“Zamboanga Peninsula”Geography

The peninsula is connected to the main section of Mindanao Island through an isthmus situated between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay.

Zamboanga Peninsula extends southwesterly toward the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo island. It has an area of roughly 5,600 square miles (14,500 square km). It is between the Sulu Sea on the north and west, and the Moro Gulf of the Celebes Sea on the south.

The name of zamboanga was derived from the malay word “JAMBANGAN” meaning a pot or place of Flowers.

“Zamboanga Peninsula Festival and Tourist Spots”The Hermosa Festival also known as Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as Fiesta Pilar a month-long festival held each year in the city of Zamboanga, the city center of Zamboanga Peninsula Region in the Philippines. It is one of the Oldest Festival in the Country and the most awaited Event in the Region.

Food Trip: Zamboanga City

Posted on October 26, 2012

Curacha!(A local Chavacano name given to this sea crab species that is uniquely found in the waters around Zamboanga, and no where else in the world. It is popularly described as a highbred crustacean, with crossbreed characteristics of a large sea

crab and the big spiny lobster.  Thus, it is unusually large [reddish-pink in color] for a hybrid crab and quite meaty, and oh so delicious! A special Zamboanga City treat.)

Cooking Instructions:Steam or boil in plain water, until cooked to desired level.  Curacha is best experienced in its natural exotic flavor, cooked minimally so as to preserve its original taste.

***If you care to add a touch of local flavor to it, mix in some lemongrass and about 3-5 cups of coconut milk to sauce, and boil until done.  Sauce topping could be enhanced with ginger, grated coconut meat, sea salt, pepper, red chilis, and choice vegetables.

Serve with: Steamed rice and fresh Latu (seaweed/sea grapes) or salad.

Ensalada de Latu (seaweed salad)

1 kilo latu (seaweed)

2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges1 medium onion, sliced1 calamansi

1 tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon vinegar½ tsp. sea salt½ tsp. ground black pepper

Wash the seaweed and discard the roots and wilted parts. Arrange latu in a salad bowl and garnish with tomato and onion.Mix together the olive oil, vinegar, sea salt, fresh-squeezed calamansi juice, and pepper, then pour generously over the seaweed.

Serving note: If desired, top salad with red chili pepper or toasted coconut meat.

Chicken or Pork AdoboIngredients:One whole chicken cut up into small pieces, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 1ripe tomato cut up into small pieces, salt and pepper, 7 cloves of garlic, 3 or 4 bay leaves.

Cooking Instructions:Mix the chicken, vinegar, soy sauce, and cut up tomatoes in a pot. (For better taste let marinade stand for 30 min. to an hour and then cook).  Add salt and pepper to taste. Add bay leaves.  Cook in pot with lid for 40 or 45 minutes in medium heat

Tourist Attraction

ZAM, designed by a muslim architectPhoto by christinaestrada

The unique city hall of Zamboanga city, adorned by thousands of lights during the Christmas season

Photo by lutykuh

The famous Zamboanga sunsetPhoto by Jerome Herrera

The RT Lim Boulevard, which is a major thoroughfare as well as a beachPhoto by lutykuh3rd

An old Yakan woman displaying her waresPhoto by shawi

Why Not Go?

If you are an outdoor person, you might not enjoy Zamboanga city that much. We don’t offer spelunking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor activities. If you are friends traveling, you

might find the city a bit boring. The things that Zamboanga can offer (such as shopping, dining, and sightseeing) are more apt for a family traveling.

Regarding peace and order, the city is relatively safe and is not as unsafe as the media portrays it to be. To be totally safe though, I recommend that you stay within the city center. The downtown

area is pretty well guarded not only by the police but by the military. So don’t panic when you see military men carrying big guns in the city streets, it’s not a coup d’état.

Just be sure to exercise proper caution as you would when traveling to a foreign city and you should be fine.

Why Go

For history buffs who want to relive the Philippines’ past, Zamboanga city is paradise. Not only would you get to see Hispanic manifestations in the architecture, but you get to experience it

through its unique language, Chabacano. Extranjeros would often comment that hearing natives speak Chabacano makes them feel like they are in Mexico. From the time you get off the plane,

stroll in its many parks and plazas, visit its churches, wander along the city streets, and talk to the locals, you would agree that it is truly Asia’s Latin city.

Best Time to Visit

Unlike most of the Philippines which is typhoon prone, the Zamboanga peninsula is typhoon free. Weather should not be factor when planning your trip to this place. The best time to go is during the Zamboanga Hermosa festival. This is the time of year when Zamboanga city is very vibrant and colorful. The festival features pageants, parades, street dances, concerts, a boodle

fight (highlighting the city’s brand as the sardines capital of the Philippines), a Chabacano song festival, a regatta (wherein Zamboanga’s traditional outrigger called the Vinta are raced by

locals), trade fairs (featuring traveling merchants from different cities in the country) and other fun activities. Just remember that public places are very crowded during the festival because

people with relatives in Zamboanga city often choose to reunite with their relatives during this time. The Zamboanga Hermosa festival generally runs from October 1 to Oct 12. It culminates in

a solemn activity called the Fiesta Pilar wherein Zamboangueños visit the Fort Pilar shrine to pray.

Where to Stay

Philippines Hotels and Resorts

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There are numerous hotels within the city center. One of the best that I always recommend is the Lantaka by the sea hotel. Aside from enjoying rooms with a majestic view of the ocean, you also get to be within walking distance from the fort pilar shrine, the city hall, and the main downtown

area. This vintage hotel offers great facilities such as an al fresco restaurant and a large swimming pool set amidst coconut trees; both overlooking the waters between Zamboanga city

and Basilan.

Less than a kilometer away from the airport is the Garden Orchid hotel. This airport hotel is perfect for businessmen. Equipped with a swimming pool, a restaurant, a garden, a lobby bar with live entertainment, and spa services onsite, it offers first rate services at very affordable

prices.

Where & What to Eat

Zamboanga city is a seafood haven. One of the best restaurants in the city, serving the best food in town is the Alavar’s Seafood House. Alavar’s is best known for its very delicious bagoong

and Curacha (a type of crustacean that can be found in Zamboanga’s waters. This place can be a bit pricey though and service is a bit slow. While the food is definitely worth the price, there are

other restaurants which offer great tasting seafood as well at lower prices. Mano Mano Na Greenfield Restaurant is another great place to dine in. Mano mano means that you use your

hands for something, in this case eating. This restaurant is usually packed with locals at any time of the day, and any day of the week. The main reason for this is that this restaurant offers good

food at very affordable prices, not to mention good service. Their menu consists of sea foods and mainstream Filipino dishes. The main structure is like an open veranda which allows cool breeze to enter the restaurant. The building is made from bamboo and the roof from nipa which gives it

a very traditional atmosphere. Food is served in trays made from bamboo covered in banana leafs.

Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant is also a good dining option. This is a Chinese restaurant that offers seafood cooked using Chinese recipes. What makes this restaurant unique is the

chance for diners to choose from freshly caught fishes. The chefs would then cook it for you. Hai San’s specialties include Curacha cooked in garlic sauce, latu salad (a type of seaweed), lapu

lapu, and lobsters.

Now if you want to dine by the sea, I would recommend the outdoor restaurant in the La Vista del Mar beach resort. This restaurant offers dining along the ocean with gentle breeze blowing

by.

As Zamboanga city is home to a significant number of Muslims, you can also find cuisine here that was created by Muslim tribes such as the Tausugs. One very famous Tausug dish is the Satti.

Satti is actually coagulated rice immersed in a reddish sweet and spicy sauce. You eat it either with grilled chicken or Isaw (intestine).

Alavar’s seafood house is located in the village of Tetuan. Mano Mano Na Greenfield Restaurant meanwhile is in the village of Santa Maria. If you wish to visit the outdoor restaurant at the La

Vista Del Mar beach resort, you would need to travel 6 kilometers away from the city center. It is located along the west coast highway. The Hai San restaurant can be found on Ledesma Street (near the city center). These are short stretches of road and relatively small villages and finding these places would not be difficult at all. Also, you don’t have to worry about getting lost as all

tricycle drivers would know where these places are by heart.

Now, if you want to taste the Satti as well, just go to the city center and you’ll definitely find a small eatery offering this dish.

Getting There

My preferred mode of transportation to Zamboanga city has always been by a ferry. Just the ferry ride itself can be considered a vacation already. It would be like going on a two day cruise if you’re from Luzon and a one day cruise if you’re from Visayas. What I enjoy most about ferry

rides is the chance to see all of the Philippines from a good vantage point. If you ride a super ferry, the ship makes a stopover in metro Cebu which gives you a chance to appreciate the

beautiful skyscrapers dotted in front of its mountains and if you ride a Negros navigation, you get to see Bacolod’s and Iloilo’s historic ports. A trip from Luzon to Zamboanga city would usually cost around 1000-1500 pesos and from Visayas to Zamboanga city 500 – 800 pesos.

Now if you prefer a quicker ride, take the plane. It shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half. Be prepared to pay around 2500 – 3500 for a plane ticket (from Luzon) though. Both Super ferry and Negros Navigation has voyages to Zamboanga,city twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday

for Super ferry and Thursday and Sunday for Negros Navigation) while Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines offers morning and afternoon flights to Zamboanga city daily.

Be aware that the seaport is not that organized in Zamboanga city. If you need help with your luggage, approach only those porters with an ID. From the airport or seaport, take the tricycle

(again NO TAXIS). A tricycle can fit in approximately four people. Remember to agree on a fare before getting in. Some drivers overcharge simply because you came from the airport or the

seaport.

Hotel and Resort

Lantaka Hotel by the Sea

Municipality of Lakewood

Woodland Resort

Garden Hotel Orchid