The R.T. Lim Boulevard was the site of entertainment yesterday October 10, as powerful and colorful vintas competed with each other for the title in the annual Regatta de Zamboanga, a mainstay in the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Some 125 entries or participants, mostly coming from coastal barangays took part in the competition, organized by the city government of Zamboanga. Most of the participants were motorboat operators. Every year, the number of contestants is increasing, a proof of regatta’s popularity.

Heavy rains poured early yesterday morning delaying the start of the sailboat race originally set to start at 7am.

Tourism Secretary Albert Lim who enplaned to Zamboanga early Sunday morning keynoted the Regatta that drew volumes of people coming from all walks of life. He described the event to be very colourful and uniquely Zamboanga.

In his message, he lauded the Zamboanguenos for continually staying united and cooperating with the city government’s effort to promote the city as a tourist and investment destinations.

Sec. Lim likewise applauded Mayor Lobregat for prioritizing the promotion of tourism amidst the negative impression of people on the whole of Mindanao.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said Regatta is an original innovation of Zamboanga which showcases colourful and beautifully designed vintas, and has become one of the cultural symbols of Zamboanga. It is a competition of guts, power and strength.

Mayor Lobregat together with Sec. Albert awarded the winners in the 3-hour competition. The first placer received P10, 000; the second placer got P7,000; the third placer, P5,000; the fourth placer P3,000 and the fifth placer went home with P2,000. All the winners also received trophies.

The other entries received a consolation prize of P1,000 each.

While in Zamboanga, Sec. Lim also graced other activities lined up for 2010 Fiesta Hermosa day 10 that included the unveiling of the city’s newest landmark, Plaza del Pilar; the turnover of Blood Bank equipment by Tzu Chi Foundation to the Zamboanga Red Cross and the Golpe-Golpe na Zamboanga, a boxing competition organized by Cong. Erbie Fabian. He returned to Manila late Sunday afternoon in time for the budget hearing for the Department of Tourism in Congress today.

Today, Oct. 11 is the culminating day for the Fiesta Hermosa festivities with the street dancing and floral float parade as highlighting activities. Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro will be the keynote speaker during the commemorative program and will also grace the blessing and inauguration of the 3-storey 15 classroom building at the Zamboanga City High School-west.

Tomorrow, Oct. 12, the feast day of Nuestra Senora la Virgen del Pilar is devoted to religious activities and the Fort Pilar Shrine will be the center of activities. It will be a non-working holiday in Zamboanga.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival kicked off October 1st with Cosechas de Zamboanga, an agricultural trade fair at the Plaza Pershing and the Wow Zamboanga, a cultural presentation featuring the different barangays at the Paseo del Mar every 6 p.m.

Mayor Lobregat stressed that the celebration is composed of an all encompassing and complete activities ranging from sports, culture and arts, social services, agriculture and fishery trade fair, conventions and congresses and most importantly, religious activities---that highlight the multi-cultural heritage of the city.