Zamboanga Metropolis is one in every of my favourite locations in Mindanao. With its beautiful pure sights, vibrant tradition, preserved historical past and wonderful delicacies, it’s a spot I don’t thoughts revisiting many times. “Asia’s Latin Metropolis” is understood for sturdy Hispanic and Latin affect. Zamboanga Metropolis is the middle of financial actions in Mindanao, with its trendy worldwide seaport and airport serving because the entry level within the nation to many locations in Southeast Asia.
Due to its geographic location, Zamboanga Metropolis is a melting pot of tradition and delicacies. Regardless of the detrimental portrayal of town and the area as a complete because of remoted incidents, I really feel prefer it’s one of many most secure locations to go to in Mindanao. It is likely one of the most populous and third largest metropolis by land space within the Philippines, the place many locals go about their lives peacefully.
Whereas I’ve traveled right here about a number of occasions previously decade to cowl festivals and media excursions, I’m glad to have revisited with household in February 2023, as one in every of our first post-pandemic household journeys.
Be aware: The information beneath and pictures had been compiled from varied journeys from 2013 to 2023.
The place precisely is Zamboanga Metropolis?
Zamboanga Metropolis is the business and industrial middle of the Zamboanga Peninsula Area which lies between the Moro Gulf (a part of the Celebes Sea) and the Sulu Sea within the South of the Philippines. Zamboanga Metropolis is an unbiased, chartered metropolis however is grouped with the province of Zamboanga del Sur for statistical functions.
Find out how to get to Zamboanga Metropolis
By air: There are day by day flights to the Zambaonga Metropolis Worldwide Airport from Manila and Cebu by Philippine Airways and Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific additionally has common flights to Zamboanga Metropolis through Cagayan de Oro and Davao Metropolis.
By sea: 2GO ferries gives one ferry per week crusing to/from Manila to Zamboanga Metropolis through Diplog and Dumaguete. Aleson Transport strains has a ferry going to and from Sandakan, Malaysia. The Port of Zamboanga is a global port of entry. It has a scheduled passenger ferry going to and from Sandakan, Malaysia. A number of delivery strains additionally supply common journeys from and to Jolo (Sulu), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi) and Isabela Metropolis (Basilan).
Getting round in Zamboanga Metropolis
In case you’re simply exploring round Zamboanga Metropolis, the tricycle is the best mode of transport. For island-hopping journeys, you may constitution boats or be part of group excursions from the port in Paseo del Mar.
If you wish to maximize your time and get ideas from locals, it’s greatest to guide bundle excursions. For individuals who need hassle-free excursions round Zamboanga Metropolis, guide with Itravel Vacationer Lane.
For Reserving/Reservation:
Name (062) 991-1174
Textual content/Name (0917) 7226410 / (0917) 3929474 / (0995) 6993274
or Go to us at Mayor Jaldon St., Canelar, Z.C. (close to DHL Workplace)
E mail: information@itraveltouristlane.co
Web site: www.itraveltouristlane.com
What to do / The place to go in Zamboanga Metropolis
Santa Cruz Island (the Pink Sand Seashore)
One of many metropolis’s high attracts is Santa Cruz Island (identified for having pinkish sand), which was ranked in an inventory of Nationwide Geographic among the many greatest seashores on the planet. This small island is only a 20-minute boat journey from town port in Paseo del Mar. The island’s coast will get its distinctive rosy hue from purple organ-pipe coral (tubipora musica) dissolved by the waves.
As soon as Islas (Eleven Islands)
The latest vacation spot within the metropolis is ‘As soon as Islas,’ a gaggle of 11 islands situated within the distant barangays of Panubigan and Dita within the east coast. The positioning was simply opened to the general public in 2018. 4 out of the 11 unspoiled islands will be visited by vacationers for swimming, kayaking and trekking. Island-hopping journeys and meals are managed by the native communities.
Experience a vinta
The vinta is a standard boat that has sails with assorted vertical colours that symbolize the colourful tradition and historical past of the Muslim group. Vintas are one of the well-known icons of Zamboanga Metropolis. Usually, you may solely see them set sail throughout the Regatta pageant held each October.
Domestically referred to as lepa-lepa or sakayan, these boats are made and utilized by the Sama-Badjao and Moros residing within the Sulu Archipleago, Zamboanga peninsula and southern Mindanao for inter-island transport of individuals and items. Vinta rides at the moment are supplied within the lagoon space of Santa Cruz island for vacationers.
Yakan Weaving Village
The Yakan are an indigenous Muslim tribe hailing from Basilian situated within the Sulu Archipelago in essentially the most southern area of the Philippines. Some have resettled within the Yakan Weaving Village in Barangay Higher Calarian, about seven kilometers away from town middle and now make a residing promoting their conventional Yakan woven merchandise for vacationers. The Yakans are thought of to be among the many best weavers of the Philippines.
Vacationers can witness a number of the ladies weaving brightly-colored threads into great cloth from handlooms right here. You can even take house lovely handcrafted memento gadgets like desk runners, wallets, luggage and equipment for souvenirs.
Taluksangay Mosque
Taluksangay Mosque is the cradle of Islam in Western Mindanao. Taluksangay Mosque is the oldest mosque within the area, in-built 1885 by Hadji Abdullah Maas Nuno. This mosque is alleged to be the oldest place of worship for Muslims in Western Mindanao. The historic mosque used to have golden minarets, however these had been repainted purple when the mosque was renovated to accommodate extra guests.
Rainbow Mosque
Masjid Al-Islamia, also referred to as the Rainbow Mosque, will be present in Brgy. Sta. Maria alongside Tumaga Street (Veterans Ave. Ext.). The mosque was repainted someday after the Marawi Siege in 2017 as a tribute to the fallen heroes and as as a name for peace and unity. The outside partitions of the mosque function intricate particulars and distinctly Maranao designs with okir patterns adorning each the construction and inside of the mosque.
Fort Pilar & Nationwide Museum
For historical past & tradition buffs, Fort Pilar is a serious heritage website value visiting. Initially constructed by the Spaniards to defend Zamboanga towards pirates, the Fort is now a shrine for devotees of the Girl of Pilar, town’s patron saint. The Zamboanga Nationwide Museum situated inside Fort Pilar homes work, cultural memorabilia, and antiques from centuries of wealthy native historical past. Strolling excursions round Pueblo Viejo are supplied by the Native Tourism Workplace.
Pasonanca Park
Pasonanca Park is a historic landmark within the metropolis, excellent for birding, meditation, and rejuvenating communes with nature. The park homes a campsite, amphitheatre, and a conference middle amongst many extra trendy amenities.
Merloquet Falls
Merloquet Falls is a two-tiered waterfall situated in Barangay Sibulao, roughly 78 kilometers east of town. From the jump-off level, it’s a brisk 15-minute downhill hike to this crystal-clear pure landmark.
Canelar Barter Commerce Market
Earlier than heading house, you may cease by the Canelar Barter Commerce Market to buy native costumes, malongs, batik textiles, pearl equipment and native delicacies together with low cost Malaysian meals merchandise.
Be taught extra concerning the tradition
Past the landmarks and sights, probably the greatest features of Zamboanga Metropolis is the wealthy tradition and the folks. There’s lots to be taught by appreciating the native tradition, a confluence of native Subano, Malay, Islamic (Yakan, Samal, Tausug and Badjao), Spanish and American cultures that spanned the course of centuries.
What / the place to eat in Zamboanga Metropolis
Zamboanga Metropolis serves a wide selection of native delicacies with dishes having a melting pot of Spanish affect, Zambuangeño, Chinese language-Chavacano fusion and conventional Muslim delicacies. You may’t depart with out feasting on curacha (deep-sea spanner crab) in Alavar sauce, satti (a neighborhood model of satay), knickerbocker (a variation of halo-halo) and Zamboanga White (lychee fruit shake).
READ MORE: Meals Journey: Zamboanga Metropolis
Except for Alavar’s, the preferred eating vacation spot is the seafront plaza of Paseo del Mar, the place you may get pleasure from recent grilled seafood and ice-cold beer whereas capturing the breeze.
You can even get a style of Tausug Muslim delicacies and the Sulu espresso tradition at Dennis Espresso Backyard by pairing kahawa sug (Sulu’s greatest espresso) with native pastries on small plates collectively known as Bangbang. This consists of Jualan (deep fried bananas served with a tasty dip), Daral (moisture-rich crepe with candy coconut filling), Pulihmandi (purple rice balls rolled on coconut flakes) and apam (Sulu’s native pancake), to call just a few.
Satti can also be well-liked breakfast dish in Zamboanga. This delicacy of grilled rooster and cubed rice referred to as ‘puso’ is served with a spicy sauce.
The place to remain in Zamboanga Metropolis
Backyard Orchid Lodge is likely one of the greatest inns in Zamboanga Metropolis, often beneficial to enterprise and leisure vacationers who don’t thoughts splurging for creature comforts. This 4-star lodge has a big swimming pool space and its personal giant restaurant and bar. They’re conveniently situated simply 250 meters from the airport.
- Deal with: Gov. Camins Avenue, Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
- Contact numbers: 0923-3544809
- Fb: Backyard Orchid Lodge Zamboanga
Marcian Backyard Lodge goals to advertise the wealthy and numerous tradition of Zamboanga Metropolis. This distinctive three-story luxurious lodge has a complete of 60 lodging suites and rooms, which mix the basic great thing about Spanish-Moroccan design with heat and festive colours of Zamboanga. Facilities embrace occasion & perform rooms, bar & restaurant, espresso store, prayer room, swimming pool, spa and memento store. The house-style Lodge is strategically situated simply 300 meters away from the Zamboanga Metropolis Worldwide Airport and a pair of.5 kilometers from the Metropolis Correct.
- Deal with: Marcian Group, Governor Camins Avenue, Zamboanga Metropolis, Philippines
- Important Line: +63 (62) 991-2519 to 21, Cellular: +63 943-1289150, Enterprise Middle: +63 925-7558999
- Web site: http://marcian-group.com/garden-hotel/
- Room charges
Vista del Mar Seashore Resort, which runs a restaurant serving scrumptious meals additionally gives specialty lodging alongside the seashore. You may hire eco-friendly casitas of their backyard or the specialty treehouse the place you may benefit from the breeze of recent air and get up with a view of the ocean. The resort is right for many who need serene and rustic place to remain in Zamboanga Metropolis.
- Deal with:Labuan-Limpapa Nationwide Street, Zamboanga Metropolis
- Contact numbers: Name (062) 983 0319
- Fb Web page: Vista del Mar Zamboanga
For backpackers on a price range, there are additionally extra extra inexpensive locations to remain within the metropolis. Casa Don has price range pleasant rooms the place you may pay primarily based on 12 to 24 hour intervals. There’s additionally N. Atilano New Pension Home situated close to Casa Don in the identical compound. Different low cost hostels embrace AA Mattress and Breakfast Pension Home and Alavar Mattress and Breakfast.
NOTE: As of October 2018, Lantaka Lodge by the Sea, one of many oldest inns in Zamboanga Metropolis has closed.
Festivals & particular occasions in Zamboanga Metropolis
- The Zamboanga Hermosa Pageant celebrated each October is likely one of the oldest and grandest festivals within the area. This month-long pageant celebrates town’s devotion to the miraculous Girl of Pilar, town’s patron saint. The foremost spotlight is the Regatta de Zamboanga, the place tons of of fishing boats with rainbow-striped sails compete and the Streetdance competitors and essential program.
- Dia De Zamboanga (Zamboanga Day)
- Zamboanga Summer season Pageant (April and Could)
- Pascua de Zamboanga
Further pictures of me by Potpot Pinili of Journey Trilogy. Take a look at his journey information right here.
