Fiesta Cultural, an activity showcasing the rich and colorful history and diverse culture of Zamboanga City, kicked off the Zamboanga Verano Festival (Summer Festival) 2023 Monday, April 14 at Plaza Pershing. 

Mayor John Dalipe keynoted the event that featured the Pangalay competition and the Food Festival and organized jointly by the City Government through the City Tourism Office and Atty. Mel Sadain. Councilors Jerome Santos and Vino Guingona, chairperson of the Council committee on tourism, likewise graced the event.

The Pangalay competition which showcased beauty, elegance and grace on stage, was won by the team from Rio Hondo with the teams from San Roque and Sinunuc ranking second and third placers, respectively.

Meanwhile, skilled chefs who participated in the Fiesta Cultural Food Festival exemplified culinary excellence in the presentation of the variety of dishes they prepared.

Winners in the food festival are the following: First place- Sheha’s catering and food services; second place – Mamang’s Greasy Spoon and third place – Chinito’s Restaurant.

Atty. Sadain said the Fiesta Cultural also forms part of the Hariraya Puasa celebration of the Muslim community in Zamboanga City.

The Fiesta Cultural is one of the 12 activities lined up for the Verano Festival in the city.  The other activities and their dates are the following:  Dia de Ma’am Caling (April 26), the Summer Rave Party (April 28), the Fiesta na Isla de Sta. Cruz (April 29), the 3rd Inter-Ateneo Alumni Football Tournament (April 29), the Kite Flying Competition (May 6), Ride Zamboanga – Moto-Tourism (May 13), the Dia de Gen. Vicente Alvarez (May 18), Dive Safari at Sta. Cruz Island (May 20), the Fiesta na Once Islas – Aquathlon (May 21), the Festival de las Bellas y Flores (May 27), and the summer Concert (May 31). For further details on the Verano de Zamboanga 2023 activities, interested parties may visit the City Tourism Office at Paseo del Mar. (Sheila Covarrubias)