TravelPhilippines: Destination: Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City is a first class, highly urbanized city on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines and one of the first chartered cities in the country. Zamboanga City is the sixth largest city in the Philippines. just recently dub as "Asias Latin City" By the city tourism department. so why asia's latin city? simply because zamboanga still have the most preserved spanish culture in the philippines infact there native language"Chavacano" is said to be 60% spanish and 40% native. they really speak spanish down there. it is not only just a latin city but it is also branded as "City of Flowers" and affectionately called by Zamboanguenios as "Zamboanga Hermosa," Spanish for "Beautiful Zamboanga". The city has been the center of commerce, trade, health services, and education for all of the Western Mindanao Region. and not only that the city government is reviving zamboanga to be the top tourist destination in mindanao and in the country. why not zamboanga is such a beautifull city and not to mention it is home of the Great Santa Cruz Island one among the Pink Sand Beaches in The World sounds interesting huh? pink sand. the island rank no. 8 in the words poll for best pink/red sand beaches beating Santorini Islands only landed on top 10. so what are you waiting for packed your bags and fly to Zamboanga the one and only latin city in asia and its right here in the Philippines.

Getting There:

By Air
Major Airlines Like Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, and Cebu Pacific Airways have daily flight schedules that can take you away to the City of Flowers in about an hour and a half from Manila.

By Sea
Major shipping and passenger lines such as WG&A Super Ferries, Sulpicio Lines, and others make Zamboanga a major stop on their routes.

Things To Do and See in Zamboanga

Cultural

Delicious Seafood From outdoor and alfresco food centers to silver-service restaurants in plush settings, Zamboanga City offers the world on a plate at affordable and down-to-earth prices. Creole Spanish cuisine, as Zamboanga’s native cooking is known as, is basically Spanish with hefty dashes of local flavor.

Cultural Dances and Songs Zamboanga City is rich in cultural activities. Colorful songs and dances are performed during festivals in the streets and they become the center of attraction for tourists.

Natural

Pasonanca Park Known throughout the world as a tourist attraction, it was named as the “Beautiful Park” in the past. It has become a popular site for youth citizenship training and for boys and girls scout jamborees. To those who come from the north, Pasonanca Park is known as the “Little Baguio” of the south due to its cleanliness, coolness, and wholesome atmosphere,

Beautiful Beaches Zamboanga City is blessed with beautiful beaches where domestic and foreign tourists can come and enjoy. Among the famous beaches are Sta. Cruz Island with its pink coral-sand; the sandy Bolong beach; and the city’s most modern resort at La Vista del Mar.

Festivals

Regatta de Zamboanga One of the many festivals of Zamboanga City, the Regatta de Zamboanga is a festival of colorful sailboats. It is usually held within the month-long activities of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in October every year. The City Government of Zamboanga conducts the Regatta in the form of a race of colorful vintas, and fabulous prizes are given to winners.

Man-Made

Fort Pilar The fort was built on June 23, 1635 by Father Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit Priest-Engineer, to ward off attacks from the moros and foreign invaders. Originally named the Real Fuerza de San Jose, it was renamed after it was rebuilt in 1719. The Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, whose statue was embossed on the east wall in 1734 as a frontpiece atop the entrance, was eventually sealed when it became a shrine. Fort Pilar is a fifteen-minute walk from City Hall, NS Valderrosa Street.

City Hall The construction of this Hispanic building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the Federal Government of the United States for the American Governors of the area,

Pettit Barracks These barracks had been occupied by the American Forces under General C. Bates after their capture of the city on November 16, 1899. The site was named Pettit Barracks in honor of Colonel James S. Pettit,

Pasonanca Aviary One of the newest interesting sites in Zamboanga City is the aviary at Pasonanca Park, located around 7.5 kilometers north of the city proper. It showcases different species of domestic and imported birds.

Special Interest

City of Flowers and Beautiful People Zamboanga City was named the City of Flowers for two reasons: literally, for its profusion of flowers and, figuratively, for its beautiful people. The Zamboangueña is famed for her beauty and admired far and wide. Songs have been written and sung about her. Little wonder that she is beautiful as she is blessed with a mixture of races combined to produce mestizas of the Eurasian and Amerasian strains.

Where To Stay

An-An's Pension House
Gov. Camins Ave, 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62-8814974
Room Rate Starts at 450php ($10)

Argamel Hotel
Gov. Camins Ave, 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62 - 9914974
Room Rate Starts at 630php ($13)

Embassy Pension House
Varela St., 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62 - 9911697
Room Rate Starts at 300php($6)

Grand Astoria Hotel
Mayor Jaldon St., 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62 - 9912510
Room Rate Starts at 650php($14)
to 4,000php ($87) Presidential Suit.

Grand Orchid Hotel
Gov. Camins Ave, 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62 - 9910031
Room Rate Starts at 1,736php ($37)

Hotel Preciosa
Mayor Jaldon St., 7000
Zamboanga City, Philippines
(+63) 62 - 9912020 to 22
Room Rate Starts at 560php ($12)

Photo Gallery of Zamboanga

Aerial View of The Great Sta Cruz Island