Visual art competitions have always been part of Summer Festival in Zamboanga. In the past years we had Chalk art, and Mural painting and Photography competitions in line with the celebration of Dia de Ma'am Caling. This year, we introduced a new contest, the first ever Digital Art Competition. Digital Art is an artwork created using computer softwares such as Photoshop. Three types of artwork are qualified in the competition: digital montage, photo-manipulations and advanced photography. With the theme "I Love Zamboanga", artists should create compositions featuring icons, landmarks and symbols of Zamboanga showing their love for the city. Here are the top 15 entries:


Top 15. "Spear Fishing" by Kerwin Baldovino


Top 14. "Mi Amore, Zamboanga" by Berlito M. Bolotaolo
"Zamboanga is as colorful as its people, and it shows in our culture and structures. Thus, this is a collage of some of the famous and colorful tourist sites or land marks our very own Zamboanga City, Mi Amore."


Top 13. "Levantacion" by Riavie M. Francisco
"I had many to capture at that moment but what strikes my eyes most is the candles in Fort Pilar Shrine. I had seen clancing flame of the candles and I got to think of what happened last September 2013 in Zamboanga City. This candles symbolizes the weapon of darkness. Zamboanga raised from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the lit path of racial justice after the war. It had its time to open doors of oppotunity and lift itself from quicksands pf racial injustices. To end up, Zamboangueños declaired the praises of God who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light upon lifting this candle."


Top 12. "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream" by Berlito M. Bolotaolo
"This is a composite shots of Sibulao Stars and Merloquet Falls. The stars were taken at the open field of Barangay Sibulao and were taken actually 30 photo stacked together, thus creating a beautiful and bountiful star trails. The famous Merloquet Falls awas taken right after the sunset. Low light is needed in order to capture the stunning effects of burning Steel Wool along with the cascading waters."


Top 11. "Viaja" by Al-Rashed U. Ambutong
"As tradition, I consider Zamboanga as a new travel destination that consist of beautiful islands, sceneries, and scrumptious food specialties. Zamboanga City is a force to reckon with the city is blessed with the perfect weather to host great influx of tourists."


Top 10. "Diverse" by Kendrick E. Rico
"The photo shows how beautiful Zamboanga is. It symbolizes our beautiful and multicultural city. Through different in cultures, we can live together as one community."


Top 9. "Zamboanga City: A Beautiful place to visit" by Nasser F. Hadjula
"Some people look for a beautiful place to visit, others make a place beautiful. Zamboanga City is beautiful and a place to visit."


Top 8. "Chasing Mountains" by Mohammad Sarajan
"When we follow a trail we always move forward and just follow and sometimes we forget to look around and miss beauty along the way. At Mt. La Paz and Mt. Kampana."

Top 7. "Paz y Amor na Mi Ciudad" by Cristina M. Sarol
"Peace that gives rise to the city, personal, and social transformation. Love is respecting and recognizing basic human rights and conributing human living with a special sensitivity to cultural and religious differences that makes Zamboanga City as a peace and loving place to live. This beautiful landmark of our beloved city join together as one. Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat were she served as its first woman mayor, Fort Pilar is a major historic landmark of Zamboanga City. Taluksangay Mosque was the center of Islamic Propagation. The Boy Scout grounds, Paseo del Mar is one of the Iconic Landmark and the Limpapa Bridge. We feel so good and peaceful once were reminded that all bad things pass to make a city for something better place to live, that love does exist and has many forms that compassion and forgiveness. The ultimate salvation and the path to freedom and love for our beloved Zamboanga City."

Top 6. "Un Moundo" by Kendrick E. Rico
"One world, one community, one city, one love, one and one God. As Zamboangueños, we are one on helping each other for the good of our City."

Top 5. "Home" by Mohammad Sarajan
"For me Zamboanga is a Home. I don't have to travel to a far away place to feel like I'm in "paradise." It simply starts with surrounding yourself with the things you truly love, living your best life and where smiles can be warmer than the environment. It's a place like no other, a place called home."


Top 4. "Estrellas y el City Hall" by Berlito M. Bolotaolo
"This is a composite shots of Sibulao Stars and the famous City Hall of Zamboanga City. During the Earth Hour moment, where lights are intentionally turned off, I took the opportunity of taking a shot of the City Hall with the stars above. But during that time, there were less stars to capture. Thus, by combining the stars taken at Sibulao and the City Hall, creates a moment where time seems to be fast and ethereal."

Top 3. "Hermosa" by Joem S. Faustino
"Hermosa is a spanish word which simply translates to beauty or lovely. I've chosen that title because I believe that it's the word best describes our "Ciudad de Zamboanga". The woman in the art piece is the representation of our "Ciudad de Zamboanga." She embodies the qualities where in our city and Zamboanguenos are known for. First of which is resilience. It is one of the significant traits our people is known for. We were bombarded by different misfortunate circumstances from the past and yet we still managed to pull through and now slowly by slowly we are moving forward. Second is our unwavering faith. We people are known to be prayerful. We address every concern we have in our lives to our mighty Creator, thankfully our city is blessed with the presence of the "Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar" with whom our city/people seek for wisdom, guidance, blessings and protection. Hermosa is wearing the head structure of our Fort Pilar as a battle helmet while being aura/shadowed by our lady Pilar to impart a message that our city firmly stand & remain strong through faith as one of our main foundations. And lastly is the natural beauty. Ciudad de Zamboanga is now slowly being recognized as a city with amazing islands and beaches. We are rich with natural wonders, unique savory cuisines and even our "Bellas" possesses such beauty that is incomparable. As a city, we have what it takes to compete and to be showcased around the world. We celebrate our own, we patronize our own. We take confidence and pride to the things that are of our own and I think that those are strong expressions of love. Just like the cliche thing people usually say that if you love someone, be proud of her and shout it to the world."

Top 2. "Carera de Vintas" by Mohammad Sarajan
"Regatta de Zamboanga is one of the most anticipated annual calendar events in Zamboanga. It is always amazing to witness and feel the energy of each and every participants at the race."


Top 1. "Amor y Cariño de la Belleza Natural de Zamboanga" by Tennyl Dehm Canlas
"Zamboanga is gifted with the treasures of Mother Earth. From its lush emerald forests in the Pasonanca Natural Park, to the crystalline waterfalls of Merloquet and Hermosa, to its one of a kind rosy quartz sand of the Sta Cruz Island – Zamboanga is home of the bountiful flora and fauna which thrives in harmony with the people who cares for it. As mother earth provides us with all of our needs, so shall we continually seek to preserve and protect her. Our love for the city and its natural beauty is one reason why we call her home."

Congratulations to all the winners! Which is your favorite entry? Visit Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Facebook page for news and updates on events and activities of the City Government of Zamboanga.