Dog lovers, trainers, breeders and local veterinarians joined the first ZamboSur Fun Match Dog Show held at Megayon Complex, Dao, Pagadian City last September 16, 2010.

Our tail-wagging friends get to have a day off to showcase their skills and costumes. Different breeds of dogs dominated the furry event.

The dog show includes:

• Doggie Costume Contest (Small/Large Breed)
• Search for Dogs with Tricks
• Breeders Choice Awards (showcase your purebred dogs)
• Doggie Eating Contest (Small/Large Breed)
• Doggie and Me Photo Contest
• Doggie Trivia Quiz
• Special Awards ( Doggie of the Crowd and DOGGIE BARCS)

It was an exciting event for the pet owners and their four-legged companions. Winners get to take home trophies, freebies and giveaways.

This event was made possible by the Provincial Veterinary Office and BARCS Veterinary clinic together with the participating sponsors: PFIZER, J-Biz Hub, UNAHCO, LAKPUE and Simons Enterprises (Pedigree).

For more photos of the event, be a fan of BARCS Veterinary Clinic on Facebook. See you in the next furry dog show!

Photo credits: Mr. Frederick Garay

Located along Tuburan District, Pilgrim’s Hotel offers an affordable accommodation during your stay here in Pagadian City.

Pilgrims Hotel

If you want to beat the summer heat, visit Tawagan Sur Spring and Pools. They have 3 different sizes of pools to choose from which is great for the entire family and friends. Just a 10-minute tricycle ride from Pagadian City proper, their laid-back location is situated in the middle of the lush rice fields of Tawagan Sur.

Aside from an enjoyable swimming treat, Tawagan Sur Spring and Pools also offers the simple joy of fishing in their in man-made fishing pond. You can catch Tilapia and have it grilled right away for a delicious dish.

Fees:
Entrance: Adult = P25 / Children (12 years below) = P20
Cottage Rental = P100
Fishing Rod Rental = P5/bait
Tilapia = P100/ Kilo
Videoke = P5/song

For more details and inquiries, contact:

Tel No: +63 62 2142401 / +63 62 2144104
Cel No: +63 9205424251

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (Zamboanga Journal) Pagadian City, the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur, has began a massive and ambitious development project aimed at turning the once sleepy mountain enclave, into a bustling trading and government regional center in the southern Philippines.

Home to about 160,000 people, Pagadian — with a total land area of 37,880 hectares and 13 urban and 41 rural villages — is one of the most vibrant and promising cities in Mindanao, said mayor Samuel Co.

He said the aggressive increase in development projects were triggered by the recent transfer of major government regional agencies from Zamboanga City to Pagadian.

And also the impending relocation near Pagadian of the Southern Command, the largest military installation outside Manila, now based in Zamboanga City.

“We have allocated hundreds of millions of pesos to fund new infrastructure projects and the development of the regional center, the rehabilitation of our air and sea ports.

“And the renovation of government buildings and sophisticated communications and other I.T. projects that would put Pagadian in the map of developed cities, not only in the Philippines, but also abroad,” Co told the Zamboanga Journal.

He said Pagadian is currently working on a P115-million fishing port complex, the P64-million public market. It has recently inaugurated a P14-million integrated bus depot.

Co said they will also planning to put up a multi-million fruit processing plant.

“Oh, we have a lot of work to do. Right now, we are busy on some development projects and we are also working on how to improve our ecotourism program,” he said.

Co said he also introduced the use of water wheels to generate electricity for farmers in far-flung villages.

“Farmers are happy about the water wheels. Before they only see them in books and television, but now we are using water wheel to generate electricity in remote villages,” he said.

He said the local airliner Asian Spirit has opened new passenger flights between Manila to Pagadian. “We really worked hard and negotiated for this, and the Asian Spirit now has regular flights from Manila to Pagadian and back,” he said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the transfer of all regional government offices and agencies to Pagadian to make transactions easy to other provinces such as Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur that comprise the Western Mindanao region.

Arroyo’s decision to transfer the regional offices was based on Executive Order 429 issued by then President Corazon Aquino in October 1990. Co said they paid the rental of regional government offices for six months as a gesture of goodwill to welcome the thousands of new tenants.

Co said the regional Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Philippine Coconut Authority are now in Pagadian City.

Agriculture and fishery are the main sources of income of local residents, but Co said the city is being groomed to become the region’s main source of mango and seaweed capital.

“Fishing is a major economic activity and also lumber processing due to the peninsula’s excellent stands of Philippine hardwoods,” he said.

An attractive investment package would be offered to local and foreign business groups, he said, to lure them into opening trades in Pagadian or make the city a business gateway to other provinces in the region.

Designated as a chartered city in June 1969, Pagadian is also an important processing center for rice, corn, and coconuts produced in surrounding areas, Co said.

He said Pagadian is also known for being the “undisputed” cleanest and greenest city for several years now by different civic groups.

“We have an excellent ecological solid waste management program, watershed management program, and a massive beautification project for the different villages, among others,” Co said.

He said his administration is also working on an ambitious tourism project that would attract not only Filipino visitors, but also foreign tourists.

“Aside from being peaceful, Pagadian prides itself with many pristine and white sandy beaches. We offer our rich cultural heritage, our exotic foods and the kind hospitality of our people,” the 39-year old mayor said.

The internationally renowned Pagadian Kumbingan Ensemble, a cultural and creative dance group, won many accolade during its latest performance in the recent Singapore Street Festival.

The event gathered Asian cultural artists and workers in a one-day festival of performances and cultural exhibitions as part of the annual Singapore Arts Festival. The Kumbingan Ensemble performed folk and traditional Muslim dances, and was critically acclaimed by international artists.

In December, Co brought his cultural pride in Zamboanga City for the annual mardi gras called the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and was highly acclaimed for their dance performances.

He said they have set aside unspecified funding for the trainings and costumes not only of the Kumbingan Ensemble, but other cultural groups also.

“Pagadian is one of the country’s show windows and everybody is really working hard to promote tourism and attract investments, not only in my place, but in the southern region as well,” he said.

Pagadian is popularly called the “Little Hong Kong of the South” because of its rolling terrain, reminiscent of the former Crown colony. (Al Jacinto – Mindanao Examiner, January 09, 2006)

The Pasalamat Festival, Pagadian City’s colorful annual event culminates in an exciting street dancing showdown which was contested by various Barangays and Secondary schools in the city on January 18, 2009.

Topping this year’s theme, “Kalinaw… Pinaagi sa Pagsinabtanay, Panaghiusa ug Kaangayan sa Katawhan” (Peace…Through Understanding, Unity and Equality among the People”) was indeed a great upshot to suit the festival’s blazing image. The much anticipated street dancing showdown captures the highlight of the most colorful and vibrant part of the festival.

Last sunday, the surge for Cebu’s most awaited celebration was on peak and for the same reason the City of Pagadian was also on thrill for the main event of the year. Despite the heat of a 1 o’clock sunny afternoon, people were starting to fill the main streets of the city. Different contingents from distinct Barangays and Secondary schools floored their amusing costumes and awed the onlookers.

The participating Barangays were Brgy. Napolan, Brgy. Balangasan, Brgy. San Pedro, Brgy. Tuburan, Brgy. San Jose, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Brgy. Dao, Brgy. Balintawak, Brgy. Santiago, Brgy. Tiguma, Brgy. Bulatok, Brgy. Sta. Maria, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Dumagoc and Brgy. Lumbia. While for the secondary schools there were only 5 namely: Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Main Campus, Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Sta. Lucia Annex, Pagadian City National High School, Pagadian City Comprehensive National High School and Zamboanga del Sur National High School – San Pedro.

The dancers danced their soul and were finally judged at the City Gymnasium. There was a separate pricing for winners.

For the Barangay Category: 1st prize – Php 20,000 and a project worth of Php 200, 000; 2nd prize – Php 15, 000 and a project worth of Php 150, 000 and lastly 3rd prize – Php 10,000 and a Php 100, 000 worth of projects.

For the Secondary category: 1st prize – Php 30, 000; 2nd prize – Php 20, 000 and 3rd prize Php 10, 000.

Both non-winners of different categories have their consolation prizes sponsored by the Local Government.

And the winners are …

For the Barangay category:

• 1st – Barangay Napolan
• 2nd – Barangay San Pedro
• 3rd – Barangay Bulatok

For the Secondary School category:

• 1st – Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Main Campus
• 2nd – Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Sta. Lucia Annex
• 3rd – Pagadian City National High School

Usually the Pasalamat Festival is a 10-day gaiety that crowns the Feast of Sto.Niño. The Feast of Sto. Niño is celebrated on the third Sunday of January every year among Catholics but gained its popularity that most people celebrated with it.

From its liberation of being a Sinulog-based festival, Pasalamat Festival is again unfolding another chapter of its long line tradition this year; from its ubiquitous beginnings to its now-profound flair. It truly signifies the transformation of a city once covered by obscurity and gloom. Now shines!

Indeed, it was a successful celebration for the city and was a great leap for Mayor Co. “And for next year’s Pasalamat Festival activities, Our Street Dance Competition will be open not only for groups from Pagadian but we will also invite participants from other cities to join,” Mayor Co stated. (Article and photos by Jboy Ababon)

This booming city in Zamboanga del Sur, Pagadian City, is noted for its rolling terrain surrounding both the commercial and residential districts, reminiscent of the famous Crown Colony, earned its name “Little Hongkong of the South.”

With a total land area of 331.6 square kilometers with 54 barangays, making it the largest province in Western Mindanao, Pagadian City is the point of entry to the cities of Ozamiz, Iligan and Cotabato.

While you can reach Pagadian City by land, sea and air, you can enjoy up close and personal experience with its uniquely designed tricycle that will tour you within the city district. The locals boast it to be “only in Pagadian” with great pride!

Other things that will surprise you when in Pagadian City are the vibrant festivities and warm hospitality by the people. Get to know the local culture and join in the fun as they celebrate its Annual City Fiesta. To kick off the year, it is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January in honor of the patron Sto. Niño. This colorful event will showcase the Zambulawan festival, a regatta (fluvial parade), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows, sports competitions, as well as civic military parade.

On every 21st of June, they will celebrate Araw ng Pagadian. They will commemorate Pagadian becoming a chartered city.

While every September 17 will be Zamboanga del Sur’s Annual anniversary where there will be agro-trade exhibits, a civic-military parade, cultural presentation and sports competitions.

This peaceful city boasts of its natural attractions like the Dao-Dao Islands, Dumagoc Hills and Pulacan falls among others.

Being the cleanest and greenest city of Western Mindanao for several years now, Pagadian City boasts of its Watershed management program, exceptional Ecological Solid Waste Management Program, massive beautification projects of the different barangays, expanded vegetables/ cash crops/ high value crops production activities of the city Agricultural Office.

Despite the heavy pouring rain, the City Gymnasium was jam-pack during the Coronation night of Miss Pagadian 2008 on June 19, 2008. The evening sizzles with exciting surprises!

Highlights of the Event

Miss Pagadian 2008 candidates in their sexy swimsuit attire.

Miss Pagadian 2008 candidates in their stunning evening gown.

And the winners are… (drum roll please)

Miss Pagadian 2008 (center): Dannah Crestine Arnejo
First runner up (right): Maggi Benazir Bonsubre
Second runner up (left): Crystyl Fate Casinillo

Together with the guest of honors (l-r), Ilang-Ilang Fernandez Co, Mayor Samuel S. Co, Hon. Antonio Cerilles and Ethel Booba.

Congratulations to the winners. Good job, ladies! Make Pagadian proud of you. See you again next year!

After more than a month since we opened the contest, we have gathered more than a hundred votes. Tonight, we will be closing the contest for “Who do you think will be crowned Ms. Pagadian 2008″. At exactly 11:59 PM voting will be closed. Those who have voted in the polls will be counted. We, your myPagadian community family, are very much thrilled to see your votes.
To those who haven’t voted yet, you still have the chance to show your support to your favorite candidates and let your votes be counted.
Register in the forums and vote for your favorite candidate. Who will be crowned Miss Pagadian 2008? We will find it out tomorrow.
See you at the coronation night.

In celebration of Araw ng Pagadian 2008, MyPagadian joins by holding a special voting contest for Ms. Pagadian City 2008. If you have voted for the correct candidate who will be crowned Ms. Pagadian 2008, you will have the chance to win some prizes.

Joining is easy. Here’s how you can join. Register an account in myPagadian community forum . Pagadianons or non-Pagadianons are welcome to join as long as you registered in the forum. Make at least 10 posts and vote for your candidate in the polls. Only one (1) vote per registered user is allowed. Winners will be notified through PM in the forum.

Prizes in store are:

• 1 winner of Php 500
• 2 winners of Php 100 worth of call cards of choice

Deadline of voting will be on June 18, 2008 11:59PM. All correct votes will be electronically raffled after the coronation night on June 19, 2008. The winners will be announced online on the following day.

Only registered users of MyPagadian community forum will have the chance to win the prizes. Call cards are not convertible to cash. Php 500 will be sent through Western Union if the winner is not around Pagadian City.

So, what are you waiting for? Apil na! Register now .

We are pleased to announced that our very own community forum is now online. We encourage our readers to join us in various discussions and talks.

Let your voices be heard. Feel free to register now and be one of the newest member in our community. Register now .