Enhorabuena to the winners of the Zamboanga Film Festival 2021! Here are the Live Action and Animated short films which bagged the coveted awards in the field of cinema in Zamboanga City this year:

Every 18th day of May of the year the City Government commemorates Zamboanga's Heroism under the Revolutionary Leadership of Gen. Vicente S. Alvarez (City Ordinance No. 334).

Summer na Zamboanga is back! Last year, the Zamboanga Summer Festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. This year, the City Government has prepared a lineup of activities mostly virtual to avoid gathering of crowds and so that more people can watch the events. Comida de Zamboanga Cooking Competition which was last held 2 years ago and some Dia de Zamboanga events that were postponed last February, such as the Zamboanga Film Festival and Hip Hop Dance Competition, are now back. Check out the calendar of activities below. SUMMER NA ZAMBOANGA 2021
Calendar of Activities 

The City Human Resources and Management Office of Zamboanga - Training Division holds its first of its webinar series ever since the pandemic. Aimed to train and capacitate the city government employees, the office conducts various seminars which is now conducted online via Zoom. I was privilege to be selected as one of the participants in the 1st batch of of webinar.

Dubbed as "Zamboanga City A.G.I.L.E Professionals," the webinar was hosted by Atty. Marc Castrodes of Areté and his team of facilitators. The theme is "Thriving and Coping in the New Normal." It was held last March 8-9, 1-4 PM. We had lots of learning especially in adapting to the new work settings and challenges and opportunities in this new normal. I just want to share some of the notes that I took during the webinar.

Adapt to New Modalities

A. Accept the blended work agreements

1. Don't Resist
2. Adjust Quickly
3. Develop habits for both setups

- The Habit Loop

• Cue - reminds you it's time to work (bath, dress up)
• Routine - time-in, e-mails, meetings
• Reward - go home and rest

B. Upgrade your online presence for home and work

Mayor Beng Climaco led activities in observance of the Dia de Roseller T. Lim, marking the 106th birthday of the first and only Zamboangueno senator today, Tuesday, February 9.

The activities that took place virtually, was highlighted by the wreathlaying ceremony at the R.T. Lim Monument at the Normal Road in Baliwasan. Another highlight of the commemoration was the awarding of the five outstanding Zamboangueno Youth Leaders (FOZYL), a joint project of the JCI Zamboanga and the City Government.

Historical records show that Roseller Tarroza Lim (February 9, 1915 – July 5, 1976) was a Filipino politician who served as a member of the Senate and House of Representatives from 1949 to 1963. He also served as Court of Appeals Justice from his appointment in 1973 until his death. Lim was known as the "Great Filibuster," after he filibustered for more than 18 hours in an attempt to prevent the election of Ferdinand Marcos as President of the Senate.

Roseller Lim was born to Antonio Lim and Mercedes Tarroza. He earned his law degree from Silliman University in 1940, and passed the bar the same year. He married Amy Schuck of Jolo, Sulu and had five children — Rosamy, Mercibel, Victoria, Roseller Jr., and Amy. Lim was the first Senator to served from the city of Zamboanga.

Roseller Lim was the first and only politician from Zamboanga to be elected to the Philippine Senate. In March 16, 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos signed the Batas Pambansa No. 183[5] creating the municipality of Roseller T. Lim in the province of Zamboanga del Sur (now in Zamboanga Sibugay) in honor of Lim.[6] A famous boulevard in Zamboanga City was named after the latter which has the view of the beautiful Basilan Strait and the Sulu Sea beginning from the city proper to the industrial complex of the city. In 2006, the Zamboanga City Council approved Ordinance Number 283 designating February 9 as "Dia de Roseller T. Lim" (Roseller T. Lim Day) and a bronze monument was carved at the rotunda of the Normal Road and the R. T. Lim Boulevard.

JCI Zamboanga, Inc. in coordination with the City Government of Zamboanga, annually celebrates “DIA DE R.T. LIM” by conferring the Five Outstanding Zamboangeno Young Leaders otherwise known as FOZYL Award to five (5) deserving young Zamboangueño community leaders, who best exhibit the traits of leadership, excellence, civic responsibility and community service as exemplified by the late Senator Roseller T. Lim. Since 2007, Seventy (70) passionate Zamboangeno Community leaders had already been recognized by the search. Most of which are now champions of various advocacies and leaders of their respective fields. On its 15th year celebration, the search proudly confers the award to: Mario R. Obra Jr., Joseph Lou C. Sta. Teresa, Aljaser J. Hadjibata, John Carlo C. Oboy and Maid T. Jammang, a variant of young professionals, student leaders, community servants and indigeneous leader/s.
Our first Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leader is Dr Mario R. Obra,Jr - is the Office Director for External Linkages and Quality Management Systems of WMSU and championed the certification of the WMSU Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2015, and has been involved to scientific and civic engagements in the recent years on aspects of teacher trainings, science investigatory research, environmental protection; biodiversity conservation; biosafety and biosecurity for Zamboanga City. Joining the roster of this year’s Five Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders is Engr. Joseph Lou Sta Teresa. He currently holds the position of an Education Supervisor II at the Commission on Higher Education. He was part of the delegation of Youth Ambassadors of the Philippines in the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japan Youth Program and his exposure to the programs of the Association of South-East Asian Nation strengthened his advocacy for Youth Leadership and Development. Our next Outsanding Zamboangueño Young Leader is Mr. Aljaser Hadjibata. a 3rd year student of Universidad de Zamboanga taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, an alumnus of Philippine Youth Leadership Program batch 14, Area Coordinator of PYLP for Zamboanga City and Sibugay, and the Alumni Relations Officer of USGAA. He is an active volunteer and led various projects for the community. Our Youngest FOZYL Awardee this year is Mr. John Carlo Oboy, a college freshman in the University of the Philippines Cebu, where he is currently taking up Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He has been competing in different debate competitions locally and internationally and was recently crowned as 8th Open Best Speaker of the world in the Open Octofinalist in Uhuru Worlds. He is a community leader; the founder and project head of Project Tabang Ayuda, and is currently a student council member in UP Cebu. Last but not the least, joining the lineup of prestigious FOZYL Awardees is Mr. Maid T. Jammang, an active bajau youth from Arena Blanco with the great tradition and rich culture. He was elected as an SK kagawad in his community and is a volunteer in NGOs like PAZ and KKI (katiligban sa kalambuan inc.). Through scholarship and help from his High School teachers, he was able to enroll in college and currently he is a third year student at ZSCMST and a student leader. He believes that his poor life is not a hindrance to pursue his ambition to become a teacher so that he can teach his fellow Bajau in his community and to educate them about their rights and responsibilities. He wants to encourage and inspire the young generation of this era to be the best version of them, to do good things and avoid negativity in life.

Watch the full virtual commemorative program and awarding of Five Outstanding Zamboangueño Young Leaders here:

The local government is preparing for the line-up of activities set to commemorate the 84th Dia de Zamboanga on February 26. This year’s celebration will be marked by key events held virtually due to the restrictions on mass gathering. Among the main events being prepared for the Dia de Zamboanga celebration are the Local Achievers Award (February 26), the Zoom In: Inter Barangay Vlog Competition (February 26), and the Dia de Zamboanga Photography Competition 2021 (February 22-28, exhibit; February 26, awarding of winners).

The main program for the 84th Dia de Zamboanga City will be a virtual commemoration to be broadcasted at the Beng Climaco and local government official FB pages on February 26, 8 AM.

Additional activities will also include the Dia de Zamboanga Exhibit (February 20-28), Zamboanga Idol 2021 (February 20, auditions; February 27, finals), SEIMBRA: 1st Zamboanga Horticultural Festival 2021 (February 22-28), Dia de Zamboanga Golf tournament (February 27-28), and Dia de Zamboanga Airsoft Practical Shoot Fest competition (February 28).

The Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga is an annual observance that celebrates the city’s charter anniversary marked by the installation of the first set of appointed city officials led by Mayor Nicasio Valderosa on February 26, 1937. The February 26 observance is local holiday in Zamboanga City. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Aca-84 Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga
February 26, 2021
Calendar of Activities

Encuentro de Valientes na Dia de Zamboanga National Goldfish Online Show
Sending of Entries: February 19-22 (Friday-Monday)
Awarding: February 28 (Sunday)

Dia de Zamboanga Exhibit
February 20-28, 9AM-8PM (Saturday-Sunday), KCC Mall de Zamboanga

Zamboanga Idol 2021 (Singing Competition)

Auditions: February 20, 1PM (Saturday), PIO City Hall
Finals: February 27, 7PM (Saturday), Zamboanga Hermosa Festival FB Page

Dia de Zamboanga Photography Competition 2021 Exhibit
February 22-28, 9AM-8PM (Monday-Sunday), SM City Mindpro

SIEMBRA: 1st Zamboanga Horticultural Festival 2021
February 22-28, 9AM-8PM (Monday-Sunday), SM City Mindpro

Dia de Zamboanga Week-long Sale
February 22-28, 9AM-8PM (Monday-Sunday),SM City Mindpro

Dia de Zamboanga Job Fair 2021
February 24, 9AM (Wednesday), KCC Mall de Zamboanga

Aca-84 Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga Virtual Commemoration
February 26, 8AM (Friday), Beng Climaco FB Page

Turn-over of the Zamboanga City Waterfront and Heritage Walk Development
February 26, 5PM (Friday), R.T. Lim Boulevard

Dia de Zamboanga Awarding Ceremony:
· Local Achievers Award 2021
· Photography Competition 2021
· Zoom In: Inter-barangay Vlog Competition 2021
February 26, 7PM (Friday), Beng Climaco FB Page

Dia De Zamboanga Golf Tournament "Premier Challenge"
February 27-28 (Saturday-Sunday), Zamboanga Golf and Beach Park Upper Calarian

Festival de las Bellas y Flores is an annual competition of fashion designers, models and stylists in celebration of the Summer Festival and Flores de Mayo. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was postponed last May and was finally moved this October in celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. With the theme #SafeHermosa2020, the competition became a virtual instead of a live ramp semi-pageant format. The arco component was removed and a new component was added to promote safety health protocols, which is the face mask. All entries were submitted through photos and a 3-minute conceptual video also known as Fashion Film.

Fifteen designers joined the competition this year and showcased their gown creations with the theme "Philippine Mythology," a celebration of colors, culture and traditions of the different tribes and peoples of the Philippines inspired by local myths. Mythology is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. The main characters in myths are usually gods, demigods, or supernatural humans.

Here are the official entries for Festival de las Bellas 2020:

1. “Adarna” by Meldan Salazar
Mythology: Ibong Adarna
Señorita: Princess Serdenia
Director: Bernele A. Ricafort
Crew: Wilmz Apolinarion (Make Up Artist), Serpentina Ibanez, Angela Soberano, Ramisses Ramillano
2. “Un Diosa Pecadora (A Sinful Goddess)” By Vicky Go Tonggal
Mythology: Dian Masalanta (Goddess of Lovers, Childbirth and Peace)
Señorita: Areej Hassan
Director: Daryshien Sampang
Crew: Beatriz Rodriguez, Kentzun Tan
3. “Aman Sinaya” by Chris Ivan Arakan  11. “Maria Makiling” by April Joy Quintas
Mythology: Maria Makiling
Señorita: Lianne Alberto
Director: April Joy Quintas

Virtual events, competitions, and limited live activities will mark the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2020 celebrations as Zamboanga City abides with the landscape of the new normal.

This, in keeping with the minimum health standards, as the local government prepares for a #SafeHermosa2020, and a meaningful reflection of Fiesta Pilar amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hermosa Festival 2020 will officially open with the virtual 2020 Opening Salvo on October 1, 7 PM, to be held via the official channels of the Festival and the local government. Replays of 2019 Hermosa events will be broadcast over the Festival Week, from October 1 to October 7.

Meanwhile, competitions have been trimmed down to only those that can be held on online platforms. These include: Batalla 2020: Hermosa Mega Crew HipHop Competition, Original Chavacano Video Music Festival 2020, Festival de las Bellas 2020, Hermosa Photography Competition and Hermosa TikTok Challenge.

While majority of events will be virtual, there will be limited live events that will be held from October 1-15. These are the: Cosechas de Zamboanga 2020 from October 1-15, the Novena Mass at Fort Pilar from October 3-11, and the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar and Pontifical Mass on October 12.

A live event, the Las Ofrenda de Flores con el La Virgen del Pilar, will also be held to bring Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar to different barangays on October 11, a whole day activity that will begin at 6 AM and will follow a route from Sangali to Ayala to Talon-Talon and to City Hall.

All live events will strictly adhere to the minimum health standards.

Zamboanga Hermosa, also known locally as Fiesta Pilar, is one of Zamboanga City’s most important festivals. It honors the city’s patron saint, the Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar whose image is enshrined in the equally historic and venerated Fort Pilar. The feast day proper is on October 12 and is a special holiday in Zamboanga City. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)

Check out the calendar of activities here:


#ZamboHermosaFest 2020
𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦

𝙑𝙄𝙍𝙏𝙐𝘼𝙇 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙎 𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒃𝒆

October 1, Thursday, 7PM
• Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2020 Opening Salvo
• Virtual Replay of Inter-Barangay Bandoreal Competition 2019
October 2, Friday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of Hermosa Drum & Lyre Competition 2019

October 3, Saturday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of Dancesport Competition 2019

October 4, Sunday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of Mascota de Zamboanga 2019

October 5, Monday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of Best of Parade of Lights

October 6, Tuesday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of #LaRaza: Nacimiento del Lenguaje Chavacano

October 7, Wednesday, 7PM
• Virtual Replay of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Streetdance Competition 2019


𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

October 1-15, Thursday
• Opening of Cosechas de Zamboanga 2020
8AM-8PM, Plaza Pershing

October 3-11, Friday-Sunday
• Novena Mass at Fort Pilar
5PM-6PM, Fort Pilar Shrine
Live Streaming via FB Page and Youtube Channel

October 10-11, Saturday-Sunday
• Copa de Alcalde Golf Tournament
Zamboanga Gold and Beach Park

October 11, Sunday
• Las Ofrenda de Flores con el La Virgen del Pilar
6AM, Vitali to Ayala to Talon-Talon to City Hall

October 12, Monday
• Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar and Pontifical Mass
3PM-6PM, Fort Pilar Shrine
Live Streaming at Facebook and Youtube

October 24, Saturday
• Dive Safari at Once Islas


𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

October 9, Friday, 7PM
Deadline of Submission of Entries for:
• Original Chavacano Video Music Festival 2020 (tinyurl.com/OriginalChavacano2020)
• Festival de las Bellas 2020 (tinyurl.com/Bellas2020)
• Hermosa Fest TikTok Challenge

October 13, Tuesday, 7PM
• Deadline for Hermosa Festival Photography
Competition 2020
October 17, Saturday, 7PM
• Virtual Awarding Ceremony

October 25, Sunday, 7PM
Deadline of Submission of Entries for BATALLA 2020: Hermosa Mega Crew Hiphop Competition (tinyurl.com/Batalla2020)

October 31, Saturday, 7PM
• Virtual Awarding Ceremony for BATALLA 2020:
Hermosa Mega Crew Hiphop Competition
#SafeHermosa2020 #TieneCuidaoZC

Here are this year's competitions for Zamboanga Hermosa Festival:


We're inviting everyone in the annual Cosechas de Zamboanga, an agri fair showcasing the fresh produce of our farmers, including fruits, vegetables, processed food, and decorative plants. It opens on October 1 and runs until Ocotber 20 at Plaza Pershing.


Official Logo of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2020:


For more updates, like the Facebook page: Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and follow the Twitter account @zambocitygovt and Instagram account @zambocitygovt.