Saturday, October 06, 2007 Senior citizens back Asia’s Latin City
MEMBERS of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) Zamboanga Chapter Friday expressed strong support to the city’s new branding “Asia’s Latin City,” saying it perfectly fits Zamboanga, which has a unique language and multi-cultural heritage.
In a resolution, the group led by Corazon Herico, stressed that the new branding is in line with the City Government’s vision to make Zamboanga a premiere city in Southeast Asia endowed with rich history, culture and natural resources.
The almost 300 FSCAP members present during the culminating program of the Senior Citizens Week at the Astoria Hotel Friday morning signed the resolution as a manifestation of their collective support to the city government’s campaign to promote Zamboanga as Asia’s Latin City.
The approval of the resolution came after Mayor Celso Lobregat spoke lengthily about the branding, citing the reasons why his administration decided to opt for a new brand.
Lobregat emphasized that the branding is a result of the city’s participation in the City Development Strategies (CDS), a program initiated by the League of Cities and World Bank.
The same branding underwent a series of consultations that resulted to the passage of resolution of support by the different organizations that include the City Council, City Development Council (CDC), the Liga ng mga Barangay, the Federation of Barangay Kagawad of Zamboanga (FEBARKAZA), the Zamboanga Press Club and several other organizations.
According to Lobregat, Zamboanga traces its roots to the Spaniards who ruled the country for over 300 years. Spanish influence in Zamboanga resulted to the creation of a number of barangays with Spanish origin names such as Sta. Barbara, Sta. Maria, San Roque, Sta. Catalina and several others.
October 12, which is the feast day of the Lady of the Pilar, the city’s fiesta, is also the national day of Spain.
Lobregat thanked the senior citizens for the support to the new branding, as he also expressed similar support to the programs aimed to promote the welfare and protection of the elderly sector in the city.
He likewise thanked the senior citizens for their contribution to nation building.
The senior citizens week reeled off October 1st with a series of activities. The culminating program Friday was marked by a fashion show with elderly women as participants. (Sheila E. Covarrubias)
