ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 11 (PIA) -- After two years of hiatus because of the pandemic, the oldest, grandest, and most colorful festival in the region--the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is back, with its climax-civic event, the Street Dance competition. The event was witnessed with a jam-packed crowd at Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex or grandstand in Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) estimated over 2,000 people witnessed the colorful event. No untoward incident was reported. 

“Two years of hiatus made us realize how our faith and devotion to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar fortifies our identity as Zamboangueños. Today, I am humbled to see all of you here in full support of schools, organizations, and even guests who made their way to Zamboanga City to be part of the celebration of the oldest, grandest, and most colorful festival in the region, the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival,” mayor John M. Dalipe said. 

Spreading fun in color, culture, and diversity, seven barangays and organizations competed in the street dance, with the delegation from Barangay Bacong, Municipality of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte winning the grand prize of P500,000, besting six other participating barangays. 

Second place went to Mujer LGBTQIA+, taking home a P300,000 cash prize and the third place went to Barangay Divisoria with a P200,000 prize in cash. A consolation prize of P100,000 each is given to other contingents from Zambowood, Guiwan, Unibersidad de Zamboanga (UZ), and Tugbungan.

The other four participants in the competition received P20,000 each as a consolation prize; Ferndale Marching Jaguars, Virtuoso de Azul de Tetuan, ICASIAN drum and lyre corps, and Barangay Manicahan DLC. 

Meanwhile, BGYO, a five-member Filipino boy group delighted the crowd with their singing and dance performance. Youtuber Pamela Swing was also present at the event, encouraging Zamboangueños to start vlogging. 

The 2022 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, with the theme of Celebracion de Colores, is a month-long celebration. Part of it is the continued vaccination efforts of the city government in the night market, located in the different strategic locations of the city. Five kilos of rice is given to individuals who get themselves inoculated in the night market. (RVC/CCP/PIA9)