Affirming Zamboanga as Asia's Hispanic city

(Published in Zamboanga Today on February 19, 2008.)

The arrival of Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Arias Romero as keynote speaker on the occasion of the 71st Dia de Zamboanga celebration on February 26, is an affirmation of Zamboanga as the lead Hispanic city in the Philippines.

As the city marks its charter anniversary, Zamboanga takes more daring steps towards progress, as its theme, 'Unido Espuerzo para continua el camino de progreso..Adelante Zamboanga', signifies. This in effect downplays if not junks the statement made earlier by Councilor Charlie Mariano that the transfer of the seat of the operations of the regional government from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City will be the start of Zamboanga's downfall. Mayor Celso Lobregat, with this campaign of continued unity as a moving force in Zamboanga's progress, is thus set never to snail-pace development in Asia's Latin City--be it the seat of the regional government or not.

At any rate, Zamboanga, with all that it has, and for as long as it moves towards being investor-friendly and businessmen-friendly, will have all it takes to remain the commercial hub of the region. Its strategic location geographically, its being a peaceful city, its international air and sea ports, its rich natural resources, and its being a city of diverse cultures are reasons enough to retain its being the seat of commerce in southern Philippines.

Somehow, with all regional offices moving to Pagadian, it would seem that any attempt to stop the implementation of the executive order that mandated such is already futile. But it definitely is not the end of it. This will just bring on greater challenges to the City Mayor and the many other officials in the city, to steer the wheels towards a progressive if not robust economy.

Having the Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines as guest of honor next week highlights the city's festivities. Perhaps, his presence and the message he will bring will remind us that there is more to Zamboanga, being distinctly unique as the only city in Asia with most of its citizens speaking the Spanish creole language, than being the seat of the regional government. (Frencie L. Carreon)