MAYOR Celso Lobregat, together with Vice Mayor-elect Councilor Cesar Iturralde and members of the local Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Adelante Zamboanga Party (LDP-AZaP), held Saturday a big party for his supporters and friends.
The party was held at La Vista del Mar in celebration of Lobregat and partymates' landslide victory in the recently concluded automated elections.
As early as 9 a.m. Saturday, thousands of LDP-AZaP supporters from all walks of life braved the heavy downpour for the luncheon get-together, partly sponsored by the City Government's department heads and some well-meaning friends.
Lobregat, who was visibly jubilant over the deluge of support for him and his partymates, personally walked past from one cottage to another and shook the hand of each guest.
Lunch was served on seven buffet tables and one at the resort's convention hall for the special guests.
Lobregat himself and his sister, Ditas, were preoccupied supervising the queues of people to make sure everybody had taken lunch in an orderly fashion.
The mayor's brother, Jomar, daughter Louie with first child being the family's bundle of joy, and son, Marco Celso, were also on hand attending to the guests.
Spotted in a tête-à-tête with the guests were re-elected Congresswoman Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, a Liberal Party stalwart who ran under Lobregat's 'Team Colorao' (Red Team) in the last elections; re-elected Councilors Rogelio Valesco, Reynerio Candido, Lilia Nuño, Benjamin Guingona III, Rodolfo Lim, Eduardo Saavedra and Lueis Biel III, together with Councilors-elect Percival Ramos, Vincent Paul Elago and Mayra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar.
Elbert Atilano, Kaiser Olaso and Mike Alavar, who failed in their bid for a council seat under LDP-AZaP banner, were also on hand graciously shaking the hands of friends and supporters.
The victory party continued Saturday night at the Paseo del Mar, which is located at the back of the Our Lady of the Pillar Shrine.
"Our victory is also the victory of the people of Zamboanga City. Rest assured, we will do everything possible for the good of Zamboanga and its people," Lobregat said. (Bong Garcia)