Zamboanga City inks sisterhood pact with Zaragoza, SpainZamboanga City (July 2 2008)-- Hundreds of Filipinos from all parts of Spain and some from other parts of Europe led by Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Joseph Bernardo joined Zamboanga City's District I Rep. Beng Climaco, Mayor Celso Lobregat and the Zamboanga Delegation in paying homage to Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar at Our Lady's Basilica in Zaragoza, Sunday.
Fr. Gerardo Jasmin, Chaplain of the Filipino Community in Madrid officiated the celebration of the mass as he led the Filipino pilgrims from Madrid for the event.
The pilgrimage and mass kicked off the signing of the twinning agreement which took place on June 30, 2008 at the Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza with its officials led by Zaragoza Mayor Juan Alberto Belloch.
Rep. Climaco was cited for spearheading the initiative when she was a councilor and eventually Vice Mayor of the City.
Climaco together with the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat and now with Mayor Celso Lobregat worked so hard for almost ten (10) years in trying to realize sisterhood agreement.
The realization of the sisterhood pact recognizes the hundreds of years of devotion of Zamboangueños and the people of Spain to Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza whose fort was built in Zamboanga City in 1635 by a Jesuit, Fr. Melchor De Vera.
The signing of the twinning agreement which was highly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs led by Sec. Alberto Romulo and the Department of Tourism led by Sec. Joseph Ace Durano will surely open doors of opportunities for cooperation, especially in areas of education, culture and tourism between the two cities.
It can be recalled, Cong. Climaco during the State visit of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in 2007 strongly lobbied with the Spanish Government for this initiative. The sturdy support of the National Government led to the signing of the agreement which took place during the Philippine National Day Celebration in the World Expo 2008 in Zaragoza, Spain.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the strengthening relations between the Philippines and the world, especially natural friends like Spain, is the central pillar of her administration's strategy to improve the country's economic growth and political stability.
President Arroyo underscores the importance of bilateral relations with other countries to further promote its values and cultural ties.
PGMA noted that the history and cultural relations between Philippines and Spain has lasted for almost five centuries where both countries give special importance to their bilateral ties. (RST / PIA ZC)
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