FIESTA PILAR 2012: EVE OF THE FEAST

At the eve of the Feast of the Lady of the Pilar, most of the Filipino families come by droves to the Fort Pilar Shrine to light the candles, pay homage to Our Lord Jesus, Our Lady of the Pilar and saints and of course, to just sit on one of the benches and pray.

On the way to the Shrine, we pass by the Plaza Del Pilar and the wall of the Fort Pilar which is the entrance of the National Museum. 

Candle vendor.

We meet candle vendors along the way, but this lady is really very smiling as she sells her candles. I begged off this time since we had huge red candles with the Chinese dragon design. The next day, I met her again and she happened to know who I was and this time, I bought candles from her.

Sometimes, the religious side also has the belief side as seen in this sign:

Entrance.

Of course, the first entrance is for safety...

As we enter the Shrine proper...

Prayer Before Lighting of the Candle.

 

our prayer before lighting candles

Lighting of the Candles.

the boys help us out with our large candles

 

We also have the chance to bring over our guests to the Shrine as well as meet friends who also happen to be there.

Central Altar.
The decorations for the main altar and the whole Shrine is still ongoing!

Carillon Bells.

As we leave.
I love how the buntings are flowing with the wind this Fiesta Pilar Eve!

The funfare and revelry we experience with Fiesta Pilar 2012 gives us the air of the feast and showcases Zamboanga at its happiest.

But, let us never forget the essence of the Fiesta Pilar is our continued prayerfulness and our devotion to the Lord and respect to our Mediatrix, the Lady of the Pilar.

P.S.
Here is the link to my post last year on the Eve of the Fiesta Pilar.
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/09/fort-pilar-through-years.html

FIESTA PILAR 2012: RAKISTA ZAMBOANGA

Another interesting activity during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2012 is the RAKISTA ZAMBOANGA,  which was held last October 7 to 11, 2012 at the Plaza Del Pilar.

Here is the link from the online news I read about Rakista Zamboanga:

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/12048-rakista-zamboanga.html

At least 38 local amateur bands in Zamboanga City will participate in Rakista Zamboanga “ Battle of the Bands” on October 7-11,2012 at Plaza Del Pilar, 7pm onwards.The said event formally kicked off yesterday with nine competing bands coming from different schools and organizations in the city.

The activity which is part of the FIESTA HERMOSA 2012 celebrationaims to promote the chabacano language through music of different genre except Heavy Metal Rock. Competing Music Bands composed of four to seven members will render two songs, one cover song of their choice and the other an original chabacano composition.

Three bands will be chosen during (elimination round) October 7-10, 2012 to vie for the grand finals on October 11,2012 whose production will be a Woodstock type of show. Criteria for judging 30% originality,25% Showmanship,20% Musical Ability and 25% Viewer’s choice.

I have a few photos to share, although, I really don't know which group this was.

I guess they really entertained the folks in the plaza Del Pilar since the whole place was jampacked!

And I also really love looking at these old, huge acacia tree, which look a bit eerie but adds character to the venue!!!

FIESTA PILAR 2012: MISS ZAMBOANGA

Finally, I was able to take a picture of the 2012 Miss Zamboanga Christine Macasarte Juaton, an 18 year old B.S. Nursing student of the Ateneo De Zamboanga University.

She was crowned last October 4, 2012 at the Astoria Regency Convention Center, where she bested 12 other candidates.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/12009-all-set-for-miss-zamboanga-2012.html

My lens caught the Zamboangueña beauty from Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City during the Float Parade!

And here is her court!

Congratulations, Miss Zamboanga 2012!

May you bring pride to Zamboanga City as her Ambassador of Goodwill and representative to the national pageants!!!