By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands went out of their
homes to enjoy the fun, as the second day of December was greeted with colorful
and bright Christmas lanterns signaling opening salvo for “Pascua na Zamboanga
2013” celebration.
The city government kicked off
Monday the annual Christmas festivity with a mass attended by all city
government officials and employees at the Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by a
lantern parade dubbed “Parada de las Estrellas” at 6:30 p.m. from the Cathedral to the city hall grounds where a
short program was conducted.
The opening activity for this
year’s Christmas festival was a simple yet meaningful one.
“The City Government celebrates
the advent season with simplicity and austerity in view of the crisis that
happened in Zamboanga as well as the natural calamities that struck other parts
of the country,” said Mayor Beng Climaco in her message during the program.
“Let us practice the spirit of simplicity,
we can forego with our lavish celebration but let us not forego the spirit of
Christmas that Christ is born into our hearts,” she added.
This year’s Pascua na Zamboanga
celebration is anchored on the theme, “Build Back Better Un Familia Zamboangueño,”
which is rooted in the city’s transition from the crisis to recovery and to
rehabilitation phase with the family as the main focus of the celebration, said
City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias.
Inter-office Christmas
presentation made the event more festive and exciting. The night was made even
more alive and thrilling with the ceremonial switch-on of Christmas lights and
Christmas tree at the City Hall, and other known landmarks like the Plaza Pershing
lights, Plaza Vicente Alvarez, Paseo del Mar and Plaza del Pilar.
Lined up activities for the
Pascua na Zamboanga festivity include
vinta sailing on Dec. 2-15, from 8-11a.m. and 3-6p.m. at the Paseo del
Mar, and Gulucinasa y Comida de Pascua from Dec. 2-23, 6p.m. and onwards at the
City Hall grounds.
Other activities include Weekend
Christmas Fair on Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29, at 10 a.m. to 1p.m. at
Centro Latino at Paseo del Mar, Best Belen competition on Dec. 13 at 4p.m.
still at Centro Latino, Arco de Pascua, best barangay Christmas, Mascota de
Zamboanga on Dec. 17, at the City Hall grounds at 7p.m. and a lot more. (PIA9)