ZAMBOANGA CITY, 22 Feb. (PIA 9) - - The city on Monday convened a meeting with the different agencies in a bid to finalize the security and traffic measures and other details to ensure a hassle-free celebration of the 75th Dia de Zamboanga.
Mayor Celso Lobregat said the meeting was intended to finalize preparations for the celebration, which is a significant milestone in the city’s political history.
The day, he stressed marks the day when the first set of appointed city officials was installed into office on February 26, 1937.
The city government has invited Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq as the guest of honor and speaker during the Dia de Zamboanga program on Sunday, February 26. The envoy is arriving in the city on Saturday, Feb. 25 where he will also grace the Red Carpet Night for the 2012 Zamboanga International Film Festival, one of the significant highlights in this year’s celebration.
During the meeting, the police and Task Force Zamboanga presented their individual security plan for the different activities that will be held starting this week leading to the Dia on Sunday. Some of the events will be held indoors while several others will be held outdoors.
With the conference, the city is all set for the celebration.
The activities heat up this week starting with the Vamos a Zamboanga photo exhibit from Feb. 20-29 at the Lantak Hotel hallway, the National arts Month Gulucinas de Zamboanga demonstration today, February 21 at the WMSU-CHE building.
The Open Cheer dance Competition will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 22 with 5 schools participating. It will be held at the City Coliseum starting at 1PM.
The other activities, organized either by the city government or private groups are the following: Zamboanga Food Festival on Feb. 23-24 from 5pm onwards at the Plaza del Pilar; Rotary International 107th Anniversary from Feb. 23-29 which will reel off with a motorcade on Feb. 23 at 8:30AM from City Hall to EAAB, mass at 5:30Pm at the Fort Pilar and Opening program at 7PM at the Paseo del Mar; Luz del Salud na Barangay (search for Outstanding Barangay Health Worker) on Feb. 23 at 12nn at the Lantaka Hotel; Search for Mr. Zamboanga 2012 on Feb. 23 at 8PM at the Astoria Plaza; Dia de Zamboanga Job Fair on Feb. 24 from 8am to 5pm at the Plaza del Pilar; National Arts Month 2012- declamation Elementary level on Feb. 24 at 2pm at WMSU gym; Dia de Zamboanga 15th Celso Lobregat Open Dart Tournament from Feb. 24-25 from 6pm onwards at the Ram’s Garden in Gov. Camins; Cong. Erbie Fabian Cup Five Men/Ladies Bowling tournament from Feb. 24=26 from 6pm onwards at the Tebi &Sean Bowling Center; 10th Achievers’ Night on Feb. 24 at 7pm at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel; Rota-Run on Feb. 25 at 6AM at Pasonanca and the Rotary Global Swimarathon on Feb. 25 from 8-9PM at the JFE Complex.
The Zamboanga International Film Festival will reel off Feb. 25 with the Red Carpet Night at 7pm at the National Museum Courtyard while the free screening of the films will be from Feb. 25-27 from 9am to 8pm at the Mindpro Cinema 1 and 3. The festival will culminate Feb. 27 with a program at the Lantaka Hotel at 7pm.
The Dia de Zamboanga activities on Feb. 26 will start with the drum and lyre competition for high school level and the grand parade at 1pm from the City Hall premises to the JFE Complex where the program and the awarding of the competicion de selyo will be held at 3pm. At 6:30pm the same day, the Art Exhibit will be opened at the Garden Orchid Hotel lobby.
On Feb. 27, the workshop dubbed Indie Film Making in one Day will be held from 8am to 5pm at WMSU while the Regahan Musica will be held at 7pm at the Paseo del Mar.
The National arts Month Cultural Show, dance competition, chabacano choral competition and awarding ceremony will be held on Feb. 29 at 3pm at the WMSU gym.
Present during the meeting were Task Force Zamboanga chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual, personnel from City Police Office represented by PSupt. Hado Edding, City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr., City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez, City Sports Director Bernardito Patiño and representatives from the various sectors such as radio group, medical group and other concerned agencies. (JPA/ S.Covarrubias/CIO/PIA- ZBST)