regatta de Zamboanga honors the history of its inhabitants. At RT Lim Boulevard, the Regatta de Zamboanga is held.  There was a separate award given to the participant with the finest vinta design.

Wow Sardinas is a seafood brawl for the general public. Did you know that Zamboanga City provides the entire nation with almost 90% of its sardine supply? As a result, it is referred to as the Philippines' Sardine Capital. This celebrates the city's rich maritime wealth in addition to providing food for the prior regatta's spectators.

ZamPex, or the Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition is a three-day display of regional goods made on the peninsula. Food, wellness items, herbal remedies, handicrafts, and home furnishings are all included. 

Lechon Dish is a Filipino delicacy with juicy, delectable meat and crispy skin, is a mainstay at celebrations in Zamboanga, so it seems sense that there is a specific event honoring it. The roasted pigs were on display in a street procession, and onlookers were welcome to sample the cuisine at no charge. 

Music festival as its name suggests, showcases unique songs in Chavacano, the common tongue of Zamboanga City. Expect to watch both music videos and live performances. Some entries got viewers to hum, sway, sing along, or tap their feet. The Original Chavacano Music Festival might only be improved by being hosted outside, ideally with juices or beers available. 

Mascota de Zamboanga is a fashion show that features mascota, an outfit with Spanish influences that was once worn by aristocratic women. "Asia's Latin City," Zamboanga City, has a significant Hispanic impact from the Spanish era. This event not only highlights this culture but also the top local designers in the area.

Zamboanga Dance sport Competition pairs of students from elementary, high school, tertiary, and open categories are invited to participate in the Zamboanga Dance sport Competition by dancing to a variety of beats.

Zamboanga Hermosa Street Dance is the highpoint of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Like in other festivals in the country, get ready to see locals donning colorful attires and accessories, smiles and winning moves. Zamboanga Hermosa Street Dance not only pays respect to Our Lady of Pillar, it also identifies the diversity of its people by integrating the attires and traditional dances of the indigenous groups of Lumad and Moro. So basically there’s a street parade and a demonstration in facade of the Zamboanga Municipal Hall, and then the commissions proceed to Paseo del Mar where the formal judging for the street dance competition starts.

Also, note that there is safety measures held to keep the city safe and signal is off for several hours while the street dance is ongoing. Just enjoy the grand burst of color, life and faith, that’s the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. Viva Senora Nuestra la Virgin del Pilar!

ZS DMO II Karla P. Calapardo, RND

Reference:

https://www.taraletsanywhere.com/zamboanga-hermosa-festival-2018/