'Lady of the Pillar' - Thousands flock to Zamboanga City to attend iconic Hermosa Festival скачать в хорошем качестве

'Lady of the Pillar' - Thousands flock to Zamboanga City to attend iconic Hermosa Festival

Thousands of locals flocked to Zamboanga City on Thursday to celebrate the Hermosa Festival, also known as ‘Fiesta Pilar,’ honouring the city’s patron saint, the Lady of the Pillar, or ‘Nuestra Senora de la Virgen del Pilar.’ Footage from the event captured street performers in colourful costumes, dancing and playing live music, while attendees enjoyed the festive atmosphere. "We perform this street dance to show our love, faith, devotion, and dedication to Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar," one performer said. "The concept of our dance is rooted in the history of Zamboanga City, which has greatly influenced our culture and language," he added. Event organiser Arjo Rodriguez described the festival as "the most colourful festival in the region," emphasising that the celebration brought people together in 'faith and devotion'. "This is something we look forward to every October," he said. For one first-time attendee, the experience was unforgettable. "When I saw the props, costumes, and live bands, each had their own style of expressing how colourful Zamboanga Hermosa is," she shared. The festival’s history dates back to the Spanish colonial period when the Spaniards built Fort Pilar to protect the city from Moro attacks. The image of Nuestra Senora del Pilar was placed at the fort’s entrance, and over time, the city’s residents developed a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, with many stories of miracles and apparitions being passed down through generations. Zamboanga City, the third-largest city in the Philippines, sometimes referred to as 'Asia’s Latin City' due to its rich Spanish influence.