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A festival for a Lady
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: -
Date: 2007-04-09
 
The Christianization of the people of Zamboanga and their hispanized ways stand out among the deeply rooted Islamic influence found in the region.


Beneath the azure sky of Southern Philippines, at the very tip of Western Mindanao lies the city of Zamboanga - colorful as its sunsets and moro vintas; mysterious as the sea that surrounds it; quaint as its medley of speech; and exotic as its rare fruits and its blend of races.

The Christianization of the people of Zamboanga and their hispanized ways stand out among the deeply rooted Islamic influence found in the region. The rich culture of Zamboanga influences the lives of the people, but not as much as their devotion to Our Lady of Pilar, or the Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza.

In fact, the Zamboangueños’ devotion to Our Lady of Pilar draws devotees and pilgrims to Zamboanga every year, especially on the celebration of her feast, Oct. 12. As the patroness of Zamboanga, her feastday even overshadows the City’s official feast day, and is traditionally celebrated with the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Also known as the ‘’Fiesta Pilar,’’ the festival lasts for first 12 days in October, marked by days and nights of events and celebrations that pay tribute to the Lady of Pillar, Zamboanga’s unifying cultural and historical symbol.


RICH LEGENDS

The festival is rooted in Zamboanga’s rich history of devotion to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar that is supplemented by rich legends about the virgin.

"A city steeped in history, Zamboanga was an integral part of the Spanish colonial administration. In 1635, the Spaniards built the Real Fuerza de San Jose in Zamboanga as a fort to secure them against constant raids by the moro warriors," narrates historian and professor Josefina Iledo, executive assistant of the city mayor. "For almost three centuries, Spaniards held the city of Zamboanga as a seat of government. Zamboanga became the cultural center of the south, and was deeply seated in Hispanic heritage and tradition."

The Lady’s image was brought to the fort in 1734 as a frontpiece for the main entrance. But after the fort was rebuilt in 1860, the western side was converted into a shrine for the Lady, and the fort was renamed Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza.

The city’s devotion to the Lady of Pilar was legendary, because of the wealth of stories, miracles, and apparitions surrounding the virgin.

In one such legend, a bloody encounter ensued over a land dispute between the Spaniards and the locals. As the battle went underway, a woman appeared before the warring groups, effectively creating a ceasefire.

Another legend narrates the Lady’s apparition over Basilan strait on Sept. 21, 1897. The image hovering in the air reportedly raised her right arm to signal the onrushing waves to stop, thus saving the city from the holocaust.

On Aug. 16, 1976, another miracle was attributed to the Lady, when a killer quake and tsunami threatened the city, until an apparition of the Lady was seen, and her intercession saved the city of Zamboanga.


DANCING FOR

DEVOTION

Day in and day out, devotees to the virgin are seen at the Fort to venerate the sacred bas-relief image of the Lady of Pilar. But at the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, dancers pay tribute to the virgin through their movements.

Each year, dancers from the Zamboanga City High School, the foremost learning institution of the Zamboanga peninsula, perform praise dance to the Lady. To the tune of lyres and drums that create a jovial atmosphere and fluidity, the dancers’ fluid body movement, coupled with intricate footwork and hand motions signify adoration to God for the intercession of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar as an instrument of Peace.

Dancers pay their tribute to the Lady dressed in colorful costumes, floral arches and body movements, also symbolizing Zamboanga as a melting pot of cultures that blend harmoniously in the spirit of unity and diversity.

This year, the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival contingent joins the ‘’Aliwan Fiesta’’ again, eager to prove its might among the country’s most spectacular fiestas.

Spirited street dancing, swathed in the pomp and color of different regional cultures and traditions, will fill up the streets of Manila this summer as Aliwan Fiesta 2007, the socalled ‘’the mother of all festivals’’, ushers in its fifth year on April 26 to 28, along Roxas Blvd.

Aliwan Fiesta ’07, organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), together with the cities of Manila and Pasay, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, brings together thousands of the country’s finest craftsmen, street performers, and homegrown beauties handpicked to compete in the dance parade competition, float competition, and the much-awaited ‘’Reyna ng Aliwan’’ beauty pageant.

Both local and foreign tourists have witnessed a 25-in-1 festival that showcases dancers from different Philippine festivals such as the Pakalog Festival of Pasig City; Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City; Sambali Cagayana Festival of Cagayan; Bacao Festival of Echague, Isabela; Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan; Paminitan Festival of Rodriguez, Rizal; Boling-Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon; Pili Festival of Sorsogon City; Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City (Ilonganon and Kahilwayan contingents); Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Negros Occidental; Sinulog Festival of Cebu City; Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte; Padul-ong Festival of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City; Zamboanga Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City; Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City; Padang-Padang Festival of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan; Kuyog A Sagayan of Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan; Melimud Festival of South Upi, Maguindanao and Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

A grand parade along Roxas Blvd, will kick off the culmination activities on April 28, starting from Quirino Grandstand and ending in front of Star City, CCP Complex.
 

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