Hola, Zamboanga! Welcome to Asia’s only Latin City! Welcome to this colorful, multi-cultural destination in Southwestern Philippines!

Prior ro my 1st Zamboanga trip back in 2005, the only thing I know about the city is that they speak a certain Spanish-like language called Chavacano (the very reason why I wanted to visit the city) and how the media painted the city as a place of terrorism (the reason why I was hesitant to visit the city). But, the wanderlust in me won and just hopped on that plane bound for Zamboanga. To date, I have been to Zamboanga 4 times already.

And during those instances, I have come to learn that there is so much to see, do, and experience in this city. True enough, Zamboanga City is home to cultural wonders like their colorful vinta, Yakan-weaved products, to natural eco-hubs like a pink sand beach and cascading waterfalls, to historical vistas like Fort Pilar, and a wonderful gastronomic treat through their “curacha” and “knickerbocker”. Truly, Zamboanga is a gem one has to discover and experience.

So here’s a list of the things you shouldn’t miss out should you find yourself in Ciudad de Zamboanga.

The Real Fuerte de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, also Fort Pilar, is a 17th-century military defense fortress that was built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City. Today, Fort Pilar is a popular landmark in the city wherein the inside of the fort is being used by the National Museum of the Philippines. The outer part is where one can find the Lady of Pilar, where masses and prayer vigils are celebrated.

Paseo Del Mar, a beautiful waterfront, is located very close to Fort Pilar. Paseo Del Mar is known for its several restaurants, cafes and promenade. And if you want to watch the sunset, this area is the perfect place. Plus, this is also where boat rides to the famous Great Sta. Cruz islands are located.

Visit Pasonanca Park. Pasonanca Park is a public, natural reservation park and watershed that is full of luscious, green scenery. Constructed in 1912, the park houses campsites, an amphitheater, and a convention center, among other facilities.

Beach-bumming, island hopping at the Great Sta. Cruz Islands – home to pink sand beaches and teeming marine life.

One of Zamboanga’s main attraction drawers is its “pink beach”. The beach at Great Sta. Cruz Island offers an amazing pink coralline sand which is a result of the mixing of pulverized red organ pipe corals washed up ro the predominantly white sand shores of the island.

Yakan Weaving. One of the most intricate hand woven fabrics in the Philippines is the Yakan weave. Visit a village in Sinunuc, Zamboanga City as it houses traditional weavers who create intricate fabrics patterned from bamboo, diamond, flowers and leaves.

Learn about “Vintas”. The vinta is a traditional dug out canoe/ outrigger boat popular in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The boats are made by Sama-Bajau, Tausug and Yakan people living at this side o Western Mindanao. Every year, the “Regatta de Zamboanga” is held. This vibrant festival turns the sea into a canvas of brightly colored vintas and traditional Moro boats as paddlers race a friendly competition.

Masjid Al-Islamia aka Zamboanga’s Rainbow Mosque. Aside from the rainbow-striped vintas (local outrigger boat with colorful sails) the city is known for, Zamboanga is recently visited because of this Rainbow Mosque, Masjid Al-Islamia. The mosque’s original color was white and green and was repainted sometime after the Marawi Siege in 2017. The new look is Zamboanga’s tribute to the fallen heroes and the city’s call for peace and unity. Today, people of various walks of faith come to see this picturesque landmark.

Canelar Barter Market: This is a local market where one can shop at a cheaper price. If you are looking for items that ranges rom local textiles to souvenirs (pasalubong) and food items (like coffee, snacks, sweets – chocolates, noodles, canned goods, and so much more, you’ll probably find it here. I remember the first time I went here, I bought so much that I ended up having excess baggage at the airport. Haha!

Be mesmerized by Merloquet Falls. The white curtain-like, 2-tiered water flows of Merloquet Falls in Barangay Sibulao in the east coast of the city is a refreshing spot to visit after a day bumming at the pink beach or after a city tour. The fall’s upper tier is a succession of serrated rock formations with diagonal angle and is about five meters high while the lower tier, has a catch basin that isn’t too deep, making it ideal for swimming.

Of course I’ll end this post with 2 iconic “must eat” in the city – “curacha” and “knickerbocker”.

The Curacha Crab (Chavacano for ‘red frog crab or ‘spanner crab’). This is a shellfish that is a cross between a big spiny lobster and a large sea crab with a rich vibrant red color. The meat mostly comes from the belly rather than the usual crab claws, and is one of the city’s most celebrated dishes. If you are faniliar with Singapore’s chili crabs, this one is a much bigger and tastier version.

Knickerbocker. As I have mentioned in a previous blogpost, history says knickerbocker originated in New York, and not really a Zamboanga original. Nonetheless, it remains to be one of my favorite desserts. The Zamboanga knickerbocker is a localized version of the famous Filipino dessert – halo-halo. The difference is, it is primarily made of fresh fruits instead of the usual sugar-sweetened fruits. It is a mix of chunks of banana, mango, watermelon (sometimes melon or strawberries), gelatin, milk, and topped with vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream. A more special kind is prepared inside an actual coconut just like the one I had during a more recent Zamboanga trip. Super refreshing and palatine-satisfying!