South East Asian Trips

Otherwise known as the City of Flowers, Zamboanga City has one of the busiest ports in the island of Mindanao and in the whole country. Zamboanga's international port caters to passenger ships that ferry to other major destinations in the country like Manila, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu, and Davao. There are also ferries from here to Sandakan, Malaysia.

Other than being the City of Flowers, another title for the city has gained prominence and that is Asia's Latin City. This is due to the fact that the local vernacular in Zamboanga City, Chavacano, is a mix of Spanish, Cebuano, Tagalog, and other local dialects. In fact, Chavacano has more Spanish words than words in the local Filipino dialects.

History

We can note from early Zamboanga City history that the place was already inhabited even before the Spanish era. Some of early inhabitants were the Lutao, Subanon, Samal, Bajau, Yakan, and the Tausug. These people named the territory as Samboangan, which signified a place that has many flowers. This is also the name you'll find in early Spanish maps.

In 1635, the Spanish established Fort Pilar, which was a major defense against pirates at the time. Zamboanga became Mindanao Island's capital city during World War I under the American government. Post World War I history shows a marked rise in commerce and trade for the city, which made it a trading hub in the region. The Japanese occupied Zamboanga City in March of 1942, but were evicted three years later by US and Filipino liberation forces.

Today, Zamboanga has thriving agricultural and fishing industries. Seaweed farming is becoming a strong industry here as well. Zamboanga also exports sardines to various counties in Europe, Middle East, and the Far East. The city's aquacultural based industries account for more than half of the city's economy.

Weather

Zamboanga City is one of the locations in the Philippines that is typhoon free. Storms are uncommon here since the city is away from the typhoon belt area of the country. The city still experiences a dry season, which is from March to May. The city gets more rains from June to October during the wet season with temperatures cooling down to 22 degrees Celsius at times.

What to See in Zamboanga City

The list we have below are only a few places of interest when you visit the city

Fort Pilar - This was the Spanish garrison that served as the territory's protection from local pirates. Today, it serves as a shrine to Our Lady of the Pillar. There are relics here from Spanish antiquity reflecting the life back in those days.

Pasonanca Park - The construction of this park started in 1912. This is a beautiful park with a tree house on a huge tree while a gentle stream traverses the whole place.

Zamboanga Golf Course - This is probably the oldest golf course in the country, which was established during the American colonial period. It has a beautiful view of the Basilan Strait and a swimming resort.

Yakan Weaving Center - This center hosts the local Yakan community where they intricately weave clothes on giant looms.

Santa Cruz Islands - This is the place to go for white sand beaches. There is also a lagoon and a dive site for those who would love an undersea adventure.

Where to Eat in Zamboanga City

You'll find a lot of dining options here in Zamboanga City. The malls usually house restaurants and fastfood chains but you'll also find establishments everywhere else. For instance, Z-Beryani Persian Cuisine is in the Nunez Midtown Plaza, Hay Sun Restaurant is on San Jose Street, A Taste of Asia is along Veterans Avenue, while Food Paradise is on Climaco Avenue. Average meal prices will be less than $10 but if you go for a splurge then prepare about $20 per me