ZAMBOANGA CITY

Zamboanga City, officially the City of Zamboanga (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.Zamboanga 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. For historical and statistical
purposes, Zamboanga City is grouped with the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, of
which it formerly was the capital.
Zamboanga was formerly known as Jambangan in the Subanon language and the
center of the Subanon tribe and culture during the pre-Hispanic times. 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. 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.

These Malays who built their settlements by the river banks were the subanons, that is
the “People of the River”. Their chief, Saragan, lived with his family atop the legendary
Mount Pulumbato that today lords over Pasonanca and Climaco Freedom Park
(formerly Abong-Abong Park) then later on, the Samals and the Badjaos who came on
their frail vintas also settled here, building their frail huts along the shorelines and
confused “Jambangan” with “Samboangan” which comes from the word “Sabuan”, the
wooden pole used to help push their vintas in shallow waters or to tie them for
anchorage purposes. The Spanish colonizers found difficulty in pronouncing
“Samboangan” and instead called the place “Zamboanga”.

PRODUCTS AND LIVELIHOOD

Zamboanga’s principal exports include fish and fish products, processed fruit, coconut-
based products, shell and rubber manufactures, and wooden furniture; rice is imported.
The city is a centre for Moro brass ware and bronze ware and a collecting point for
shells, which, if not exported, are used mainly for local button manufacture. A large
wharf accommodates interisland and oceangoing vessels. The city is the southern
terminus of the Pan-Philippine Highway and has an airport.
ETHNIC GROUPS
Indigenous peoples in the locality include the Tausug, the Samal, and the Yakan.
The Bajao people ply the waters of the Basilan Strait for fish, coral, and shells. They live
onboard their multihued vintas (sailboats) and take temporary shelter in stilt-raised
homes during storms. Chavacano (or Chabacano), the local dialect, is a Spanish-
based creole language.
ARTS
Zamboanga City's Art history spans a period of over 500 years, with heavy influence
coming from the Malay and Spanish culture early on, and the West more recently.
Countless, and quite priceless, artifacts dating back to over a thousand years have
been excavated in the early 1900s by American archaeologists during their occupation
of the Philippines in the vicinities of Zamboanga and Mindanao.
Icelle G. Borja is one of Zamboanga City's premiere artist, a true painter and sculptor,
with a style that is as varied as her other talents. She is currently working as an
executive assistant in the Office of The City Mayor, and is overlooking the City Hall
restoration. She also writes a weekly arts column, and does extensive research in the
arts & culture of Zamboanga.
Mark Velasco a recording artist from Zamboanga City who performs under the Sony
Music Philippines recording label. Sample:Song For A Rainy Day
DNA Project The band was formed last May 2000. We are an all Zamboangueño band
playing music that covers hits from the '70's (classic rock) to the Generation X music of
today. We've been travelling around the HardRock Cafe chains in Asia for 3 years
now.
MUSIC
Gong
The gong is a percussion instrument found in music throughout Southeast Asia. In
Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, and Zamboanga City
particularly, the gong is used in many folk dance routines reflecting the international
flavor of its ancestry.
When played, it is suspended from the rim and struck on the center piece, called a
"boss," with a wooden beater that has a cork head. Changes in pitch are achieved by
shaving down either the boss or the rim of the instrument.
LANGUAGE
( CHAVACANO - The spoken Word )
The extent of Chavacano speakers in Mindanao.
Chavacano is the native language of the Zamboangueño people. A conglomeration of
90% traditional Spanish and 10% influences from other Romance languages such as
French, Portuguese, Italian and Native American such as Nahuatl, Taíno, Quechua et
al. and Austronesian languages such as Binisaya (mainly Cebuano and Ilonggo),
Subanon, Tausūg, Yakan, Sama and Malay.[6]
Zamboanga Architecture
(1789-1794)
View of a tower and part of the village of ancient "Jambangan" by Fernando Brambila,
from collection of drawings and engravings made on the Malaspina Expedition. The
native Philippine house was characterized by a pitched roof with two or four angles,
supported on a framework resting on four or more wooden pillars. It raised above the
ground on a platform of earth.
Situated within the historic structures of Fort Pilar, this museum was established by
virtue of P.D. 260, declaring Fort Pilar a National Cultural Treasure. After the restoration
of Structure II that was completed in 1985, the museum opened its doors to the public
when it conducted special exhibitions one after the other.
The giant dioramas at the second floor depict approximately 400 species of marine life
specimens collected from the vicinities of Zamboanga, Basilan, and Sulu archipelago.
Structure IV displays the material culture of three distinct ethnic groups in the country:
the Sama Dilaut of Tawi-tawi; the Subanon of Zamboanga del Sur and Norte and the
Yakan of Basilan. A special feature in this building is the collection of traditional boats
of the Sama Dilaut, with an actual Lepa, or houseboat. Another structure that has just
been completely restored will showcase the Chavacano culture. This museum has
been the city's favorite venue for art exhibition. It has a staff of eight (8).

Zamboanga System of Education

One of the highly urbanized cities in Mindanao, Zamboanga features an impressive
roster of colleges and universities. These schools greatly contribute to a well-organized
and highly efficient Zamboanga education system. These institutions provide students
with good quality education at super reasonable rates. Furthermore, they also offer
competitive curricula, great scholarships and challenging academic programs.
Universidad de Zamboanga, Western Mindanao State University, Ateneo de
Zamboanga University
Culture
The character of the Zamboangueño people are unique as we can say for their kinship
family system, love for one's cultural heritage, propensity for extravagance, fiestas and
siestas, as well as aristocratic behaviour. While their social lives usually revolve around
religious practices, the tradition of the bantayanon and fondas, includes their bailes the
vals, regodon and paso doble. They are mostly devout Roman Catholics.
The Zamboangueños of Basilan have, of late, also acquired more globalized tastes in
cuisine, fashion, and customs.
Practices and Beliefs
Practices and Beliefs Different inhabitants in Mindanao result in big differences of
practices and beliefs. Discrimination is common and this happens everywhere. Despite
this, Lumads, Catholic Christians, and Muslims are free to express their beliefs and
practices. Lumads have not succumbed to the modern ways of living. Up to this day,
they prefer to live in the mountainsides of Mindanao, living the traditional life. Their
beliefs can be seen through the ornaments of every woman and the woven dresses
they wear. They believe in spirits and gods. There’s a god for land, another for water,
another for harvest, to name a few. For them, the mountain is sacred. Death and illness
or bad faith is believed to be the god’s way of showing anger. Offering of live animals
like pigs and chicken are common during tribal ceremonies for a good harvest, health
and protection, and thanksgiving. Pray and meditate in mosques. Congregational prayer
is traditionally on Friday. They follow the five pillars of Islam, which requires them to
pray five times a day. Another global practice of Islam is the Ramadan, where Muslims
abstain from food, drink, and sex. However this practice is not binding to all Muslims;
pregnant and old Muslims are exempted. Probably one of the most important practices
of Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition, Muslims also practice the charity tax.
Islamic clothing and the wearing of hijab is a must for Muslim women.
Courtship etiquette
Zamboangueño courtship traditions are elaborate and regulated by a long list of
required social graces. For example, a perfectly respectable Zamboangueño gentleman
(caballero) would not sit unless permitted to do so by the woman's parents, he then had
to endure questions pertaining to his lineage, credentials and occupation. Finally, the
courtship curfew and the need to cultivate the goodwill of all the members of the
woman's family were paramount considerations before any headway could be made in
pursuing a Zamboangueño señorita’s hand in marriage.
Dance
A Zamboangueño woman performing the jota zamboangueña dance.
Zamboangueño songs and dances are derived primarily from Iberian performances.
Specifically, the jota zamboangueña, a Zamboangueño version of the quick-stepping
flamenco with bamboo clappers in lieu of Spanish castanets, are regularly presented
during fiestas and formal tertulias or other Zamboangueño festivities.
Clothing
Likewise, Zamboangueño traditional costumes are closely associated with Spanish
formal dress. Men wear close-necked jackets as they called camiseta Zamboangueña,
de bastón pants, and European style shoes, complete with the de-rigueur bigotillos
(mustache). Zamboangueño women claim ownership of the mascota, a formal gown
with a fitting bodice, her shoulders draped demurely by a luxuriously embroidered,
though stiff, pañuelo and fastened at the breast by a brooch or a medal. The skirt tapers
down from the waist but continues on to an extended trail called the cola. The cola may
be held on one hand as the lady walks around, or it may likewise by pinned on the waist
or slipped up a cord (belt) that holds the dainty abanico or purse. The traditional
Zamboangueño dress has been limited to formal functions, replaced by the more
common shirt, denim jeans, and sneakers for men, and shirts, blouses, skirts or pants,
and heeled shoes for women.
Festivals
There are several important events of the festival that can be witnessed during Holy
Week (Chavacano/Spanish: Semana Santa). These include watching films (magá
película) about Jesus and his teachings, visitaiglesias, processions, novenas and the
climbing and praying of the Stations of the Cross (Estaciones de la Cruz) in Mt. Pulong
Bato, Fiesta de Pilar (Spanish: Fiesta del Pilar), a festivity in honour of Our Lady of the
Pillar (Zamboangueño: Nuestro Señora de Pilar; Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Pilar) and
Zamboanga Day (Día de Zamboanga) and Day of the Zamboangueños (Día del magá
Zamboangueño) which is celebrated every 15 August every year for the foundation of
Zamboanga and ethnogenesis of the Zamboangueño people on 15 of August 1635.
Zamboangueño celebrate Christmas in so many unique ways such as the
villancicos/aguinaldos o pastores this also includes the Día de Navideña and
Nochebuena, fiestas, vísperas, Diana, Misa, magá juego, processions and feasting.
ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL
Zamboanga Hermosa, also known locally as Fiesta Pilar, is one of Zamboanga City’s
most important festivals. It honors the city’s patron saint, the Nuestra Señora de la
Virgen del Pilar whose image is enshrined in the equally historic and venerated Fort
Pilar. The feast day proper on October 12 is a special holiday in Zamboanga City, and
the shrine itself holds novena masses throughout the day. With the maxim of ‘vamos a
celebrar’ – come and celebrate! – the Hermosa Festival is a unique experience,
combining tradition and modernity in a month-long festivity.
PASCUA NA ZAMBOANGA 2017: ANGELES DE NAVIDAD
Every December, Zamboanga City’s historic City Hall is awash in colors, lights, and
finery to welcome the yuletide season. Pascua na Zamboanga (Christmas in
Zamboanga) is celebration that brings together families and communities with fun-filled
and wholesome activities, most notable of which is the annual countdown, the Grand
Lighting Ceremony, that unveils the beautiful light displays at City Hall and other nearby
landmarks, courtesy of the local government of Zamboanga thru its General Services
Office. Each year features a different theme and look – all to the delight and joy of
children and families.
DIA DE ZAMBOANGA
is one of the most important celebrations in Zamboanga City. It marks the city’s charter
anniversary and the historic moment when the very first set of city officials, led by Mayor
Nicasio Valderoza, was sworn into office February 26, 1937.
The Dia de Zamboanga, observed every 26th of February, is a special non-working
holiday celebrated with scores of activities such as food and film festivals, photo
exhibits, cheerdance competitions, and the annual grand civic military parade.
Cuisine
Zamboangueño cuisine includes in its repertoire curacha, calamares, tamales, locón,
cangrejos, paella, estofado, arroz a la valenciana, caldo de vaca/cerdo/pollo, puchero,
caldo de arroz, lechón, jamonadas, endulzados, embutido, adobo, afritadas, menudo,
caldereta, jumbá, flan de leche and many more.
10 ITEMS QUIZ
1. Zamboanga was formerly known as?
Answer: Jambangan
2. It is he native language of Zamboanga.
Answer: Chabakano/Chavakano
3. Zamboanga known for Hispanic influences in its culture, it bears the nickname
________?
Answer: Asia’s Latin City
4. The Spanish colonizers found difficulty in pronouncing “Samboangan” and
instead called the place _______?
Answer: Zamboanga
5-7. Give the 3 Indigenous people lived in Zamboanga.
8. Samboangan” comes from the word _______?
Answer: Sabuan
9. It is a percussion instrument found in music throughout Southeast Asia. It is used
in many folk dance routines reflecting the international flavor of its ancestry.
Answer: Gong
10. She is one of Zamboanga City's premiere artist, a true painter and sculptor, with a
style that is as varied as her other talents. She also writes a weekly arts column, and
does extensive research in the arts & culture of Zamboanga.
Answer: Icelle G. Borja