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Zamboanga

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

Fort-Pilar-of-Zamboanga-City.-Constructed-by-Spain-in-1635-under-the-the-supervision-of-Melchor-de-Vera
This plaque is prominently placed by the entrance of Fort Pilar.

Fort Pilar of Zamboanga City. 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.

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.

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 language of the Zamboangueños. 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:

1 … 1,529 1,530 1,531 … 1,533

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.

Featured Local Government Unit of the Philippines

Featured News of the Philippines

Updated: October 17, 2023

Increasing Local Rice Production: Zambales Farmers Rally Behind NFA’s Price Hike.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Zambales farmers are supporting the National Food Authority’s (NFA) decision to raise the buying prices for palay (unmilled rice). The NFA Council announced new prices: PHP23 for dry palay, increased from PHP19, and PHP19 for wet palay, up from PHP16. Francisco Pallarag, a rice farmer from Barangay Palanginan, Iba, appreciated the price change. He noted that farmers often faced low prices, especially during harvest times when there was a lack of drying facilities. With the NFA’s updated prices, which compete with private traders, farmers like him can now get better returns for their crops. Pallarag thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the NFA. He committed to selling his next harvest to the agency, showing his support for the program.

Davao Region Sees Rise in September Inflation.
DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority in Region 11 (PSA-11) reported on Tuesday that Davao Region experienced an inflation rate of 5.4 percent in September, marking an increase from August’s 3.9 percent. However, this remains below the 9.6 percent recorded in September 2022. A primary factor behind the inflation uptick was the faster growth in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, which rose to 8 percent from 6 percent the previous month, according to PSA-11. The report also highlighted quicker price increases in the sectors of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which saw rates of -1.1 percent in September, an improvement from -2.4 percent in August. Similarly, restaurants and accommodation services jumped to 9.5 percent from 6.8 percent.

Last Updated on October 18, 2023