Zamboanga City, located in the southern part of the Philippines, is known for several notable aspects:
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Cultural Diversity: Zamboanga City is recognized for its rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnic makeup. It is often referred to as the “Asia’s Latin City” due to its strong Hispanic influence. The city is home to various ethnic groups, including the indigenous Subanen, The religion of Islam coexists peacefully with Christianity.
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Chavacano Language: Zamboanga City is renowned as the center of the Chavacano language, a Spanish-based Creole language. Chavacano is widely spoken by the locals and is considered one of the oldest creole languages in Asia.
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Fort Pilar: The city is famous for Fort Pilar, a Spanish-era fortress and national shrine. Built in the 17th century, it served as a defensive structure against pirates and other threats. Today, it stands as a historical landmark and a symbol of Zamboanga’s colonial past.
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Vinta Festival: Zamboanga City celebrates the Vinta Festival, a vibrant and colorful event showcasing traditional vintas, which are traditional sailboats adorned with colorful sails and ornaments. The festival highlights the city’s seafaring heritage and features parades, cultural performances, and competitions.
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Pink Sand Beaches: The city is also known for its stunning pink sand beaches, particularly in the nearby Santa Cruz Islands. These unique beaches derive their pink hue from crushed red organ-pipe coral mixed with the white sand, creating a visually captivating natural phenomenon.
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Yakan Weaving: The indigenous Yakan people of Zamboanga City are renowned for their intricate and vibrant handwoven textiles. Yakan weaving is highly regarded for its geometric patterns and bold colors, and their products, such as traditional garments and accessories, are sought after by locals and tourists alike.
Overall, Zamboanga City offers a blend of historical, cultural, and natural attractions that make it a distinctive and captivating destination in the Philippines.
Zamboanga City was known simply as Zamboanga before it became a chartered city in 1936. Now it is known as “Zamboanga hermosa, urgollo de Mindanao”, the “city of flowers”, and as “Asia’s latin City”.
Those who were born in Zamboanga or who are residents of 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 for it, “chavacano”.
- The Official Language of Zamboanga City is Chavacano.
- The other major languages spoken in Zamboanga are:Filipino, English, Cebuano, Bisaya, Tausug, Subanon, Samal, Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese
- English is still the language used in all the school system to educate the public. Filipino or Tagalog is the second language used for education.
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- The 2020 Census has the Population of Zamboanga City at: 977,234
- The 2015 Census has the Population of Zamboanga City at: 861,799
- The 2010 Census has the Population of Zamboanga City at: Total 807,129
- The 2007 Census has the Population of Zamboanga City at: Total 774,407
Of The 98 Barangays of Zamboanga City (21 are now Islamic)
Zamboanga City must never be a victim of religious governance. It must never fall into an Islamic rule. Government must never finance religions or make republic acts favoring religions. The separation of church and state must be maintained.
98 Barangays of Zamboanga City within Region 9 – Mindanao in the Republic of The Philippines
Arena Blanco-D2 ● Ayala-D1 ● Baliwasan-D1 ● Baluno-D1 ● Boalan-D2 ● Bolong-D2 ● Buenavista-D2 ● Bunguiao-D2 ● Busay-D2 ● Cabaluay-D2 ● Cabatangan-D1 ● Cacao-D2 ● Calabasa-D2 ● Calarian-D1 ● Camino Nuevo-D1 ● Campo Islam-D1 ● Canelar-D1 ● Capisan-D1 ● Cawit-D1 ● Culianan-D2 ● Curuan-D2 ● Daap ● Dita-D2 ● Divisoria-D2 ● Dulian Bunguiao-D2 ● Dulian Pasonanca-D1 ● Guisao-D2 ● Guiwan-D2 ● Kasanyangan-D2 ● La Paz-D1 ● Labuan-D1 ● Lamisahan-D2 ● Landang Gua-D2 ● Landang Laum-D2 ● Lanzones-D2 ● Lapakan-D2 ● Latuan Curuan-D2 ● Licomo-D2 ● Limaong ● Limpapa-D1 ● Lubigan-D2 ● Lumayang-D2 ● Lumbangan-D2 ● Lunzuran-D2 ● Maasin-D1 ● Malagutay-D1 ● Mampang-D2 ● Manalipa-D2 ● Mangusu-D2 ● Manicahan-D2 ● Mariki-D1 ● Mercedes-D2 ● Muti-D2 ● Pamucutan-D1 ● Pangapuyan-D2 ● Panubigan-D2 ● Pasilmanta-D2 ● Pasobolong-D2 ● Pasonanca-D1 ● Patalon-D1 ● Putik-D2 ● Quiniput-D2 ● Recodo-D1 ● Rio Hondo-D1 ● Salaan-D2 ● San Jose Cawa-Cawa-D1 ● San Jose Gusu-D1 ● San Ramon-D1 ● San Roque-D1 ● Sangali-D2 ● Sibulao Curuan-D2 ● Sinubong-D1 ● Sinunuc-D1 ● Sta. Barbara-D1 ● Sta. Catalina-D2 ● Sta. Maria-D1 ● Sto. Niño-D1 ● Tagasilay-D2 ● Taguiti-D2 ● Talabaan-D2 ● Talisayan-D1 ● Talon-Talon-D2 ● Taluksangay-D2 ● Tetuan-D2 ● Tictabon-D2 ● Tictapul-D2 ● Tigbalabag-D2 ● Tolosa-D2 ● Tugbungan-D2 ● Tulungatung-D1 ● Tumaga-D1 ● Tumalutab-D2 ● Tumitus-D2 ● Victoria-D2 ● Vitali-D2 ● Zambowood-D2 ● Zone I-D1 ● Zone II-D1 ● Zone III-D1 ● Zone IV-D1
Some English to Chavacano Words:
Bite, in Chavacano or chabacano is: Morde
Bite in Chavacano or Chabacano is: Morde Alternate chavacano word: Pincha Alternate English word for “Morde” is Nibble…
Swoon, in Chavacano or chabacano is: Desma
Swoon in Chavacano or Chabacano is: Desma Alternate chavacano word: Alternate English word for “Desma” is Note: List…
Big step, in Chavacano or chabacano is: Lakang
Big step in Chavacano or Chabacano is: Lakang Alternate chavacano word: Alternate English word for “Lakang” is Straddle…
- This month’s Barangay highlight: Tetuan
If you are traveling to Zamboanga City, (Philippines) you can’t help but notice the remarkable mountain to the north side of the city. The mountain is called Columbato which translates to “column of stone”. The tagalogs erroneously (early 90’s) called columbato as “pulong-bato”. Pulong in tagalog means “meeting”. Columbato became a meeting place in the 80’s during Holy week because of the station of the cross at the base of Mt. Columbato. Tagalog government employees of the department of tourism picked up on this error. It is Columbato and should never be referred to as pulong bato.
A brief history of Zamboanga City
The entire Zamboanga peninsula was once the 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 Zamboanga province and from then on, the Zamboanga province no longer existed.
- June 23, 1635 should be symbolically known as “Dia del Chavacano de Zamboanga.” Why you might ask? This was the day that a permanent foothold was laid on Zamboanga by the Spanish government with the construction of the San José Fort (Fort Pilar), and the subsequent evolution and proliferation of a unique dialect/language based on ancient Creole Spanish that is called Chavacano de Zamboanga. Zamboanga City celebrates Fiesta Pilar on the 12th of October every year.
- The Republic of Zamboanga – Republic of Zamboanga (Revolutionary Government of Zamboanga): May 18, 1899 – Nov 16, 1899 (de facto) – This was the timeline when the new republic was independent and free of any foreign influence. It was short lived. But the Chavacanos tried.
- Here is an idea to Reboot the Republic of Zamboanga should the Philippines become a Federal form of Government just to give the Muslims an Islamic federal state in Mindanao: “Constitution of the Republic of Zamboanga“.
Zamboanga City does have one big sharp and irritating THORN on its side. That is the Bangsamoro (Muslim Homeland). Because of the Moros(Muslims), fort pilar was built. The moros refuse to live under the umbrella of the laws of the Philippines, they want their Islamic laws to be the governing rule of the land.
Zamboanga is about peace and unity where all Filipinos with different creeds and ethnicity have ONE homeland. The Bangsamoro does not believe in the Philippine Homeland. They want to create their own Islamic Homeland.
Zamboanga advocates the true meaning of the “Separation of Church and State“. “Let there be freedom of religion, but keep religion separate from government. A country that bows down to the laws of religion will one day be governed by religion.” FHM
Zamboanga City will continue to be the champion against the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro lied when it said that the moros were the original inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. The Bangsamoro leaders are uniting the Muslims (Moros) against the Non-Muslims. They are using non-muslim politicians as their main weapons of influence through bribery. They are separating themselves from the rest of the Filipinos by establishing their own Islamic Homeland. Bangsamoro is not about UNITY. It is about separatism and dominance.
Zamboanga’s fort pilar defended against the invasion of the Moros in the 17th century and to this day Zamboanga City continues to defend against the attacks of the Bangsamoro. Zamboanga City will continue in its campaign against the Bangsamoro militias (terrorist groups), the MILF and the MNLF. The Bangsamoro is not about PEACE. It is about DOMINANCE and take over.
The MNLF attacked Zamboanga City last September 9, 2013 (21 day siege), lives were lost, properties destroyed, and over 100,000 residents were displaced. The zamboangueños will not ever forget this atrocity.
Information Bonus:
Zamboanga also connects you to all the places in the Philippines. Zamboanga connects you to every single Barangay, Municipality, City, Province and Region.
Just click on any of these links BARANGAY | MUNICIPALITY | CITY | PROVINCE | REGION.
Zamboanga is unique. It has 98 barangays and its own language.
Learn Chavacano de Zamboanga, The language of Zamboanga City
Chavacano is the unique native dialect of the city, 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.
Many pronounce the “V” as “B”. It is OK to pronounce V as B in our dialect. But please be educated. Go ahead and say it as chabacano but write it down as CHAVACANO.
Visit the interactive Chavacano online Dictionary created by a Zamboangueño, Franklin H. Maletsky. This is where you can collaborate and help keep the Chavacano dialect alive.
Government of Zamboanga City, Philippines
The location of the zamboanga city hall is witin the barangay of Zone IV. City Hall Valderrosa Street Zone IV, Zamboanga City, Philippines 7000
Elected Government Officials of Zamboanga City for the term of 2022-2025
Mayor of Zamboanga City: John M. Dalipe
Vice-Mayor of Zamboanga City: Josephine E. Pareja
Representative District I: Congressman Khymer Adan Olaso
Representative District 2: Congressman Manuel Jose M. “Mannix” Dalipe
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Councillors for District I
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Councillors for District 2
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Elected Government Officials of Zamboanga City for the term of 2019-2022 |
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Location of Zamboanga City, Philippines
- Located at the tip of the zamboanga peninsula within region 9 in Mindanao.
- Total Land Area: 1,483.38 square kilometers or 572.73 square miles
- Elevation: Elevation varies, From the coastlines to about 1 kilometer in. It starts at 2 meters to 3 meters as you move in and it gradually increases. The inland mountains are as high as 1000 meters.
- Zip Code of Zamboanga City: 7000
- Phone Area code: 62
- When you call from outside the Philippines to a land line in Zamboaga City you dial first your Int’l access code, then the Philippines country code (63) , Zamboanga’s area code (62), then the local number. From a cell phone: 1st the Intl’l access code, then P.I. Country code (63), the cell phone number.
Featured News of the Philippines
Updated: September 21, 2023
Siquijor ventures into chocolate making.
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sees Siquijor as another province producing high-quality chocolates. Engineer Mario dela Peña, DOST-Siquijor provincial director, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that the department is assisting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the island province to embark on chocolate making as a new or added source of income. “We just learned that we can find the Creole cacao in Siquijor, whose beans or seeds are of higher quality,” dela Peña said. “You cannot just find this anywhere, and somebody who grows this variety has offered to provide seedlings,” he said.
Taal’s renewed ‘vog’ emissions affect health of students, crops
BATANGAS CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has called on school authorities in affected Batangas town to hold online classes to keep students safely at home amid Taal Volcano’s renewed spewing of volcanic smog or “vog”. In an interview on Thursday, Dr. Amor Banuelos-Calayan, PDRRMO head, revealed that her office has just received a report that several high school students from Balete town experienced skin irritation, breathing difficulties, and some even had asthma attacks. Apart from the human health toll, municipal officials in Balete have also reported an estimated PHP1.9-million damage to agriculture as highly acidic vog particles settle on top of crops.
Last Updated on September 21, 2023