Zamboanga City

City of Zamboanga La Ciudad de Zamboanga Lungsod ng Zamboanga
Seal
Nickname(s): Asia's Latin City
Motto: Adelante Zamboanga!
Location of Zamboanga City within the map of the Zamboanga Peninsula on the island of Mindanao
Country	Philippines
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Class	1st class city; highly-urbanized
Districts	1st and 2nd Legislative districts of Zamboanga City
Barangays	98
Established	June 23, 1635
Incorporated (city)	February 26, 1937
Government
- Mayor	Celso L. Lobregat (LDP)
- Vice Mayor	Mannix Dalipe
Area
- Total	1,483.38 km² (572.73 sq mi)
Population (2007)
- Total	774,407
- Density	522/km² (1,353/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Area code(s)	62
Website: www.zamboanga.gov.ph

Officially, the City of Zamboanga (Chavacano de Zamboanga/Spanish: Ciudad de Zamboanga). Zamboanga is a corrupted word for the Bahasa Sug jambangan, which means garden. The highly-urbanized city is located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is one of the first chartered cities and the sixth largest in the country. Zamboanga City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province, though it is usually grouped with Zamboanga del Sur for statistical purposes.

Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 39 of 1936 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon on October 12, 1936 in Malacañang Palace created and established Zamboanga as a chartered city. It has been known variously as "El Orgullo de Mindanao" (The Pride of Mindanao), nicknamed the "City of Flowers," and affectionately called by Zamboangueños as "Zamboanga Hermosa" - Chavacano/Spanish for "Beautiful Zamboanga." Today, the city is commercially branded for tourism by the city government as "Asia's Latin City," a clear reference to Zamboanga's identification with the Hispanized cultures of "Latin America" or the USA's "Latino" subculture, the current City Mayor, Celso Lobregat is himself descended from a Spanish-Catalunian bloodline (The Llobregat River runs through Spain's biggest Mediterranean city - the City of Barcelona). Zamboanga City was formerly a part of the Commonwealth Era Moro Province of Mindanao. Its ancient inhabitants were vassals of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

Zamboanga City brings its best foot forward during the popular Fiesta Pilar, celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint, La Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza, Spain. A statue honoring the saint is prominently embossed above the façade on the eastern wall of the meter-thick walled fort called El Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (also called El Real Fuerza de San José in its early days). This Spanish military fort was built on June 23, 1635, by the Spanish Jesuit priest Fr. Melchor de Vera, SJ in defense against pirates and slave raiders. Zamboanga City is one of the oldest cities in the country and is the most Hispanized. It is also one of the largest cities in the world in terms of area, with over 1,480 km², including its 28 surrounding islands. Its recorded population in 2007 was 774,407.

Zamboanga City has been the center of commerce, trade, health services, and education for the entire Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX). It is the seat of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (popularly known as Zamboecozone). The people of Zamboanga speak a unique Creole language called Chavacano - a blend of Spanish and European, Mexican-Indian words with a spattering of several local dialects, and with Cebuano as its main substrate language, primarily using Visayan grammar and syntax in sentence construction. A more modern version of this colloquial patois dialect is strongly influenced by Filipino/Tagalog and English as well. Zamboanga, along with neighboring Isabela and Lamitan cities on Basilan Island are the only cities in Asia where the majority of the population speak this Spanish-patois dialect.^[1] Chavacano used to be spoken widely in the Provinces of Cavite and Laguna, as well as the Malate District of Manila due to the sizeable number of Spanish Mestizos living in these areas. World War II, however, decimated the Chavacano populations of these places, leaving Zamboanga and its satellite cities of Isabela and Lamitan with a majority Chavacano-speaking population.

Zamboanga is home to three major universities: Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Western Mindanao State University, and the newly-elevated Universidad de Zamboanga. The city contains the first Catholic diocese in Mindanao, today's Archdiocese of Zamboanga which was created in 1910 and elevated to an archbishopric in 1958.

History

Hon. Celso Lobregat

The evolution of the name "Zamboanga" provides an interesting insight into its historical background. The early Malay settlers called the region “Jambangan”, which means Land of the Flowers.

These Malays who built their settlements by the river banks were the subanons, that is the “People of the River”. Their chief, Saragan, lived with his family atop the legendary Mount Pulumbato that today lords over Pasonanca and Climaco Freedom Park (formerly Abong-Abong Park) then later on, the Samals and the Badjaos who came on their frail vintas also settled here, building their frail huts along the shorelines and confused “Jambangan” with “Samboangan” which comes from the word “Sabuan”, the wooden pole used to help push their vintas in shallow waters or to tie them for anchorage purposes.

The Spanish colonizers found difficulty in pronouncing “Samboangan” and instead called the place “Zamboanga”. The city has rich and colorful history. It was the center of barter trading among Chinese, Malays and the native Tausugs, Samals, Subanons, and the Badjaos as early as the 13th and 14th centuries.

It was in 1569 when the Spaniards made their presence felt with a small Catholic Mission established briefly at La Caldera, now known as Recodo.

Much later on June 23, 1635, the cornerstone of what is now known as Fort Pilar was laid by Father Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit Priest-Engineer and the Spanish authorities. This date marked the change of the name of the place from Samboangan to Zamboanga. It is the city’s founding date.

In 1899, immediately after the Spanish-American War in the Philippines, the United States of America established full authority in Zamboanga. A special form of government was established in Mindanao and Sulu. Zamboanga was made the capital. The first form of which was the Moro province and during the 12 years of its existence, the American Military Government in the Philippines converted Zamboanga into a city in the Commission Form, the first province of Mindanao to become a city. However, the government of the Moro Province was abolished to give way to a new form of government, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. This form of government entrusted to the Filipino residents of Zamboanga practically all positions in government.

The commonwealth of the Philippines on 1936 declared Zambaonga as a Charter City. Progress and development in Zamboanga continued and in 1983, the Minister Interior Jose Roño proclaimed Zamboanga City as a highly urbanized city.

Geography

Location

Urban Sprawl of Zamboanga City

The City of Zamboanga is located at the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula. It is approximately 460 nautical miles south of Manila, 365 nautical miles northeast of Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), 345 nautical miles northeast of Menado (Indonesia), bounded to the west by Sulu Sea, on the east by the Moro Gulf, on the south by the Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea and on the north Zamboanga Del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. Its distance from Cebu City is about 372.57 nautical miles, and is 340.17 nautical miles from Davao City. Southeast Asia Zamboanga City commands the sea lanes of southwestern Philippines. It is our gateway to Southeast Asia. The city is the nearest major urban center to our ASEAN neighbors: Malaysia, Brunei, Sarawak and Singapore; and through them, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and southern China. Farther to the west, through the Indian Ocean, is the Indian subcontinent with giant India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Zamboanga is situated in Mindanao. Mindanao is the second giant of the archipelago of all the land mass of the Philippines. The city is situated at the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. It is approximately within the 1210 53’ 50’’ and 1220 23’ 25’’ east longitude and 60 53’ 50’’ and 70 29’ 20’’ North.

Climate

Zamboanga City enjoys a location that is free from the typhoon belt area. March to May is hot and dry, with temperature at 22 degrees Celsius. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool, with temperatures ranging from 22 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius. Average humidity year-round is 77%. According to the local PAGASA the highest temperature recorded in the city was 38.7°C recorded on August 15, 1999 and the lowest is 15.6°C on February 27, 1965 respectively.

• Zamboanga City 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Component islands

Zamboanga City has 28 islands off the mainland coast. All of these islands come under the city's jurisdiction. The biggest of these islands is Sacol (about 12 km. long and 8 km. wide). Three of these islands (Vitali, Malanipa, and Sacol) are inhabited mostly by fishing residents and have their own barangays. The others are frequented only by fishermen and scuba divers. Eleven of these islands on the Moro Gulf coast form a cluster known as the Eleven Islands, the largest being Cabugan Island (approx. 11 hectares).

The most popular of these islands among Zamboangueños and tourists alike are the Santa Cruz Islands—famous for their pink coral sands. The islands are rich in coral, shell varieties (over half of the world's known shell varieties are found in the Sulu Sea which surrounds these islands)^[2] , and sea life. The islands are:

Barangays

Zamboanga City has 98 barangays.

Ayala

Ayala, located at the western portion of Zamboanga, is a progressive barangay of the city. It houses major canning factories, among them is Universal Canning Corporation. The sardine industry in this barrio makes Zamboanga the sardines capital of the Philippines. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the barrio's parish patroness celebrated every 16th of July.

Tetuan

Tetuan located near the Zamboanga City central area, is the second most populous barangay in the belonging to the city's Second (East) Congressional District. It was an old municipality in the early 1910s before being merged as part of the chartered city in 1936. The church of Saint Ignatius de Loyola, the Coca-Cola Plant, the Pastor Bonus Seminary, Alavar's Restaurant, UZ Summit Center and the Zamboanga City Colliseum are among the sites located in Tetuan.

The barangay is also home to educational institutions such as the Universidad de Zamboanga Main Campus and the Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School. It is also home of the once largest mall in the city, Alta Mall, which has been turned to a barter trade center and later closed sometime in 1996.

Tumaga

Tumaga is situated at the Tumaga River. This barangay is known as the "Gateway to Freedom Park, Pasonanca." It houses the high school campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU). The Villa San Ignacio, a housing project by Filinvest, is located beside ADZU high school campus. The barrio is part of the city's first (west) congressional district.

Legislative districts of Zamboanga City

Government

Since 1983, Zamboanga City has been a highly-urbanized city, independent from Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga City received its own representation for the Philippine Congress beginning in 1984. The former lone congressional district is divided into two separate districts: the West District (I) from the City Proper to Labuan, and the East District from Tetuan to Limpapa(II). The government is composed of a mayor, vice mayor, two district representatives, and eight councilors in each district.

Current Officials (2007–2010)

Population

In 2007, the Census of Population and Housing of the government's National Statistics Office recorded the city population of 774,407 people with an annual growth rate of 3.56 percent. Compared to the national population, Zamboanga City's 774,407 is only 0.8 percent of the total Philippine population of 88.7 million people.^[3]

Top 10 most populous barangay in the city:

Transportation

• Land Transportation and Government Projects

Taxi service in the city is not well-established, although there are some independent taxis. The common mode of transportation in Zamboanga is by a Jeepney or a Tricycle. There are two types of city buses: the green bus and the blue bus, but still pending with the city government approval that it may affect the Transport Sectors. A new bus terminal was planned for construction at the MCLL highway between Divisoria-Boalan area and is seen to be one of the most modern bus terminals in Mindanao when completed. The modern bus terminal serves as a prologue of East Coast's development as a business district. Zamboanga City is connected through other provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula and the whole island of Mindanao by the Maria Clara L. Lobregat Highway.

The government has constructed 667 kilometers of farm-to-market roads. A law established a free port and special economic zone in the city known as Zamboecozone, which is the only free port in the country outside of Luzon.^[4]

• National and International Seaport

sea also Port of Zamboanga

Zamboanga City has 19 seaports and wharves, twelve of which are privately-owned. The biggest and most modern is the government-operated main port which can accommodate 20 ships at any given time. There are 25 shipping lines whose vessels regularly call at the port of Zamboanga. A new international seaport will be open soon outside the city proper that can accommodate international ships and vessels. This port will be established at the Zamboecozone, which is under construction, it will be the one of the Biggest and Modern Private Sea Terminal in Mindanao even in the Philippines. Zamboanga City has also fastcraft services to Sandakan, Malaysia. One Shipping Cargo Company from Vietnam is also serving the route's from and to Zamboanga.

The busy Port of Zamboanga handles inter-island and international fast ferries, and also occasional international cruise ships. In 2002, the Port of Zamboanga, inclusive of all area ports and Basilan, was ranked #1 in the entire Philippines and registered an astounding 5.57 million passengers, surpassing #2 Batangas by 1.3 million passengers, and #5 Manila by over 1.59 million passengers.

• International Airport

The local airport has been upgraded and has since been called the Zamboanga International Airport. It will be named after the late Mayor of Zamboanga city as Maria Clara L. Lobregat International Airport in 2008. Its 2,610-meter primary runway can serve international flights. The government has earmarked more than 240 million pesos for 2008 to completely rehabilitate the existing facilities, including the air navigation equipment but the project has not started yet.^[5] Plans call for a 3,440 meter long runway. It would be bigger airport and a modern terminal building with Six jet bridges. This planned airport is to be built within the City's east coast barangays Talabaan, Mercedes and Taluksangay. Upon completion, it will be Mindanao's largest Airport.The construction period is three years and the company plans to operate the airport for 15 years after the completion.

These are following carriers that serve ZIA.

• Philippine Airlines - Manila
  • PAL Express - Cebu, Davao
• Cebu Pacific - Cebu, Davao, Manila
• South East Asian Airlines - Bongao, Cotabato, Jolo, Sandakan (Malaysia)
• Zest Airways - Cebu [begins on December 20]

Planned Destination's by Airline Company.

• Philippine Airlines
  • Air Philippines - Manila
  • PAL Express - Jolo
• Cebu Pacific - Bongao, Jolo
• South East Asian Airlines - Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
• Zest Airways - Bongao, Jolo, Sandakan (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Bengawan (Brunei)

Future plans

Currently the Proposed plan of transferring of it's current Airport at the Brgy. Sta Maria and Brgy. San Roque has finally cleared that the proposed of New Zamboanga International Airport somewhere in Brgy. Mercedes, Brgy. Taluksangay and Brgy. Talabaan is now undergoing as reported.

Somehow the DOTC in the Philippines alloted 15 million Pesos for to study this project. In November 2008, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Consultants as well as engineers from Davao City are now conducting an ocular inspection on and area of more than 100 hectares of idle land in the east coast which is being eyed as the new site of the airport. The proposed airport will be constructed on a 400-hectare area and will have a 3,440 metre long runway. It would be bigger airport.

The project includes and features:

• Construction of New Terminal that will accommodate more Passengers.
• Construction of 6 Jet bridges on the proposed New Terminal.
• Construction of new 3,440 metre long runway, to accommodate more and bigger planes.
• Construction of new taxiways and aprons.
• Construction of a new Modern Control Tower.

When completed, it will have:

• 6 Jet Bridges
• It will be one of the most modern Airport in the Philippines.
• The 3,440 metre runway will hit a record as to be one of the longest runway in the Philippines after Manila International Airport.
• Upon the completion it will accommodate more than 8 Million passengers per year as reported.

December 21, 2007 - The Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has allotted some P257 million (US$5.2 million) for the improvement of Zamboanga Airport in Zamboanga City.

Earlier, a consortium of international and local investors, offered to construct a modern airport in the city under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme. The proposal was given to the Air Transportation Office (ATO) by the consortium of investors from Germany, France, Japan, Guam and the Philippines. At least 16 international airlines are expected to fly between the city and its neighboring countries per Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approval.

October 28, 2008 - Zamboanga International Airport Authority has finalize that observers and engineers is going to have an ocular inspection on the area's plan, to see the cost of the project and the other prospect details. It says that everything will start this coming month (November) reporter said. ^{[6] [7]}

Economy and Industry

Central Business District of Zamboanga City

The Zamboanga economy is largely agricultural and aquacultural-based. Agriculture and fishing provide activity and income to 70 percent of the population in whole Mindanao even in the Philippines. Zamboanga is the Center of Trade, Business and Industry in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Banking and Financing Industry is one of the fastest growing business in the city. More than 56 Banks is now serving the city alone and 2 more is going to open by the year 2009.

Infrastructure

The Zamboanga City Water District is expanding its reservoir and distribution system to meet the growing industrial demand for water. Zamboanga City is also the communications center of Western Mindanao. Local communications services include conventional and cellular telephone systems with direct distance dialing, paging services, telegraph and facsimile services, and the Internet.

Shopping centers and malls

As the center of commerce in Western Mindanao, Zamboanga is home to five shopping Malls and numerous department stores, supermarkets and retail stores.

Mindpro Citimall (opened in 1996, the second mall in the city *Alta mall being the first one which is currently closed already), Southway Square (opened in 2007) and Shoppers' Center, Zamboanga's newest mall are three of the major malls located in the city proper. Yubenco Star Mall, located in Putik, Zamboanga City, is a shopping complex. Other shopping arcades in the city are LimTown Center (at La Purisima St.) and Midtown Plaza Mall (at Nuñez Extension).

A Gaisano branch is planned to rise in the city. According to press reports. The investor is presently looking for its proper location for the mall in Zamboanga, as reported.

Moreover, a new 10-storey mall with hotel is slated to open. Upon completion, it would be the tallest commercial building in Asia's Latin City. Shoppers' Mall, managed by Huylian Development Corporation, has been two years under construction, and the expected opening of this mall will be three to four years from now.

A Robinsons Mall and an SM Mall are likewise slated to be built in the city. These proposed shopping malls are planned to be constructed in the east coast of the city, somewhere near barangays Boalan, Divisoria or Putik.

Plaza Fair, a retailing investor from Manila, had already opened its 2nd department store branch in Mindanao in Midtown Plaza Mall in Nuñez Extension in 2008.

Education, culture, and sports

Zamboanga City is home to three major universities, three computer college branches, and numerous colleges and institutes in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), founded in 1912, and became the latest Jesuit-run school to become a university in 2001. ADZU has been awarded by PAASCU with a five-year reaccreditation on PAASCU's latest survey. ADZU has also been awarded by CHED with a one-year autonomous status, the only university granted with such a status in the entire Western Mindanao. The Ateneo ranked second among the only three Universities in Mindanao granted with either one of CHED's Autonomous and Deregulated status (others being ADDU and NDCU respectively). The University now operates a new and wider campus located in Tumaga for its high school department and will be eventually shared with the Grade School, whose building is said to be constructed there within four years time. The new ADZU High School building currently holds the title for being the largest building in the City.

The Western Mindanao State University (formerly Zamboanga Normal College founded 1904) is the first to be granted as a university in 1978. It is the only state university in the city. Its campus is located in Baliwasan and is offering college and vocational programs. The university is believed to be the oldest school in Mindanao. WMSU already brought numerous achievements in the academic field, it is the Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, Center of Development in Architecture, Best School in Social Work, Best School in Forestry and Number 1 in the Criminology Board Examinations.

Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges changed its name to Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) in 2005 after upgrading its status to a university. It is the only private, nonsectarian University found in the city.

It was reported that 2 respected rchools in the city are going to upgrade their Standards from Colleges status into University. Pilar College is one of the reputable schools that may change into St. Mary's University this coming year and Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College is the next, after creating a record becoming one of best schools in Western Mindanao in terms of producing good quality of students. reported.

Other notable schools and colleges are , Nuevo Zamboanga College, Immaculate Conception Archdiocesian School, Immaculate Conception Elementary School, Hansel and Gretel International School, Montessori de Zamboanga, Zion Evangelical School, Zamboanga Chong Hua School, Regional Science High School for Region IX, Zamboanga City State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Claret School of Zamboanga and the St. Joseph School and numerous other Grade School and High School and Colleges. The Zamboanga-owned and pioneer Computer School in the region - Computer Technologies Institute (COMTECH) Inc., AMA Computer College and STI each has also satellite campus in the city.

Foreign Relations

Zamboanga is an important part of BIMP-EAGA area which stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. BIMP-EAGA is an agreement among the four Southeast Asian neighbor countries for economic cooperation. It has put Zamboanga City in touch with towns in Malaysia and Indonesia. As a result of contacts arising from BIMP-EAGA, an air and sea route has been opened between Zamboanga City and Sandakan in Malaysia.

Sister Cities of Zamboanga

• Dipolog City, Philippines - 2005
• Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines - 2006
• Sorsogon City, Sorsogon - 2006
• Zaragoza, Spain - 2008
• Trece Martires City, Philippines - 2008 pending
• Tallahassee, Florida, USA - pending

Friendship Cities of Zamboanga

• Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

Hospitals and health centers

The city is also home to medical centers and hospitals. These provide quality health care service for Zamboanguenos.

Brent Hospital and Colleges, Inc. (Located at R.T.Lim Boulevard) was founded on February 2, 1914 by Charles Henry Brent, the first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop in the Philippines. It also runs a school within the extensive Hospital Compound, offering nursing and allied health courses.

Zamboanga City Medical Center is the largest medical facility in Region 9 in terms of bed capacity. The hospital was founded in 1918 as the Zamboanga General Hospital. ZCMC, better known simply as "General", is located in the corner of Veterans Avenue-Fort Pilar road.

Zamboanga Doctors' Hospital, Veterans Avenue, is the first privately owned hospital established in 1964.

Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, one of the most equipped and advance medical centers in Zamboanga, is a five-storey medical complex located at Nunez Avenue. It was formerly known as Zamboanga Polymedic Hospital. Simply called by locals as "Ciudad" is one of the newest hospitals in this city. Located at Maria Clara Lobregat Highway, formerly known as Nuñez Extension.

Western Mindanao Medical Center, located at Veterans Avenue Extension, was established in 1990, with state-of-the-art facilities and newly reconstructed building. It is located near Tumaga.

Universidad de Zamboanga Community Medical Center (formerly the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges Memorial Medical Center) along San Jose Road, is a university-owned hospital equipped with advanced medical facilities and has a 24-hour pharmacy located inside the Medical complex.

Other specialized hospitals are: Zamboanga Children's Hospital (a special hospital for pediatrics, located at Pilar Street); Salvador A. Cabato Memorial Hospital (located at Tetuan Highway); Edwin Andrews Air Base Hospital (located within the vicinity of Edwin Andrews Air Base, the sole command of the Philippine Air Force in Mindanao); Camp Navarro General Hospital (located inside Camp Navarro, the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command); Zamboanga Puericulture Lying-in Maternity Hospital (located at Pura Brillantes Street); and the Mindanao Central Sanitarium (located at Pasabolong).

Tourism and Attractions

Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, Philippines

The Philippine Department of Tourism has selected Zamboanga City to highlight as a tourist destination to be promoted nationally and internationally.^[8] Tourism to the Zamboanga Peninsula has trended upward in recent years. Domestic and foreign tourist arrivals increased 8 percent to 439,160 in 2005, according to data from the regional tourism office.The same report notes that Filipinos accounted for 80 percent of the tourist arrivals. Moreover, 50 percent of those tourists visited Zamboanga City.^[9]

Local tourist destinations include Fort Pilar, a landmark of the city's history and culture. Spaniards laid the fort's cornerstone on June 23, 1635.^[10] The former garrison also features Our Lady of Pillar shrine. The Fort area includes a national museum and a patio. Several events commemorating citywide celebrations and feasts are also held at the site.

Beside Fort Pilar is the Pettit Barracks site that US forces under Gen. C. Bates occupied after the capture of the city on November 15, 1899. It was named Pettit Barracks after Col. James S. Pettit, 31st Infantry, US Volunteer Commanding Officer of the Second Military District. He was later promoted to General, became the Inspector-General and later, the in-Charge of Civil Affairs of Zamboanga, Inspector-General's Department, US and Philippine Infantry. Occupied by Japanese forces in 1942-1945, the barracks were recaptured by United States and Philippine liberation forces on March 10, 1945, and turned over to the Philippines on July 4, 1946.

Nearby Fort Pilar is Campo Muslim - Rio Hondo - Sahaya. This stilt village over the waters of Rio Hondo is populated by colony of coastal Tausugs, Samas, and Badjaos.^[11]Another famous tourist attraction within the vicinity of Fort Pilar is the Lantaka Hotel by the sea, the oldest hotel in the city.

Located at the heart of the city is the old City Hall, which used to be the Capitol Building of the Moro Province of Mindanao and later of Zamboanga Province until 1952. The construction of this building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the United States government. The structure is Mindanao's oldest government structure.^[12] Today, the building serves as the City Hall of Zamboanga City and the mayor's office.

The Pasonanca Park (variously renamed as Freedom Park - after the EDSA Revolution, and then as Cesar C. Climaco Park) a recreation spot located at the north of city proper, is known for its greenery, its natural spring public swimming pools, picnic groves, Indian "teepee" Boy Scout campsite, and the famous Pasonanca "Tree House".

The mountainous Abong-abong, located near Pasonanca, houses the famous pilgrimage site with cross at the top overlooking Zamboanga City, site of the annual "13 Stations" during Holy Week. One of the attractions in Abong-abong is the fabled Mt. Pulongbato, an extinct volcano that is shaped like a turtle when viewed from afar and resembles a heart when seen from above.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Conception - Founded in 1810 as a parish located at the present day Universidad de Zamboanga campus, the Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga (created in 1910 as diocese and elevated in 1958 as an archdiocese). It is known as one of the most modern cathedrals in Mindanao, built in 1998-2001. The cathedral is located at La Purisima St. The cathedral's structure is cruciform, resembling a cross and its facade is patterned after a candle (which is connected to the Blessed Virgin Mary). The main church is located at the second floor, with stained glass portraying the life of Mary and Asian saints as well as the history of Mindanao's dioceses starting from 1910. At the lower level are the columbarium, the day chapel, the adoration chapel at the left wing, the conference hall at the right wing, and the baptistery fronting the day chapel.

Other attractions include Barangay San Jose Cawa-Cawa used to have long and sandy beach but narrowed by the road widening along the stretch of "RT Lim Boulevard", which was the popular picnic ground of Zamboangueños during sunsets and weekends.

The other half of the name of the barangay got its name from the word "Cawa" which means frying pan in the local dialect. The beach along RT Lim Boulevard was believed to be shaped like frying pan and swimmers repeatedly called the beach Cawa-Cawa to warn the bathers of the perils of the depth of the sea in the area.Cawa-Cawa Boulevard, the Yakan Weaving Village in Upper Calarian.

Barangay Taluksangay is situated 19 km east of Zamboanga City’s commercial district- it was in this village where the first Islamic culture was introduced in 1885. It was also in this village where the first Islamic Mosque was constructed.This attests to the fact that Taluksangay was the first center of Islamic propagation in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Since then, Muslim religious missionaries from Arabia, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo have been flocking to this village- tourists all over the world, most particularly from Europe and America. Dignitaries from Islamic countries never fail to visit this place.A representative of the Sultan of Turkey (Sheik-Al Islam) visited this place in later part of 1914.

In 1938, before the outbreak of World War II, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet visited Barangay Taluksangay, where the infamous Mosque is considered as one of Zamboanga’s tourist spots. The inhabitants of Taluksangay, from past to present are 100% Muslims. They are religious and peace-loving. They are the descendants of the Sama Banguingui who were branded by history as pirates of Southeast Asia, but never conquered.

Zamboanga Golf and Country Club is located 7 km outside Zamboanga City (Upper Calarian), about 1,200 km south of Manila and can be reached either by ferry or by plane. The golf course is next to the Zamboanga Beach Park, near Arcillas Beach Resort and Vista del Mar Beach Resort. Zamboanga Golf Course -one of Mindanao's only 4 major layouts of 18 holes, has a fine layout with winding fairways, dog-legs, elevated greens and lots of trees and (the oldest Golf course in the Philippines.

City officials broke ground in 2007 for the Paseo del Mar na Zamboanga, a seafront parkway located adjacent to the walls of Fort Pilar. The Paseo encompasses 2.5 hectares in what was a former slum, which required relocating 300 families.^[13] The walkway faces scenic Basilan Strait.

The area is designed for the whole family to enjoy leisurely brisk walking, casual jogging, resting and relaxing during early mornings and late afternoons of the day. During the night the multi-colored decorative lamp posts give a festive atmosphere where one can unwind with friends, officemates or one’s family after a hard day’s work, under the starry sky and with the comforting, soothing breeze coming from the Basilan Strait. It is a watering hole for the young and not so young to enjoy, experience and cherish under the protection of the native-inspired uniformed cops who will provide 24 hours security to the paciantes.

Entertainment and Recreation

Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex (The Grandstand) in Zamboanga City, Philippines

The city has also popular recreation sites. Catribo Complex, Latitude and Grand Alejandra's Place are among the popular discos in the city. Many restaurants and commercial complex can be found in the city, some of which are: mano-mano na Greenfield Restaurant, Harry's Grill, The Lobby Bar, Family Fried Chicken, Manang Terry's Chicken Inato, Mang Inasal, Park 88, Country Chicken and many more.

Mindpro's six cinemas are the city's only existing movie theatres as the result of popularity of malls and the closure of old cinemas such as Rizal and Viva Theatres.

There are convention areas designed for regional and national events and conferences as well as social gatherings. These are: Garden Orchid Convention Center, Marcian Convention Center, Zamboanga City Colliseum in Tetuan, Zamboanga City Convention Center, Astoria Regency in Pasonanca and Patio Palmeras Convention Centers.

Sport venues of the city include the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, were National and Regional Sport events are done others include the Summit Center & Zamboanga City Coliseum, are the two main venues of major concerts and sport events that take place in the city.

Holidays and Holy Days

Zamboanga City is home to a diverse culture. It is a melting pot of different kinds of people. It boasts a long and worth-knowing history. These diversity and duration are just two of the many reasons behind the City's numerous colorful and solemn festivities. These festivals dates are generally non-working holidays. A few of the major celebrations in the city are listed with some bits of must-know facts.

Holiday

• Dia de Zamboanga

February 26, 1937- the date when Zamboanga was declared a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government. Charter Day of the City became a non-working holiday. A roster of special activities are lined up annually to mark the occasion. The signing of the City's Charter by Pres. Manuel L. Quezon was witnessed by Assemblyman Juan S. Alano, Representative of the Moro Province of Mindanao, then Zamboanga City Mayor Don Pablo Lorenzo, and a number of other public officials, as well as a young school girl, Maria Clara Lorenzo, who eventually became a well-loved Representative and City Mayor of Zamboanga until her death in 2004.

Christian Holy Days

• Holy Week

March/April (movable) A city procession known as the Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) on Good Friday highlights the observance of the season of Lent. Celebrated in most parish churches in the city and in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Santo Entierro is a procession of Christ's images, many of the Stations of the Cross, along the city's main streets, depicting his last hours before, during, and after the Crucifixion.

• Flores de Mayo

May 1 - 31 A religious feast celebrated in all Catholic churches in honor of the Virgin Mary. Little children in white gala dresses walk up the altar to offer flowers to the image of the Blessed Mother, as the Catholics call her. In some parts of the city, the traditional Santacruzan is also held. The Santa-cruzan is a procession of the Reyna Elena and other local beauties with their escorts, decked out in Maria Clara gowns and barong tagalogs, along major streets.

• Santacruzan*

Last day of Flores de Mayo A religious feast celebrated in many Catholic Parishes in honor of Reyna Elena (Queen Helen)and her son Constantine who went to the Holy Land to search for Jesus' Cross.

• Zamboanga Hermosa Festival (Fiesta Pilar)

October 3-12

Regatta de Zamboanga, Philippines

Highlighted by the October 12 Fiesta Pilar in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar at the legendary Fort Pilar. The festival features week-long novena masses, cultural shows, agricultural fairs, cutural exhibits, a two-day mardi gras parade, the bandoreal, a regatta, torch parades, fireworks, carnivals, Hermosa Dance Sports Competition and the most awaited " the finery for women in high society" aslo known as the MASCOTA Competition. The festival commences with a solemn procession and a grand mass at the Fort. With thousands of pilgrims converging in Zamboanga City, this is the peninsula's biggest festival.

• Fiesta de La Immaculada Concepcion (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)

December 8 Feast day of Zamboanga City's Patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception; traditionally celebrated with a procession and a concelebrated mass highlighted by either First Communion or Ordination rites.

• Fonda de Barangay or Fiesta de Barangay

Week-long celebration in the Barangay/Barrios honoring their patron saints. The celebration usually starts with novena masses held every day for 9 straight days prior the feast day of the patron saint. every night, the barrio is lit up for celebration and merry-making that includes pageants, trade fair, parade, cock-fighting, carnival, musical competition and "baile."

• Christmas

December 25 Celebration of Jesus Christ's Birth. City hall, churches, schools, streetlight post, houses, streets, commercial places, parks and most of the other places in the City are covered with lights, filled with joyous sounds and other Christmas Decorations.

Muslim Holy Days

• Isra Wal Miraj

May 9 An Islamic event celebrating the nocturnal journey and ascension of Muhammad.

• Eid al-Fitr/Hari Raya Puasa

(movable) An Islamic event commemorating the end of the Muslim fasting season.

• Maulidin-Nabi

December 27 An Islamic celebration honoring the birthday of Muhammad.

See also

• Wikitravel Entry on Zamboanga City, Philippines
• Media of Zamboanga City
• Asia's Latin City Photo Gallery
• Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority

External links

• Yahoo Finance Singapore, DOTC
• Zamboanga City 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST
• Wahoy.com Zamboanga City Free Classified Ads
• Chavacano de Zamboanga Wikipedia
• Zamboanga City official government website
• Zamboanga.com
• Zamboanga City Gallery
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Mega Sardines
• [1]
• Zamboanga City : Asia's Latin City?
• [2]

Online news

• Zamboanga City, Daily
• Zamboanga Online News
• The Official Website of Zamboanga Today Newspaper
• The Mindanao Examiner

References