Zamboanga City Things to Do

at the gate of Rizal Shrine

by paolodecastro

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at the gate of Rizal Shrine
by paolodecastro
at the front of Bahay ni Dr. Jose Rizal...
by paolodecastro
at the dam built by Rizal its still...
by paolodecastro
cut rock where rizal and josephine made...
by paolodecastro
you have to kiss th statue so you can go...
by paolodecastro

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Visit Dapitan..... take a historical travel

by paolodecastro

This is the major historical landmark of Dapitan City. It refers to the more or less sixteen (16) hectares estate of Dr. Jose P. Rizal which he purchased in Barangay Talisay and is approximately two (2) kilometers NW from the City Hall. In August 1892, a Spaniard from Manila brought lottery tickets to Dapitan. Dr. Jose Rizal, Capt. Ricardo Carnicero, the politico military governor of Dapitan at that time and a Spaniard residing in Dipolog bought a ticket which luckily won for them 20,000 pesos. Rizal’s share was 6,200 pesos. He gave 2,000 pesos to his father and 200 pesos to Basa, his friend in Hongkong. He invested his remaining winnings in business and bought lands and built houses in Talisay which is now the Rizal Shrine. In March 1893, Rizal transferred to Talisay. Later on, his mother Doña Teodor Alonso, his sisters, some relatives and neighbors from Calamba, Laguna came and lived...

Visit Fort Pilar

by monina_c

Fort Pilar is an important part of the history of the city of Zamboanga.The Fort was built as a defense against the raiders sent by the Sultans of Mindanao and Jolo way back in 1635. The construction was supervised by Father Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit priest-engineer. It was was originally named "Real Fuerza de San Jose", then "Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza" in 1719, and finally "Fort Pilar" after its capture by the American forces in November, 1899. Nowadays, the main attraction in this fort is the Shrine of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza. As a local told me, the shrine is respected by both the Roman Catholics and the Muslims alike. According to her, once there appeared a tsunami about to engulf the city. The people ran to the church to pray to the Lady and to at least save themselves within the walls of the church. It was said that a Lady wearing shining...

Go Camping

by yellowbell

Pasonanca Park is interesting because it has a large camping ground (see the tents ready for campers) and swimming pools not of chlorinated water but cool spring water. It is set against a backdrop of lush mountain foliage.I was able to tour the place past 5 pm so I was not able to take pictures nor go down from the car so to give you an idea, please look at the picture of the tents displayed at Jollibee Restaurant in Pershing Plaza.

Lunzuran Mountains in Zamboanga City

by MTrue

This is a very beautiful and popular area in Zamboanga City.Some of the most beautiful houses in the Philippines are found here.There are houses with Mountain View and swimming-pools.Many people love this place.

See or climb the Mountains of Zamboanga City

by MTrue

Zamboanga has everthing from the white sand beach on Sta.Cruz island agross the city to theMountains within the city proper ,great place.Hiking or swimming or shopping what do want or eat seafood ,Zamboanga City is the best place for that in the Philippines.

Visit the Pasonanca Park

by dindo_m

This park is a good enough place to visit when in Zamboanga City. Not that there are grand must-sees, but you'll get to see the cool breezy outskirts of the city plus some lessons in history.The park is where girl and boy scout jamborees are usually held - their headquarters are there actually. There are teepee-like structures made of metal-sheets and painted green. Interesting to be roaming around the place and read the scout oath written on stones.Did you know that the "scout triangle" in QC has some kind of a relation with this park? The amphitheatre is named as a memorial to the young scout Antonio Limbaga (who was from Zamboanga). And Scout Limbaga in Quezon City is the street named also after him. Actually the park and each of the teepees are dedicated to the scouts who died in that unfortunate plane crash on their way to Greece in the early 1960s.There are also swimming pools -...

Visit Fort Pilar

by dindo_m

Been to Fort Santiago? Or Fort San Pedro? This place is a bit similar in terms of make and history. But there are interesting things inside that will spell the difference - of course Fort Santiago is in Manila and Fort San Pedro is in Cebu so you'll find this place an interesting learning experience in Mindanao.Inside the fort, the ruins or remnants of what it used to be are of course a great sight. Never forget to climb up the elevated "watch area". Great views of the sea and waterfront on one side... a birds-eye view of the forts foregrounds (converted into an open-air chapel) on the other side.Inside though is a museum (or museums) and are interesting for a learning of what was the Zamboanga of the past. Let us not describe here what you will see inside the museum lest you lose appetite going there. But it goes something like this...You enter the fort from its side actually. Upon...

Visit "Rio Hondo", test your "people skills"!

by dindo_m

Rio Hondo means "deep river", but in this place, quit looking for the river as its not what you will need or want to see. This place is a settlement of thousands of families with their rickety houses on stilts above the water. What connects them houses? Paths (also on stilts) made of either wooden planks or bamboo poles . And yes, its a crazy maze of such paths. Drop anything and it will of course land on the waters below!This is a truly special (probably one-of-a-kind). The small houses can be home to 10 or more people, children could be seen running amongst the paths on stilts or playing on the shallow waters below while adults could be seen tending to their fishnets, doing the house chores, fetching water from a hose at the house of the Barangay Captain or simply sitting around talking to friends - watching your every move waiting and eager to giggle why you seem to be having trouble...

Zamboanga City Hall

by bike_packer

One of the finest architectural exterior finishes of a city hall in the country I've seen, considering that this has been the government seat since it was built in 1906. The building which was originally built as the provincial capitol is in record as the first concrete building in South Philippines. The beautiful interiors are made of hardwood cut from Zamboanga and worked up by local artisans. The exterior walls are of adobe stones while the roofs are of red terracotas. Very prominent is a belfry-like tower that protrudes above the facades roofline. The restorations done have made it look more elegant and eye-catching.

Zamboanga National Museum

by bike_packer

This well-maintained and very clean museum is A MUST-SEE in Zamboanga City. Built in the late 17th century by Spanish authorities and have been restored, Fort Pilar was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in the '70s. Within its vast historic structures, the Zamboanga National Museum was housed and was opened to the public in 1985.The various collections of species of marine life specimens collected mostly from the waters of Sulu Archipelago are featured in one wing. Another structure displays the material culture of three distinct ethnic groups in Mindanao featuring some collections of traditional wooden boats including a houseboat. One wing is dedicated to artifacts recovered from the sunken British ship, Griffin, that sunk at Sulu Sea in the 1761 and discovered in the '70s.A landscaped court at the open area of the center of the fort provides a relaxing atmosphere while going...