POST ZAMBOANGA CONFLICT R.T.LIM BOULEVARD (2013)

It is October 12, 2013, Fiesta Pilar Day!

I wanted to see the vintas ply the R.T. Lim Boulevard (Cawa-Cawa Boulevard)*** this weekend as I read in FB (must have been from DOT IX RD, Ma'am Mary June Bugante's post!).

But, the weather was dark and wet again today, after a few days of sun. I doubted if I will see the vintas, but we passed the boulevard anyway.

There are still many tents in the parts of the stretch and more are seen in the mid island of the road.

In fact, there were bancas seen also in the mid island.

boats in the mid-island of the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard

The Badjao evacuees are those who prefer to stay by the sea rather than in the evacuation center. So this place is actually by choice.

the tents are now more uniform

they wash their clothes by the roadside

by the seaside are the shelter boxes donated by the Rotary Club North...
and quite enterprising to have a little store, too! 

This is the Sangguniang Panglungsod building which is the coordination center for relief goods donated to the City and for distribution to the evacuees.

Close by is the Joaquin Enriquez Jr. Stadium, which is the largest evacuation center in the City.

I am just wondering why, there are again tents by the Stadium fence. 

 

Still a sad sight, and we really hope rehabilitation efforts will be able to take off... and pray that we no longer have any unusual disasters falling on Zamboanga City! 

I saw our dear Mayor Beng and the Urban Planning group with Jojo Sicat in Manila and I hope that their representations and planning will really be successful and timely.

The rains, however, reminded us of taking care of the environment and better planning on drainage, etc. We have found out that many of the drainage systems and even creeks are already covered and obstructed by houses and fences, thus, the surprise flooding (actually shocking!!!) which a large part of the populace experienced!

I didn't go to the boulevard the next day. But, my friend, Juvee did and here is what she captured!

I really love the colors and the beauty of the Zamboanga vinta sails!!!

Here are some of my older blog posts on the Zamboanga vintas and the vinta regatta. (Please click!)
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/10/vinta-regatta-2011-zamboanga-hermosa.html
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/09/zamboanga-vintas-circa-2005.html
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2012/10/fiesta-pilar-regatta-2012-beng-on-vinta.html
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2012/10/fiesta-pilar-2012-regatta-de-zamboanga.html

The challenge for Zamboanga City to regain its glory is humongous, but, it is reassuring enough that the spirit that "Zamboanga City is rising again" is already embedded in many people's hearts and minds!

Levanta Zamboanga!!!

PASEO AT THE ZAMBOANGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

It is October 1, 2012... eleven days to go before the Feast of the Lady of the Pilar 2012!

I just arrived at the Zamboanga International Airport and I noted a new look welcoming passengers to Asia's Latin City, Ciudad de Zamboanga.

They said it was just put up a day earlier. I am sorry I couldn't give any specific congratulations to the "conceptualizer" and "designer" but this is spearheaded by the Department of Tourism.

It is streamlined and clean, but still depicts the essence of Zamboanga City.

We see the whole Paseo scenario with the iconic lamp posts and benches at the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/09/images-of-zamboanga-city-circa-2011_23.html or presently named R.T. Lim Boulevard plus the colorful accent of the Zamboanga vinta.

 

Interestingly, did you notice that the lamp posts really light up?!

And here is the real thing! They caught the scene, right!

The center board caught my attention with its curved  appeal and the vibrant vermilion color (did I get the color right?)

And focused on Zamboanga City landmarks...

Sta. Cruz Island with the vinta in the backdrop! 

I guess the Metropolitan Cathedral is covered by the plants...

Do you think they missed any landmark?

I can already imagine the tourists coming over and have a really great photo souvenir as soon as they step in the airport.

I am sure the Ciudad De Zamboanga sign would be picture-perfect! So too, with the lamps, benches and vintas just like at the Boulevard and the Paseo!

I ♥ it!

Viva Fiesta Pilar 2012!!!

VINTA REGATTA 2011 ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL: RACE AND AFTER

The Regatta de Zamboanga 2011 was scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
I decided to come back midmorning because I also wanted to watch the race.

The Regatta de Zamboanga started in 1974. That is what I learned as I was watching the races.
I saw the Department of Tourism Region IX Director, Mary June Bugante in the podium area.

.I also saw friends who came to watch the races.

The rescuers prepare the buoy and markers.

Here are the beautiful sailboats plying the sea...

off they go... in linear fashion...

The rescue group observes as the race goes on...

the vintas from afar as the folks enjoy swimming...
note the beautiful waves ashore and the smooth sea beyond

as the vintas turn back to shore... 

a very ideal sunny day for the Regatta

the Carmelite monastery at the R.T. Lim Boulevard

the boatmen paddle their way to win!

the Sta. Cruz Island at the background

the Great Sta. Cruz Island in the horizon

Many people watched the event, while a lot also enjoyed their time swimming and just relaxing over there.

Happy kids enjoying the waves...

Soon after the races, here are some of the scenes we witnessed.

we are done!

Time to return the numbers of the sailboats...

       time to keep the sail...                                                                                          

and we see love overflows.... 

aftercare...

ice drop available for the hot and sunny day!

Of course, Angry birds have to be present!

We also saw our Congresswoman Maria Isabel "Beng" Climaco preparing for a segment of her television show with the regatta as her background.

Congresswoman Beng Climaco... Vaya con Dios

The day is done and off goes the racers.

An activity such as the Regatta de Zamboanga enlivens a quiet city and there we see people of all walks of life together.

the Carmelite monastery at the R.T. Lim Boulevard

Viva Zamboanga Hermosa... indeed, Beautiful Zamboanga!