MYMP in Asia’s Latin City

Pep Talk by Dante Corteza

One of the country’s best bands, Make Your Momma Proud or a lot famous as MYMP, performed in Zamboanga City Coliseum to an enthusiastic crowd last October 9. It was part of the grand celebration of the Zamboanga 2008 Hermosa Festival. And it was made possible by St. Joseph School (SJS) High School Batch ’83, the school jubilarian honoree this year.

MYMP is the author of the sweetest, softest and most soothing music the Philippine Music Industry could have. Pairing up the guitar work of Chin Alcantara and the most angelic voice of Juris Fernandez is truly heaven’s work. This tandem, together with their other band mates, has brought fans and listeners everywhere great music and pleasant times both with their wonderful personalities and their heart-warming songs.
The band’s female singer Julie Iris Fernandez (better known as Juris) hails from Davao and took her early education in Ateneo de Davao. She comes from a family of doctors and took BS psychology in Miriam College as a pre-medicine course. Although she graduated a BS psychology student, she pursued a career in music as a vocalist despite having no formal training in singing. Her cool and soft voice was eventually loved by the airwaves and the fans. Her quiet, simple and sweet appearance has made her appeal to the fans in their bar gigs and on TV. But despite all her success, she remains kind and fun-loving at heart. She is a great person to know and an even greater friend to have.

Chin Alcantara, born on March 12, started learning the guitar when he was 15. His talent and skill blossomed and with the support of his Dad, pursued a career in music. His musical influences are Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Mr. Big and Led Zepelin. His friendly and funny appeal makes him a crowd and fan favorite on and off the stage. He finished his college degree in communication arts in Miriam College. Here are some of his favorite things: favorite movies are Legends of the Fall and Star wars, favorite cartoon character: Sponge Bob and favorite book Thick face Black Heart.

Juris sang a duet with Asia's Latin City Mayor Celso Lobregat
St. Joseph High School Batch'83 with City Mayor Celso Lobregat
Thanks, SJS, for bringing MYMP to Asia’s Latin City.

More pictures at the photo gallery of What's on Zamboanga. Read more...

Zamboanga Dancesport Competition Year 5

by Dante Corteza

It was my first time to witness the dancesport competition of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival last October 10 at the Zamboanga City Coliseum. This has been going on for the last five years under the supervision of the Zamboanga City Tourism Office.

I was totally floored and awed with the young competitors. They were so graceful in twisting their bodies and thumping around. It made the audience stomped too their feet in rhythm with the music. Simply great!

And to think that the general impression of most people only the oldies are good at this. In other countries, ballroom dancesport is a phenomenon. People of all ages and sexes are crazy about it. Dancing does not give us only fit bodies, it develops our self-discipline, self-esteem, our mind (have to think fast our next moves), and maturity of our emotions (winning is not everything here). We have to feel the music to perform well.

Top Hollywood male superstars including action stars are good dancers. It gives them agility and it can also help bear long sustenance of physical endurance for them.

Kudos should be given to City Mayor Celso Lobregat for supporting this physical art of endeavor through the coordination of the City Tourism Office.

The declared winners were: College Category – (First Place-Universidad de Zamboanga); (Second Place-Zamboanga City Polytechnic College), and (Third Place- Western Mindanao State University). High School Category – (First Place-Montessori de Zamboanga), (Second Place-Claret High School), and (Third Place-Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School).

Next year, the dancsport promises to be grander and more exciting!

More pictures at the photo gallery of What's on Zamboanga.

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Barrio Girl is Ms Zamboanga 2008

A girl from La Paz, Zamboanga City was hailed as the fairest of all the candidates of Miss Zamboanga 2008 last October 9, 2008 at Astoria Regency. Sherrydelle Sarreal,a call center trainer wowed the audience and the judges with her beauty and wit. Completing her entourage are the following winners:

1st runner-up: Racquel Asa
2nd runner-up: Joey Albert Short
3rd runner-up: Katrina Camoro
4th runner-up: Lenybeth Militante

Racquel Asa also won Best in Production Number and Best in Gown. Katrina Camoro went home with Best in Swimwear and Miss Photogenic awards. The Best in Corporate Attire was awarded to Joey Albert Short.

Miss Zamboanga 2008
Sherrydelle Sarreal


1st runner-up
Racquel Asa


2nd runner-up
Joey Albert Short


3rd runner-up
Katrina Camoro


4th runner-up
Lenybeth Militante

You can watch the slide show of the photos below or visit the Photo Gallery of What's on Zamboanga.


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Cosechas de Zamboanga

Farmers from Zamboanga, Cotabato and Davao displayed their products during the Cosechas de Zamboanga at Plaza Pershing. The market fair ran from October 1 to 15, 2008.

During my visit at the trade fair, I was able to taste an exotic root crop called Yacon. Yacon is considered as the Apple of the Earth. It looks like a camote or ube but when it is peeled it looks like an apple. It is watery and had a very distinct taste. I was also amazed by the gigantic gumamelas.

You can watch the slide show of the photos below or visit the Photo Gallery of What's on Zamboanga.



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Market! Market! in Catribo

by Dante Corteza

In celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa 2008 Festival, Catribo Complex is holding a trade fair inside its big parking space up to October 16. With variety of traders selling assorted items from clothing, novelty items, food, fruits, cosmetics, barter goods, etc., this is the version of Manila’s famous shopping paradise Market! Market! – this is Tiangge Tiangge na Catribo.

It officially opened last Sunday with VP Elago as the event’s energetic emcee and with the popular local band, Detour, giving live music entertainment. VP with his quick wits and good hosting of instant games the shoppers surely had an enjoyable Sunday evening.

I learned most of these shoppers just came from their visit from Fort Pilar. Some drop by before paying their religious homage.

What makes this marketing event special, it gives family opportunities to be closer with one another. They can shop and dine together in one of Catribo’s finest restaurants. And sing also in the shopping complex videoke bar before calling the night off. Like praying together, a family that shops, eats, and sings together too, will stay together. And it can happen right here at Catribo!

Friends and lovers also can do midnight shopping, and of course, buy early Christmas gifts to avoid the season rush all together. A cup of coffee or a bottle of beer can bring out anything under the sun topics after their shopping spree too.

Among those that first caught my pocket is the Michelle Special Bangus – that sells different kinds of bangus (milk fish) preparations specially the sought-after belly parts. Our family’s favorite – we had a satisfying bangus breakfast yesterday. The enterprising owner said the bangus came from Dagupan the Bangus Capital of the Philippines. The good news? The price is comparable to the ones being sold in our local market and groceries. But Michelle’s Bangus are more delectable and lip-smackingly good in sight (hygienically packed), smell heavenly (the aroma comes out during and after cooking), and taste (very good!).

Budgetwise also launched their new wine collections. Together with several friends, we had a sort of “mini-wine party” at Mr. Bean with three of Budget’s best wines. No – we didn’t end up as drunkards afterwards neither it was a social drinking (pa shot-shot lang). It was sort of learning the art of appreciating wines.

We animatedly talked the history of wines, where they came from, how they are made, how to store them, how to distinguish good wines using our sense of sight, smell, and taste etc. with one of the managers of Budgetwise. It was really an enlightening evening with him. Want to know about wine? Visit the wine section of Budgetwise and learn too.

My favorite, Chinito’s, one of the booth participants, brought their best cuisines and drinks. Asked why they were there? It’s a chance to serve their customers who likes to have Chinito’s in midnight they explained.

It was also the launching exposure one of the services, the Doddle, offered by the up-coming advertising and business consultancy firm, What’s On Zamboanga. A newly created company (merging new trends in information technology and business opportunities), the corporate team members (composed of dynamic young men and women) created a big wall of doddle (a mix graphic arts of drawn subjects) that caught the attention of the shoppers.

This is used in Manila trade fairs and other events to bring in the crowd. People can take pictures with the doddle as the background. Try it! Bring you camera, pose with the Catribo Doddle Board, and take your shots. In other places, they charge certain fees. At Catribo, it’s free!
(Catribo Tiangge, conveniently located in Buenavista St., opens from 4:30 pm to Midnight.)
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Miss Zamboanga 2008

Nine beautiful candidates will vie for the title of Miss Zamboanga 2008 on October 9, 2008 at the Astoria Regency, Zamboanga City.

The candidates:
1. Lenybeth Militante
2. Katrina Camoro
3. Jovy Clyd Omoso
4. Sherrydelle Sarreal
5. Kristine Joy Pinote
6. Karina Mae Manuel
7. Katherine Ann Inclan
8. Racquel Asa
9. Joey Albert Short

Thanks to Kenneth Lorenzo of Solidmart Digital for allowing me to post the pictures here.

Here are larger pictures of the candidates and their profile:

Contestant No. 1
Lenybeth Militante
23 years old
Bank Teller

Contestant No. 2

Katrina Camoro
18 years old
Student at Western Mindanao State University
taking up BS Nursing

Contestant No. 3
Jovy Clyd Omoso
20 years old
Student at Universidad de Zamboanga- School of Allied Medicine
taking up BS Nursing

Contestant No. 4

Sherrydelle Sarreal
22 years old
Recruiter/ Trainer Cyber City Teleservices (Phils.) Inc.

Contestant No. 5
Kristine Joy Pinote
18 years old
Student at Computer Technologies Institute Zamboanga
taking Computer Secretarial

Contestant No. 6
Karina Mae Manuel
16 years old
Student at Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School

Contestant No. 7
Katherine Ann Inclan
20 years old
Student at Western Mindanao State University
taking BS Nursing

Contestant No. 8

Racquel Asa
21 years old
Student at Western Mindanao State University

Contestant No. 9
Joey AlbertShort
21 years old
Western Mindanao State University

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Catribo Complex joins Fiesta Pilar celebration

The Catribo Complex at Buenavista street, Zamboanga City announces their activities lined up in relation to the Fiesta Pilar celebration. The number one hang out location in the city will be having a two-night foam party inside the Catribo complex on October 10 and 11. Party starts at 6:00 PM in the evening and will accelerate until dawn.

On October 12, during the Fiesta Pilar celebration, the Catribo Complex will open its Tiangge Tiangge na Catribo where visitors can find varieties of food delicacies, fruits, clothes (RTW), cosmetics, novelty items, and barter goods all at very reasonable prices. The Tiangge Tiangge na Catribo will be open from 4:00 in the afternoon to 12:00 middight from October 12 to 16, 2008.

The Catribo Complex will also feature live performances by local talents to entertain the crowd. There will also be other surprises such as games and contests wherein lots of gift items will be given away.

Everyone is invited to experience the nightly fun and excitement at Catribo Comblex, Zamboanga City's prime party destination.
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Sen. Manny Villar graces Zamboanga Regatta 2008

Sen. Manny Villar officially started the Zamboanga City Regatta competition yesterday, October 5, 2008 at the RT Lim Boulevard. The competition is one of the main highlights of the annual festival. Regatta means a rowing race of boats. In Zamboanga, vinta is the boat used in the race.

A vinta is a boat with colorful sails. In Wikipedia, vinta is described as a vessel of ancient heritage used by Muslims in the large island of Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The colorful sails represents the colorful culture of the Muslim community hundreds of years ago. The vinta is commonly used for inter-island transport of people and goods.

The gloomy weather did not hinder more than 100 vintas from participating in the event. Thousand of residents and tourists also witnessed the very unique competition in the world.

Related post: Regatta de Zamboanga: Vinta Racing Contest
Photo Gallery: Spiderye's Adventure Zamboanga Regatta 2008
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Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Schedule of Activities

In my opinion, this year's Zamboanga Hermosa Festival marketing plan is not working well. Local residents and tourist had difficulty in getting the correct schedule of activities for the festivities. Posters has not yet been released and the tarpaulins were displayed just yesterday. The schedule that I posted here several days ago which I got from a local newspaper was errronous and thus I have to delete it.

Here is the schedule I got from the tarpaulin which was display along the Gov. Camins Ave Rotonda:

Wow Zamboanga
October 1- 8
7PM- onwards
National Museum Courtyard, Fort Pilar

Cosechas de Zamboanga
October 1-15
9AM, Plaza Pershing

Art Exhibit
October 6 - November 6
6PM, Garden Ochid Hotel

City-wide Job Dair
October 2-3
8AM- 5PM
City Health Compound

Novena Mass
October 3 -5
5:30 PM
Fort Pilar

Beng Climaco Badminton Cup
(Inter-Government Tournament)
October 3-6
8AM- 5PM
LB Badminton Center

1st Zamboanga Hermosa Invitational MTB Challenge
(Circuit Race Competition)
October 5
7AM- onwards
Abong-abong, Pasonanca

SMB Cerveza Negra Jazz Saturday Nights
October 4
8PM - onwards
Cafe Zambo, Canelar

Regatta de Zamboanga
October 5
8AM
RT Lim Boulevard

Mindanao Week of Peace 2008 Awarding Ceremony
(writing and painting competition)
October 6
4PM
National Museum Courtyard, Fort Pilar

Servicio Medical
October 7
8AM - 5PM
City Health Compound

Dancesport Competition - Year 5
October 8
1PM
ZC Coliseum

Grand Fashion Show
October 8
7PM
Astoria Regency

Fiesta Solo Art Exhibit
October 8 - November 8
5:30 (Opening Exhibit)
The Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago
ADZU, La Purisima Street

Miss Zamboanga 2008
October 9
7PM
Astoria Regency

Chabacano Song Festival
October 9
7PM
Garden Orchid Hotel

"Classic Meets Rock"
October 10 & 11
Multi-Purpose Covered Court
ADZU, La Purisima Street

Erico Basilio Fiesta Pilar Dart Cup
October 10-11
Ram's Beer Garden

"Savers the Wonder Dog"
Dog Show
October 10 -11
ZC Coliseum

Motorcade Dog Show
October 10
8AM, 3PM - 5PM

Dog Show
October 11
8AM - 10AM, 3PM - 5PM

Mascota de Zamboanga Show
October 10
6PM
Museum Courtyard, Fort Pilar

MYMP Concert
October 10
7PM
ZC Coliseum

Floral Float Parade
Street Dance Competition
Street Dance Showdown
Fiesta Main Program
October 11
1PM: Canelar to City Hall
3PM: Stage at City Hall

Wow Sardinas
October 11
5:30 ON
RT Lim Boulevard

Wushu Sanshou Tournament
October 11
3PM
ZCPC Covered Court

Mayor Celso L. Lobregat Cup
Golf Tournament - Year 4
October 11 - 12
9AM
Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park

Awarding Ceremony
October 12
7PM
Garden Deck, Garden Orchid Hotel

Religious Activities
October 12
Fort Pilar

Market Bazaar/ Garage Sale
October 18 -19
9AM - 6PM
Parking Area, MP Towers
Nuñez Extension

San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest
120 Celebrations
October 24
7PM - onwards
Gov. Camins Ave. Read more...