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Saturday, October 15, 2005
Fiesta security hailed
"I WILL not celebrate yet," was how wary Senior Supt. Henry Lasañes, Zamboanga City Police Office chief, assessed the security success of the long festivities that culminated on October 12, the feast day of the city's patroness--Nuestra Señora del Pilar.
The stepped up security measures for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival have impressed many sectors in the community. Compared to last year's security, this year is described far better off compared that displayed during annual Fiesta Pilar celebrations in the past.
Bob Carmelotes, 65, of San Jose Cawa-Cawa, said in his 30 years as a photographer at the ancient Catholic shrine of the Lady of the Pillar: Mas manada Hente este año, compara aquel año ya pasa. Bien manada gayot ahora. Pati bonito, limpio y okay el security. Ta bisya gayot sila todo; areglao gayot. (There are more people compared to the past years. It's beautiful, clean and the security is okay. They are really guarding very well).
Juana Suqui, 67, of Camino Nuevo (candle peddler): "Ara lang gayot mucho hente compara del año ya pasa. Pati bien areglao pa; el security bien bueno. (Only now are the pilgrims plentiful, and the area is well arranged; security is very good)."
Suqui has been peddling candlesticks for fifty years since she was a teenager.
Alexander Pilanga, 39, married of Sta. Catalina (popcorn vendor): "Security? Nuay gayot problema. Bien manada security (personnel). (The security is not really a problem. There are plenty of security personnel)." Pilanga has been selling popcorn since he was 9 years old at Fort Pilar.
Flooro Egera, 35, married, of Tumaga (Photographer): "Bueno el security. Igual lang del otro año, pero areglao ahora (The security is good like last year, but it is now smooth)."
Rosalie Toribio, 33, single, of Tumaga: "Manada este ahora, compara ta expiriensya quita aquel otro tiempo. Cay nuay cay ulan. Bunito ahora, bien manada. (There are plenty now, based on my experiences., because there is no rain)."
Toribio has been a member of Nuestra Señora La Liga del Pilar for several years. She said when the bomb attacks occurred at the Fort Pilar, she was luckily not around. She said the place was messy and many devotees were victimized. At least dozens were killed and many others were hurt when suspected terrorists believed to be Abu Sayyaf members lobbed explosive at the crowd of devotees in three separate bomb assaults in the past.
Porfirio Rigo, 66, of Tumaga (Photographer): "Mas daghan ang tao karon. Ang security, ok lang (There are more people at the Fort Pilar compared in the past. Security is okay)." Rigo has been taking pictures of pilgrims since 1967.
(October 15, 2005 issue)
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