ZAMBOANGA City will commemorate the 97th birth anniversary of the late mayor Maria Clara “Caling” Lobregat on Thursday, April 26.

Dubbed as “Dia de Ma'am Caling”, the commemorative activity will kick off with a mass at the Holy Trinity Parish in Pasonanca at 4 p.m., according to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Salazar said it will be followed by the 5 p.m. wreath-laying ceremony and commemorative program at the Jardin Maria Clara at the Pasonanca Park.

She said the highlight of the event will be the awarding of winners for the Mi Ciudad de Zamboanga Digital Art Contest.

The Chavacano Pop Music Night featuring homegrown artists will cap the commemoration.

Lobregat, who was fondly called “Ma’am Caling” or “Tita Caling”, was the first lady mayor of Zamboanga City. She was born on April 26, 1921.

She served as mayor from July 1, 1998 until her demise on January 2, 2004. (SunStar Philippines)