All set for the Spanish queen’s visit

ALL is set for the visit of Queen Sofia of Spain on Thursday in Zamboanga City.

Top police and military officials, and officials from other concerned agencies met on Wednesday in a closed door meeting finalizing the details of the preparations for the queen’s visit to this city.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said in a press briefing after the meeting that Queen Sofia will arrive in this city in the morning and will land at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB).

Queen Sofia and her entourage will visit several Spanish-funded projects that were implemented in this city.

She will also visit the Spanish-run Claret High School and The Royal Fort of Our Virgin Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza (commonly known as Fort Pilar).

Fort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City, according to Wikipedia.

The fort, which is now a regional museum of the National Museum of the Philippines, is the major landmark of Zamboanga City and a symbol of the city's cultural heritage.

“We are indeed fortunate and honored that Zamboanga City is among the places the queen will visit,” Lobregat said.

Lobregat said that Zamboanga City serves as the ‘living link’ of the Philippines and Spain since it is the only city that speaks the Chabacano language, which is 65 percent Spanish. (Bong Garcia)