Mascota

The Zamboangueño culture is greatly influenced by the Spanish colonization; which lasted for a long time in the past: And with its lasting influence comes the fashion and image of a Zamboangueña: fashionable and sophisticated. As time goes by, the style to which a culture is entangled upon is also evolving; continuously taking in fresh trends while keeping its character. Like what was said, we, the Zamboangueñas, are fashionable people. Surely, we would not want to be the last one to know the trends. But again, when we say evolving, we do not entirely change the dress: We retain its identity. An evidence to that is the city's beautiful lines of Mascota.

Having a rich culture, we are inspired to do such wonderful spanish long gowns, also known as Mascota. Mascota is a local term coined to refer to today's Zamboangueño gowns worn during occasions. Being a part of the city's identity, there's such an event celebrated during the Hermosa Festival which is intended for its display. It is even one of the highlights of the festival. Mascota is usually held on the 10th of October or before the 12th comes. The venue of the event is usually the City's Museum; the one near the Fort Pilar shrine:

The celebration started in the year 2003, when the late mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat thought of holding an event for these lucrative Mascota, as she herself was fond of wearing them and became her icon: And up until now, it has become the city's tradition to celebrate it. The Mascota, which are worn by beautiful Zambongueñas during the event are designed and handcrafted by varieties of famous and well-known designers in the city. These Mascota have two main parts: The upper part which is known as the blouse; and the second part or the skirt with a long tail. The blouse is expected to be long and bears the style of "Bell sleeves" or what we usually coin as "Maria Clara sleeves". The event does not only exhibit the gowns, but as well as the beautiful Zamboangueñas with their poise, wit, and their identities full of confidence as they ramp the gowns in front of the crowd.

During the event, the Mascota are judged. Based on the guidelines of the event, they are participants are required to submit Mascota designs that execute the original interpretation of the Hispanic culture and tradition; which considers 6 essential parts of the Mascota: Namely, the Corpiño (Chemise), the Candongga (Panuelo), the Renggue (upper garment), the Obre Falda (Tapis), the Cola (lower garment) and the Enaguas (inner lining).

The Mascota de Zamboanga is held back-to-back with the Balikbayan Night for Zamboangueño expats on a Friday night. It is part of the set of activities leading to the finale of the Hermosa Festival to be commemorated the next day; with the procession and mass at Fort Pilar shrine.

"The only real elegance is in the mind; that the rest really comes from it. "- Diana Vreeland