The city government of Zamboanga launched the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2023 Celebracion de Colores during a program at the Grand Astoria Hotel Royce Convention Center in Zamboanga City on Thursday, September 21.
MAYOR John Dalipe and Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja launched the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2023 in Zamboanga City. (Mayor John Dalipe page)
The program signals the start of the month-long annual festival tagged as the grandest in Zamboanga City.
Over 70 events were prepared by the City Tourism Office in line with the celebration of Zamboanga Hermosa and Fiesta Pilar, the city’s fiesta in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar.
The fiesta culminates on October 12 with a grand procession from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Fort Pilar Shrine for a pontifical Mass. Novena masses will be held starting October 3.
Prior to this, a grand Street Dance Competition and Main Program participated in by groups from Zamboanga City and nearby municipalities will be held.
Traditional events during the festival include the drum and lyre competition, Mascota Night, Regatta, Parade of Lights, and Balikbayan (returning Filipino) Fiesta.