By virtue of Ordinance 374, the 23rd of June is officially recognized as the city’s Dia de Fundacion de Chavacano to commemorate the founding and encourage the use of the Chavacano language.

For the second year, the local government is hosting the Cine Chavacano to showcase our local language through short films produced, written, and directed by homegrown filmmakers.



Love and hatred, flaw and beauty, friendship and adversary, failure and success. Now on its 2nd year, CineChavacano Festival de Película y Animación features an array of Chavacano stories, which will be screened at the Centro Latino Theater Room, Paseo del Mar from June 20 to 23, 2016. Here are the finalists of this year's CineChavacano.

PELÍCULAS (Live Action Category)



Tiempo (Time)
Directed by Tennyl Dehm Canlas

Synopsis: Sam, a 20-year-old college girl discovers that she can turn back time but little did she know that there are consequences along the way.



Entre Medio del Fin (In the middle of an end)
Directed by Ryanne Murcia

Synopsis: Khalil and Danny are left to figure out their lives after Ayesha, who promised to give them her child, decided to go back with Omar, the father of the child, who left her before.



Su Puesto (In their place)
Directed by Kendrick Rico

Synopsis: Five personas face their daily struggles in life such as bullying, abuse and prejudice. Each of them represents different problems and issues in this world that needs solution.



El Cara de Mama (The face of my mother)
Directed by Kimberly R. Kilat

Synopsis: In the process of knowing one’s self is also knowing one’s root.



Sombra (shadow)
Directed by Sheena Mae Alcala

Synopsis: With recurring shifts of personality, Miko shows his hidden alter-self, his shadow, which brought him to finding his seemingly predominant personality, pushing him to plot revenge.



Escondido Amor (Hidden Love)
Directed by Icy Mae Colipano

Synopsis: A coming out story of a gay guy,explore the bizarre characteristics of love in the most exotic and erotic way.



Lengua Pranka (The Forthright Tongue)
Directed by Pristine Padua
Co-directed by Lee Why Halasan

Synopsis: Pepita, more fondly called Pipay, is forced to live in Zamboanga, a place she has never been to nor whose language she understands; here she must work hard for her education, and she must work harder to understand and be understood.



Next Time
Directed by Mark Kim Tayona

Synopsis: We choose the moments that we want to remember. A guy meets a girl at twelve midnight in a twenty-four hour store. They rewind time with their stories until they’re both synced. We choose the moments we want to remember; and after every great moment, we wish for a next time.

ANIMACIÓN (Animation Category)



Despedido (Departed)
Directed by Ryan Covarrubias

Synopsis: A story about defeating self-doubt or defeating your old self.



El Bloques (The blocks)
Directed by Danica Jane Follero

Synopsis: The story is about a little girl who is playing alone inside her room. Despite her solitariness, she learns to accept what she has and where she is.



El Amenazo (The Threat)
Directed by Kendrick Rico

Synopsis: The blood cells play their roles to help maintain the health of a human body. One day, a white blood cell had an abnormal mutation and turned into a dangerous cancer cell.



Dividido (Divided)
Directed by Aljhun Rey Canillo

Synopsis: In a society where the poor and the rich are divided and separated by a tall wall, two boys, Anton and Olot, developed an unexpected friendship.



Fallares (Flaw? Where?)
Directed by Jade Christel de Guzman

Synopsis: A personal dilemma leads a girl to discover what it takes to bloom.

Watch the Omnibus Trailer of ‪#‎CineChavacano2016‬. Open public screening will be held on June 20-22, 5PM at Centro Latino Theater Room, Paseo del Mar. Viva el Cinema Chavacano! Viva el Dia de Fundacion de Chavacano!


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Designer Erich Miñoza claims his third straight win in the annual Bellas y Flores competition held Saturday, May 28.

Miñoza emerged once again as the top contender for the gown competition category of the Bellas y Flores festival with a design which drew top marks and celebrated the City’s g1ggcolorful and vibrant culture. Miñoza bested eight other designers, and celebrated a grand slam win, having consistently placed first in the gown design competition since 2014.

Frederico Navarro and Geronie Labora placed second and third place, respectively.

The Festival de las Bellas y Flores served as one of the highlights and culminating activities of the 2016 Summer Festival. A local version of the Santacruzan, the festival kicked off with the parade from City Hall to the Paseo del Mar for the final show and program.

For the Arco competition, Rey Mascardo claimed the top spot, with Jonard Bazan and Ramisses Ramillano clinching podium finishes.

All models who joined the Bellas y Flores festival were also automatically entered for the Prettiest Señorita competition. Emerging as winner for her beauty and grace was Lyka Nichole Francisco. Runner ups were Jeromei Thea Fabrigas and Reasel Ann Halagna.

All winners received cash prizes and plaques of recognition.

Gown entries were judged for their craftsmanship, concept and design, aesthetic appeal, and impact. Arco entries, on the other hand, were scrutinized for originality, creativity, craftsmanship, and impact. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Here are the 10 entries who competed in the Gown and Prettiest Señorita competitions. Click photo for bigger view. Photos by Tennyl Dehm Canlas.


Señorita Dana Champagne Amba wearing a multi-colored bouffant gown by Robelle Verar.


The monochromatic shades of each color in "Flores de Amores" reveals the multi-cultural diversity in our city. The interwoven sleeves tell what Zamboanga is, the equal treatment among rich and poor, the powerful and the rich.


Señorita Alana Kyle Ordoñia-Lo in an intricately embellished orange gown by Gerry Carpio.


"La Puesta del Sol" is inspired by the beautiful sunset that signals that the day is about to end. The colors signify the rays of the sun and the unending journey of each Zamboangueño.


Señorita Joy Navales wearing a monochromatic pink gown by Leo Toledo.


"Perla y Mariposa" has butterflies around the skirt and its sleeves are covered with frosted lace matched with the monochromatic rhinestones. The gown embodies purity, fairness; a simple yet elegant gown which makes it different among the rest.


Señorita Ann Villanueva in a well-crafted Vicky Tonggal gown.


This gold-beaded gown named "Dayang" is indeed fit for a Pricesita Zamboangueña.


Señorita Lyka Nichole Francisco wearing a purple gown by Raustin Siocon III.


"Flor de Luna" which means "flower beneath the moon" is a mysterious queen endowed with beauty, grace and seductive charm. The color symbolizes royalty, mystery, fierceness and the strong personality of a woman who lives in the ancient Hispanic era.


The graceful beauty of a Zamboangueña royalty.


Señorita Ma. Jhullana Francesca wearing "Manojo de Flores", a creation of coutureier Wendy Designaño. With its classy white Spanish laces and beaded colored laces, this magnificent creation expresses that Zamboanga City is one of the most unique city in the world for being "Asia's Latin City."


Señorita Jeromei Thea Fabrigas in a Geronie Labora masterpiece "Unica Hija".


Heavily accentuated with thousands of hand-made flowerettes, this haute couture magnum opus represents the beauty of the flowers of May. Being the only daughter, "Unica Hija" is a manifestation of the elegance and grandiose of her proud family.


Señorita Reasel Ann Halagna wearing a fiery gown by Erich Miñoza.


"Pilla" (Naughty), reflects the story of Reina Judith of Bethulia in the Bible who fought and saved her city by slaying the cruel Assyrian general Holofernes with a sword. The fiery red color of "Pilla" mirrors not only streaks of a woman's playful naughtiness and mischief but also her power, strength and courage when need arises.


Señorita Fatima Aisha Idjira wearing a lemon-yellow gown by Federico Navarro.


"Pajaro", a Chavacano word for "birds", symbolizes peace and freedom. The color of this Philippine terno stands for freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, enlightenment, honor and loyalty.


The concept for the embellishment on the skirt is a landscape scenario of trees, flocked with birds done in silkscreen print and metallic digital cut-outs. Exquisite beadworks adorn the entire ensemble, which gives one a feeling of joy and contentment on seeing our lovely nature while the sun starts to set.


Señorita Rachael Uy wearing a Neri Jaruda gown.


A last look of the beautiful ladies before announcing the winners.


Winners of Arco Competition (left-right): Jonard Bazan - 2nd Place for "Corona"; Ramissses Ramillano - 3rd Place for "Hermosa La Zamboanga"; and Rey Mascardo - 1st Place for "La Risa del Aurora"


Prettiest Señoritas (L-R): Lyka Nichole Francisco (1st Place) for Raustin Siocon III;  Jeromei Thea Fabrigas (2nd Place) for Geroni Labora; and Reasel Ann Halagna (3rd Place) for Erich Miñoza.


Gown competition 3rd Place - Geronie Labora's "Unica Hija"


Gown competition 2nd Place - Federico Navarro's "Pajaro"


Gown Competition 1st Place - Erich Miñoza's "Pilla"



Congratulations to all winners and participants! As the summer comes to an end, we wish a bountiful and colorful seasons ahead!

Highlighting the beauty, the culture, and the wonders of Zamboanga City, City Mayor Beng Climaco officially launched the “I Love Zamboanga City” campaign yesterday afternoon, October 1 at City Hall.

Amidst the sea of Zamboangueños who flocked City Hall for the grand opening salvo of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2015, Climaco unveiled the I Love Zamboanga video as she urged residents to show their love for the City and to stay united despite the challenges and obstacles.


“Man junto-junto kita – in unity, we will build back a better Zamboanga,” she said.

The launch of the I Love Zamboanga was one of the highlights of the kickoff activity for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2015 yesterday at City Hall. Ushering the entry of the month-long festival, the City’s grandest celebration, were the opening parade, the Pink October Walk, and the lighting of the Hermosa Festival emblem.

Gracing the opening activities with Climaco were AKBAYAN Representative Angelina Ludovice-Katoh and members of the City Council. Joining in the celebration were hundreds of residents, to include members and representatives from the business, private, education and healthcare sectors, as well as civil society sectors and the barangays. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Cedrick S. Zabala "CSZ97" is a multimedia artist based in the City of Zamboanga. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology major in Multimedia and Computer Animation. Currently he works at the City Government of Zamboanga under the Mayor's Office as a Public Information Officer, and as a part-time Instructor in Ateneo de Zamboanga University. He lives a life with a passion for the arts, culture, and travel. This blog contains his works and travel journals. Carpe effin' Diem!