Region 9

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REGION IX- ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA

I. Introduction

Zamboanga Peninsula is an authoritative district in the Philippines, assigned as


Region IX. The region consists of three provinces (Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del
Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay) and two autonomous urban areas (Isabela City and
Zamboanga City). Zamboanga Peninsula have a 67 municipality, 1,904 barangay and 8
congressional districts. The area was already known as Western Mindanao before the
establishment of Executive Order No. 36 on September 19, 2001. The city of Pagadian is the
territorial focus. Along the shores of the promontory are various coves and islands. The
promontory is associated with whatever is left of Mindanao through an isthmus arranged
between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay. Its region comprises of the three Zamboanga
regions and the city of Zamboanga, and the limit between the promontory and territory is
falsely set apart by the outskirt between the areas of Zamboanga Del Sur and Lanao Del
Norte.

Administrative Divisions

Province City Municipality


Zamboanga del Sur Pagadian Aurora, Bayog, Dimataling, Dinas, Dumalinaom
Dumingag, Guipos, Josefina, Kumalarang, Labangan,
Lakewood, Lapuyan, Mahayag, Margosatubig, Midsalip,
Molave, Pagadian, Pitogo, Ramon Magsaysay (Liargo),
San Miguel, San Pablo, Sominot (Don Mariano Marcos),
Tabina, Tambulig, Tigbao, Tukuran, Vicente A. Sagun,
Zamboanga City

Zamboanga del Sur Dipolog Baliguian, Dapitan, Dipolog, Godod, Gutalac, Jose
City Dalman, Kalawit, Katipunan, La Libertad, Labason,
Leon B. Postigo, Liloy, Manukan, Mutia, Piñ an, Polanco,
President Manuel A. Roxas, Rizal, Salug, Sergio Osmeñ a
Sr., Siayan, Sibuco, Sibutad, Sindangan, Siocon, Sirawai,
Tampilisan

Zamboanga Ipil Alicia, Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Kabasalan,


Sibugay Mabuhay, Malangas, Naga, Olutanga, Payao, Roseller
Lim, Siay, Talusan, Titay, Tungawan
Table 1. Administrative Division

II. History

During the ancient era, the Zamboanga peninsula was a vast territory home to
various ethnic groups - the largest of which was the Subanen people. Later on, the
southern coastal areas of the region was under the influence of the Javanese Majapahit
Empire, although the empire never did conquer the area.

Spanish Rule

In 1569 Zamboanga was chosen as the site of the Spanish settlement and garrison
on La Caldera (now called Barrio Recodo). Zamboanga was one of the main strongholds in
Mindanao, supporting colonizing efforts in the south of the island and making way for
Christian settlements. It also served as a military outpost, protecting the island against
foreign invaders and Moro pirates and their Chinese allies.

Province of Zamboanga

After the United States annexed the Spanish East Indies in 1898, the Peninsula
hosted a briefly independent state called the Republic of Zamboanga. It was incorporated
by the Insular Government into the Moro Province, which consisted of the Central and
Western parts of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The name and status of Moro
Province were changed to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu on August 16, 1916,
causing Zamboanga to become a separate province.
In 1942, the Zamboanga Peninsula along with the rest of the Philippine Islands was
occupied by the Empire of Japan at the beginning of the Second World War. The Peninsula
was liberated in 1945 by joint American and Philippine Commonwealth forces fighting
against the Imperial Japanese Army.

On 6 June 1952, the province was partitioned into Zamboanga del Norte and
Zamboanga del Sur, while the chartered city of Zamboanga became an independent, extra-
provincial unit.

Region

Together with the Sulu Archipelago, the provinces that formerly made up
Zamboanga Province were re-organised into Region IX by order of Presidential Decree No.
1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos, that was
signed in September 24, 1972. From 1975 to 1989, the old Region IX (Western Mindanao)
was further divided into two sub-regions by Presidential Decree No. 8233 dated August 21,
1975. Sub-Region IX-A consisted of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi with Jolo, Sulu, as the sub-
regional center, while Sub-Region IX-B consisted of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte
and Zamboanga del Sur, with the chartered city of Zamboanga City as the sub-regional
centre.

Present

In 2001, Zamboanga Sibugay, was created from the province of Zamboanga del Sur
with Ipil as the seat of government with the virtue of Republic Act No. 8973. In the same
year, the residents of Basilan opted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) in a plebiscite. However, the citizens of the capital, Isabela, did not want to join so
the city remained a part of this region as a result of Executive Order No. 36.

In 2004, Pagadian officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga
Peninsula, despite opposition from Zamboanga City, the former Regional Center.
III. Physical Geography

A. Size of the Region

Province Size of Area


Zamboanga Del Sur 4,499.46 sq. km
Zamboanga Del Norte 7,301.00 sq. km
Zamboanga Sibugay 3,607.75 sq. km
Total of Land Area 15, 408.21 sq. km
Table 2. Size of Region 9

B. Territory

The Zamboanga Peninsula is a peninsula of Mindanao, the second largest island in


the Philippines. It is a large, semi-circular peninsula located in northwestern Mindanao,
forming the Moro Gulf and part of the border between the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.
Politically, the majority of the Zamboanga Peninsula belongs to the administrative
region of Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), and a minority belongs to Northern
Mindanao (Region X).

C. Map
Figure 1. Philippine Map Figure 2. Region 9 Map
D. Topography

The region's topography is relatively rugged. Roughly 51% of its area are hilly; some
having steeped slopes and within the elevation range of 100 to more than 1,000 meters
above sea level. In terms of land classification, about 51 per cent is considered alienable
and disposable and the remaining 49 per cent is classified as forest land. Almost 60,000
hectares of land that can be developed for planting crops still remain idle, while around
310,000 hectares of coconut land can be utilized for multi-cropping and pasture purposes.

The region's climate is generally classified as 3 and 4. It has no pronounced rainy


seasons, but has relatively dry season from December to May. There is a relatively uniform
rainfall distribution throughout the year. The annual average rainfall is 2,372 millimeters
which is highly suitable for agricultural production.

The region is located on the


eponymous Zamboanga Peninsula of the
island of Mindanao that lies between the
Moro Gulf (part of the Celebes Sea) and the
Sulu Sea Along the shores of the peninsula
are numerous bays and islands of varying
sizes. The peninsula is connected to the rest
of Mindanao through an isthmus situated
between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay. Figure 3. Location of Region 9

The region consists of the three Zamboanga


provinces and the highly urbanized independent city of Zamboanga, and the boundary
between the peninsula and mainland is artificially marked by the border between the
provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte.
IV. Demographics

A. Population

Table 3. Population by Province/Highly Urbanized City:


Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula 
(Based on 2015 Censuses)
Province Population
Zamboanga Del Norte 1, 011, 000
Zamboanga Del Sur 1, 011, 000
Zamboanga City 862, 000
Zamboanga Sibugay 633, 000
City of Isabela 113, 000

Total Population: 3, 630, 000


Table 3. Population

B. Famous People

General Vicente Álvarez.

April 5, 1862 - November 22, 1942) was a Zamboangueñ o


revolutionary general who led the revolution in Zamboanga
which forced the surrender of the last Spanish Governor-
General of the Philippines, Diego de los Rios, effectively
ending the Spanish occupation in the Philippines.

Figure 4. General Vicente


Alvarez
Carlos "Sonny" García Domínguez III

(born September 16, 1945) is a Filipino businessman and


former chief executive of Philippine Airlines who is the
31st Secretary of Finance under President Rodrigo Duterte.
He had previously held the position of Secretary of
Agriculture and Minister of Natural Resources under the
Corazon Aquino presidential administration.

Figure 5. Carlos Garcia Dominguez III

Andy Mark C. Barroca

(born April 25, 1986) is a Filipino professional basketball


player for the Magnolia Hotshots of the Philippine Basketball
Association (PBA). He currently wears the number 14 to
imply the birthdate of his wife.

Figure 6. Andy Mark C.


Barroca

Cesar Cortez Climaco

(February 28, 1916 – November 14, 1984) was


a Filipino politician who served as mayor of Zamboanga
City for 11 years and three nonconsecutive terms. He was
also famous for his refusal to cut his hair until democratic
rule was restored in the Philippines. He was assassinated by
an unknown gunman in 1984.
Figure 7. Cesar Cortez Climaco
María Clara Rafols Lorenzo Lobregat (April 26, 1921
– January 2, 2004) the first woman mayor and also a
representative to the Philippine Congress of
Zamboanga City, who was a mayor of Zamboanga City
from 1939 until 1940, a representative to the first
Philippine Assembly, and a delegate to the Philippine
Constitutional Convention.

Figure 8. Maria Clara Rafols Lorenzo


Lobregat

Martha Cecilia (born Maribeth dela Cruz y Hamoy)


was a Filipino writer of Tagalog romance pocketbook
novels. She was the author of best selling novel series
Kristine and Sweetheart. Many of her novels were
serialized by ABS-CBN under Precious Hearts
Romances Presents.

Figure 9. Martha Cecilia

Antonio Reyes Enriquez is the author of several


books of short stories and novels. He was born in
Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga city in 1936. His
parents wanted him to study medicine and sent him
to a university in Manila, but after several years, he
returned to Zamboanga City without a college
degree. Enriquez later did various jobs like writing a
news and other features for various newspapers and
magazines.
Figure 10. Antonio Reyes Enriquez
José Ezekiel "Ruru" Misa Madrid

(born December 4, 1997 in Zamboanga City, Philippines) is a


Filipino teen actor who rose to fame in Protégé: The Battle
for the Big Artista Break. In 2016, Madrid landed the role of
Ybarro/Rama Ybrahim in the television remake of GMA
Network's Encantadia.

Figure 11. Ruru Madrid

Luis Clemente Enriquez

(August 23, 1932 – October 12, 2001) born in Zamboanga


City. Better known by his stage name Eddie Rodriguez, was
a Filipino film actor and director.

Figure 12. Luis Clemente


Enriquez

Jose Pague and his group from Zamboanga


Peninsula win a gold in the team competition of
the secondary boys division. Jose Pague has been
participating in the annual Palarong Pambansa to
prove that he is one of the country’s best tennis
players. Pague earned the top seed after an
impressive year that included winning silver in
Palarong Pambansa 2016 and other competitions
Figure 13. Jose Paque
like the Cebuana Lhuillier Inivitational, which he
has won in the past two years.
C. Ethnic Groups

About a third of the region's population is composed of ethnic people. These groups,
usually erroneously classified under the general heading of Muslims, are actually distinct
from each other in culture. They are generally divided into Tausugs, Yakans, Badjaos,
Samals, and Subanons of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur and Zamboanga
Sibugay.

Subanens. The Subanens are considered the


aborigines of Zamboanga, settling in the city
before the Spaniards occupied it. The term
Subanen, derived from Suba (river), means
People of the River. The Subanens form a
single distinctive cultural and linguistic
Figure 14. Subanen Tribe
group and are mostly farmers who grow
upland rice, root and tree crops. Subanen
settlements today are thinly spread over southern Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga
del Sur, stretching northward, then eastward to hinterlands of the neighboring province of
Misamis Occidental.

Samas
The Samas are a grouping of tribes that generally
inhabit the shorelines of northern and southern
Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, as well as the Zamboanga
Peninsula and nearby islands.They are peace-loving
people whose means of livelihood is fishing. Their
staple food is cassava or puto as it is locally called.

Figure 15. Samas They also eat fruits and vegetables, showing a
partiality to mangoes. Their principal musical
instrument is gabbang or nose flute. Seven Sama groups inhabit Zamboanga City: the Sama
Banguingui, Sama Laminusa, Sama Ubian, Sama Siasi, Sama Daungug, Sama Kaunlunga, and
Sama Bitali.

Badjaos
Often referred to as the Philippine "sea gypsies" the
Badjaos, until recently, spent their lives on their small boats
which frequent the waters around the numerous islands of
the Sulu Archipelago. Today, about two-thirds of the Tawi-
Tawi, Badjaos still use boats as permanent living quarters.
Some of their villages are in fact flotillas. The Badjaos are of
two groups: the southern Badjaos of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi,
who call themselves a sing "bangsa" or ethnic group; and
the northern Badjaos (the Basilan and Zamboanga groups).
Though water people, they go on land and are buried on Figure 16. Badjaos
land. They make frequent trips to their cemeteries to seek
favors from spirits of the deceased ancestors and relatives.

Tausugs
The Tausugs, considered the most politically
dominant group in the Sulu Archipelago,
inhabit the island of Jolo and are dispersed into
several communities in the smaller islands of
Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Southern
Palawan.They have a rich culture, an amalgam
of different cultures and foreign influence that
dates back to as early as 13th century, when Figure 17. Tausug
Sulu was trading with China, India the East
Indies, Arabia, and Japan.
D. Religion

According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion
in the city is the Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority
of Christians are Roman Catholics with minorities of Protestants, Iglesia ni Cristo and Jesus
Miracle Crusade. The remaining 27% belongs to the non-Christian faiths such as Islam and
Buddhism.

Catholics

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.
Figure 18. Catholics

Protestants

With the inception of the American era, other religions were


introduced. Seventh Day Adventists, Church of Latter day
Saints, Iglesia ni Cristo and United
Figure 19. Protestants Church of Christ in the Philippines
are included.

Muslims

The Muslims have been an integral part of Zamboanga City


since the beginning. Before any other religions were
practiced in Zamboanga City, the Muslim religion already
Figure 20. Muslims had a firm hold of the area. It is estimated that
approximately 22% of the people in Zamboanga City are Muslims. Some barangays of
Zamboanga City are populated by 100% Muslim. These barangays with Muslim majority
populations, do not celebrate "Fiestas". Instead they celebrate Hari Raya.

V. Economy

It has the first export-processing zone in Mindanao. Farming and fishing are the
main economic activities of the region. It also has rice and corn mills, oil processing, and
coffee berry processing and processing of latex from rubber. Its home industries include
rattan and furniture craft, basket making, weaving and brass work. Dipolog City is home to
a number of Bottled Sardines Companies which are being exported abroad. Dakak Park and
Beach Resort can be found in Dapitan it is one of the most visited places in the region along
with Gloria's Fantasyland the first and only theme park in Vismin.

Figure 21. Oil Processing Figure 22. Processing of Latex from Rubber

Figure 23. Processing of Coffee Berry Figure 24. Weaving and Brass Work
Figure 25. Rattan and Basket Making Figure 26. Corn Mills

Resources

The region has vast forest resources and previously used to export logs, lumber,
veneer and plywood. Mineral deposits include gold, chromite, coal, iron, lead, and
manganese. Among its non-metallic reserves are coal, silica, salt, marble, silica sand, and
gravel. Its fishing grounds are devoted to commercial and municipal fishing. It has also
aqua farms for brackish water and freshwater fishes.

VI. LANGUAGE

A. Dialect

The most common spoken language is Cebuano. Also spoken, although in small
percentage are Zamboangueñ o, Tagalog, English, Hiligaynon, Maguindanao, Iranun,
Subanun and Ilocano.

Chavacano - Spanish-based Creole language (derived from the Spanish word "chabacano"
meaning "poor taste", "vulgar", "common", "of low quality")

Subanen language (also Subanon and Subanun) is an Austronesian language belonging to


the Greater Central Philippine languages. Subanon is spoken in various areas of Zamboanga
Peninsula namely the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and
Zamboanga del Sur, and in Misamis Occidental of Northern Mindanao.

B. Sample Phraseologies
English Tagalog Local Dialect (Subanen)
Good Day Magandang araw GempyaGendaw
Good Evening Magandang Gabi GempyaGebi
God bless Pagpalain Su DiwatamenGupiariani-a
To Eat Kumain Maan
Knowledgeable Kaalaman Misunan
English Tagalog Local Dialect (Chavacano)
Father Tatay Tata
Small Maliit Diutay
Thunder Kidlat Quirlat
Rice Kanin Canon
Rain Ulan Aguacero
Table 4. Sample Phraseologies

VII. Transportation

A. Land Transportation and Terminals

The distance between Manila to Zamboanga is 1,246 kms. The travel duration by bus is 38
hours and 13 minutes. There is only one bus provider and terminal station (Philtranco)
that covers the Manila to Zamboanga route and leaves once daily. The buses must first land
at the port of Bacolod City and from Bacolod, you must board another bus that will take you
to the city of Zamboanga.

Local Transportation

Once in Zamboanga, all the towns in it are accessible by land thanks to the province’s
comprehensive and well planned out Zamboanga transportation system. Common types of
Zamboanga transportation within the city itself are tricycles, jeepneys and buses but there
aren’t that many taxis. There are a few independent operators when it comes to taxis so
this mode of transportation is still an option. If it’s just to travel short distances though, the
more affordable options are the tricycles, jeepneys and buses.

B. Water Transportation

One of the most affordable ways of transportation between Manila to Zamboanga is via
the RORO inter island shipping vessel offered by 2Go Travel. 2Go vessel St. Michael the
Archangel travels from Manila to Zamboanga every Sunday at 8:00pm. And St. Leo the
Great every Monday at 11:30pm.

C. Airport Transportation

The most convenient mode of transport from Manila to Zamboanga is via air
transport. The travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are two local airline companies
that cover the Manila to Zamboanga route on a daily basis (Cebu Pacific Air and Air Phil
Express).

Dipolog transportation is something that everyone, residents and tourists alike can safely
take to get their destination no matter how far or near. What type of Dipolog transportation
to take really depends on one’s budget and preference as well. With regard to air
transportation, the province has 1 domestic airport and 3 airstrips. These three airstrips
were located in the municipalities of Liloy, Siocon and Sirawai. . Cebu Pacific and Philippine
Airlines are serving daily flights to Manila and Cebu, and scheduled flights to Davao.
Zamboanga City, Airport

Figure 27. Zamboanga International Airport Figure 28. Zamboanga Ineternational Airport

IX. FESTIVALS

Many, know Zamboanga because of the beautiful flowers that grow here and the
thriving businesses but not all are aware of the brilliant Zamboanga festivals that keep
visitors coming back to this region in the southern part of the Philippines. One might be
wondering what makes these Zamboanga festivals different from the events celebrated in
other parts of the country but once one has attended a single celebration, it is a hundred
percent guaranty that there are no other festivals that can compare to it.

Flores de Mayo

Derived from the Spanish term that


means “Flowers of May”, Flores de
Mayo is a Zamboanga festival that has
been celebrated for over a century,
dating back to the Spanish occupation
of the country. Flores de Mayo lasts
for a whole month and no other
Zamboanga festival will exhibit the
devotion of the Filipinos to the
Figure 37. Flores de Mayo
Catholic faith. Flores de Mayo is in honor of the Virgin Mary and this is an event that is
participated in by children as they are the ones designated to bring flowers to the statue of
Zamboanga’s patron. Although Flores de Mayo is not really unique to Zamboanga, but the
way that this province celebrates it is different. One of the highlights of this Zamboanga
festival is the Santacruzan which is a series of parades held in the streets where Christian
items such as bibles and statues of saints are showcased. The children in particular look
forward to the game at the end of the Flores de Mayo called “pabitin”, where children are
blindfolded one by one and would have to crack a clay pot filled with goodies.

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Every October the scenic city of


Zamboanga, as the "City of
Flowers", celebrates its grand
annual Zamboanga Hermosa
Festival or the popularly known
as Fiesta Pilar with 12 days and
nights of events and celebrations.
Figure 38. Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
The beautiful city of Zamboanga
welcomes thousands to the
region's biggest, most extravagant celebration of the year. The two day celebrations are
mainly in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pilar Nuestra Señ ora del Pilar
de Zaragosa, which is also commonly known as the “Fiesta Pilar” at the legendary Fort Pila
who has a special fiesta in October. The people of Zamboanga passionately believe that the
lady has served as their unifying cultural and historical symbol.

Regatta de Zamboanga

Let’s take the Regatta de Zamboanga


as an example. Done annually during
October this Zamboanga festival is one of the most entertaining and colorful. Boat racing
has never been this fun or amusing to watch. The locals make their own vintas or sailboats
just for the Regatta de Zamboanga and regardless of whether they win the race or not, they
go home proud and happy that they are able to showcase something that they have worked
on for several months. Every history book about Zamboanga would have something in it
about vintas but very few would be able to describe the Regatta de Zamboanga with such
conciseness.

Kinabayo Festival

which is celebrated every July 25 in


Dapitan City Zamboanga del Norte
Philippines celebrate a mysterious and
colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-
Moorish wars, mainly the Battle of
Covadonga where the Spanish forces under
Figure 40. Kinabayo Festival
General Pelagio took their last stand
against Saracan. They were able to
overturn the tide through the miraculous spirit of St. James. The addition of local color and
modernism has made this annual celebration a popular attraction which brings thousands
of tourists to the Dapitan City.

Megayon Festival

is a week-long celebration that coincides


with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary
in September. It honors the tri-people
settlers of the province: the Subanens,
Bangsamoro Muslims, and Christians. In
the Subanen tongue, “megayon” means

Figure 41. Megayon Festival


unity and solidarity. It was officially established on August 3, 2006, as the celebration of the
founding of the province through Provincial Ordinance No. 016-2006.

X. PRODUCTS

Yakans Weaving Products

One of the many indigenous people around


Zamboanga City is known as the Yakan. They
are a thriving people who are adapting their
old ways with the new. Even amongst the
local residents of Zamboanga City who are
particularly renowned for their colorful
vintas, the Yakans are exquisitely known
Figure 42. Yakans Wearing Products
because of the vibrancy of color in their cloth
and exceptional weaving techniques of their
people. Each pattern of the garment woven by the Yakans is as unique as a snowflake and
each one being infused with that of the weaver’s character and pride in their work. The
patterns on the garment also reflects that of the time period it was woven in, a testament to
the adaptability of Yakan weavers. The Yakan are a noble people who take pride in their
work and it shows in their handiwork. Each fiber woven in the fabric is handmade to
ensure top craftsmanship, the Yakan not only limit themselves to cloth but have a broad
range of products like bags, scarves, purses, mats, belts, and ornaments.
A. Delicacies with Sampling

Knickerbocker

The boss of all desserts in Zamboanga is the


knickerbocker glory which is made of sliced fruits
(mango, watermelon and bananas), gelatin, vanilla ice
cream and strawberry ice cream. Warning: this dessert is
very addictive. The original knickerbocker in Zamboanga
is from Palmeras Restaurant in Sta Maria, Zamboanga
Figure43. Knickerbocker
City. They opened a branch in Paseo del Mar and each
large serving costs only 65 pesos.

Curacha

The spanner crab or curacha is one of the must eats in


Zamboanga. What looks like a crossbreed between a
crab and a lobster is a popular delicacy in Zamboanga.
It is best served with Alavar sauce which is a popular
Figure 44. Curacha
curry tasting sauce that is also great as pasalubong.
You can enjoy the curacha and Alavar sauce at Alavar
Restaurant in Tetuan, Zamboanga City and Paseo del Mar.

Satti. Influenced by the nearby islands, a lot of food in


Zamboanga are extremely spicy but very satisfying.
Satti is hanging rice (puso in Visayan dialect) and beef
or chicken barbeque smothered with a lot of red sauce

Figure 45. Satti


made from turmeric, and spices. This is a popular breakfast choice and a remedy for hang
overs of locals. Restaurants that serve satti opens early in the morning, start your day with
a kick of spices.

Other must-tries here include the Baked imbao or


clams, crispy dinuguan (topped with lechon
kawali), cucumber lemonade and refreshing Ensalada
de Chamba (Chamba Salad), a mix of eggplant, mango,
and salted egg that goes great with seafood.

Figure 46. Ensalada de Chamba Paella

Spanish influence is
everywhere in the Philippines, but perhaps more so in
Zamboanga. The paella is a traditional rice dish
cooked in different types of sauces, meat, seafood, and
Figure 47. Paela vegetables cooked
in a wide, shallow pot known
as a paellera,

Baked Imbao

a type of mangrove clam, that’s usually topped with


butter and garlic. The meat of the clam is naturally
sweet. Great for an appetizer.
Figure 48. Baked Imbao

Latal is not one dish, but a platter of many native Tausug


dishes distinctive to Zamboanga.  It is usually served in
quantities good for 4 to 6 people, and its spiciness makes it

Figure 49. Latal


a perfect accompaniment to beer. You can try it from Bay Tal Mal Halal Restaurant located
in Vangeorge Building, Don Toribio Street, Tetuan.

They also celebrate Sulu coffee culture by


pairing kahawa sug (Sulu’s best coffee) with native
pastries on small plates collectively called Bangbang.
This includes Jualan saing (deep fried bananas served
with a tasty dip), Daral (moisture-rich crepe with
sweet coconut filling), Pulihmandi (purple rice balls
rolled on coconut flakes), Panggi-Panggi (soft and
chewy flour rings) and apam (Sulu’s native pancake). Figure 50. Kawahasug

Don’t leave without trying the pastil, hand pies with


togue served with sweet spicy sauce!

B. Pasalubong and Crafts

Barter

Figure 51. Canelar Barter Figure 52. Canelar Barter

Canelar Barter Center


will give you the best value for your buck. Imported goods from nearby Malaysia and
Indonesia can be bought at cheaper prices here. Chocolates, noodles, coffee, clothes and the
malong are popular pasalubong items. Stores open at eight in the morning and closes at five
in the afternoon. Just make sure that you have extra baggage allowance on your return
flight, tourist usually go on an impulsive shopping spree at the Barter Trade Center. 
Yakan Footwear

One way the Yakans are making sure that the


art of weaving lives on is by putting a
commercial value to it, creating both
livelihood and showcase of culture. While
the yakan cloth itself commands a high price,
modern tastes dictate it be more wearable
and versatile, and so, here comes yakan
Figure 53. Yakans
clothing. Shoes are, perhaps, the best vessels
for the merging of traditional and
contemporary, and you can easily find beautiful pairs in Zamboanga City.

Malaysian Goods

Figure 54. Malaysian Can Goods Figure 55. White Rabbit Candy

Since Zamboanga City is near Malaysia, a good amount of


Malaysian goods reaches the former's shores regularly. Imported coffee, chocolates, White
Rabbit candy (with the edible wrapper), noodles, and canned goods can be purchased here
for cheap.
Lechon

Zamboanga City has a thriving "lechon culture". In


fact, it is so prevalent that an annual lechon fiesta
called the Asao Festival is held here. If you simply
can't get enough of roast pig, count on Zamboanga to
Figure 56. Lechon
get you your fix.

Souvenir Items – Bring something as


remembrance, like key chains, fashion
accessories, refrigerator magnets, souvenir
shirts, rainmaker, bags, mats, bamboo flute,
hammocks, bolo, fans, wooden statues, and
hats. (Buy from Home Products at San Jose
Figure 57. Souvenir Items
Rd. corner Climaco Ave.)

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