Zamboanga was a peninsula.

Later it was divided into Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and the City of Zamboanga. Chavacano is the language of Zamboanga City. The other provinces in the peninsula speak a little chavacano but mostly Bisaya or tagalog.

English: Drink water as soon as you wake up.
Chavacano: Toma agua apenas desperta.

Zamboanga City traces its roots back to Fort Pilar, which also serves as the foundation for its unique Chavacano language.

Fort Pilar of Zamboanga City was constructed by Spain in 1635 under the the supervision of Melchor de Vera. Fort Pilar became the check point to prevent slave traders moving their captured victims from north to south. Rajah Dalasi of Bulig Maguindanao was determined to stop the Spaniards from policing the slave trading hence 3,000 Moros made the bloody attack of the fort in December 8, 1720 (feast day of the Immaculate Conception). To this day, the Moros continue their persistent efforts to gain control over Zamboanga City. They now use the legal system, specifically through plebiscites, under the banner of the Bangsamoro.

The plaque to the left: “Fort Pilar” reads as follows so you can copy paste:
“Founded as southern outpost of Spanish Domain under the supervision of Melchor de Vera, 1635; Attacked by the Dutch, 1646; Deserted when troops were concentrated in Manila to drive away Chinese pirates, 1663; Reconstructed by the Society of Jesus, 1666; Rebuilt under the management of Juan Sicarra, 1719; Stormed by Dalasi, King of Bulig, with 3,000 moros, 1720; Cannonaded by the ; British, 1798; Witnessed the mutiny of seventy prisoners, 1872; Abandoned by the Spaniards, 1898; Occupied by the Americans under General J.C. Bates, 1899; Seized by the Japanese, 1942; Taken over by The Republic of the Philippines, July 4, 1946.”

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Fort pilar is the foundation of Zamboanga City and its Chavacano language. The entire Zamboanga Peninsula was under the name of Zamboanga and was even once the Republic of Zamboanga for a brief period of time.

Zamboanga City is a chartered City (October 12, 1936) and is an independent component of any provinces in the Philippines. Zamboanga City is the 6th most populated city in the Philippines and with a total land mass area of 1,483.38 square kilometers, makes Zamboanga City the 3rd largest city in the Philippines.

Zamboanga City, “urgullo” de Mindanao. Originally known as the City of Flowers. Then the Lobregat’s came around and lobbied to change the tag line to “Asia’s Latin City”. Zamboanga City, The Pride of Mindanao. Zamboanga City is located at the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and is one of the major cities in Mindanao.

Zamboanga City is NOT a part of Zamboanga del Sur. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Commission on Election (comelec), PIA (Philippine Information Agency), and the office of the president of The Philippines as of today (01/11/2024), continues to incorrectly lists Zamboanga City as part of Zamboanga del Sur.

People who live in Zamboanga City are called Zamboangueños. The majority of the people who live in Zamboanga City speak the chavacano language. Of course several other languages are spoken in Zamboanga City but the local residents are really proud of their language and the name that they have coined it, “chavacano”.

Chavacano is the unique native language (dialect) of the Zamboangueños, a mixture of Spanish and various other local dialects and international languages, and is one of the oldest spoken language in the country reflecting a rich linguistic history of its people. English is widely spoken around town, and is the main language of education and international commerce. Numerous international languages, like German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Italian, and Spanish, are spoken here, giving light to its historical importance as an international investment and destination haven for over three-hundred years.

Some refer to the language as ‘chabacano’, which the Zamboangueños don’t mind, as some of them use ‘chabacano’ interchangeably with ‘chavacano’. However, it’s commonly accepted that if you’re officially referring to the language of the Zamboangueños, it’s best to call it ‘chavacano’. Many Zamboangueños pronounce the letter “V” as “B”, the “F” as “P”, and the “Z” as “S”. For instance, they might say ‘chabacano’ but write it as ‘chavacano’, or say ‘prio’ but write ‘frio‘, or pronounce ‘crus’ but write it correctly as ‘cruz‘.

Some English to Chavacano Words:

The entire Zamboanga peninsula was Zamboanga province. Zamboanga city was the capital of the Zamboanga province. In October 12, 1936 Zamboanga city became a chartered city and was carved out from the province but remained as the capital of the province. In September 17, 1952, via Republic Act No. 711 Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte was carved out from the province and the Zamboanga province no longer existed.

As the Zamboanga Peninsula flourished it was later divide into 5 major areas. Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay. and Misamis Occidental

The prosperity of the zamboanga region depends a great deal on highways that connects all the provinces, municipalities and cities. Within the cities and municipalities farm to market roads are always under construction. By 2030 people can zip from Oroquieta City to the City of Zamboanga without cutting through Zamboanga del Sur or Sibugay.

With infrastructure in place, prosperity will surely follow.

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