Summary of Region 9 Zamboanga Peninsula

The Zamboanga Peninsula is Mindanao’s smallest region. Located in Southwest Philippines, its 958 islands and islets make up the Diadem of the Philippine South. Two bodies of water form a ring around it, the Sulu Sea to the north and west, the Moro Gulf to the south.

Three provinces and five cities make up the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. The provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay; and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga City, and Isabela. Zamboanga, Pagadian, and Dipolog are the major hubs of trade, commerce, industry, and education in the region.

The region hosts one freeport and special economic zone and an international airport in Zamboanga City.  Ten other secondary airports operate in the region.

About a third of the Peninsula’s population is made up of ethnic communities that give the region its unique culture and color.  These include the Tausugs, Samals, Yakans, Badjaos, and Subanens. The Tausugs, Badjaos, and Samals were fishermen; some still roam the seas. The Maranaos and Yakans were traders and artisans; they’ve left their imprint on traditional weaves and fabric that are still produced today.

Roughly half of the population speaks Chabacano, a dialect heavily influenced by Spanish settlers. Spanish-speakers are sure to pick up on quite a few familiar words.

Each part of the Zamboanga Peninsula shines on its own, but there is a common heritage. This is a region of beauty, history and culture. It’s been blessed by nature. It is cherished by its people.

This is what the early Chinese and Malays saw when they came over and made Zamboanga the cynosure of Southern Philippines centuries ago. Up to today, the Zamboanga Peninsula has an undeniable allure.

THE LEGEND OF ZAMBOANGA

            On the origin of the name “Zamboanga”, there are no hard historical facts to go by, but two popular legends, both emanating from Sama traditions, provide credible insights into its origin. One relates to bamboo pole and the other to a flower garden.

            One version claims that the name “Zamboanga” came from the word “samuang” which in the Sama vernacular means “to drive a bamboo pole into the mud silt, between the vinta, or canoe and its outriggers in place of the anchor.” If this it to be believed, it could well be one of history’s classical comedies of error. For, as the story goes, a Spanish soldier who happened to stray into a river bank chanced upon a Sama boatman mooring his vinta with a bamboo pole. The soldier asked the boatman what the name of the place was, to which the latter, thinking that his inquirer wanted to know what he was doing, replied “samuang”. The soldier, believing in turn that he was understood, took “samuang” to be the name of the place.

            The other version is that in the ninth century, an ancient maritime group headed by Salingai Bongau went in quest of the fabled flower garden called Jambanga and sailed eastward from Srivijaya Empire in the direction of Zamboanga, which was then renowned as the Garden of Asia.

            In the course of the journey, one group away, headed southeast and landed in the place now known as Sandakan. The group called the place Jambangan. Soon, another maverick group broke away and landed in what is now Siasi Island, and they too, called the place Jambangan.

My Family Tradition

                My family has a unique tradition that we inherited from our great grandparents who were Spanish like; we do not eat bare hands. It should be using fork or spoon. Women and young ladies are not allowed to go out during night for some security reasons. Nuts it’s not really necessary at all due to modernization and newly invented technologies.

                There are still few of our tradition that we have been practicing until now. Early in the morning, late in the afternoon or during night time, when we see older person that us we greeted them and then kiss them in the both side of their checks. It’s really awkward when you’re not used to it. And the next one is during Christmas. Every year we usually have a reunion. A small getting together party where each of my relatives come and celebrates with us, even if their miles away, they still have time to be with us. Because of family believe that when we get together the more we love each other.

Things to do and see in my Home Town

Here in Dumaguete, there's a lot of things you have to experience. There are sites that can be visited and as well as foods that can be enjoyed. In the Boulevard, you can enjoy walking and then you can experience the nice breeze of the air. You can also go to church. Its just walking distance away and then if your starved Sans rival is near as well as Gabby's Bistro too. You can experience there a nice atmosphere, most of the employees are accommodating and the foods are very yummy. There are also fun happening during Friday night. you can enjoyed yourself and your family too.

The Legend of Dumaguete

The story dates back to the distant past. It was the glorious and chivalrous time of the Spanish senores and the Moros. Now, the moros plundering the neighboring islands, abducting the women and the children, who, were told, were being ground and minted into money and gold by the Moros. These plundering grew very intense in some nearby islands and there were terrible rumors that these moros were coming to Dumaguete. It was not called”dumaguete” then. The people were concerned and they prayed hard for protection. The families gathered at night to pray to the nuestra senora and to santa catalina to deliver them from this danger. The people had the special devotion to santa catalina and santa plight, she was swift I giving them her protection.

Santa catalina was known to have a stalwart and a military woman. Every time the moros intended invading the island she would send a swarm of of bees to cover the whole place, so that it would be seen from a far as a big cloud, swallowing the island into the bosom of the horizon; so the moros could not find the island.

Dumaguete was name after Daguit meaning kidnap during Spanish era Moros will siege Dumaguete and kidnap girls from here that is why the City was called Daguit.