Sheilla Ysug-Lee
As the sun sets over the historic city of Zamboanga, the air is filled with the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the rhythmic beat of traditional drums. The annual Hermosa Festival is back, and promises to be a spectacular celebration of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival has evolved into a premier cultural event in the region, attracting thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad. The 2024 edition, was scheduled to launch last September 14, but due to the inclement weather conditions, was formally launched last September 28, 2024, to take place from September 28 to October 31, 2024, which really surpassed previous years’ excitement with a more vibrant and innovative program.
At its core, the Hermosa Festival is a celebration of Zamboanga City’s resilience and beauty, born from the city’s historic struggles and triumphs. The festival’s name, “Hermosa,” is derived from the Spanish word for “beautiful,” reflecting the city’s enduring spirit and natural charm.
The festival’s centerpiece is the iconic Viva Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, also kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that showcases the city’s diverse cultural tapestry. Mesmerized by the eletrifying street performances, featuring traditional dances, music, and folk arts from various tribes and communities.
But that’s not all. The Hermosa Festival 2024 is packed with a wide range of activities and attractions, designed to delight visitors of all ages. Enjoy the vibrant cultural exhibits, featuring traditional clothing, crafts, and jewelry; savor the flavors of local cuisine at the food fairs; or attend the various workshops and seminars focused on cultural preservation and community development.
In celebration of the Hermosa Festival 2024 enlisted is a series of special events and performances, including the annual Pageant of Flowers, and the grand finale concert featuring some of the country’s top musical acts.
Beyond the festivities, the Hermosa Festival 2024 also aims to promote sustainable tourism and support local entrepreneurs, through initiatives such as a constellation of stars from the country’s entertainment capital in Metro Manila will descend on Zamboanga City to electrify the opening salvo of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival last Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan.
Kapuso stars Prince Clemente, Jeric Gonzales, Anthony Rosaldo, Hannah Precillas, Sanya Lopez, and Tom Rodriquez will surely captivate the hearts of their Zamboangueño fans, adding glitz and glum to what is expected to be the grandest opening salvo of the festival.
The event will also be made even livelier and ecstatic by the Inter-Barangay Bandoreal Parade Competion, a colorful display of giant legendary effigies and traditional characters marching on the main thoroughfares from the city proper all the way to the Grandstand.
The 2024 Zamboanga Hermosa Weightlifting Championships ; and 2024 Zamboanga Hermosa Taekwondo Championships
In the end, the Hermosa Festival 2024 is more than just a celebration of culture – it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Zamboanga City and its people. By attending this unforgettable event, visitors can experience the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty firsthand, while contributing to the growth and development of the local community.
Missed this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival? Please, do mark your calendars, pack your bags, and get ready to immerse yourself and witness the vibrant colors and rhythms of Zamboanga City’s next year’s Hermosa Festival 2025.
