The BIGGEST event in Southern Philippines is only two months away! The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is the most awaited event in Zamboanga City. Experience the city in the most exhilerating way possible. During the month of October the city of Zamboanga is blanketed in waves of vibrant colors, electrifying energy, and the smell of mouth-watering cuisines.
The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival reflects that city’s historic culture, rich heritage, and is of great significance to every Zamboangueño in the city.
Here are SOME of the events that you can look forward to in this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival!
Stay tuned for announcements regarding the other events for the Hermosa Festival 2023!
Vamos a Zamboanga!
REGATTA
The Regatta is one of the most awaited and biggest events of the Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City. Beautiful vintas (traditional sailboats) adorn the seas of Zamboanga City weaving a vibrant tapestry of colors on the surface of the ocean.
The City Government of Zamboanga through the City Tourism Office holds the Regatta competition annualy. Beautiful vintas nestle on the shores of R.T. Lim Boulevard with their boatmen who are eager to set sail and race through the tantalizing oceans of Zamboanga City.
Each year more and more people come to Zamboanga to witness the spectacle of dozens of Vintas adorning the sea, painting a pictoresque color of beautiful sails amidst the blue tapestry of the ocean.
MASCOTA
The Mascota is one of the most captivating and enchanting highlights of the Hermosa Festival. The Mascota celebrates and honors Zamboanga’s rich cultural heritage. In a stunning display of both beauty and elegance, this event has become a tradition that amalgamates the essence of the city’s history and Spanish roots.
The Hermosa Festival holds a special place in the hearts of Zamboanga City’s residents. Held in October, it coincides with the feast day of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, affectionately known as Our Lady of the Pilar, the revered patroness of the city. This religious significance blends harmoniously with the cultural elements, creating a vibrant and meaningful celebration.
The Mascota is a living legacy of Zamboanga’s past, an artistic and elegant tribute to its historical fusion of cultures.
Beyond its stunning aesthetic, the Mascota fosters a deep understanding of the city’s multicultural heritage. It serves as an educational platform, imparting knowledge about Zamboanga’s historical journey and the cornucopia of cultures that make Zamboanga City stand out.
BADJU
Zamboanga City takes great pride in being a diverse cultural hub and actively promoting appreciation for its multicultural richness. One of the city’s ways to showcase this appreciation and highlight another aspect of its cultural heritage is through the Badju fashion show. The term “Badju,” a Muslim term, refers to traditional dresses, but it serves as a tribute to all Indigenous People of Zamboanga City.
The main objective of the Badju fashion show is to celebrate and highlight the various traditional dresses and captivating designs of the Indigenous People in the city, allowing them to shine brightly and display the beauty of our cultural heritage. This mesmerizing event features local fashion designers’ stunning creations, which gracefully incorporate the timeless elegance of indigenous designs, adding to the allure of the showcase.
It is also good to know that not just anyone can don a badju. Only women of renown or women who have attained significant achievement can be models for the badju. A strict standard is placed on the selection of models as to give justice to the cultural significance of this prestigious event.
VINTA DISPLAY
The Vinta, a traditional outrigger boat adorned with vibrant and colorful sails, carries with it a rich historical and cultural heritage. In the past, these beautiful vessels gracefully sailed the seas, painting the waters with a tapestry of vivid hues. Today, the City Government of Zamboanga keeps this cultural heritage alive by displaying them during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
STREET DANCE COMPETITION
The Street Dance Competition stands as one of the most captivating highlights within the enchanting tapestry of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. This dazzling spectacle breathes life into the city, magically transforming its streets into a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors and infectious energy. Mesmerizing dancers don exquisite and intricate costumes, gracefully swaying and twirling, their movements a graceful symphony of artistic expression.
As the various dance groups take the stage, their jubilant spirits seem to infuse the very air around them, creating an electrifying atmosphere that envelops the entire city. The rhythmic beats of drums and the melodic strains of traditional instruments add to the allure of the event, pulling in onlookers from all corners with an irresistible allure.
The contagious enthusiasm of the dancers is nothing short of awe-inspiring, their passionate performances inspiring and empowering the spectators. It’s as if an invisible thread of unity connects everyone present, drawing them into the celebration with boundless joy. And amidst the mirth and revelry, the boundaries between performer and audience blur, and even those watching find themselves swaying and clapping to the infectious rhythms.
FOOD CRAWL
The Food Crawl is a remarkable culinary spectacle, presenting an impressive variety of local establishments and cuisines that Zamboanga City takes great pride in. This enticing event offers guests an unforgettable expedition as they embark on a delightful tour of the city’s diverse dining venues.
Zamboanga City boasts some of the best food in the country. As a multi-cultural hub, Zamboanga has been a melting pot of both culture and flavors. With influences from Spain, Malaysia, China, and Muslim Cuisine, Zamboanga has produced dishes that incorporate each culture’s unique flavor creating a blend of gastronomic brilliance.
The Food Crawl is meant to highlight the unique flavors of Zamboanga and bring locals and visitors alike in a culinary journey that will stay in their tastebuds from years to come.
COSECHAS DE ZAMBOANGA
The Cosechas de Zamboanga (Harvest of Zamboanga) is an Agri-traid Fair that showcases the different agricultural crops of Zamboangueños. The event is held annually at Plaza Pershing.
The events aims to promote Zamboanga City’s top of the notch agricultural produce. All of the produce in the trade fair are grown organically and are of the highest quality. Although Zamboanga is famously known as a sea-food hub, its agricultural and livestock sector are nothing to scoff at. Boasting scrumptious vegetables, high-quality poultry, beef, and pork products, the Cosechas de Zamboanga is sure to garner the attention of agriculture enthusiasts everywhere.