The region

Designated as Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. The region of Zamboanga Peninsula was previously known as Western Mindanao before the enactment of Executive Order No. 36 on September 19, 2001.

Zamboanga History

(2000 pop. 603,000). Located at the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula in the Mindanao Island group in the Philippines, the City of Zamboanga is a chartered city independent of the province of Zamboanga del Sur in terms of funding, administration, and so on. The early Malay settlers known as Subanons ("people of the river") named the place Jambangan or Tambangan ("land of flowers"), and the city is still known for its many species of flowers, especially orchids. The Samal and Badjao ethnic groups who came to the city in their vintas or native boats called it Samboangan, referring to the wood poles they used to dock their boats.

The Spanish established a small garrison on the site in 1596, but they failed to hold it in the face of repeated attacks by the Moros, various Muslim ethnic groups of Malay descent who had dominated the area from the 1400s. In 1636, the Spanish reestablished themselves in what is now known as Fort Pilar, which remained the center of Spanish rule in the southern Philippines for three hundred years. A testimony to this long Spanish presence is the use of Chavacano, the chief local dialect, which is based on Spanish.

When the Americans came in 1898, the city became the capital of Moro province, which encompassed all of Mindanao and Sulu Islands. Zamboanga City attained its cityhood status on 12 October 1936 under Commonwealth Act 9 and was formally inaugurated as the City of Zamboanga on 26 February 1937. The city became a headquarters for the Japanese during World War II but was retaken by U.S. troops in March 1945.

Today the city is a trade center and port for the southern Philippine products of copra, hemp, timber, and fish. It is also a center for Moro brass and bronze ware and a collection point for the many varieties of shells found locally. In terms of religious background, the population of Zamboanga City is 75 percent Christian and 25 percent Muslim. It is considered a Christian enclave in the heart of the Muslim region of the Philippines.

For almost three centuries, the Spaniards held the City of Zamboanga with Fort Pilar as the center of settlement. The presence of the Spaniards amidst many Filipino ethnic groups resulted in the development of a unique dialect – chavacano – a mixture of Spanish and the native dialects which is still the predominant medium of communication in the city today.

IN THE FAR SOUTH is a place bursting with life. It is a place imbued with a dizzying array of ethnic ingenuity, a home filled with delightful discoveries.

Come to the place where colorful vintas meet the sunset.
Come to the place where the call of the rolling sea reverberates.
Come to the place where the green is superfluous.
Come to the place where the most succulent of dishes can be found.
Come to the place where the Spanish legacy is met with unique dances, pilgrimages to the Shrine.
Come to the place of friendly smiles and grins of the little children

Come to the place that is Zamboanga.
Come and join us in celebrating our FIESTA PILAR!!!

"REGATTA de ZAMBOANGA 2002" witness the colorful vinta's on display





"CULTURAL STREET DANCING" Reviving the glorious past through dances and colorful costumes.

In addition to the main land territory of Zamboanga City, which encompasses 1,681 kilometers (645 square mile), there are (officially) 29 islands that are part of its principality, and all of them are now named. The most popular of these islands is the Great Santa Cruz Island, and most deservedly so. Its tantalizingly beautiful scenery encompasses the rare "pink sand" (a coloration effect of white sand mixed with red coral sand), crystal clear blue water, and the symphony of varied living corals, abundant colorful tropical sea life, and island vegetation. It is truly a wonderland.


Cawa-cawa Boulevard at Dusk, Zamboanga City


Zamboanga City is located on the western most peninsula of the big island of Mindanao, the Philippines. It is a busy international port strategically located on the Basilan Straight.

The city has long been a bastion of Spanish intelligentsia, and is home to some of the finest educational institutions in the country and around Asia. The literacy rate of the region, and of the country in general, is one of the highest in all of Asia.

The Spanish culture influences the way of life of the Zamboangueños. The culture blends harmoniously with Moorish and western influence.


Regatta de Zamboanga

Zamboanga City's Art history spans a period of over 500 years, with heavy influence coming from the Malay and Spanish culture early on, and the West more recently. Countless, and quite priceless, artefacts dating back to over a thousand years have been excavated in the early 1900s by American archaeologists during their occupation of the Philippines in the vicinities of Zamboanga and Mindanao. Many of these artefacts are currently housed in "vaults" of some major U.S. universities, inaccessible to the general public.


Moro School Zamboanga, Mindanao, P.I.

Zamboanga City is also a centre for Moro brassware and bronze ware, and a collecting point for numerous varieties of shells, which are exported or used locally for button manufacture and many other products and souvenirs. The Philippine Archipelago is home to over a third of the world's known sea shells, and Zamboanga's Great Santa Cruz Island is home to many shells and corals, and the pristine "pink" sand - a coloration effect of the white sand and red coral sand mixed together.



Fort Pilar with its world-renowned religious shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, was built in the 17th century by the Spanish soldiers, along with their Jesuit counterparts, for the protection of Christian settlers against Moro (Muslim) pirates, and other marauding invaders from nearby Chinese and Dutch outposts. It now houses the Fort Pilar Museum, one the few national historic museum chain that houses cultural artefacts of the region, and a wealthy display of its surrounding rich marine and natural life.



Rio Hondo, Taluksangay, and Campo Muslim are nearby Muslim villages built on stilts over water. Indigenous peoples include the Tau Sugs, Samals, and Yakans. The colourful Bajau, or sea gypsies, ply the waters of the Basilan Straight for fish, coral, and shells; they live on board their multi-hued vintas (sailboats) and take temporary shelter in stilt-raised homes during storms.



Valderosa St. is just beside the City Hall, walking thru this street gives you a feeling like you're in a time warp. Old houses and palm trees still stands along the street, it gives you a glimpse of the past. This street will lead you to Bayot Hotel now known as Lantaka Hotel by the sea.