It's the sunny season here in Zamboanga City and it's time to celebrate Summer na Zamboanga 2019! The City Government has prepared a lineup of fun activities and events for the people to enjoy. We have new exciting competitions this year such as the Vlog Competition and Zamboanga Idol 2019 Singing Competition.


We also commemorate the birth anniversary of our late leaders, Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat and Gen. Vicente Alvarez on April 26 and May 18, respectively. In line with the commemoration, activities and competitions will be held such as the Mi Ciudad de Zamboanga Photo Contest and Comida de Zamboanga Cooking Competition.

One of the biggest event this summer is the Zamboanga Valientes vs Ginebra Legends, a basketball showdown of big names in the sport. Talking about sports, the city is hosting a free Summer Learn to Play, the annual sports program where kids get to learn new sports. In the arts, the 1st Graffiti Competition which was postponed during the Dia de Zamboanga is now scheduled for young artists to show their skills in mural street art.

Designers and models will showcase their craft in the Festival de las Bellas 2019, with the theme "Flores." Each designer is assigned a specific type of flower and they shall interpret it in a gown and arco. The parade will be held on May 8 from City Fire Station to the National Museum Courtyard. For the complete lineup of activities, check out the schedule below.


Summer na Zamboanga 2019 Calendar of Activities

Summer Learn to Play Sports Program
April 6-May 11, 2019

Seven Last Words in Songs, Messages and Reflections
April 18, 2019 (Thursday), 9PM, Climaco Freedom Park

Fiesta na Isla de Sta. Cruz 2019
April 21-May 19, 2019 (Saturdays and Sundays), Pink Beach, Great Sta. Cruz Island

MyDev Environmental Camp
April 22-24, 2019 (Monday-Wednesday), Boy Scout Camp, Pasonanca

26th Speak Out Zamboanga
Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES)
April 23, 2019 (Tuesday), 8AM, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum

Dia de Ma’am Caling
April 26, 2019 (Friday)
• Commemorative Mass
6AM, Holy Trinity Parish Church, Pasonanca
• Commemorative Program
7AM, Jardin Maria Clara, Pasonanca

Zamboanga Idol 2019
Audition: April 24, 9AM, PIO Office, City Hall
Competition Proper: April 27, 2019 (Saturday), 8PM, Yubenco Tetuan
Download entry form here

1st Zamboanga Graffiti Competition
April 28-May 5, 2019 (Sunday), Navarro Drive

Comida de Zamboanga Cooking Competition
April 28, 2019 (Sunday), 4PM, Plaza Pershing

Labor Day: Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan
Build Build Build JOB Fair
May 1-2, 2019 (Wednesday), 9AM, 2/F East Wing, KCC Mall de Zamboanga

Ginebra Legends vs Zamboanga Valientes
May 4, 2019 (Saturday), 7PM, City Coliseum

XsenaDORA Concert for a Cause
May 4, 2019 (Saturday), 7PM, Centro Pastoral, Gov. Camins Ave

Festival de las Bellas y Flores
May 8, 2019 (Wednesday), 4PM, City Fire Station to National Museum Courtyard

Mi Ciudad de Zamboanga Photography Competition
Deadline: May 10, 2019 (Friday)
Download entry form here

Vlog Competition 2019
Deadline: May 10, 2019 (Friday)
Download entry form here

Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez
May 18, 2019 (Saturday)
• Commemorative Mass
6AM, Fort Pilar Shrine
• Commemorative Program
8AM, Plaza de Gen. Vicente Alvarez
• Awarding Ceremony for Photo and Vlog Competition















For updates, like the Facebook Page Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and follow @zambocitygovt on Twitter and Instagram. Post and share your photos using the hashtags: #SummerNaZambo #MasAlegreNaZamboangaAhora #iLoveZamboangaCity

"I Love Zamboanga City" is a campaign of the City Government to promote the Zamboangueños love for their city. It was launched in 2016 during the 2nd term of Mayor Beng Climaco and the logo was revised a year after. The logo is simply I Love (Heart) ZC where the heart icon is stylized like the iconic vinta of Zamboanga. The color pink is associated with Mayor Beng which evokes femininity, joy, youthfulness and love. Here's the iconic logo of I Love ZC! You may download the vector file here.

"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!