PHILIPPINES: Zamboanga, Sardines Capital Of The Philippines And Asia's Latin City

Zamboanga City is in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. Known as the City of Flowers,the etymology of Zamboanga comes from the malay word jambangan means garden of flowers, it is now one of the most important and busiest port cities in the Philippines.

The Chavacano Language known as Zamboangueno Chavacano, which is based on 80% Spanish words, and 20% Italian, Portuguese, Quechua, Taino, Mexican-Indian, Nauhtl, Tagalog, Ilongo, Bisaya and other Philippine languages made Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City.

This is also because of the same traditions with Spain, particularly the patroness Our Lady of the Pilar,which is also the Patroness of Spain.

Zamboanga City, officially the City of Zamboanga, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 861,799 people.

It is the 6th most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines. It is the commercial and industrial center of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Zamboanga City is an independent, chartered city and was designated highly urbanized on November 22, 1983.

Zamboanga City used to be known as Samboangan in historical records. The settlement was founded by the Subanen people during pre-Hispanic times and was the site of trade among the Chinese, Malays and different native ethnic groups around the area.

It was in 1635 when construction began on what is now known as Fort Pilar. Following independence from Spain, Zamboanga declared it to be the Republic of Zamboanga, which lasted briefly until 1903.

After American armed intervention, the republic was incorporated into their Philippines colony and became the capital of the Moro Province, now Mindanao, from 1903 to 1913. On October 12, 1936, Zamboanga City became a chartered city under Commonwealth Act No. 39.

It was inaugurated on February 26, 1937, which was declared a local holiday.

Although geographically separated, Zamboanga City is grouped with the province of Zamboanga del Sur for statistical purposes, yet governed independently from it.

Known for its Hispanic influenced culture, the city bears the nickname Asia's Latin City. It is also in Zamboanga where a Spanish-based creole language evolved known as Chavacano and is one of the main lingua francas in the city.

Zamboanga City was founded in the late 12th or early 13th century as a settlement by the Subanen people. Zamboanga peninsula was also the homelands of the ancestors of the Yakan, the Balanguingui, and other closely related Sama-Bajau peoples.

During the 13th century, the Tausug people started migrating to Zamboanga and the Sulu archipelago from their homelands in northeastern Mindanao.

They became the dominant ethnic group after they were Islamized in the 14th century and established the Sultanate of Sulu in the 15th century.

A majority of the Yakan, the Balanguingui, and the Sama-Bajau were also Islamized, though most of the Subanen remained animist with the exception of the Kolibugan subgroup in southwestern Zamboanga.

The name for the city and later the peninsula, Zamboanga, is the Hispanicized spelling of the Sinama term for mooring place - samboangan, from the root word samboang or mooring pole.

The name Samboangan is well attested in Spanish, British, French, German, and American historical records from as far back as the 17th century.

On September 9, 2013, a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the leadership of Nur Misuari seized hostages in Zamboanga City and attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik, a state which declared its independence earlier in August, in Talipao, Sulu.

This armed incursion has been met by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which seeks to free the hostages and expel the MNLF from Zamboanga City. The standoff degenerated into urban warfare, and brought parts of the city under standstill for days.

Mayor Climaco-Salazar and her administration are relocating the internal displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the crisis to transitory sites and later, permanent housings in various places around Zamboanga City.

Her rehabilitation plan, Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation (Z3R), envisions building back a better Zamboanga City and rehabilitating the areas affected by the crisis.

The southwest and eastern sides of Zamboanga City are bounded by irregular coastlines with generally rocky terrain and occasional stretches of sandy or gravelly beaches. The coastal profile usually descends abruptly towards the sea.

Where rivers enter the sea, bays have formed, and the surrounding area has filled up with alluvial soils, producing small to large coastal plains.

The overall topography of the city could be described as rolling to very steep. There are some flat lands, mostly narrow strips along the east coast.

The urban center is mostly flat with a gentle slope to the interior, ranging from 0 to 3%. The highest registered elevation is 1,200 metres. In terms of slope, a large portion of Zamboanga City, about 38,000 hectares, have slopes ranging from 18 to 30%.

Another 26,000 hectares have been described as having slopes pf less than 3% while about 37% of the area or a total of 52,000 hectares have slopes ranging from 30% to more than 50%.

The territorial jurisdiction of the city includes the islands of big and small Sta. Cruz, Tictabon, Sacol, Manalipa, Tumalutap, Vitali, as well as other numerous islands. The total land area of the city is recorded to be 142,099.99 hectares or 1,420.99 kilometers.

This does not include the area of about 25 other islands within the territorial jurisdiction of the city which have an aggregate area of 6,248.5 hectares as verified by the Office of the City Engineer.

Putting these all together, the city’s new total land area would come to 148,338.49 hectares.

Zamboanga City is the 6th most populous in the Philippines and the 2nd most populous in Mindanao after Davao City. The population of Zamboanga City had an increase of 54,670 persons over the five years between the 2010 and 2015 census.

The annual population growth rate in this period was 1.26%, down from 2.98% over the previous 10 years (2000–2010). The city's population is expected to reach 1 million between the 2020 and 2025 census years.

Among the 98 barangays in this City of Zamboanga, Talon-Talon was the most populous with a 4.1 percent share of this city’s population, followed by Mampang (4.0%), Tumaga (3.6%), Tetuan (3.5%), Calarian (3.4%), San Roque and Pasonanca both with 3.2%.

According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in Zamboanga City is Christianity at 70 percent followed by Islam at 25 percent; small numbers follow Buddhism, Paganism, Animism, Atheism and Agnosticism.

The city of Zamboanga contains the first Catholic diocese in Mindanao, today's Archdiocese of Zamboanga City. The two Catholic parishes named below serve downtown Zamboanga City faithful.

There are several other Catholic parishes all throughout Zamboanga City. Most of the Catholics are of the Zamboangueño ethnicity with sizable numbers of other ethnicities who are either Tausug, Sama, Cebuano or Subanon.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. It was designed by Domingo Abarro III. The first church was located at the front of Plaza Pershing, where the present Universidad de Zamboanga stands.

The church was designated a cathedral in 1910 when the diocese of Zamboanga City was created. In 1943, the cathedral was one of the edifices bombarded by Japanese soldiers during World War II.

In 1956, the cathedral was relocated beside Ateneo de Zamboanga University, formerly known as the Jardin de Chino.

The titular patroneses is Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza, and its secondary patron is St. Pius X, Pope.

With the inception of the American era, Protestant sects were introduced. Christian and Missionary Alliance, Seventh-day Adventist, Church of Latter day Saints, and United Church of Christ in the Philippines are included.

Most Protestants are migrants who are mostly of Cebuano or Ilocano ethnicity

Several members of Iglesia ni Cristo live in Zamboanga City and have created several locales.

Like the Christians, the Muslims have also been an integral part of Zamboanga City after Pagans and Animists. It is estimated that approximately 25% of the people in Zamboanga City are sunni, traditional and folk Muslims mostly belong to the Sama and Badjao.

Some barangays of Zamboanga City today are now populated by 100% Muslims due to migration from people of Sulu who are mostly Tausug. These barangays with Muslim majority population, do not celebrate Fiestas. Instead, they celebrate Hari Raya the eid celebration.

However, Christians in the area do celebrate their Barrio's Patron Saint. Most of the Muslims are Sama and Migrant Tausug of Sulu, and of other ethnicities including Tagalog, Zamboangueño, Yakan, and Badjao people.

Prior to arrival of foreign religions both Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, Paganism and Animism were the first to set foot in the Kingdom of Jambangan.

The present-day: City of Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Sirawai, Sibuco and Siocon or as per the actual the territory of the Kingdom of Jambangan's Punta Gorda to Punta Flecha.

Zamboangueno is the major ethno-linguistic nation in the Independent and Chartered City of Zamboanga and are just one of the two offsprings evolved from the Subanon Ethnic, the other offspring is the Kalibogan Ethnic.

The Kalibogan Ethnic were once Subanon who were Islamized, while Zamboangueno Ethnic were also once Subanon who were Christianized and Hispanized.

Although some of them have migrated to other areas in the southwestern mindanao particularly in Basilan and parts of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and even parts of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Sabah.

Minor ethnolinguistic nations native to Zamboanga city are the Subanon and Sama and other migrant minority ethnolinguistic nations are the Yakan, Tausug and Badjao.

Zamboangueno is a dialect and one of the six dialects of Chavacano Language, a Spanish-based creole language, originated in Zamboanga City in the seventeenth century and is the native language of inhabitants living around Zamboanga City, Basilan and in the Filipino diaspora, and particularly the Mother Tongue of people belong to the Zamboangueno Ethnolinguistic Nation.

English, Tausug, Cebuano and Hiligaynon are also spoken, mostly by migrants to the city. Subanon is mainly spoken by Subanons living in the city.

Zamboanga City is called the Sardines Capital of the Philippines,because 9 out of 12 sardines companies in the country are operating in the city.

The canning factories are converged in the west coast of Zamboanga. Sardine fishing and processing account for about 70 percent of the city's economy.

Situated at the western tip of the Mindanao mainland, Zamboanga City is a natural docking point for vessels traversing the rich fishing grounds of the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago.

Canned sardine firms in this city that have upgraded their production to conform to international food safety and quality standards are looking to enter new markets in Russia and other European countries.

In 2008, Zamboanga City exported 13,000 tonnes of canned sardines, worth approximately $16 million.

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport or Zamboecozone, also known as Zamboanga Freeport Authority (ZFA), was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines Constitution in the year 1995.

It was authored by the then congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara Lobregat.

The Special Economic Zone was enacted into law on February 23, 1995 and made operational a year later with the appointment of a chairman and administrator and the members of the Board by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

It is located about 23 km from the city proper. It is one of the three current Economic Freeport Zones outside Luzon.

Seaweed production plants in Zamboanga City, along with Cebu and Southern Luzon, produce most of the world's supply of carrageenan. Seventy-five percent of the country's eucheuma and kappaphycus seaweed is produced mostly in the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago.

The Department of Tourism has selected Zamboanga City as a flagship tourism destination in Zamboanga Peninsula. Domestic and foreign tourist arrivals increased 8 percent to 439,160 in 2005, according to data from the regional tourism office.

The same report notes that Filipinos accounted for 80 percent of the tourist arrivals. Moreover, 50 percent of those tourists visited Zamboanga City before.

Numerous landmarks, tourist spots and parks in Zamboanga City include:

- Fort Pilar

- Great Santa Cruz Island

- Pasonanca Park

- Pasonanca Natural Park

- Paseo del Mar

- Pettit Barracks

- Climaco Freedom Park

- Plaza Pershing

- Plaza del Pilar.

- Merloquet Falls

- Once Islas (11 Islands)

- Mount Pulong Bato a monolith rock

- Limpapa Bridge

The Dia de La Ciudad de Zamboanga or Day of Zamboanga City - celebrated every February 26, the day when Zamboanga was declared as a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government in 1937.

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival - a month-long festival held every October, is celebrated in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City is the third oldest city in the Philippines, with a mayor-council form of government.

The city government of Zamboanga was in a commission form shortly between 1912 and 1914 with an appointed mayor. It then was replaced by a municipal form of government headed by a municipal mayor assisted by a municipal vice-president.

When the City Charter of Zamboanga was signed on October 12, 1936, the municipal government was converted into a city one headed by a mayor appointed by the President of the Philippine Commonwealth.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 1210 on April 29, 1955, the position of mayor became elective and the post of vice mayor was created.

Zamboanga City has 16 radio stations. There are also 11 regular TV stations and 3 cable TV stations.

Several local publications are operating in the various parts of the city and nearby provinces and regions such as, The Daily Zamboanga Times, The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, Voz de Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula Journal, Zamboanga Star, Zamboanga Today and Zamboanga Forum.

The Zamboanga International Airport has a 2,610-metre primary runway and can serve international flights and bigger planes such as the C-17 Globemaster III, Antonov An-124, Airbus A330 and Boeing 747.

The government has already earmarked more than 240 million pesos to complete the rehabilitation of the existing facilities of the airport. The airport was ranked the tenth busiest airport in the Philippines in 2008.

There are daily flights to/from Manila and Cebu by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Pacific also have regular flights to Cagayan de Oro & Davao and vice versa.

Zamboanga City has nineteen seaports and wharves, twelve of them are privately owned and the rest are owned by the government. This includes some ports of Basilan which are registered as a part of Zamboanga City port management.

The biggest and most modern seaport is the government-operated main port in Zamboanga City, which can accommodate 20 ships at any given time. There are 25 shipping companies whose vessels regularly dock at the port of Zamboanga.

The city also has fastcraft services to Sandakan, Malaysia, and one shipping cargo company from Vietnam is also serving the routes from and to Zamboanga City to deliver goods from Vietnam.

In 2002, the Port of Zamboanga City, including the area ports of Basilan, registered 5.57 million passenger movement, surpassing Batangas by 1.3 million passengers, and Manila by over 1.59 million passengers.

May 28, 2009, the PHP700 million port expansion project, funded by the national government was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

2GO ferries have one ferry a week sailing to/from Manila via Dipolog and Dumaguete.

Aleson Shipping lines have a ferry going to and from Sandakan Malaysia.

The Port of Zamboanga is an international port of entry. It has a schedule passenger trip to Sandakan, Malaysia and several shipping lines offer regular trips from and to Jolo, Bongao, Isabela City.

The primary modes of transportation within the city are serviced by jeepneys, tricycles, and habal-habal. Bicycles with sidecars locally known as sikad are also available for short-distanced trips, while taxis aren't available yet to the city.

Regular and air-conditioned buses of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies serve the long-haul routes from Zamboanga City to other areas in Mindanao and in the Visayas. Other smaller bus companies ply the routes to neighboring municipalities in the Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay areas.

If you are from Luzon and Visayas, the Nautical Highways (RoRo) can bring you here. Rural Transit Buses to/from Dipolog or Cagayan de oro are also available.

As soon as you get off the boat or plane, your first concern would probably be your luggage. Both ports provide helpful employees. Be gracious and tip properly. Depending on the number of luggage your tip can range from 50 to 200 pesos.

The seaport is not as organized and there are a lot of free-lancers who are willing to help for a fee,sometimes a very hefty fee. Tip only after you have been escorted to your transportation.

For those who don't have someone to pick them up, there is public transportation readily available. You have your choice of tri-cycles, Jeepneys, or taxi. Taxi would be your best bet. The taxi fare for a 5 kilometer trip would be less than 50 pesos but there aren't that many available.

Second choice is the tri-cycle. A passenger and luggage traveling a distance of 5 kilometers would cost no more than 30 pesos. But since you are coming from the port, the tri-cycle drivers want a heftier fare,this is illegal for them because they can lose their license. So usually the fare is bumped up 100%.

To get a jeepney, the best way is to have someone, your porter hire the jeepney for you while you watch over your luggage. Within a 5 kilometer radius a Jeepneys will cost you anywhere from 200 to 300 pesos. This is called a special. The driver will also help you with your luggage. You only pay for your transportation at destination.

Places to see

Fort Pilar - Founded in 1635 as a garrison during the Spanish period, the Fort Pilar serves as a present day open-air shrine. Originally named as La Fuerza Real de San Jose, the fort is named after and dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

It image is embossed at the altar which was then an entrance of the fort. Fort Pilar also houses a National Museum branch inside the fort. One can appreciate the glorious past of Zamboanga as a Spanish City in the Orient Skies here in the museum.

It also has record of inhabitants and antique items of the early time. It also exhibits paintings, natural marine life and cultural memorabilia.

Pasonanca Park - Traversed by a gently rippling stream, this park is the only one of its kind in the country. It abounds with trees, flowering plants, ferns, shrubs and 600 different species of orchids. Mindanao Governor John J. Pershing started the construction of Pasonanca Park in 1912.

He sent for a parksman in the United States, once named Thomas Hanley, to prepare the plan and direct its execution. The park was completed under the administration of Governor Frank W. Carpenter.

There is a treehouse nestling high in the branches of one big tree where guests could pass the night and hold communion with nature which, in the darkness, could still be perceived in the gentle rustling of the pine trees.

Permission to use the treehouse, which is for free, can be obtained at the Office of the Mayor.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Conception - Founded in 1810 as a parish located at the present day Universidad de Zamboanga campus, the Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga created in 1910 as diocese and elevated in 1958 as an archdiocese.

It is known as one of the most modern cathedrals in Mindanao, built in 1998-2001. The cathedral is located at La Purisima St. The cathedral's structure is cruciform, resembling a cross and its facade is patterned after a candle which is connected to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The main church is located at the second floor, with stained glass portraying the life of Mary and Asian saints as well as the history of Mindanao's dioceses starting from 1910.

At the lower level are the columbarium, the day chapel, the adoration chapel at the left wing, the conference hall at the right wing, and the baptistery fronting the day chapel.

Zamboanga City Hall - The construction of this building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the Federal Government of the United States for the then American Governors of the area which included: Leonard 0. Wood, Tasker H. Bliss, Ralph W. Hoyt, and Gen. John Pershing of World War I fame.

Today, this serves as the City Hall of Zamboanga City where the Mayor holds office.

Plaza Pershing - Plaza Pershing was established in Zamboanga City, Philippines to honor John Joseph or Black Jack Pershing September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948 with his victory over Muslim insurgents.

Cawa-Cawa Boulevard - You can visit the place early in the morning for brisk walking/jogging or in the afternoon for its famed sunset view. You can also spend some time at night eating Balut a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten with vinegar and salt.

Sta. Cruz Islands - The Great Santa Cruz island is known for it's pink sand beach and sand bar, while the Little sta. cruz island is a typical white beach, with pulverized-like sand. It is also a diving site and is host to a lagoon, a muslim burial site and a badjao/samal community.

Yakan Weaving Center - Host to the only Yakan commmunity in the City, the center is located just across the famed La Vista de Mar beach resort at the border of Barangay Upper Calarian and Sinunuc and along the National Highway.

You can witness the local people weaving intricately hand-woven clothes on giant looms as well as traditional brasswares.

Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach - Known to be the oldest Golf Course in the Philippines. It was estabished during the American Occupation and is overlooking the Basilan Strait. It also is host to a public swimming resort managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority.

There were talks that a Korean Company will be building a 5 star hotel in the area. it was once used as a landing strip.

St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church, Tetuan - Records shows that at the start, there was a small chapel constructed on a lot.

Owned by Don Balbino Natividad, a permanent resident of Tetuan. The Natividad is one of the biggest clans in the Parish spread throughout the city up to the hinterlands and reputed to be large property owners. Members held various positions in the government and parishes.

At least one became a Jesuit priest. In January of 1863, apparently having reached the required number of Catholic would be parishioners and with the availability of the would-be parish priest, the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish was created with a Jesuit, Rev. Fr. Ramon Barua, SJ as its first Parish Priest.

Serenity Falls - Zamboanga City's Serenity Falls bounded between La Paz and Pamucutan, at the foot of the EcoZone's south entrance.

Old Normal School Building - Also known as the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Social Hall, the building was built during the American Era and was the center of education for most of Mindanao.

Presently, this houses The College of Education of WMSU and is also the site where most cultural presentations are held. It also houses a Museum.

Taluksangay Mosque - This colorful mosque is located in the barrio of Taluksangay outside the city center.

La Vista del Mar & Honorory Consulate of Spain or Honorario Consulado de Espana. Beach resort. Delicious restaurant with fresh seafood and beautiful views of the sea. Also home of Honorary Consulate of Spain, great museum of art, culture, and shared Hispanic history of Zamboanga City and Spain. There is a small entrance fee to get into the resort.

Visit the Maria Clara Lobregat Park and the Aviary at Pasonanca Park.

Visit Abong Abong Park. Climb the hill and do the Stations of the Cross during Holy week or any day of the year, visit the Scout Camps, the tomb of the unknown soldier and Mayor Cesar C. Climaco.

Sta Cruz Island. swim and scuba diving in a pink sand beach in an unspoilt island.

Light candles at the Fort Pilar Shrine and visit the Zamboanga Museum in the Fort.

Eat special delicacies like Baolo and Satti.

Bathe in Pasonanca's natural swimming pools, where water flows freely from the mountains to 3 pools- Rotary Pool, Wee-wee Pool for Kids, Tanada Pool

Do some shopping:

Lokot-lokot - a roll that looks like a bunch of golden brown hair intertwined together. You may purchase one at the airport or even at some local delicacy stores around the city.

Yakan-weaved Cloth - you can purchase this from the Yakan Village Weaving Center at Upper Calarian-just across the famed La Vista del Mar Beach Resort. The clothes are intricately woven to creat an ethnic pattern. Visitors usually use the clothes as table lining, tapestries or even as accessories to their formal wear.

Barter Goods - ranging from various Chinese, Malay and local food, delicacies and imported items.

Pearls - the home of the South Sea Pearls, you can buy different kinds of pearls at Lantaka Hotel or at various malls within the Business District like the Sophia Jewllery at the 3rd level of Mindpro Citimall.

Seafood - you can buy fresh fish at the waterfront of the Main Public Market, Aderes Flea Market(in Guiwan), or at the weekend make-shift market at the Cawa-cawa Boulevard or at Sinunuc.

The catch ranges from the famous Curacha to Freshwater and Saltwater Crabs to Yellow-fin and Bluefin Tuna, to unusual looking fishes and seaweeds.

Souvenir Items - You can choose a number of souvenir items at the Home Products located along Ledesma St. near San Jose Rd. corner Climaco Ave.

Fruits and Vegetables - Try visiting Bagsakan Center just across Sta. Cruz Market, at night for easy access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are on season at a knock-down price.

Seasonal fruits vary from the famed durian, sweet lanzones, mangosteen and a lot of locally harvested fruits.

Sardines- there are many popular sardine brands in the Philippine market today. Most of these brands are canned and packed in Zamboanga City's west coast areas, where the sardines are freshly caught.

Other Shopping areas:

- Citimall, La Purisima St.

- Sophia Jewellery 3rd level- for elegant collections of gold, diamond, pearl jewelry.

- Sophia Jewellery ground level- for silver and gold low priced and pre-owned (rematado) jewelry.

- Southway Square, P. Lorenzo St.

- Yubenco Star Mall, Putik Highway.

- Shoppers' Chain of Stores

- Shoppers' Plaza

- Shoppers' Emporium

- Shoppers' Central

- Shoppers' Square

- Shoppers' Center (2008)

- Shop-O-Rama, Gov. Lim Ave.

- OK Department Store, Climaco Ave.

- Citimart, Gov. Lim Ave.

- Shops along Climaco Avenue

- Lim Shi, department store

- Best Mart, department store

- Young Mart, department store

- Beng Hock Drug Store, pioneer Chinese pharmacy

- Touchpoint Enterprises one-stop shop for personal items including computers, electronic gadgets, and jewelries.

- Tropical Meat Haus, local retail chain of meat shops

- Canelar Barter Trade

- Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex

- Baliwasan Commercial Complex

- Zamboanga City Public Market

Wine & Dine

A Taste of Asia, Unichan Building, Veterans Avenue fronting WMMC.

ABC Bakery and Restaurant, Tomas Claudio St., fronting Shoppers' Central.

Alavar's Seafood House, Don Alfaro St., Tetuan.

Antonio's Steakhouse, Pasonanca.

Carmela's, Estrada St., Tetuan.

Chowking, La Purisima St accross Puericulture Center. The only oriental quick service restaurant in the city, open 24 hours, and with free delivery service.

Country Chicken Restaurant and Country Bakeshop, Pasonanca Road.

Ducuena.

Eureka, Pasonanca Rd. Japanese & local cuisine

Flavorite Cuisine, Rizal St. and Nuñez branches.

Food Paradise, Climaco Avenue.

Golden Boys Sports Grille, Nunez Extension.

Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant, 60 San Jose Road.

Hanazono Japanese Restaurant, Ground Floor, Garden Orchid Hotel, Gov. Camins Avenue.

Jimmy's Satti, Campaner cor. Brillantes.

Kadday Sug, Sta. Cruz Market.

Kintaro 10th High, Best Japanese restaurant in Mindanao, at Skypark Hotel.

La Casa Maria, Sta.Maria. Cafe-Restaurant

Lejan Ice Cream House and Restaurant, Santa Maria.

Mang Inasal, 2nd flr. Southway Square Mall.

Manang Terry's Chicken Inato, Mayor Jaldon (Canelar) and Nunez (MP Tower) branches.

Mano-Mano, Gov. Ramos Avenue, Sta. Maria.

Morning Sun Satti, Pilar St.

Niel's Fastfood, MCLL Highway, Mercedes.

Park 88, Pasonanca Park.

Sunflower, Rizal St., Veterans Ave., Brilliantes St. branches.

Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Shoppers' Center.

Papito's Grille, Lunzuran Road, Tumaga, beside Ateneo High School.

Patio Palmeras, Pasonanca.

Savoury Panciteria and Restaurant, Mayor Jaldon St., Putik, Tetuan, Santa Maria.

Shamba Grille, Gov. Camins Avenue beside Caltex Gas Station.

St. Mary's Grille, Gov. Ramos Avenue fronting Sta. Maria Parish Church.

Tropics Fine Cuisine, Sta. Maria fronting SLQ Chicken

Village Zamboanga, Gov. Camins Avenue beside Garden Orchid Hotel.

La Vista Seaside Restaurant, La Vista del Mar Resort, Calarian.

WichCraft Deli, Gov. Camins Avenue.

Whoopee Burger Haus, Pilar St. and Gov. Lim Avenue.

Z-Beryani Persian Cuisine, Nunez Midtown Plaza.

Zacky's Fried Chicken, Corcuera Street. 10 am-9 pm. Classic Fried Chicken Joint average.

Vertigo Lobby Bar Roof top Amigos Amigas Halfway

Island Bubble Tea, Nunex Extension, Next to Asia United Bank, Front of SKYGO. Pearl Shakes (25 flavors), Belgian waffles, fries, and more. Perfect place to have merienda. WIFI zone.

Myrna's Bakeshop, Pasonanca, km. 4. serves delicacies like cakes, pastries, pasta and drinks, coffee and shakes.

Zacky fried Chicken, Corcuera St. Classic Fried Chicken Joint.

Happy T, Milk Tea, San Jose Road Claret, Zamboanga located along San Jose Road, beside Visual Care and across Jollibee,San Jose Claret Zamboanga City. Happy Tea, the Original Healthy Milk Tea caters nutritious freshly brewed teas everyday.

Abalone Seafood Restaurant, Mayor jaldon st.

Accomodations in Zamboanga:

David's Inn and Internet Cafe your home away from home

Garden Orchid Hotel - Gov. Camins Avenue, the best hotel in Zamboanga.

Grand Astoria Hotel - Mayor Jaldon Street

Marcian Garden Hotel - Gov. Camins Avenue

Marcian Business Hotel - Mayor Cesar Climaco Avenue

Lantaka Hotel by the Sea - N. Valderossa Street,

Jardin dela Vina - Gov. Alvarez Avenue

Hermosa Hotel- Mayor Jaldon St.

Hotel Perlita- Mayor Jaldon St.

Skypark Hotel- the hotel being the tallest structure in Zamboanga, has the Best Japanese Restaurant in Mindanao

Azenith Royal Hotel- Gov. Camins Ave.

Hotel Salwa- the Islamic owned hotel located at Gov. Camins St.

Mag-V Royal Hotel- San Jose Road

GC Hotel- Nunez St. beside St. Joseph Church and Mormon Church

Amil's Tower- Pilar St.

Yang's Hotel - Tomas Claudio Street

Blue Shark Hotel- Veterans Avenue

Pension Royale Hotel, 12 rooms

Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel & Restaurant,Palmeras Hotel & Restaurant, Sta. Maria-Pasonanca Rd.

Located in a quiet residential area, garden setting; clean, comfortable rooms; hot water, TV, mini bar, quiet A/C; complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, internet access; restaurant on-site

Preciosa Hotel, Mayor Climaco Avenue. An affordable old hotel situated in downtown area.

Sweet Home Suite, Toribio St., Tetuan. A very cheap accommodation can be found here.

Ever O Business Hotel, Tomas Claudio Street.



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