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

After the amazing Gigantes Islands adventure, we went back to the Iloilo and had one day to explore the city. Joed and Den-den, my high school classmates who works now in Iloilo, were so kind to take a leave at work and guided us around the city. It was 10 years since i've been to Iloilo and now it's more developed and beautiful.

We went to famous tourist spots like churches and old buildings and tasted local food like the famous La Paz Batchoy. We went around by commuting and a lot of walking but it's all worth it! Here's how our day tour in Iloilo went:


Starting our morning tour at the Esplanade, a river side walkable area where people exercise and just relax.


The Iloilo riverbank was once crowded with informal settlers. With the efforts of the local government, they rehabilitated the river and developed the esplanade.


Datu Paiburong statue at the Esplanade. According to stories, he was one of the 10 datus from Borneo who fled the tyranny of Sultan Makatunaw and found refuge in the island of Panay in ancient Philippines.

It is said that in the year 1212 AD, the datus along with their families landed at barangay Siwaragan in San Joaquin, Iloilo. There, they met the Atis or Panay aborigines and bartered golden necklaces and salakot (headgear) filled with gold in exchange for land.

Breakfast at the oldest café in Iloilo serving authentic native Ilonggo coffee. Namit! #WhenInIloilo #CookieTravels #Iloilo #Yoloilo #coffee #travelPh #travelasia #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

We had breakfast at the oldest coffee shop in Iloilo, Madge Cafe, known for its homebrewed coffee.

Jaro Cathedral built in 1864 is one of the oldest churches in Iloilo and is home of La Virgen de la Candelaria. The image is said to be miraculous and is said to be growing in size every year. #WhenInIloilo #church #heritage #Yoloilo #iloilo #cathedral #architecture #travelasia #travelPh #tourismph #citytour #CookieTravels #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 12:18am PDT

At the Jaro Church. The image is of La Virgen de Candelaria which is said to be a growing image, according to the seamstresses who dress up the image.

Nuestra Señora La Virgen de Candelaria. Jaro Cathedtal, Iloilo City. The miraculous image is said to be growing every year as testified by her dressmakers. The Lady of the Candles is the only female among the all-male collection of the images that line the cathedral's interior walls. #WhenInIloilo #travelPh #travelgram #Iloilo #VisitPhAgain2016 #church #cathedral #MamaMary #CookieTravels #devotion #faith #Catholic #history #architecture #GoProland #Hero4 #GoPro #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 22, 2016 at 5:36am PDT

The Jaro Belfry across the street.


Inside the Jaro Cathedral. This church is said to be a masculine church. All saints that are displayed on the pillars are men only.


The all-male cast adorned at the pillars of the Jaro Cathedral

A colorful offering of wishes and prayers from the visitors and devotees of La Virgen de Candelaria at Jaro Cathedral 🕯 #WhenInIloilo #church #travelPh #travelasia #CookieTravels #Iloilo #Yoloilo #prayer #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 12:28am PDT

Up close the Jaro Belfry

Exploring Iloilo City today and saw a gazebo at the Jaro Plaza similar to that of Plaza Pershing in Zamboanga. Feels like home! 💕🏛 #WhenInIloilo #travelPh #travelasia #CookieTravels #Iloilo #Yoloilo #heritage #park #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 20, 2016 at 10:18pm PDT

Thanks @joedlaranoiii for this nice capture! Jaro Belfry at the background while im mesmerized by the Jaro Cathedral in front of it. #SepAnx #WhenInIloilo #travelgram #traveph #Iloilo #belfry #architecture #heritage #ChoosePhilippines #PinaSmile #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 22, 2016 at 7:23am PDT

Casa Mariquit

The only historic house in Iloilo open without prior notice, Casa Mariquit (1803) is the former home of Philippines VP Fernando Lopez. (src: lonelyplanet.com) The details of this architecture are exquisite and it's amazing that it stood typhoons, earthquakes and corrosion. #WhenInIloilo #Yoloilo #heritage #Iloilo #architecture #ancestralhouse #travelph #travelAsia #CookieTravels #GoPro #Hero4 #GoProLand #VisitPhAgain2016 #ExploreIloilo #itsmorefuninthephilippines #Wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 26, 2016 at 3:52pm PDT

The Lizares Mansion

The Lizares-Gamboa Mansion at present day Angelicum School, Jaro, Iloilo, was built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares during the boom of sugar industry in the region. But just after a few years after its completion, the family has to leave the mansion due to the Japanese occupation. #WhenInIloilo #LizaresMansion #architecture #heritage #history #ExploreIloilo #travelgram #travelPh #travelasia #CookieTravels #sky #clouds #GoPro #Hero4 #GoProLand #ChoosePhilippines #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 22, 2016 at 6:20am PDT

Left to right: Me, Joed, Den-den, Ms. Rory (tour guide), Jotie

With the enregetic Ms Rory who gave us a tour around the Lizares Mansion. Her positivity and passion in her work is inspiring especially when she interact with kids. Thanks Ms Rory for the tour! When you're in Iloilo pay a visit here at Angelicum School, Jaro. #WhenInIloilo #friends #highschoolneverends #tour #traveph #travelgram #travel #YoloIlo #architecture #gopro #hero4 #GoProLand #VisitPhAgain2016 #ChoosePhilippines #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 22, 2016 at 6:50am PDT

Time for the famous La Paz Batchoy! We

I finally had an authentic La Paz Batchoy of Netong's at the heart of La Paz market. So good! 😋🍲 #WhenInIloilo #Batchoy #Foodporn #foodie #noodles #travelasia #bucketlist #travelPh #CookieTravels #Iloilo #Yoloilo #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 20, 2016 at 10:23pm PDT

Up Next: Museo Iloilo

Having a crash course on the culture, art and history of Panay Island and Iloilo at Museo Iloilo 🏛💒🖌🎨 #WhenInIloilo #Yoloilo #Iloilo #museum #tourismph #travelasia #travelPh #CookieTravels #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 12:04am PDT

Iloilo, a bastion of Christianity, the first Queen City of the South #WhenInIloilo #Yoloilo #museum #tourismph #citytour #CookieTravels #travelasia #travelPh #history #culture #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 12:08am PDT

The Provincial capitol central dome








Masonic floor tiles


Fountain at the courtyard at the Provincial Capitol

The old fountain in front of the old provincial capitol.

Hala Bira! Finally tried a #Dinagyang costume during the City Hall tour. @joseph_lou's head dress weighs a whopping 7 kilos! #WhenInIloilo #PhilippineFestivals #itsmorefuninthephilippines #ChoosePhilippines #travelasia #travelPh #CookieTravels #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 5:09am PDT

View of the river from the roofdeck of the City Hall

"Ang Lin-ay sang Iloilo" translated as Muse of Iloilo is a bronze statue highlighted on top of the dome of the Iloilo City Hall. She is a symbol of the rich history, culture and prosperity of both the province and city of Iloilo. #travelPh #travelasia #sculpture #landmark #Iloilo #artlotto #bronze #CookieTravels #ChoosePhilippines #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:12pm PDT

The old Provincial capitol now serves as a convention center and function hall for art exhibits or other events.

Calle Real, one of the oldest streets in downtown Iloilo. We had the best siopao at Roberto's known as the Queen Siopao, located at Javellana building built in 1922. Don't mind Chowking hehe #WhenInIloilo #architecture #heritage #Yoloilo #CookieTravels #travelph #travelgram #travelAsia #Wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 28, 2016 at 12:53am PDT

Molo, Iloilo is known as the Athens of the Philippines. A greek themed gazebo in the Molo Plaza sets as a foreground to the Parish of Saint Anne #WhenInIloilo #Molo #Yoloilo #YoloMolo #church #landmarks #travelasia #travelPh #CookieTravels #tourismph #tourism #citytour #Iloilo #backpacking #wanderlust #ChoosePhilippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #architecture #Christianity

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:34am PDT

The Parish of St Anne in Molo, Iloilo City is called a feminine church where only female saints are adorned in its pillars. Another church in Iloilo, the Jaro Cathedral is the masculine counterpart which features only male saints. #WhenInIloilo #travelPh #Iloilo #church #architecture #history #travelasia #CookieTravels #travelgram #Christianity #ChoosePhilippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:46am PDT

The Molo Mansion right across the Molo Plaza has been converted into a tourist complex where you can buy souvenirs and have snacks such as ice cream, fruit shakes and coffee. #WhenInIloilo #Molo #Yoloilo #YoloMolo #travelPh #travelasia #CookieTravels #architecture #tourismph #tourism #citytour #VisitPhAgain2016 #ChoosePhilippines #backpacking #wanderlust

A post shared by Ced Zabala 👑 (@cedzabala) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:32am PDT

In just one day we have visited the must-see places in Iloilo, special thanks to our local guides and best friends, Joed and Deet! I've been in Iloilo before but this tour made me realize how beautiful and how much of the city could still be explored. It's full of history, colorful culture, and wonderful people, and I don't even wonder why my friends chose this city as their new home. Iloilo is a liveable, innovative, and advanced city yet it maintained its classic charm. Can't wait to go back in the City of Love!