ZAMBOANGA CITY — Residents here have been urged to unite in prayer and continue the veneration to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), the most revered saint of this city.
First District Rep. Celso Lobregat made the call for unity as this city celebrates on Friday, October 12, the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar, highlighting the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
“I am wishing all Zamboangueños Happy Fiesta Pilar. May our patron saint continue to protect and guide the destiny of our city, and this is because of our strong faith and devotion to her. This is the time to honor her in return for her goodness,” Lobregat said.
Lobregat also advised Zamboangueños to be vigilant and to cooperate with authorities in safeguarding the city, particularly in places of worships during the culminating religious activities.
The city government has deployed thousands of policemen backed by soldiers to ensure the peaceful celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
As the highlight of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, Friday will be devoted to religious activities, which will kick off with a Diana and Holy Rosary at 4 a.m.
The grand procession and pontifical mass at 3 p.m. draw thousands of devotees, including “balikbayans” and tourists, each year.
Every October 12 of each year is a non-working holiday — pursuant to Republic Act 7350 — to allow Zamboangueños to fittingly celebrate the feast day of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar.
Republic Act 7350 was authored by the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, the mother of the congressman, and was approved on April 2, 1992. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
