Local Culture of Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City (Zamboangueño Chavacano: Ciudad de Zamboanga) is a highly urbanized city located in Mindanao, Philippines. It has a population of 807,129 people as of the 1 May 2010 census.^[2] Zamboanga is the 6th most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines.^[3][4] It is the commercial and industrial center of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.^[5]

Zamboanga City is called “Asia’s Latin City” because of its Spanish-tinged Chabacano dialect – dating back to the earliest foreign occupation of the Philippines in the 1600’s. This musical language is a huge part of Zamboangeño culture. You’ll find a lot of its influence in local song and dance.

There is an incredible variety of flowers, plants and ferns around here. But you’ll want to look out for the magnificent Philippine cherry tree, and the area’s 600-strong species of orchids.

Visit the Yakans and see their amazing handicrafts at the Yakan Weaving Village. This is a remarkable group of artisans; some of the finest weavers in the Philippines. They use pineapple and abaca fibers to make strong and intricate and colorful patterns. Traditional Yakan loom weaving takes its inspiration from nature — snakes, fish, leaves and the like. Support this cultural treasure by buying bags, table cloths, coasters or shirts straight from the source. All the village’s handicrafts make outstanding souvenirs.
Zamboanga seafood is a sensory overload. We recommend crabs steamed in coconut milk, or tossed with garlic and chili. The gigantic local curachas are a lobster-crab hybrid that you’ll only find in Mindanao. They’re also delicious. Zamboanga’s lapu-lapu (grouper fish) are also exceptionally large.
The perfect trip to this city includes visiting sun-kissed Pink Sands Beach, and catching a colorful vinta boat race – a highlight of the Zamboanga Hermosa festival.

For historical and statistical purposes, Zamboanga City is grouped with the Province of Zamboanga del Sur,^[1] of which it formerly was the capital.

Zamboanga used to be known as Jambangan in the Subanen language and was the center of the Subanen culture during the pre-Hispanic times. After independence from Spain in May 1899, Zamboanga became the Republic of Zamboanga with Zamboangueño Chavacano as its official language and Spanish as its co-official language. After American intervention, the republic incorporated into the Philippines and became the capital of the former Moro Province, now Mindanao, from 1903 to 1913. On October 12, 1936, Zamboanga became a chartered city under Commonwealth Act No. 39.^[6][7] It was formally inaugurated on February 26, 1937, which was declared a local holiday. Known for Hispanic influences in its culture, it bears the nickname "Asia's Latin City."^[8]

Republic of Zamboanga

Reconstruction of the old flag of the Republic of Zamboanga.^{[citation needed]}

Before the end of the 19th century, the Republic of Zamboanga was established during the American period in the Philippines from May 18, 1899 until March 1903. The first president of the Republic of Zamboanga was General Vicente Álvarez, who was succeeded by Isidoro Midel and Mariano Arquiza.^[20]

Early twentieth century

Inauguration of the Municipality of Zamboanga which included Basilan, July 1, 1901, with Datu Kalun (background) in attendance

Upon the firm establishment of American colonization and dissolution of the Republic in 1903, Zamboanga, as a municipality, was placed under the Moro Province, a semi-military government consisting of five districts: Zamboanga, Cotabato, Davao, Lanao and Sulu. During this period, Zamboanga hosted a number of American regional governors, including General John J. Pershing, who was military commander/governor of the Moro Province from 1909 to 1914. The entire Moro Province of Mindanao was administered directly from the city, effectively making Zamboanga Mindanao's only capital city.^{[citation needed]}

On September 15, 1911, the Legislative Council of the Moro Province passed Act No. 272 converting the municipality into a city with a commission form of government but was amended to be effective on January 1, 1912. Frederick Christopher Bader was appointed mayor of the city.^{[citation needed]}

Upon the establishment of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu in 1914, Zamboanga City was reverted into a municipality run by a municipal president. A native Zamboangueño, Victoriano Tarrosa was appointed to be municipal president.^{[citation needed]}

In 1920, Zamboanga ceased to be Mindanao's capital city when the department was divided into provinces in which the city became under the large province of Zamboanga. It encompasses the present-day Zamboanga Peninsula with the inclusion of the whole province of Basilan.

Soon after the establishment of the commonwealth, it established itself the center of commerce, trade, and government of Mindanao Island as the capital of the Moro Province.^[21]

Population

The population of Zamboanga has registered an increase of 172,613 (an average annual growth rate of 3.54 percent) in seven years, latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed. The data released by the NSO regional office based in this city showed that from 601,794 in 2000, the population grew to 807,129 as of May 1, 2010.^[36]

Among the 98 barangays in this Zamboanga, Talon-Talon was the most populous with a 3.9-percent share of this city’s population. Next to Talon-Talon were Tetuán (3.8 percent), Baliwasan (3.6 percent), Pasonanca (3.5 percent), Calarian and Tumaga both with 3.3-percent share, and San José Gusu (3.2 percent).

Religion

Main article: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga

According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in the city is Roman Catholicism with 74 percent while Islam is the significant minority. Christian minorities are Protestants, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Jesus Miracle Crusade and Orthodox Christians.

Patron Saint of Zamboanga City: Nuestra Señora del Pilar Zamboanga City has various religious groups:

• Catholics - The city contains the first Catholic diocese in Mindanao, today's Archdiocese of Zamboanga which was created in 1910 and elevated to an archbishopric in 1958.^{[citation needed]}The two catholic parishes named below serve the downtown zamboanga city catholic faithfuls. There are several other catholic parishes all throughout Zamboanga City..

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - (Founded: 1816) Archbishop Romulo Valles,DD - Parish Priest Fr. Sulficio Soliva Fr. Adriano Ruiz Fr. Francis Edwin Jacinto Msgr. Joseph Kung St. Joseph (Chinese) Parish - (Founded: 1954) Msgr. David Alonzo - Parish Priest Fr. Joel Malcampo - Parochial Vicar

• Sunni Muslims - The Muslims have been an integral part of Zamboanga City after the Pagans and Animists. Before Christianity was practiced in Zamboanga City. It is estimated that approximately 22% of the people in Zamboanga City are Sunni, Traditional and Folk Muslims. Some barangays of Zamboanga City are populated by 100% Muslims. These barangays with Muslim majority population, do not celebrate "Fiestas". Instead, they celebrate Hari Raya (the eid celebration).

• Protestants - With the inception of the American era, Other religions were introduced. Christian and Missionary Alliance, Seventh Day Adventists, Church of Latter day Saints, Iglesia Ni Cristo and United Church of Christ in the Philippines are included.

• Pagan and Animist - Prior to arrival of the foreign religions both Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, Paganism and Animism were the first to set foot in the Kingdom of Jambangan (present-dat: City of Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Sirawai, Sibuco and Siocon).

Language

Zamboangueño Chavacano, a Spanish-based creole language, one of the Filipino Languages was born in the City of Zamboanga on 1635 and the native language of the Zamboangueño Ethnic group living around Zamboanga City, Basilan and the Filipino Disapora. English, Tagalog by the Tagalog Ethnic Group, and Cebuano by the Cebuano/Sugbuanon Ethnic Group are also used by the residents who are migrants to the City.[37]

The other major Filipino languages spoken by other Filipino ethnic groups in Zamboanga are: Tagalog, English, Cebuano/Sugbuanon/Bisaya/Binisaya, Tausug, Subanen, Samal, Spanish and Chinese. English is still the language used in all the school system to educate the public. Zamboangueño Chavacano, Tagalog or other native Filipino languages is the second language used for education, though the Zamboangueño language is preferred among Zamboangueño ethnic group.

Tourism

The Department of Tourism has selected Zamboanga City as a flagship tourism destination in Zamboanga Peninsula.^[42] 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.^[43]

Parks, landmarks and other sites

Sta. Cruz Island

Paseo del Mar with the Lantaka Hotel

Numerous landmarks, tourist spots and parks in Zamboanga 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.

Festivals and events

The Día de Zamboanga (Day of Zamboanga) is celebrated every February 26, the day when Zamboanga was declared as a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government in 1937. The 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.^[44]

 Special thanks:

wikipedia.org

And all other websites I forgot to mention.