Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 39 of 1936 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon on October 12, 1936 in Malacañang Palace created and established Zamboanga as a chartered city. It has been known as "El Orgullo de Mindanao" (The Pride of Mindanao), nicknamed the "City of Flowers", and affectionately called by Zamboangueños as "Zamboanga Hermosa" - Spanish for "Beautiful Zamboanga". Today, the city is commercially branded for tourism by the city government as "Asia's Latin City".
Zamboanga City's birthday as a chartered city coincides with the day when the popular Fiesta del Pilar is celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint, Our Lady of the Pillar, whose statue is prominently embossed above the façade on the eastern wall of the meter-thick walled fort called El Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (also called El Real Fuerza de San José in its early days). This Spanish military fort was built on June 23, 1635 by the Spanish Jesuit priest Fr. Melchor de Vera in defense against pirates and slave raiders. Zamboanga City is one of the oldest cities in the country and the most hispanicized. It is also one of the largest cities in the world in terms of area, with over 1,480 km², including its 28 surrounding islands. Its recorded population in 2000 was 601,794.
Zamboanga City has been the center of commerce, trade, health services, and education for the entire Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX). It is the seat of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (popularly known as Zamboecozone). The people of Zamboanga speak a unique creole language called Chavacano - a blend of Spanish and other local dialects but mostly Cebuano as its substrate language.
Zamboanga is home to three universities: Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Western Mindanao State University, and the newly-elevated Universidad de Zamboanga. The city is also home of the first Catholic diocese in Mindanao, today's Archdiocese of Zamboanga which was created in 1910 and elevated to an archbishopric in 1958.
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[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
The city is located on the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, on the island of Mindanao. It is 460 nautical miles (850 km) south of Manila, 365 nautical miles (676 km) northeast of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and 345 nautical miles (639 km) northwest of Manado in Indonesia. It is bounded on to the west by the Sulu Sea, to the east by the Moro Gulf, and to the south by the Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea. It is about 1 hour and 50 minutes away by plane from Manila and an hour away from both the cities of Cebu and Davao.
[edit] Component islands
Zamboanga City has 28 islands off the mainland coast. All of these islands come under the city's jurisdiction. The biggest of these islands is Sacol (about 12 km. long and 8 km. wide). Three of these islands (Vitali, Malanipa, and Sacol) are inhabited mostly by fishing residents and have their own barangays. The others are frequented only by fishermen and scuba divers. Eleven of these islands on the Moro Gulf coast form a cluster known as the Eleven Islands, the largest being Cabugan Island (approx. 11 hectares).
The most popular of these islands among Zamboangueños and tourists alike are the Santa Cruz Islands—famous for their pink coral sands. The islands are rich in coral, shell varieties (over half of the world's known shell varieties are found in the Sulu Sea which surrounds these islands)[1] , and sea life.
The islands are:
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[edit] Climate
The city has a naturally mild climate with a pronounced dry or wet season — relatively dry from November to May, wet during the rest of the year. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the city was 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) on August 15, 1999. The coldest temperature recorded was 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) on February 27, 1965.
Tropical cyclones or typhoons rarely affect the city because it is outside the typhoon belt. Average temperature is about 28 °C, while annual rainfall is 1,362.01 mm.
[edit] Population
In 2000, the Census of Population and Housing of the government's National Statistics Office recorded the city population of 601,794 people in 177,152 households or an average of 5 persons per household with an annual growth rate of 3.56 percent. Compared to the national population, Zamboanga City's 601,794 is only 0.8 percent of the total Philippine population of 76.5 million people.[2]
[edit] History
The area around Zamboanga Peninsula has been occupied by indigenous people as early as 30,000 years ago. The first inhabitants were the Subanons and Lutaos and later, the Islamized ethnic groups of Samals, Bajaus, Tausugs, and Yakans.
Oral history says the early Austronesian settlers - the highlander Subanons or the people who live by the suba or river and the Lutaos of the plains called the place "Jambangan", meaning a place abundant with flowers. Eventually, the lowlanders (the descendants of the early Austronesian settlers), the boat dwellers and sea gypsy tribes - the Bajaus and Samals collectively called the place "Samboangan." Apparently, "Samboangan" came from the word "Jambangan." In one of the earliest Spanish maps, the place was already called Samboangan which meant as "docking point". Samboangan, though, was thought to have come from the word "sabuan" - the wooden pole used by the Samals and Bajaus in pushing their boats on shallow waters. The early Spaniards called the place "El Pueblo de Lutao" or the place of Lutaos.
Fort Pilar, now an outdoor principal Marian shrine, was founded in 1635 by the Spanish colonial government and was the focus of a number of battles between Moro pirates and Spanish soldiers until 1718 when modifications to the fort were made.
The city was the capital of the Republic of Zamboanga during its brief existence from May 18, 1899 to November 16, 1899.
During the American colonial period, Zamboanga City 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 Moro Province was administered directly from the city.
Prior to World War II, Zamboanga City was the center of commerce, trade, and government in the whole of Mindanao Island, being the capital of the Moro Province. In the city during the second world war, Pettit Barracks was where part of the US Army's 43d Infantry Regiment (PS) was stationed. After the invasion of the Philippines, the Japanese occupying forces landed at Zamboanga on March 2, 1942 where they formed a defense headquarters which was eventually taken by US forces in 1945.
Zamboanga City has had a diverse history of evolving from a small Spanish fort, a U.S. governed capital of the Moro Province in Mindanao Island, one of the first chartered cities in the Philippine Commonwealth, a war-torn town after World War II under Japanese occupation, to strife-torn city under martial law and recurrent terrorists attacks, and still managing to keep its historical composure and purpose, elevating itself and the entire Zamboanga area in becoming the number one Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP) area in the entire Philippines in 2006. Its steadfast growth and evolution is a reflection of its diversified economy and resourceful people, spearheaded by its responsible city government.
The Philippine Department of Tourism is helping Celso L. Lobregat, the city mayor, to promote the city as an attractive and safe tourist destination. Its numerous natural, historical, and cultural tourist attractions are a boon to new travelers to this ancient "City of Flowers" and a welcoming return to many seasoned travelers into this wonderful place from decades hence.
In 2007, Zamboanga will be divided into two separate Congressional districts in the eastern and western areas of the city (including the city proper), as a result of the 2000 Census change in population count. After the elections of 2007, Erbie Fabian re-elected as congressman, will be the first representative of the city's second (east) district. Maria Isabelle Climaco is the representative the first (west) district in the congress.
In recent years, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Zambasulta chapter wanted to divide Zamboanga City into seven municipalities creating a new province to "hasten the development of rural or remote areas." There are some planned to create a metropolis out of the present day Zamboanga City. Opinions in local tabloids urged Zamboanguenos to support the creation of the province. But most of the Zamboanguenos declined the creation of the province, which proponents of the plan contend will result in damage to the local economy and hold back progress in Zamboanga.
[edit] Government
Since 1983, Zamboanga City is a highly-urbanized city, independent from Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga City had its own representation for the Philippine Congress in 1984. The former lone congressional district is divided into two separate districts: the West District (I) from the City Proper to Labuan, and the East District from Tetuan to Limpapa(II). The head of the city's government is Mayor Celso L. Lobregat. The government is composed of a mayor, vice mayor, two district representatives and 8 councilors in each district.
[edit] Mayors of Zamboanga City
(partial list)
- Vitaliano Agan (Lakas-NUCD) (1988-stripped 1998)
- Efren Arañez (Lakas NUCD) (acting, 1998)
- Maria Clara Lobregat (LDP) (1998-died 2004)
- Erico Basilio A. Fabian (LDP) (acting, 2004)
- Celso L. Lobregat (LDP) (2004-present)
[edit] Barangays
Zamboanga City has 101 barangays:
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[edit] Economy and Industry
The Zamboanga economy is largely agricultural and aquacultural-based. Agriculture and fishing provide activity and income to 70% of the population. The city territory includes 560 km² of arable lands and 700 km² of permanent crops, mainly coconut. The city's farmers produce 86,000 metric tons of coconut a year, 26,000 metric tons of rice and 11,000 metric tons of corn. Average annual production of fish – from the sea or raised in fishponds inland – is about 1,600 metric tons.
Zamboanga City has emerged in recent years as a principal producer of seaweed. Seaweed farming occupies close to 2,000 Zamboangueño farmers and 4.07 km² offshore. Average annual production is 14,000 metric tons. Some consider the city’s economic prospects as bright with the value of investments increasing since 1993. From 1993 to 1994 the increase was 332%. From 1994 to 1995 it was 42%.
Zamboanga is famous for sardine export to the Philippine market. The sardines are also exported to US, Europe, Middle East and the Far East. There are canning factories located in the west coast of Zamboanga producing popular sardine brands: Mega Fishing Corporation (Mega Sardines), Universal Canning Corporation (Family's Brand Sardines), and Columbus Seafood Inc. (555 Sardines, SM Bonus Sardines, Blue Bay Sardines).
Exports grew by 6% in 1995, and it continues to grow. The top export items are coconut oil, marine products, and processed food. As part of its effort to boost economic development, the Zamboanga City government has committed forty-four percent of its total budget to economic and infrastructure projects in recent years.
Zamboanga City is home to 66 banks (including branches), 53 pawnshops, 24 credit cooperatives and seven lending institutions. Most of the banks operate automated teller machines. Supplied with energy by the National Power Corporation, the city at present has more electricity than it can use. In 1994, only 72% of the available power was consumed, with this ratio increasing by three percentage points in 1995.
Local economic planners have concluded that the most viable opportunities for investors are in food processing, wood and forest-based products, coconut-based products, marine products, gifts, toys and house wares, machine and equipment fabrication, garment manufacturing, ceramics, and low-cost housing.
[edit] Transportation
- Land Transportation and Government Projects
Taxi service in the city is not well-established, although there are some independent taxis. The common mode of transportation in Zamboanga is by a Jeepney or a Tricycle and coming soon to ride the city bus a public utility bus passing in 75% in zamboanga city proper there are two types of city bus. the green bus and the blue bus to be zamboanga city as one of the modern cities in the Philippines. A new bus terminal will be created at the MCLL highway in Divisoria-Boalan area to be constructed this year (2007) as one of the most modern bus terminals in Mindanao. The modern bus terminal serves as a prologue of East Coast's development as a business district.
Ninety-nine per cent of the local road network is paved with concrete. In the rural areas, the government has constructed 667 kilometers of farm-to-market roads. A law established a free port and special economic zone in the city known as Zamboecozone which is the only free port in the country outside of Luzon.
- National and International Sea Port
Zamboanga City has 19 seaports and wharves, twelve of which are privately-owned. The biggest and most modern is the government-operated main port which can accommodate 20 ships at any given time. There are 25 shipping lines whose vessels regularly call at the port of Zamboanga. A new international port will be open soon outside the city proper that can accommodate international ships and vessels from other neighboring countries. This port will be established at the Zamboecozone, under construction.
Zamboanga City has also fastcraft services to Sandakan, Malaysia. Just check out online the SRN Fastcraft schedule of departures and arrivals on both ports:
- International Air Port
The local airport has been upgraded to Zamboanga International Airport and it will be name by the late Mayor of Zamboanga city as Maria Clara L. Lobregat International Airport early at 2008 and it has 2,610-meter primary runway, and can serve international flights. The airport will transfer to the Mercedes area as one of the modern airports in the Philippines but it has been top in lately 2007, the government put a project of P100 million for 2008 to completely rehabilitate the existing facilities including the air navigation equipment. It has 3,210-meter runway and a modern terminal building with 5 jet bridges as their proposal project.
- There are following planes that passing in ZIA.
- Philippine Airlines- Manila
- Air Philippines- Manila
- Cebu Pacific- Cebu, Davao, Manila
- South East Asian Airlines- Bongao, Cotabato, Jolo, Sandakan (Malaysia)
- Asian Spirit- Bongao, Jolo, Sandakan (Malaysia)
- Three airline companies are expected to open their routes to the city. The expected date is yet to be announced to open the route here.
[edit] Infrastructure
It is believed that Zamboanga City's power surplus is set to grow. Western Mindanao Power Corporation produces 100 megawatts of electricity and is located near Sangali Fishing Complex in the east coast. This is to augment the supply of electricity currently provided by NAPOCOR. City water is clean and sweet, and its supply is adequate. In 1994 only 48% of the total water production was consumed; in 1995 only 58%.
The Zamboanga City Water District is expanding its reservoir and distribution system to meet the growing industrial demand for water. Zamboanga City is also the communications center of Western Mindanao. Local communications services include conventional and cellular telephone systems with direct distance dialling, paging services, telegraph and facsimile services, and the Internet.
[edit] Shopping centers and malls
As the center of commerce[citation needed] in Western Mindanao, Zamboanga is home to five shopping Malls and numerous department stores, supermarkets and retail stores.
Mindpro Citimall (opened in 1996, the first mall in the city) and Southway Square (opened in 2007) are two of the major malls located in the city proper. Yubenco Star Mall, located in Putik, Zamboanga City, is a shopping complex known for reasonably priced products. Other shopping arcades in the city are LimTown Center (at La Purisima St.) and Midtown Plaza (at Nuñez Extension).
A Gaisano branch is planned to rise in the city. According to the Zamboanga Today headline (October 24, 2007, pg.1) Eddie Gaisano, one of the owners of Gaisano chain of malls, intends to invest business in Asia's Latin City through a courtesy call with Mayor Lobregat. This was because of the city's growing economy and continuing support with the local government and will be introduced to the world market. The project may be planned as a mall or a stand-alone department store.
[edit] Foreign relations
Zamboanga is an important part of BIMP-EAGA area which stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. BIMP-EAGA is an agreement among the four Southeast Asian neighbor countries for economic cooperation. It has put Zamboanga City in touch with towns in Malaysia and Indonesia. As a result of contacts arising from BIMP-EAGA, an air and sea route has been opened between Zamboanga City and Sandakan in Malaysia.
[edit] Sister cities of Zamboanga
Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (since 2006)
Saragossa, Spain (since 2005)
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia (since 2005)- Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (since 2002)
Dagupan, Pangasinan- Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
[edit] Education
Zamboanga City is home to three Universities, three Computer college branches and numerous colleges and institutes in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.
The Western Mindanao State University (formerly Zamboanga Normal College founded 1914) is the first to be granted as a university in 1978 and the only state university in the city. Its campus is located in Baliwasan and has offered college and vocational programs. The Ateneo de Zamboanga University, founded in 1912 and became the latest Ateneo school to become a university in 2001, is the Jesuit University in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. The Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges changed its name to Universidad de Zamboanga in 2005 after upgrading its status to a university.
Other notable schools and colleges are Pilar College, Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Zamboanga Regional Science High School, Zamboanga City State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, and the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College. The Zamboanga-owned Comtech Institute, AMA Computer University and STI each have also satellite campus in the city.
[edit] Hospitals and Health Centers
The city is also home to medical centers and hospitals. These provide quality health care service for Zamboanguenos.
Brent Hospital (Located at R.T.Lim Boulevard) was founded on February 2, 1914 by Charles Henry Brent, first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop. It has also a school at its back, offering nursing and medical courses. Zamboanga City Medical Center is the largest medical facility in Region 9 in terms of Bed Capacity, founded in 1918 as Zamboanga General Hospital.
Zamboanga Doctors' Hospital, Veterans Avenue, is the first privately owned hospital established in 1964. Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, one of the most equipped and advance medical centers in Zamboanga, is a 5-storey medical complex located at Nunez Avenue. It is also equipped with an elevator. It was formerly known as Zamboanga Polymedic Hospital. Western Mindanao Medical Center, located at Veterans Avenue Extension, is the first hospital to serve patients from the former Western Mindano Region in 1990. Universidad de Zamboanga Community Medical Center in San Jose is a university-owned hospital equipped with advanced medical facilities and has a 24-hour pharmacy located inside the center.
Other specialized hospitals are: Zamboanga Children's Hospital (a special hospital for pediatrics, located at Pilar Street); Salvador A. Cabato Memorial Hospital (located at Tetuan Highway); Edwin Andrews Air Base Hospital (located within the vicinity of Edwin Andrews Air Base, the sole command of the Philippine Air Force in Mindanao); Camp Navarro General Hospital (located inside Camp Navarro, the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command); Zamboanga Puericulture Lying-in Maternity Hospital (located at Pura Brillantes Street); and the Mindanao Central Sanitarium (located at Pasabolong).
[edit] Tourist Spots and Attractions
The Fort Pilar is the landmark of the city's history and culture. It is presently served as a shrine that is located in the former garrison. Thousands of devotees as well as Mindanao and foreign tourists flock to the shrine and appreciate its significance.[citation needed] The Fort area includes a national museum and a patio. Several events commemorating citywide celebrations and feasts are also held within.[citation needed] Beside the Fort Pilar is the Pettit Barracks occupied by US forces under Gen. C. Bates after the capture of the city on November 15, 1899. It was named Pettit Barracks after Col. James S. Pettit, 31st Infantry, US Volunteer Commanding Officer of the Second Military District. He was later promoted to General, became the Inspector-General and later, the in-Charge of Civil Affairs of Zamboanga, Inspector-General's Department, US Infantry. Occupied by Japanese forces in 1942-1945, it was recaptured by US liberation forces on March 10, 1945 and turned over to the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
Located at the heart of the city is the old City Hall, which was used to be the capitol of the Moro Province and later the Zamboanga Province until 1952. The construction of this building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the Federal Government of the United States. Today, this serves as the City Hall of Zamboanga City where the Mayor holds office.[citation needed]
The Pasonanca Park, a recreation spot located at the north of city proper, is known for its greenery.[citation needed] The mountainous Abong-abong, located near Pasonanca, houses the famous pilgrimage site with cross at the top overlooking the view of Zamboanga City. One of the attractions in Abong-abong is the fabled Mt. Pulongbato, an extinct volcano that is shaped like a turtle from afar and a heart from above.[citation needed]
Other popular tourist spots are the modern Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception which was originally located in the present Universidad de Zamboanga, the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga was reconstructed in La Purisima St. in 1998-2002, the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard (now R.T. Lim Boulevard, known of its Regatta of Vintas), the Yakan Weaving Village, and the Taluksangay Mosque.[citation needed]
[edit] Entertainment and Recreation
The city has also popular hang-outs and recreation. Catribo Complex, Latitude and Grand Alejandra's Place are among the popular night disco hotspots in the city. Mindpro's six cinemas are the city's only existing movie theatres as the result of popularity of malls and the closure of old cinemas such as Rizal and Viva theatres.
There are convention areas designed for regional and national events and conferences as well as social events. These are: Garden Orchid Convention Center, Marcian Convention Center, Zamboanga City Colliseum in Tetuan, Zamboanga City Convention Center and Regency Astoria in Pasonanca, and Patio Palmeras Convention Center at Patio Palmeras, Sta. Maria Road, Zamboanga City
[edit] Festivals
- Dia de Zamboanga
February 26, 1937- the date when Zamboanga was declared a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government. Charter Day of the City became a non-working holiday. A roster of special activities are lined up annually to mark the occasion.
March/April (movable) A city procession known as the Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) on Good Friday highlights the observance of the season of Lent. Celebrated in barangays Sta. Maria, Tetuan, and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish, the Santo Entierro is a procession of Christ's images, many of the Stations of the Cross, along the city's main streets, depicting his last hours before, during, and after the Crucifixion.
- Flores de Mayo
May 1 - 31 A religious feast celebrated in all Catholic churches in honor of the Virgin Mary. Little children in white gala dresses walk up the altar to offer flowers to the image of the "Blessed Mother", as she is the Catholics call her. In some parts of the city, the traditional Santacruzan is also held. The Santa-cruzan is a procession of the Reyna Elena and other local beauties with their escorts, decked out in Maria Clara gowns and barong tagalogs, along major streets.
- Isra Wal Miraj
May 9 An Islamic event celebrating the nocturnal journey and ascension of Muhammad.
- Eid al-Fitr/Hari Raya Puasa
An Islamic event commemorating the end of the Muslim fasting season.
- Zamboanga Hermosa Festival (Fiesta Pilar)
October 3-12 Highlighted by the October 12 Fiesta Pilar in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar at the legendary Fort Pilar. The festival features week-long novena masses, cultural shows, agricultural fairs, cutural exhibits, a two-day mardi gras parade, the bandoreal, a regatta, torch parades, fireworks, and carnivals. The festival commences with a solemn procession and a grand mass at the Fort. With thousands of pilgrims converging in Zamboanga City, this is the peninsula's biggest festival.
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8 Feast day of Zamboanga City, commemorating the Blessed Virgin's Immaculate Conception; traditionally celebrated with a procession and a concelebrated mass highlighted by either First Communion or Ordination rites.
- Maulidin-Nabi
December 27 An Islamic celebration honoring the birthday of Muhammad.
- Fonda de Barangay
Week-long Celebration in the Barangay/Barrios honoring their patron saints. The celebration usually starts with novena masses held every day for 9 straight days prior the feast day of the patron saint. every night, the barrio is lit up for celebration and merry-making that includes pageants, trade fair, parade, cock-fighting, carnival, musical competition and "baile."
[edit] Famous Zamboangueños
There are Zamboanguenos who are famous for their fields of endeavor, especially in music, entertainment and sports. These are the following:
- Marc Velasco- singer and composer, whose song "Ordinary Song" became a top hit in 2000.
- Chris Cayzer- Aficionado Perfumes model and singer, who had his first concert here in Zamboanga on July 2007 with Lovi Poe, another Aficionado model and singer/actress. His Zamboangueño parents were based in Australia, where he grew up.
- Susan Jane Ritter- beauty queen titlist; co-winner of Magica Dream Girl 1995 with Genesis Canlapan (actress Patricia Javier's real name) and later semifinalist in the 1997 Miss International in Japan.
- Armarie "Arms" Cruz- one of the "Final 12" and the lone Mindanao bet of Philippine Idol First Season.
- April Ross Perez- 2002 Miss Earth Semifinalist and first Zamboanguena to win the Miss Philippines-Earth Title.
- Antonio Salcedo- Filipino Sprinter. Represented the Philippines in Several Far Eastern Games in the 1920s.
- Simeon Toribio- Filipino High Jumper, 1932 Olympics Bronze Medallist in Athletics. He later settled in Bohol and represented it in Congress.
- Harry Tanamor- Filipino Amateur Boxer. Two-time Bronze Medalist, silver medalist (2007) in World Championship in the Light Flyweight division.
- Roberto Gomez- World Pool nine ball 2007 runner-up. Beaten By Daryl Peach onto the finals 17-15.
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