Tourism Week events set

THE City Government has lined up various activities to fittingly observe the tourism week in Zamboanga City from September 21 to 27 as it is expected to be fun and education-filled experience.

The lined-up activities include Librea Paseo, food festival, ayuda limpiesa, and drum and lyre competition.

Mayor Celso Lobregat declared September 21 to 27 as Tourism Week in Zamboanga City with the aim of fostering awareness among the people about the importance of tourism encompassing its social, cultural, political and economic value.

The libre paseo, scheduled from September 21 to 23, is a free tour of the city's attractions and tourist sites.

Secondary students from public schools will get the chance to see and learn about the city's attractions and tourist sites through this event.

The Zamboanga Food Festival, an exhibit of mouth-watering cuisines and delicacies, will reel off from September 21 to 22. It will be held at the Plaza del Pilar from 6 p.m. onwards.

Eight known local food caterers and restaurants will be participating in the food festival.

The Ayuda Limpiesa Ano 9, a clean-up drive at the main public market, intends to showcase Zamboanguenos' sense of volunteerism. It will start at 8 a.m. and will be participated by different departments of the city, government agencies, and various schools.

The drum and lyre competition for elementary level will be the culminating activity set at the Paseo del Mar on September 27 at 4 p.m.

Participants to the drum and lyre tilt will be judged according to: Music ensemble (how well the corps play as a whole), 25 percent; music individual (how well they place as members of the crops), 25 percent; choreography and marching skills, 30 percent; and overall impact and uniform, 20 percent.

The first prize winner will receive P25,000 cash and trophy, second prize P20,000 cash and third prize P15,000.

A special prize of P5,000 cash will be given to the Best Trainer. Non-winners will receive P7,500 each as consolation prize.

The celebration will lead up to September 27, designated as International Tourism Day, which will be observed around the globe based on the call of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

The celebration is themed "Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development." (Bong Garcia)