The Hermosa Festival, also known as Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or Fiesta Pilar, is a month-long festival held every October in Zamboanga City, the city center of the Western Mindanao Region in the Philippines.

The festival is one of the oldest and most awaited events in the country and the region, as it celebrates the rich and diverse culture and heritage of Zamboanga.

The festival is held in honor of the patroness of Zamboanga City, Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar), who is also the patroness of Zaragoza, Spain, the sister city of Zamboanga. The image of Our Lady of the Pillar is enshrined in the Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar, a fort-turned-shrine that was built by the Spaniards in 1635 to protect them from the attacks of the Moro warriors. The Zamboangueños are known for their fervent devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar, who is believed to have performed many miracles and apparitions for the people of Zamboanga.

Zamboanga was a crucial component of Spanish colonization throughout the Spanish Period. The Real Fuerza de San Jose in Brgy fort in Zamboanga was constructed by the Spaniards in 1635. To protect them from the attacks of the moro warriors, place them in Zone IV. The city was firmly rooted in Hispanic heritage and tradition and served as the region’s cultural hub during the Spanish era.

The festival features various activities such as street dance competitions, fashion shows, trade fairs, musical concerts, sports events, chavacano song festival, Miss Zamboanga pageant, and the famous Regatta de Zamboanga, which is a race of colorful vintas (traditional sailboats).

The festival’s highlight is the nine-day novena and procession of Our Lady of the Pillar on her feast day, October 12, where thousands of devotees gather to pay homage and seek blessings from the Virgin.