Red Alert Zamboanga
More often than not, when I say I’m going to Mindanao region of the Philippines, the initial reaction I get is “What the hell are you going to do there?!” which will then have a bunch of follow up questions regarding safety issues. Yeah, Mindanao is never not seen as a safe place (big thanks to a bunch of exaggerated news). It’s just sad that it kinda annoys me sometimes when people dare say negative stuff about a place yet are actually the ones who have not even set foot in that particular area. I enjoy proving them wrong.
Late 2013, I booked a Manila-Zamboanga afternoon flight on a randomly selected date of 21-25th February 2014 and this time, I got my brother Miguel to go with me so he can experience Zamboanga (It’s been 11 years; he was just 2 when he last visited Zambo).
Early morning of February 21, Miguel and I were playfully betting on who gets to use my military camouflage backpack: me or him. Then a thought came, considering the recent three-week Zamboanga crisis that was a standoff between the Philippine government and the Nur Misuari-led faction of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last September 2013, will I be allowed to enter/leave the airport in peace with a military camo bag on my back? I have doubts, okay. My instinct says no so I texted my dad to ask my dumb question (gusto ko lang talaga ipilit yung bag, sorry. Haha). My dad of course said no. Turns out, the city is on a red alert status due to a kidnapping incident earlier that day.
Due to flight delays, we arrived around 8:30 in the evening. Oh how I love seeing the familiar Zambo airport again. There are policemen along the passageway for arriving guests and that gives me a safe feel, but might –and I hope not- scare the first-timers/tourists for thoughts of “ohmergurshwhyaretherepoliceallovercrimescenebombthreatandetc”. 😛
Fort Pilar
First thing you wanna do in Zamboanga is to start your day with a visit to the major landmark and miraculous shrine dedicated to the patroness of the city, Our Lady of the Pillar for prayer and offerings.
Dad lighting up his candles
Plaza del Pilar
My personal objective for this trip (aside from spending time with our dad) is to visit the places I have failed to go the last time I was here. I went back to Fort Pilar for my second attempt to go inside the National Museum which was closed when I went before (See: https://jeyyd.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/ciudad-latina-de-asia-zamboanga-city/) and just my luck, it’s closed again!! </3 This time though, it was closed for renovation and not because of schedule change so I’m not that bitter about it as I was before. 😀
and yes, I’m wearing the same watch. haha
After a cup of mango shake and a 10 peso bag of nilagang mani and popcorn, I noticed these holes on walls along Plaza del Pilar while walking around. At first I thought it was just poorly kept and/or it is being readied for demolition. Turns out, these are GUN SHOTS from the war.
Our dad showed us the next curb where the bases of mnlf and the armed forces were located. My jaw dropped.
I’m so thankful my dad survived the crisis while his city was under siege.
Paseo del Mar
sunset @ paseo del mar
I went to Oficina de Turismo Local to inquire about Sta. Cruz Island. The lady who provided me with the information I need was very helpful and accommodating.. she even gave me free tickets to Zamboanga Dia (Zamboanga Day) events!! Anyway, since the tourism office is right outside Paseo del Mar’s gate, we decided to stay for a chill out dinner and to have my brother try this 65-peso-oh-so-uber-fantastic-delicious-creamy-yummy-oohlala dessert that contains fresh fruits with ice cream on top: Knicker Bocker. Miguel especially enjoyed the spectacular Musically Gyrating Dancing Fountain which plays every hour to a wide selection of songs ranging from a Beethoven classic to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody to Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger to Lou Vega’s Mambo no.5… the list goes on! Name it, the fountain has it.
Sta. Cruz Island: pink beach
I’ve been bugging my dad for a trip to the famed pink beach of the Great Sta. Cruz Island but he always says no saying it’s red alert…might not be safe…etc etc but he lose to me when I went to the tourism office myself and asked for details on how to go there so haha (love you papa!:P). Sta. Cruz Island is situated within the Basilan Strait and therefore very near to Basilan Island. Being the father my dad is, he called up friends from the Marines so we’ll have escorts and they can catch up over a good cold bottle of beer. See, it’s a win-win. Again, love you pa! haha
Also called as Las Islas de Sta. Cruz – yes, in plural form hence the use of ‘Las’ since Sta. Cruz is actually made up of two islands called Isla Grande de Sta. Cruz Island and the Little Sta. Cruz Island. Both are considered protected seascape due to its vast coral reef population but unfortunately, illegal coral mining activities killed the nature’s gift to the greater island. Thankfully, efforts are being made to save its marine life. As for Little Island, it boasts a white sand beach and its colorful marine life is just perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving sesh. There’s also a Navy Installation in the island so you’ll be fine. These Navy officers patrol the waters surrounding the Great Sta. Cruz Island too so you’ll often see them while lazing around. (see their Naval Speed Boat on this pic:)
The fame of Sta. Cruz is mainly due to its “pink beach”. The island was originally a white sand beach but by years of erosion, these red and orange organ pipe coral were crushed, eventually blending in with the white sand thus making it look like color pink. Fun fact: Sta. Cruz Island is one of the 7 pink beaches in the world!
Potable water source is hard in the island so we brought our own drinking water. For our food, we made a trip to the market before hitting the island. Btw, when in Zamboanga, you have to try grilled Pugot. It’s a stone fish of descent. The skin is very hard but when you grill it and the skin starts to flake, that’s when you know it’s cooked. The meat of the fish is just so tasty and the fish liver is sweet. Just try it! Occasionally, there would be a local who will try to sell you some fresh catch black like-kuhol (?). They can cook and shell it for you. Dip it in vinegar then BAM!
Grilled Pork Liempo & Pugot Fish; Lato seaweed; and some black shell stuff
No need for prior reservations f you want to visit the island, just head straight to the terminal going to Sta. Cruz Island located beside the parking area inside Paseo del Mar. All you need to do is register your name and contact details then pay for the fees. First come, first served basis. It is advisable that you go in early in the morning and leave the island no later than 4 in the afternoon. There are no overnight accommodations and camping isn’t allowed as well. Entrance and terminal fee is 25 pesos/pax + 1000 pesos for the boat good for 1-10 pax while cottage rental ranges from 100-500 pesos but they let us have it for free. (yay free!) The staff at the registration counter will ask an armed police officer to ride with you on the boat to assist and guide you during your trip so you’ll be safe and sound 😉
Pasonanca Park
If you read my first Zamboanga post, you would know that I was originally on my way to Pasonanca when I decided to stay at a local cock derby (haha). So for this trip, I made sure we visit Pasonanca again.
My fate decided to take a turn. There’s a new museum sitting pretty on Jardin Maria Clare Lobregat!! I might have missed the National Museum of Zamboanga two times but El Museo de Zamboanga is open and we have it all to ourselves! Aside from the museum (there’s a science museum in front), the park also boasts an aviary and a butterfly garden. There is also a big spring water “Natural Pool” if you go through the zigzag road behind the park.
butterfly garden; jardin maria clara lobregat; tree house
The Pasonanca Tree House is one of the icons of Zamboanga City. People say that even Hollywood celebrities and politicians fly to Zamboanga just to experience the tree house (you can rent it overnight). Right (or should I say left) beside it is the Scout Limbaga Camp in honor of Sct. Limbaga who died from their jamboree trip.
It’s been 11 years since we last saw this place and I remember going through our childhood photo albums containing a bunch of pictures from the tree house and jamboree tent so here we have it:
My brother photobombing
Time really flies when you’re having fun and unfortunately, our short vacation is over. I always get the last flight leaving Zamboanga – around 7PM so for our last day, we made a quick trip to the wet market to buy fresh catch Pugot and Curacha (must buy!) crabs to take home to Manila. We also dropped by at Canelar Barter Trade to buy myself my favorite Apollo Wafer Sticks while my brother got a shirt and some pasalubong for his friends.
There will always be travel warnings that advise travelers to avoid the Zamboanga Peninsula. Yes, it’s not always safe in Mindanao—abductions… armed robberies… ambush… insurgencies. But then again, crime is everywhere and it may happen to anyone at any given time. To be on the safe side, don’t ever forget to have faith, be aware, trust your instincts, and respect the people around you. Don’t let the thought of “not safe” frighten and discourage you from living life. It’s ironic, I know.
The city was on red alert but so what coconut. We had fun and enjoyed every minute of it.
🙂
Heebie-jeebies NAGCARLAN: Twin Bunga Falls + Underground Cemetery
The first time I’ve been inside a cemetery was when I was in college. I used to be scared whenever our car passes a cemetery hey, I was a kid then. Kids are afraid of ghosts okay! I’m scared with the cemetery itself but can’t help not to look at the tombs and mausoleums. Lately, I’m becoming more and more fascinated with ’em – don’t ask me why, idk either.
– a side trip-
Twin Bunga Falls
Before going inside the Cemetery, we decided to drop by to a nearby falls to pass up time since we’re still waiting for some friends who were still shopping in Liliw. It was around 2PM and the sun was scorching hot. Heat stroke? No thanks.
Entrance is 5 pesos/head. Upon entering, we were warned to be extra careful in swimming since there’s a very deep part in the middle. We stayed in one of the stilts built around the area to pass time until we decided that the sun won’t barbecue us anymore.
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Underground Cemetery
“The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery in Laguna is the only one of its kind in the Philippines – it is a burial site located inside, or more accurately, beneath a church. This church is rich in history – it was built and designed for funeral mass in 1845 by the Franciscan priest Fr. Vicente Velloc. He also directed the construction of an underground graveyard 15 feet below the church. ”
An arched gate leads to the chapel built into the cemetery’s inner wall. This historical landmark serves as a fine example of a Spanish colonial architecture.
The final internment was in 1982, the same year it was declared a national historical landmark.
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The chapel served as the last station of the funeral rites before entombment.
Those planks of wood above are original pieces of the chapel’s ceiling.
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Some people with third eye (my godfather, for one) who have been there claims that there’s a “bantay” or a guard standing in that post.
[UPDATE]: When my grandmother learnt that we went to this Underground Cemetery, she scolded us not to go again. Apparently, she is aware that there’s a “bantay” too. According to her, the bantay sometimes go with you.. and when he touches you, expect sickness or something weird to happen. — Thinking about it, the bantay might be the one responsible for our friend feeling really weird and sick right after. Nabati in short. Who knows.
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It was a really hot and humid kind of day but once you set foot inside the underground cemetery, the temperature changes. It’s quite cool down under, a heebie-jeebies moment. And no, not because of the “bantay”…. I hope.
The interior.
Throughout the Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, our revolutionary leaders used the crypt as a secret gathering place. It also served as the guerrillas’ safe-house during the World War II.
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Some local “trivia” says that one of the tombs here hides a secret passage way.
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We chanced upon an old lady (I’m positive she’s a real person) who happened to be the caretaker of the famed underground cemetery. I asked her about the “trivia” that says that the underground cemetery is connected to the church by an underground tunnel and one of the tombs serving as the secret door. She just laughed and brushed off the thought as such stories are just hearsay and that there’s no evidence and explorations done supporting the “trivia”.
Being only one of its kind in the Philippines, you should definitely not miss this. If you’re on your way to Liliw, Majayjay, San Pablo or Pagsanjan , try dropping by the Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan. You’ll pass it anyway. ; )
The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark open for public viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
Tagaytay: The Puzzle Mansion
Traffic and curiosity about their widely advertised Bed&Breakfast (not to mention the placards placed in almost every corner of Tagaytay City) brought me in The Puzzle Mansion.
I kinda thought the place has a life-size labyrinth. Since traffic was terrible, we decided to follow the route in the secondary road (near Mahogany Market) then followed the directions going to The Puzzle Mansion. And boy was it steep and far! (via the second/tertiary road)
Since it was about 5kms away from the main road, I guess they offer a shuttle service for those who will be staying overnight. Cool jeep, btw.
Upon entering, the inn is on the left side while the gallery is on the right.
rooms and pool area
The Puzzle Mansion holds one of the largest collection of puzzles made by a single person which makes the owner a record-holder of The World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle Collection from The Guinness World Records. To enter the gallery, you have to pay Php 100 /head. The ticket guy said we were lucky since the puzzle collector is at the gallery.
the gallery
with the puzzle collector
So the ticket guy wasn’t kidding, we saw Ms. Gina Gil Lacuna holding her record title. I asked her if she did everything in the room and she said yes and that she started her collection late 1980’s. I forgot the exact date. My note got deleted. ANYWAY. Every puzzle in the room was labeled with its details. On our background is her Puzzle no.51, which I think is by far the biggest puzzle in the gallery.
Have a look:
Retablo De Santa Columba
||| Puzzle no. 51
No. of pieces: 18,000
Artist: R. Van Der Weyden
Completion Time: 1095 hours
Dimension: 321cm x 156cm
Origin: Spain |||
(I failed to find Puzzle no. 1 -___- )
The total collection is made up of 1,028 puzzles (as of their last official count) in different styles, sizes and dimension. Check out the others:
They also have puzzles for you to try on:
They also sell customized puzzles like PNoy over here:
Over all, The Puzzle Mansion is wort your visit, but not something I would go back for again and again. Don’t get me wrong, their ambiance is totally good and the place is really unique. It’s just that it’s quite far and there’s nothing else to do in the place (except for their bed&breakfast, pool, and a “horse-back ride in a pony in their parking lot). But do give this place a try and tell me what you think. 🙂
Orayt. Time for lunch!
Bulalo Steak and Pancit Buko
Take a beach break: Talicud Island
Looking for a quick break in a fine white sand – clear waters – not crowded beach? Talicud Island is a smaller island part of Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte which is situated at the ‘back portion’ of Samal.
How to get there:
Kaputian District public beach: check out the fine white sand and clear waters!
Coming from Davao City, you can catch a trip by riding a “lancha” or ferry boat from Sta. Ana wharf in downtown. I haven’t tried going this way but I heard from Samal locals that it’s an hour-long ride and the fare is around Php 60 or above (not sure!). The trip goes straight from downtown to Sta. Cruz (main port in Talicud).
OR
Coming from Samal, you can hire a habal-habal (main mode of transpo in Mindanao. Public utility motorcycle like the ones in Bangkok :p) and ask the driver to take you to Kaputian District. From there, you can ride a boat (Php 20 / person) going to Sta. Cruz port.
OR
If you may chance upon an Island City Express Bus coming either from Davao City or Samal, you can also ride aboard it and just hop off in Kaputian District. From there, you can ride a boat going to Sta. Cruz port.
Sta. Cruz port, Talicud Island
Where to stay:
There’s a nearby resort (Isla Reta) that is just walking distance from the Sta. Cruz wharf. No need to hire a habal-habal or hire a motorboat that will take you there!
Entrance fee is Php 40 / person. Tables under the talisay tree are for free.
For the campers:Pitching a tent for overnight fee is Php 100. You may bring/rent a tent in the area.
There’s a restroom/ shower room, a few huts, and a mini snack store. Do not expect the usual grand facilities you’ll find in other resorts! It will however give you the ambiance of peace and quiet break away from the city life. Plus, the front desk staff in Isla Reta were nice enough to let us pitch our tent for free 🙂
Powdery white sand beach and clear waters of Isla Reta:
What to eat:
There’s no decent resto inside the resort except for a mini snack bar so after hopping off the boat in Sta. Cruz port, you may snack on street foods like banana fritters, BBQs, and etc. sold in the area.
For lunch, you may shop in their wet market located beside the basketball court, a few steps away from the wharf then just sugba (“grill” in bisaya) it when you reach Isla Reta. There’s no corkage for bringing in food, don’t worry!
What I did:
Since I was staying in Samal (Babak area) the time I went there, I opted to hire a habal-habal to take us to Talicud Island. You can negotiate about the prices with the driver. (Of course, I chose a driver that I personally know) Anyway, he let me choose whether I pay him (A) Php 1,000 and fill his fuel tank up full or (B) I pay him the “package” Php 1,500. Whatever you choice you made, he will drive you to wherever you want to go for the whole day.
We first made a side trip to Monfort Bat Cave (Guinness World Record for the most number of bats) in Babak, Samal before heading out to Kaputian.
Entrance is Php 100 / person
Try striking up a conversation with your driver, they know where the nice places are!
When we arrived in Kaputian, we boarded the boat Php 20/person going to Talicud. We decided to let our motor drivers tag along with us so that we’ll have a guide once we reach the island. (don’t worry, drivers’ entrance in Isla Reta are for free) We brought adobo and rice with us for our packed lunch but since one of our habal-habal drivers is a muslim, we bought fresh-catch fishes from the market. The drivers grilled it for us.
Khalid, one of our hired drivers
Unless your staying overnight in the island, be sure to leave before 3 pm since it’ll be quite hard to find a motor boat leaving after that hour. Plus, the boat are punuan. They fill up the seating capacity of the boat so you’ll have to wait for other passengers unless you are willing to pay for the remaining seats 😛
Dare riding a habal-habal this way? 😉
Kids on their afternoon play
Ciudad Latina de Asia: Zamboanga City
BUENAS!
Just landed!
I am currently on my Miriam Volunteer Mission in Davao City. I got a call from my dad asking if I could visit Zamboanga. Why not. It has been 10 years since my last visit to my father’s hometown, Zamboanga City. Fr. Jeff, a good friend of my dad, went to Samal Island to personally hand me my plane ticket.
AND. This will be my first SOLO trip! ANYWAY 🙂
According to a magazine I’ve read before, Zamboanga is the third oldest and sixth largest city in the Philippines. During the 1900’s, it used to be the capital of the Moro Province now called Mindanao.
Zamboanga is often called as Ciudad Latina de Asia (Asia’s Latin City) for its Spanish influence. Zamboanga used to be the headquarters of the Spaniards during 1630’s.
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Hermosa Festival
a.k.a. Fiesta Pilar
entrance
Fiesta Pilar is a month long festival in the city. The festival is in honor of Our Lady of Pilar (the patroness of the city), in which the Lady is stationed in a shrine as a the front of Fort Pilar. Even the muslims believe in Lady Pilar since it has performed miracles that even the muslims residing nearby witnessed it.
The feast is held every 12th of October which makes my visit very un/timely. I arrived in Zamboanga on the day of the feast itself but missed (by one day! -__-) the fun and colorful street dances and one of the major highlights of the festival, Regatta de Zamboanga which featured a race of vinta sails.
Hey – at least there’s lechon everywhere!
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Paseo del Mar
You can take a stroll in Paseo del Mar in the morning but if you’re up for some food trip and night life, then go here during the evenings (obviously).
Paseo del Mar
Aside from the musically gyrating dancing fountain, the government-organized park is like the former Bay Walk in Roxas Boulevard where there are bars and restaurants for you to enjoy.
Knicker Bocker
Try the Knicker Bocker for dessert, fresh fruit salad with ice cream on top. Yum!
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Cock Derby
@ Zamboanga Square Garden, Sinunuc
I am actually on my way to do some sight seeing in Pasonanca but thought of stopping by the cock derby first.
I am not a fan of cockfights but hey- it wasn’t that bad inside. Being inside can be both interesting and stupid. I know, roosters suffer from this blood sport and I feel bad about it. It is just interesting in the sense that you can observe how people’s moods and the atmosphere inside change in seconds.
When the roosters are shown before the fight, the crowd goes loud with their bets. One understood the bet of the other just by sign language – no matter how far they are from each other. And when the fight began, the whole arena falls silent – literally!
The white rooster won the fight
Honesty and Trust. Those who won and lose the bets pay each other right after the referee declares the winner.
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National Museum
No travel visit for me is ever complete without a trip to the local museum. This museum is actually a branch of the National Museum of the Philippines, with a declaration of Fort Pilar as a National Cultural Treasure. I actually googled for the museum schedule and learnt that it is open every weekdays. So I went on a Monday, after pasalubong shopping in Canelar Barter Trade, and moments before my flight back to Davao.
- Closed on Mondays! 😦
UNFORTUNATELY, there was a change of schedule, making it open everyday except Mondays and Holidays. Oh well, there’s always a next visit! 😉
Sneak peak to Zamboanga:
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- Closed on Mondays! 😐
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- Paseo del Mar
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- Just landed!
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- The entrance
Why I love Davao City
- Typhoon-free
- Diversified city
- Drinkable tap water – Yup, it’s potable!
- Food – Affordable from fresh fruits to buffets!
- No smoking in Public – Hooray for the city ordinance!
- Persons with Disabilities friendly – Faith in humanity restored.
- Cleanliness – One of the facts that made me love Davao instantly.
- Security – Streets are CCTV equipped. Emergencies? Call 911!
- Sister Cecilia and Our Lady of Victory Training Center
Ten tribes, One vibe
Madayaw!
So. Kadayawan is very timely with my volunteer mission here in Davao.
Kadayawan was fun to watch, very colorful, and very lively.
Here in Davao, it is actually a month long celebration but there’s a special day allotted for the street parades.
I got to see the “queens” or the representatives of the tribes that makes up Davao. In my opinion, they should be the ones representing our country in pageants. They showcase the real Filipina beauty. AT puro ang lahi.
August 18-19 Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan & Pamulak Kadayawan
Life's a great adventure 
