Beautiful Zamboanga, Precious as Pearl

(c)itsmorefuninthephilippines

 "Zamboanga Hermosa, preciosa perlita Orgullo de Mindanao" 

     Century Old Anthem means Beautiful Zamboanga, Precious as Pearl and pride of Mindanao. from the Asia's Latin City, City of Flowers and The Sardine Capital, Zamboanga.  

     Zamboanga is a city that has been locked by culture and known for its discernable history. It is home of different ethnic groups, like Subanen and Tausug. A prof of historically diverse city was the existence of creole language-Chavacano that has been developed from Spanish and Filipino, 400 years ago.  

     The city lies on the tip of Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9 and the sixth largest city in The Philippines. The city was surrounded by bodies of water and generally rocky terrain.  

     Searching for a place where history and modernity mixed together is quite hard, for not fully old cities in the Philippines were preserved.  

     Zamboanga City is not outlying from the Capital of the Philippines,  for It takes only 1 and a half hour from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Zamboanga City International Airport. The spirit of a Latin City will embrace, as you read the "Bienvenido Zamboanga" from the roof panel of the airport.  

     Having a city tour is flawless. You shall not forget "Pueblo de Zamboanga" or downtown, that served as a result of Reduccion of Spanish Colonial Government. From the airport, ride a jeepney or tricycle and cite "Pueblo" that has a fair of 8.50. Pueblo de Zamboanga is the central shopping and business district, where you can see shopping Malls, Universities, City hall, The Plaza - Pershing, Rizal Park and the Cathedral.  

     2 kilometers away from the City Proper, is "Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza" or The Royal Courtyard of Pilar. It was a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish Colonial Government. Today it is called as Fort Pilar and served as a Regional Museum and Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of The Pillar, the patron of the city.  

     Near the Fort is "Paseo Del Mar" or Park by the Sea, where you can relax and feel the breeze of the brine, While illuminated by pigmental seaside light during nights. Zamboanga City Boulevard, has the same ambiance as Paseo Del Mar. The baywalk is 1-kilometre where you can sight some colorful vintas and enigmatic sunset.  

     The City is not least in terms of Food. Delicious Curacha or spanner crab is the main course of the City. It is well served in great restaurant named Alavar. It is expensive compared to other delicacies in the City, but Curacha meat is the best of all. The crab is usually steamed or boiled so its flavor is preserved. Majority of its meat is found in its body.  

     Food is everyone's favorite when you go out of town or a vacation. But Zamboanga's festival is becoming more favorite of the tourists. Every year the Hermosa Festival or Fiesta Pilar a month long festival on October, is held in honor of Our Lady of Pillar. It is one of the oldest Festival in the country. The festival features numerous activities like the famous Regatta De Zamboanga, the Vintas racing to win the title.  

      The city's resting reputation had been destroyed by the siege of Zamboanga last 2013. Many had been scared to visit the beautiful city. Then the fast sprawling urbanization, preserved culture and strong faith by Zamboanga's citizen, is a key to forget what had been marked on everyone's mind. The beauty of Zamboanga came from different people, culture and norms. They've broke the bridges and wall that had served as a gap between each other, long time ago. Then selfishness, immorality and beliefs had been constructing this bridges again. We should stop this, and focus on City's beauty that was created for all of us.