Parade for revolution - Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

Zamboanga City (28 September) -- In time for the town fiesta celebration on October 12, the city gears up for the soft opening of Plaza del Pilar- the latest souvenir center in town.

The opening on Friday, Oct. 1 marks the start of the week-long celebration of the 2010 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias said the grand opening is set on or before the Fiesta Pilar celebration on the 12th of this month with no less than Tourism Secretary Albert Lim expected to grace the occasion.

The Plaza is located across the miraculous shrine of Fort Pilar. It is adjacent to the 2-hectare recreational park & tourist nest Paseo del Mar.

The Plaza del Pilar according to Ms. Covarrubias is a one-stop-shop pasalubong center with 56 stalls/locators in the pasalubong zone.

Locators of the center will showcase and sell goodies, devotional items and souvenir commodities of what Zamboanga and Zamboangueños are known for. The active info officer also said a portion of the area will accommodate various offices such as the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc., and some law offices.

Plaza del Pilar according to Ms. Covarrubias got its name from the renowned 300 year-old Fort Pilar shrine, being the immediate significant land mark where the more than 7,000 square meters plaza is located. (JPAlvarez-PIAZC)

Brigadier general Eugenio N. Clemen AFP, Naval Force Western Mindanao (NFWM) acting chief, Bolong barangay captain Antonio Evangelista and a DSWD personnel pose for picture with an old woman recipient of "ukay" goods.

Mayor Celso Lobregat Monday tours officials from the Joint Special Operations Task Force, ICRC and Red Cross at the Plaza del Pilar, which is being spruced up for the soft opening on Friday, October 1st. JOEY BAUTISTA

Big heart for Filipino kids - Captain Mark Mudrinich of the Civil Affairs and Deputy Chief of Civil Military Operations and the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) shakes hand with the children of barangay Bolong.

Pagadian City -- In the observance of rabies day in the entire country today the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZSMC) at Dao, this city joins the entire nation with all other government hospitals in celebrating the occasion, with the aim to disseminate and educate the people the importance of prevention and treatment of rabies.

On September 13, 2010, Alonzo Fulgham (far left), Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, and Gloria Steele (center), USAID/Philippines Mission Director, participate in the ceremonial packing of vegetables at a multi-commodity consolidation facility built for the Manisan Multi-Purpose Cooperative by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program in partnership with the UNDP’s Act for Peace Program.

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 27, 2010) – In its battle to end poverty through education, Sarangani local government, the private sector and the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched the Education Revolution “Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan” Monday (September 27) with military tanks and trucks carrying thousands of books.

TUPI, SOUTH COTABATO— Former combatants played host to officials at a ceremonial turnover of a solar dryer and crop consolidation facility provided to the combatants’ cooperative by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program and the United Nations’ Act for Peace Program.

Councilor Percival Ramos yesterday sponsored a resolution in the City Council commending the efforts of the police, military and the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) in the swift and safe rescue of kidnapped victim Vinton So last week.

Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday commended the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for initiating the launch of Humanity in War photo exhibit, as he expressed hope that the pictures on display will inspire every Zamboangueno to “further solidify our strong resolve for a genuine and lasting peace”.

Exchange highlights the importance of intercultural understanding
On Friday, September 17, 2010 Gareth Porter and Sonja Tammen, representatives from Northern Ireland peace organizations HURT and Corrymeela, respectively, joined with representatives of the Mindanao Peaceweavers, including staff from Initiatives for International Dialogue and Catholic Relief Services, and Juju Tan from the development organization VSO Bahaginan, to promote and participate in cross-cultural exchanges regarding best practices in peacebuilding.

In a move to reach out to the masses, the Naval Forces of the Western Mindanao (NavForWem) conducted medical, dental, and veterinary outreach program at the scenic beach of Bolong last September 15. It was spearheaded by NavForWem Brig.Gen. Eugenio Clemen in coordination with Captain Mark Mudrinich of the Civil Affairs and Deputy Chief of Civil Military Operations, Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines.