csz97 Blog Folio: 2021

October 27, 2021

SIERRA MADRE by Geronie Labora (Grand Winner of Mascota de Zamboanga 2021)

In celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, the biggest fashion showdown of Zamboanga's very own haute couture Mascota de Zamboanga has come back after a year of absence due to the pandemic. This year, the theme is "SIEMBRA," inspired by the lush flora biodiversity of Zamboanga City. 19 of the Zambo's best couturiers created their best interpretations of a Mascota inspired by plants, ranging from various concepts, from foilage, to flowers, up to the grandest garden and landscapes.

Among the 19 entries, Geronie Labora's "Sierra Madre" claimed the top spot, becoming this year's Grand Champion. Geronie also won in 2015 "Traje de Boda" and 2016 "Ethnic-inspired" Mascota de Zamboanga competitions. She is also the grandslam winner of the Festival de las Bellas for 5 consecutive years.

Geronie Labora's Mascota interpretation of "Siembra" is inspired by the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre. It features a forest in the sleeves and huge leaves for the cola with three-dimensional details that resembles parts of a plant or it could also be seen as the mountain ranges.

In her Facebook account, Geronie expressed her haute couture creation follows the proper silhouette of a classic Mascota. "The sleeves and panuelo should never be too big but it should be just the right size. It should compliment the body of the lady wearing it. Seen in the photos is the proper folding of the panuelo in the front and in the back."

Geronie also emphasized what a Mascota skirt should be. "The rich women in the past will never wear extremely voluminous skirts. The skirt should be classic, elegant and manageable. It should be easy to walk in and it should not make the lady wearing it appear fat with such an unflattering skirt design."

"The overall design of the Mascota should also match from head to foot, that's why they also call it the Philippine Terno. The details on the blouse should also be seen on the skirt."

The Mascota will never come to life with the right señorita wearing it. Shaira Arasad exemplifies a Filipina with class and elegance. She carries the Mascota with grace and charm that makes the overall appeal of the creation more impactful.

Credits to Roy Guilly RGphotography for the beautiful portraits and MsChesca Mua Cris Stone for the hair and makeup.

Once again, congratulations to Geronie Labora as well as the Top 5 winners and other finalists. You can check out the list of winners and their photos in a separate post (click here).

Original Chavacano Video Music Festival 2021

As we celebrate the month-long Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City, it wouldn't be complete without the Original Chavacano Video Music Festival - a celebration of language, music, arts, culture and film all rolled into one! Since 2015, these original Chavacano song compositions reflected the cultural identity, dreams and aspirations of the Zamboangueños especially in these time of the pandemic where everyone is together in helping one another to become resilient and achieve progress in every family, community and the entire city.

The theme for this year’s song festival is “Fe, Amor y Esperanza” and must incorporate indigenous musical instruments in the music production (e.g. Kulintang, Agung, Kutiyapi, Kubing, Kagul, Palendang, Nose flute, etc). Fifteen song compositions underwent a process of screening and development for them to come up with quality songs and music videos. Every year, the competition is setting a higher standard and keeps on getting better in terms of music and video production.

Unfortunately, due to the imposition of MECQ on October 16-31, the live song performance was cancelled. However, the competition remained for the other two categories, Song Composition and Music Video. Here are the winners of the Original Chavacano Video Music Festival 2021:

🎶 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆:

🥇FIRST PLACE: "ANCLA (NA MAR, DE ATON VIDA)"

Composed, Interpreted and Directed by: Jeremiah Luna Saavedra
Arrangement by: Fredemil Mantujac, Anthony Dulaca, Louell Sabillo, and James Ryan Perez

🥈SECOND PLACE: "AMOR"

Composed & Arranged by: Mark Corinth Montañez, Lance Brandon Noble

Interpreted by: Kristine Claire Pasa

🥉THIRD PLACE: “UN DIA”

Composed by: Christian Sta. Teresa
Interpreted by: Eycee, Cairo, Kiko, Dixie
Directed by: Kenneth Natividad

🎥 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆:

🥇FIRST PLACE: “ESPERANZA”

Composed by: Marilou Pantaleon
Interpreted by: Nikki Pantaleon
Arrangement by: Kay Lidasan

Director: Kim Tayona

🥈SECOND PLACE: “CONTIGO LANG SIEMPRE”
Composed by Al-rass Amarillo, Ino Makata and Fatima CarpizoInterpreted by Ino Makata, Khaitey Carpizo and Mohan Lee
Directed by: Kim Tayona

🥉THIRD PLACE: "ANCLA (NA MAR, DE ATON VIDA)"
Composed, Interpreted and Directed by: Jeremiah Luna Saavedra
Arrangement by: Fredemil Mantujac, Anthony Dulaca, Louell Sabillo, and James Ryan Perez

✨𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀:

👍🏽VIEWERS' CHOICE AWARD:

“ALEGRIA NA SOL”
Composed by: Maubrick Khian D. Astuto (Astuto) and Asher Devdan Perez
Interpreted by: Astuto & Nikkilae
Arranged by: Maubrick Khian D. Astuto
Directed by: Asheh Al-Amiyr Dinsuat

🏅JURY'S SPECIAL MENTION*:

*This special award was sponsored by one of the jury members as a Special Mention for this chosen music video entry. The cash prize will serve as a seed fund for the songwriter/s for the production of their future projects.

Special thanks to our panel judges for sharing your time and expertise which made this year's competition a success!

#SafeHermosa2021

October 19, 2021

Mascota de Zamboanga 2021 "SIEMBRA"

1ST PLACE: “SIERRA MADRE”

Designer: Geronie Labora

Señorita: Shaira Arasad

Inspiration: Rainforest in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range

2ND PLACE: “PARADISO (GATES OF HEAVEN)”

Designer: Axel Que

Señorita: Princess Donah Paraiso

Inspiration: Gumamela and Bougainvillea

3RD PLACE: “FLOR DE CEREZA”

Designer: Al Shamer Abdul

Señorita: Angelica Doguiles

Inspiration: Cherry Blossoms

4TH PLACE: “SALEROSA”

Designer: Erich Miñoza

Señorita: Lee Daina Nelson

Inspiration: Floral details in Spanish Architecture

5TH PLACE: “FLORIA DE VERA”

Designer: Ian Salvador

Señorita: Princess Cyra Usman

Inspiration: Cadena de Amor

"Christia Obcordata"

Prettiest Señorita: Bellatrix Tan

Best Hair and Makeup: Vincci Descalzo / Jhulie Tanaza

Inspiration: Swallow tail / Butterfly Plant

All the 19 finalists for this year's competition underwent a thorough process of evaluation the entire day today from our panel of adjudicators while following our local IATF protocols. Unlike previous years, the Mascota de Zamboanga 2021 had no live event and had no audience for the safety of all those who were involved in the evaluation process. Here are the other 13 Mascota finalists:

"Casia"

Designer: Junniko Santos

Señorita: Xena

"Flor Lucia"

Designer: Raustin Siocon

Señorita: Reasel Halagna

Inspiration: St. Lucia Flower

"Yo Te Prometo"

Designer: Mandrake Servito

Señorita: Angelique Natividad

Inspiration: Sampaguita

"Jardin Secreto"

Designer: Glady Rose Pantua

Señorita: Bianca Iraham

Inspiration: A Secret Garden

"Billiones de Flores"

Designer: Sarah Jane Sanson

Señorita: Patricia Ailyn Duran

Inspiration: Billion Flowers

"Gethsemane"

Designer: Chris Ivan Arakan

Señorita: Fermizulli Silal

Inspiration: Garden of Gethsemane

"Maravillosa"

Designer: Harold Ruste Bernabe

Señorita: Monica Bernal

Inspiration: Lily of the Valley

"Regina Philodendra"

Designer: Eddie Villaflor

Señorita: Jesreel Ramos

Inspiration: Philodendron Plant

"Coleus' Convalescence"

Designer: Frederic Rodriguez

Señorita: Diva Dalawan

Inspiration: Mayana Plant

"Mariposa Bella"

Designer: Kurth Luyao

Señorita: Bridget Boso

Inspiration: Calladium Plant

"Ambundancia"

Designer: Nicole Gaquit

Señorita: Shantara Suico

Inspiration: Hydrangea

"Rosas"

Designer: Joseph Ramirez

Señorita: Yupie Mae Ramos

Inspiration: Roses

"Saribus Rotundifolius (Anahaw)"

Designer: Orlan Perez

Señorita: Centainne Smith

Inspiration: Anahaw

Thanks to Al-Shariff Aguil for the photography, and Daydream Events for the stage styling. Once again, enhorabuena to all our winners this year!🎉👏 #SafeHermosa2021

September 17, 2021

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2021 #SafeHermosa2021

Zamboanga, get ready for the grandest and most colorful festival of the region, the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2021! The City Government has lined up more virtual events this year including new competitions. Registration is ongoing! Here's the calendar of events for #SafeHermosa2021 which will be aired Live Via Facebook (Zamboanga Hermosa Festival) and Youtube Channel (Zamboanga City Official):

Launching of #SafeHermosa2021

September 21, Tuesday

#SafeHermosa2021 Opening Salvo

October 1, Friday

Vinta Display

October 1-15, Friday-Friday

Paseo del Mar and R.T. Lim Boulevard

Cosechas de Zamboanga

October 1, Friday

Plaza Pershing

Novena Masses

October 3-11, Sunday-Monday