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!!!

ZAMBOANGA CITY HALL LIGHTED FOR FIESTA PILAR 2013!

One of the main attractions of Zamboanga City is the lighted Zamboanga City Hall during Christmas season!

For this year, I didn't expect this anymore after the Zamboanga Crisis with the MNLF Stand-off and the Zamboanga flooding!!!

For the Fiesta Pilar 2013, the celebration is concentrated in the religious activities with all the other La Hermosa events cancelled.

People have gotten used to the curfew too, although, the curfew is now from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

So, I had the surprise of my life when I saw the beautifully lighted century old Zamboanga City Hall with laser lights.

The effect is also so different from the Christmas lights we have had for the past years that I have seen it!

Isn't it beautiful!!!

And really loud music accompanied the play of lights!!!

And of course, there has to be one with the Military Tank!

The tank is now one of the favorite photo sites wherever it is parked!

The brightly lit Zamboanga City Hall scene made me so happy...as it always had every Christmas!

But maybe, there is more joy now... because it made me feel that things are getting better!!!

The soldier said that the City Hall was lighted starting last night (October 11) and the lights close at 10 p.m. 

You might want to visit this area, too!!!   

SHRINE OF THE LADY OF THE PILLAR IN CEBU

Today, October 12 is a very special day for us, from Zamboanga City as this is Feast Day of the Lady of the Pillar, who has been venerated for four hundred years as the patroness of the City of Zamboanga and in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

Her bas relief is seen atop the eastern gate of the 17th Century Spanish military fort which we call Fort Pilar or as they say, El Fuerte Real de Nuestra Señora Virgen Del Pilar de Zaragosa!

Not so known to many is that there is a smaller version of this in Cebu City. I have heard of it, but, I haven't been there.

My friend, Ricky just moved to Cebu this year and in his FB, he shared his visit to the Fort Pilar in OPRRA, Cebu and I'd like to share it with you!
LOCATION: SITIO OPRRA, BRGY. KALUNASAN, CAPITOL HILLS, CEBU CITY

Doesn't it look just like our Fort Pilar shrine!

Oh, the prayer so close to our hearts!

And these are their activities for 2013 Feast Day!

OCTOBER 11, 2013 MORNING

CANDLE LIGHTING  @ THE "SHRINE OF NUESTRA SENYORA VIRGEN DEL PILAR"

LOCATION: SITIO OPRRA, BRGY. KALUNASAN, CAPITOL HILLS, CEBU CITY 

WHEN and IF YOU ARE IN CEBU CITY PLEASE VISIT AND JOIN WITH FELLOW ZAMBOANGUENOS / ZAMBOANGUENAS FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF PILAR!

ACTIVITIES AS RELAYED:

OCTOBER 11, 2013 

AFTERNOON @ 5:00PM - THE 9TH NOVENA
EVENING @ 6:00PM - THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION OF THE MASS
@ 7:30PM - FELLOWSHIP

OCTOBER 12, 2013 

@ 6:00PM - THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION OF THE MASS
@ 7:30PM - DINNER & FELLOWSHIP
@ 8:00PM - PROGRAM

FOR ADDED INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

HERMANOS Y HERMANAS (CEBU) DE ZAMBOANGA FOUNDATION 
Mrs. RUTH PALILEO-RANCES - Board Of Trustee
LL 032-2542087
Sun 09228148793
globe 09165112464

As of now, I couldn't give any more details about the movers for the presence of such a beautiful place in Cebu dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, but we should thank the Hermanas y Hermanos (Cebu) De Zamboanga Foundation for their efforts in honoring our patroness, Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragosa!

I do hope I can also visit the place soon.

NEW SCHEDULE FOR THE FIESTA PILAR DAY MASSES AND GRAND PROCESSION 2013

NEW SCHEDULE FOR THE FIESTA PILAR DAY MASSES
AND GRAND PROCESSION!

(from the FB Page of Fr. Butch Candido, Shrine Administrator dated October 10, 2013)

4-30 A.M. - MANANITA MASS

6-00 A.M. - MASS

8-00 A.M. - MASS

10-00 A.M. - MASS

12-15 P.M. -MASS

N.B. ALL THESE MASSES WILL BE AT THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

2-30 P.M.- GRAND PROCESSION ( FROM THE CATHEDRAL TO THE SHRINE )

4-00 P.M- PONTIFICAL MASS

THANK YOU! VIVA NUESTRA SENORA 
LA VIRGEN DEL PILAR!

DIVERTED PAL EXPRESS AND CEBU PACIFIC FLIGHTS: OCTOBER 5 AND 6, 2013

Last Saturday, I was coming back to Zamboanga after a few days in Manila. I heard it had been raining hard the day before, but the weather in Manila was so fine!

9:00 am PAL Express flight: Goodbye, Manila! 

I enjoyed the flight because I was able to find new friends who were actually already familiar faces. Such a pleasant flight until we were already nearing Zamboanga City when we felt some air pockets.

However, we had to hover over Zamboanga City for sometime and this now worried us. It was Zero Visibility for ZC plus the wind factor, thus, we were diverted to Cebu City for refueling.

Now in Cebu!!! I wish I could go down... my son called and said he is willing to come right away if we would go down!

The pilot tried to go back to Zamboanga and we felt more air pockets, but what was more nerve wracking, was the sudden acceleration from being close to the Zamboanga airport (I see the water!) and back to the skies and heading back to Manila!!! Imagine, acceleration without the runway! The reason is flooded ZC runway!
The Cebu Pacific flights were able to land...we didn't know what to think. In the end, we comforted ourselves that it was the pilot's call and that he thought of our safety!

3 p.m. = = we are back in Manila!... 
after 6 hours of mostly flying... seemed like a long haul flight!

As soon as the plane landed, the steward said, "Welcome to Manila!"

And everyone said, "Again" with laughter!

It was quite unusual for me that I never heard anyone shout or complain out loud.

Have the people become more tolerant and understanding?

So here I am back in Manila, without stepping out of the plane along the way!

Since it was a problem of the weather, we just had our biscuit and peanuts and with no meals nor accommodation.

Some had to stay on in the airport.

Still fortunate was that PAL Express would let the whole group take the flight back to ZC the next day if we decide to do so.

The next day (Sunday), we see familiar faces again at the Manila airport.

We all had mixed feelings from the day before and of course, what this day would bring!

Then, I saw a famous face...

APL. DE AP is going to Zamboanga City

Nobody went near Apl. de Ap!!!

It may be because the people around were of the older age group... or everyone was concerned with their tickets...or many were shy and just waiting for someone to start off!

He was going to Zamboanga City on the earlier flight!

I was already happy of his effort to help out Zamboanga City at our lowest. 

He was helping out ZC for housing projects and for school projects in Talon-Talon.

From the Mayor's FB: Mayor Beng Climaco shares with Apl de Ap the situation of evacuees in various sites. Apl is in Zamboanga today to help in the rehabilitation efforts. He will help build classrooms in Barangay Talon-Talon. ‪#‎RebuilZambo‬

Back to my story: so on Sunday, we finally flew to ZC. Everyone was hopeful but still worried since we heard news the downpour was heavier than the day before.
My friend had a "minute-to-minute advisory" from her husband who was able to land the day before!

We see Zamboanga City from above! There is visibility!!!

Some said, PAL gave us the best pilot so we can finally go home! This must just be a booster! And anyway, we did land safely... a bit bumpy...but still, safe!

View of Zamboanga City... I see flooded areas now!

Everyone gave a loud applause as soon as we landed!!!

So, we are back to the very wet Zamboanga City, now on Day 3 of the heavy rains! 

I now waited for my husband who is coming on the Cebu Pacific flight about 30 minutes from our flight.

Then, I heard the announcement: The Cebu Pacific flight has been diverted to Davao and those who decided to deplane in Davao can do so. Again, it was due to flooded ZC runway!!! Imagine just a few minutes from our flight!

The passengers of Cebu Pacific were also diverted to Manila.

Still no food nor accommodations but of course, you can buy some sandwiches on the plane.

The passengers now complained because only the next flight out was free. They had to find their next flight...unfortunately, the next flight to ZC was still four or five days after!!!

There were those who considered diversion to another place like to Cebu, Pagadian or Dipolog or elsewhere (still free), but the next flight from there to Zamboanga would now be paid the passenger!

A friend got the Cebu flight, then, used his extra plane ticket for the Cebu-Zam flight. Those who went to Pagadian or Dipolog decided to take the road trip back to ZC.

We had a better deal with PAL Express than Cebu Pacific, but of course, this is based on these circumstances and individual experiences.

Lessons learned:

* nice to talk to a friend (may be new) while on a not-so-good flight...may help ease the stress!
* always bring contigency money like for the additional flights or accommodation
~~~ maybe a credit card may be of help in situations like these.

~~~ but, they can stay in the airport overnight, too!
~~~ I met a new lady friend from Siocon, who was offered by a nice lady stranger from Ipil to stay in her house...so gracious...there is still trust in the world!!!

* always bring additional clothes and underwear for an additional day or two...

* CONTINUE TO PRAY!

These are unusual times... 23 days of stand-off plus additional six days of heavy rain and flooding and on going!
Zamboanga is not known for typhoons. They just called it an ITCZ or an intertropical convergence zone...but still so destructive.

Zamboanga leaders better consider all the drainage and flooding problems, including the runway problems, before adding more shelter! The plans should, therefore, be holistic and the environmental issues considered in the plans.
Maybe, this situation is a way of reminding our leaders of the things to think of, before making any rush plans in rebuilding Zamboanga!

It is also month since the MNLF Stand-off started!... 
Two calamities in a month...one man-made...the other, natural...
How time flies!!!
Can we endure more?

Credits: Aileen Decrepito... we were looking at the same sun! But she uploaded her photo right away... allow me to share the sunny day!

Today, I see the sun... and we are hopeful (again!)!!!