RIYADH, 24 October 2006 — A cultural presentation including a Yakan dance and Chavacano music, among others, will be featured in a get-together celebration of Zamboanguenos in Riyadh on Thursday.
Organizers said the gathering, a belated commemoration of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar fiesta of Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, will also feature sports and parlor games, with fabulous prizes awaiting the winners.
“It is our hope that the celebration will unite all Chavacano-speaking Filipinos from Mindanao,” said Edwin Dela Luna, one of the organizers of the event dubbed Alegria, Alegria, Abante Zamboanga (Happy, Happy, Forward Zamboanga).
Dela Luna said the affair, which will be held at a private resort, will start at 4 p.m.
He said that in addition to Zamboanguenos and other Chavacano-speaking Filipinos from neighboring Basilan province and other towns in the Zamboanga Peninsula of Mindanao, some guests are also expected to join the affair.
Dela Luna said that some foreign nationals from Spain, Australia, Canada, Jordan and the United States have expressed interest in attending.
“They are curious about the Chavacano dialect,” said Dela Luna, referring to the Spanish-based tongue of Zamboanga City.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Astillero, a community leader and a Zamboangueño, is expected to deliver an inspirational message.
Raymond Araneta, one of the organizers, expects to discuss the formation of an association later on for the Chavacanos of Zamboanga.
For other details, interested Chavacanos may call Dela Luna at 05044-70781, Raymond Araneta at 05022-78391 and Mody Luciano at 05021-51514.
