"Paz, Amor y Alegria" - Peace, Love and Joy! It's the season that we all look forward most. This year's theme for the Christmas Festival in Zamboanga City is simply "I Love Zamboanga City" which encourages each and every Zamboangueño to love their city and family each day. The decors which were designed and installed by the City General Services Office is centered on that theme with hearts as the main symbol. The City Hall is studded with colorful lights and heart-shaped lanterns with giant gifts at the frontage. At the center is the nativity scene, which is the essence of the Christmas celebration - the birth of Jesus Christ.



The Christmas lights display was officially switched on last November 23, Friday, and thousands came to witness the ceremony led by the City Mayor, Beng Climaco. Amazement and joy was felt when the lights turned on accompanied by happy Christmas carols. Bring your love ones and come and see them for yourself starting 6PM til 12 midnight. Take a selfie at the heart tunnels and don't forget to share it online using the hashtags #PascuaNaZamboanga and #iLoveZamboangaCity. Here are some of my shots during the Grand Switch-on Ceremony.






If Cebu has 10,000 illuminated flowers, Zambo has a field of glowing hearts located at Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing and Paseo del Mar.


Few moments til the Grand Switch-on!


A huge heart displayed at the Plaza Vicente Alvarez


View from Plaza Vicente Alvarez


City Hall at dusk


And its On! Look at those beautiful lights!


The field of hearts and heart canopies at Plaza Pershing


Heart tunnels at Plaza Pershing and the stage with "Pascua na Zamboanga" letterings


Little kiddo can't help but touch the glowing hearts


Beautiful heart tunnels! People just wanna have selfies here!


Love love love!


Simply breath-taking!


My favorite angle of them all! Don't forget to take your photos from this angle!

Photographers all over Zamboanga gathered to capture the most stunning photographs during the most awaited Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. This year's Photography Competition theme is "I Love Zamboanga City". The competition has five categories based on the events led by the City Government of Zambonga which are: Bailes y Canciones (including Bandoreal, Dancesport, Concerts, etc), Mascota de Zamboanga, Parade of Lights, Regatta de Zamboanga and Streetdance. All entries vie for the Top Three grand prizes, while 3-5 finalists per category will also receive a cash prize. Another special award is the "Voter's Choice Award" for the most liked photo which was posted in the Instagram account @zambocitygovt. Here are the winners of the Hermosa Festival Photography Competition.


Bailes y Canciones Finalist: 60. “Serenata” By Jesser Antonio Calimpong Jr. “Showing intimate desire of love and adoration to the woman whom he love, singing songs with all his heart.”


Bailes y Canciones Finalist: 64. “A Voice Calls” By Danica Rose Tubilla “An artist serenades the crowd in a showcase of local talent using the local dialect that is deeply rooted in every Zamboangueño, the Chavacano.”


Bailes y Canciones Finalist: 133. “Envita” By Aaron Sali (@arooonsali) “Dance with the loud and joyful music, as if it invites you to dance, move and swing, As we hear the sound and the beat of the drums Our body would jive and start dancing”


Mascota Finalist: 58. “Glamour de Amor, Belleza y Arte” By Clarence M. Dabasol (@claarkyboi) “A dazzling beauty and magnificent work of art that showcase the visionary and creativity of Top Zamboangueño couturier artists. As love for the city, they share their creativity and imaginative minds through their handcrafted gown designs.”


Mascota Finalist: 62. “A Display of Art and Passion” By Danica Rose Tubilla “Intricate design of vibrant fabric swayed by a participant, showing the colors and elegance of a Zamboangueña.”


Mascota Finalist: 21. “Vestida de Orgullo” By Al-Rashed U. Ambutong (@mrshedd01) “Zamboanga is known to have one of the most elegant and sophisticated historical dresses in the country. Mascota resembles a Zamboangueñas beauty, elegance and finesse.”


Parade of Lights Finalist: 65. “Zamboanga Es Para Christiano y Muslim y Otros Pa” By Samie D. Muñoz “The vinta represents the Zamboangueños in a peaceful stability. A simple yet descriptive picture that highlights interfaith amity and harmony.”


Parade of Lights Finalist: 47. “Light Trail” by Allen L. Cuyugan (@allengolim) “Light trails with an emphasis on the people of different walks of life that makes Zamboanga it currently is. The colors are an emphasis on the diversity of culture within the city.”


Parade of Lights Finalist: 79. “Luces Parpadeantes” By Christian Quilalang (@chanquillx) “One of the most awaited events during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is the Parade of Light. During the parade, I look for some symbol that will connect to the theme, suddenly I’ve found out the only float that has the symbol “I <3 a="" br="" desired="" flash.="" i="" in="" my="" outcome="" set="" settings="" shot="" so="" take="" that="" the="" want.="" with="" zc="">

Regatta Finalist: 55. “Panganganinag” By Ramil G. Valente (@ramilgarciavalente) “A queue of colorful vintas with reflection giving attention to its wonderful tapestry. Its intricate design best describes Zamboanga’s rich history and culture.”


Regatta Finalist: 119. “Levanta con Alegria” By Joseph Lou C. Sta. Teresa (@joseph_lou) “Zamboangueños are known for our tough spirit and resiliency. No matter what challenges that life may throw at us, we keep on smiling and persevering through our faith in God, love for one another and unceasing hope. This portrait symbolizes our unwavering spirit, for each day we give our best to lift up not only ourselves, but also the colorful tapestry of people and community that is our city, Zamboanga.”


Regatta Finalist: 80. “How Far I’ll Go” Zenar Jamhali (@zenar_20) “Together with the vintas creates a magnitude of indescribable beauty in the vastness of hues lies the city of horizon.”


Street dance Finalist: 104. “El Un Baylando” By Evan Jeo Alanano (@_evn.jeo) “The native ‘pangalay’ as an artistry and expression of singularity, embellished with its own style and elegance.”


Street dance Finalist: 54. “Danza del Alegria” By Ramil G. Valente (@ramilgarciavalente) “With zeal, poise and smile these ladies takes centerstage the city’s culture and historical backgrounds with their gestures, movement patterns, costumes and musical instrumentation.”


Street dance Finalist: 125. “Ojos de Felicidad” By John Denver T. Triplitt (@denveeer_john) “I love taking close-up photos because in this way I can easily make my viewers understand the thought of the photo and it also helps me to easily express the insight of the photo. While looking at this photo, the subject which is the girl is dancing happily and with so much joy that you can look in her eyes, that’s the one way of the advantage of close-up pictures that you can see the eyes of your subject because I believe that the eyes is the of what you are feeling inside and her eyes that time signifies the people of Zamboanga because that exact moment we are celebrating the feast and they are all happy to live here in Zamboanga and it’s a great pleasure to be one of the Zamboangueños.”


Street dance Finalist: 66. “Viva Zamboanga!” Samie D. Muñoz “A colorful perspective formation of the dancers during the streetdance competition that express cheerful vibes despite the heat of the sun.”


Street dance Finalist: 4. “Muher” By Bryan Lopez Francisco (@bryanlofran) “The image of our lady of the pillar held by a Zamboangueña lass during the streetdance in celebration of our city’s festival.”


VOTERS' CHOICE AWARD: 103. “Viva Nuestra Señora del Pilar” By Evan Jeo Alanano (@_evn.jeo) “An aesthetic explosion of colors as dancers parade to celebrate Nuestra Señora del Pilar. It is also showcasing their festival dance in honor of La Virgen del Pilar, patron saint of the city.”



2ND RUNNER-UP: 77. “Baile de Colores en el Ayuntamiento” By Christian Quilalang (@chanquillx) “One of the iconic places in Zamboanga is the City Hall wherein it is consider as a National Historic site here in the Philippines. I’ve captured the moment during the Streetdance Competition with dynamic vibrant colors and with a smile on the faces of the participants while they are dancing. I decided to compose this photo where in the Zamboanga City Hall serves as the background and I include the Philippine flag to complete the story that I want to tell that Zamboanga City is one of the lovely places here in the Philippines.”


1ST RUNNER-UP: 159. “Un Vista del Madrogada” by Berlito M. Bolotaolo (@berlitsbolo) “Early bird catches the magnificent view.”


GRAND WINNER: 123. “El Bandera de Zamboanga” by John Denver T. Triplitt (@denveeer_john) “In this picture it shows the preparation of the participant in the Regatta, as one competitive participant you can look in their actions they eager to win so as the main subject of the photo. It was just the preparation but you can see that he want to be the first. In this photo you can see the designs and how creative the Zamboangueños are, they did it to represent the aesthetically beauty of our own mother land.”

Congratulations to all the winners! Follow the official Instagram account @zambocitygovt to see the rest of the entries. #ZamboHermosaFest #iLoveZamboangaCity

Mascota is a mainstay in the Hermosa Festival, the city’s grandest annual celebration that highlights the city’s unique blend of multi-cultural heritage. A total of 20 entries, designed and created by the city’s top couturiers vied for the top prizes during the competition held at Palacio del Sur, Tuesday night. Congratulations to the top 5 winners in this year's Mascota de Zamboanga, a fashion show and competition of chavacano-inspired wardrobes themed Baroque Art and Architecture.

Champion: "La Dernière Dame" Al-Shamer Abdul
1st Runner up: "Mater Dolorosa (Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens)" Raustin Siocon
2nd Runner up: "Salve Regina" Geronie Labora
3rd Runner up: "El Corazon" Axel Que
4th Runner up: "El Heredera" Harold John Ruste Bernabe


A sizzling latin dance opening number by Jambangan Dance Troupe.


1. "El Pescador" by Pio Hilario


2. "El Epico Caracter" by Jose Ramon Raveche"


3. "El Hostia" by Olivia Sanson


4. "El Corazon" by Axel Que


5. "Dalaga Bonita" by Joy Verrar


6. "Femme de Oro" by Raymart Surbano


7. "La Primera Communion" by Kurt David Luyao


8. "Freya" by Chris Arakan

9. "La Dernière Dame" by Al-Shamer Abdul


10. "Vibrio de Colores" by Jocquen Mar


11. "Suba Ganti" by Eddie Villaflor


12. "Guadalupe" by Christian Paul Diaz


13. "Santa Augustina" by Jonald Feliciano


14. "Mater Dolorosa (Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens)" by Raustin Siocon III


15. "Negro y Colorao" by Robelle Verrar


16. "Salve Regina" by Geronie Labora


17.


18. "La Heredera" by Harold Bernabe


19. "Presidia" by Junie Santos


An overwhelming win by Harold Bernabe for his creation "El Heredera", 4th Runner-Up of the Mascota de Zamboanga 2018


2nd Runner-Up Geronie Labora for her entry "Salve Regina"


Grand Winner for Mascota da Zamboanga 2018: "La Dernière Dame" by Al-Shamer Abdul


(L-R: Axel Que (3rd Runner-up) "El Corazon"; Geronia Labora (2nd Runner-up) "Salve Regina"; Al-Shamer Abdul (Grand Winner) "La Dernière Dame"; Raustin Siocon (1st Runner-up) "Mater Dolorosa (Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens)"; Harold Bernabe (4th Runner-up) "La Heredera".

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for making this year's Mascota de Zamboanga grander and more fabulous! See you again next year! #ZamboHermosaFest