What to do in Zamboanga

If you happen to find yourself in my hometown for whatever reason – a business or work trip, to meet your significant other’s family, or probably plain curiosity – this post could be useful. There is nothing really special about my hometown except that we are the only Latin City in Asia – we speak the bastardized Spanish called Chavacano. We also have one of the freshest kinds of seafood in Mindanao. But if you want to delve into a cultural experience, there are things you can do and try while you are in Zamboanga.

1. Try the Malaysian-inspired dish called Satti. This is a delicious knockoff of the Malaysian dish called “Satay”. There are many Satti food shops in town. One of the most famous food shops offering the best-tasting Satti is a Joloano Cafe that recently opened its branches in our town called Dennis Coffee Garden. They also offer Joloano snacks and desserts that I’m sure anyone will love. Their coffee is a must-try, too. You can buy ground coffee from their cafe for pasalubong. Why is there Malaysian-influence in the City, you may ask? Well, if you look at the map, we’re near Malaysia. Other nearby islands such as Jolo and Tawi-Tawi consider it as one and the same as their hometowns. They don’t see it as something separate from the Philippines. I say this because I have friends from Jolo and Tawi-Tawi who share to me about their experiences growing up – they go to and fro Malaysia and even have relatives living there.
2. Visit Fort Pilar and the Zamboanga Museum to check out the structures built by the Spaniards in the olden days. Don’t forget to check out the City Hall, too. While you’re there, you may visit the Paseo del Mar at night. Around the same area is the Lantaka Hotel by the Sea. They also offer great-tasting hotel-style food. 
3. Visit the oldest Zamboangueno fast food restaurant called Flavorite and order their burger. Eat it with mustard. Otherwise, it’s not the burger Zamboanguenos grew up eating. Skip this if you don’t enjoy mustard it gives the burger its unique taste.
4. Try Palmeras Restaurant’s knicker-bocker – It’s a Zamboangueno version of Halo-Halo. Try their seafood and meat bilao, too. It’s the best.
5. Drop by Carmelas and try their rice cakes and other snacks, especially the famous puto-pao – there is nothing like it in other places yet. You can buy food pasalubong from this store, too.
6. Try Kevin’s Dilis and Peanuts. Carmelas sell these, too. It’s great for pasalubong.
7. Watch the sunset at the RT Lim Boulevard while having your balot and penoy with Mountain Dew.
8. Visit the Sta. Cruz Island. It’s an island with pinkish white sand and clear aquamarine waters.
9. Visit the Pasonanca Park if you want a cool, hilly experience. You can jog there and bring your pets for exercise, too.
10. In case you crave for imported goodies and snacks, drop by Zalos – they are known for selling imported wines, chocolates, and chips that are usually from the West, Europe and some parts of Asia.
11. I can’t stress the Malaysian-influence enough in our city that we also have a marketplace called the Barter Trade. Just like Zalos, they sell imported chocolates, processed food items and other goodies from Malaysia at a fairly low price.
12. Your experience won’t be complete until you try Alavar’s famous sauce. People usually cook it with Zamboanga’s famous seafood called Curacha. You may also use the sauce for pasta and other dishes. Don’t forget to try their bagon gata, too. Zamboangueno’s love their shrimp paste with coconut milk so much.
13. You may also want to check out our modern-looking cathedral located in La Purisima Street. It’s called the Metropolitan Cathedral. I haven’t seen a modern-looking cathedral in the Philippines like it. Check it out if you’re curious about this architecture.
14. For desserts, try the oldest dessert food shop and cafe in town called Myrna’s Bakehouse. Try their Panini and Pasta, too. I especially like their signature Strawberry Cheesecake and Ma’am Caling Cake. The latter is named after a famous matriarchal mayor named Caling Lobregat. /Kah-LING/
15. For your personal needs and groceries, while you’re in Zamboanga, the best places to go to are KCC Supermarket, Yubenco Supermarket, Budget Wise, and Citi Mall.
16. Finally, make friends with Zamboanguenos. Learn new Chavacano words and phrases from them. Meet a scholar or a professor and ask them about the history. Zamboanguenos are proud people but they are very hospitable and eager to share their culture with visitors.

If you wonder why I didn’t include details about where to find these places, that’s because I want you to socialize with the Zamboangueno people. But for course, just like visiting any place, I want to remind you to practice precaution when meeting new people.

Enjoy your stay!

 

Photos are of my dad’s. This blog post is edited some minutes after the original post to include Myrna’s Bakehouse. I almost forgot about this Zamboangueno dessert food shop.

Glossary:

1. bagon gata – Zamboangueno shrimp paste sauteed in coconut milk.
2. balot or balut – /bah-LOT/, /bah-LOOT/ a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(food) )
3. bilao – /bee-LA-oh/, /bee-LAO/ large woven tray; winnowing basket for removing rice chaff. (Source: https://www.tagalogtranslate.com/tl_en/1572/bilao) This is, in modern times, used in Filipino restaurants to display a variety of Filipino food.
4. Joloano – /Ho-lo-WA-no/ people of Jolo, Philippines, usually the Tausugs.
5. pasalubong – /pa-sa-LOO-bong/ a Filipino tradition of travelers bringing gifts from their destination to people back home. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasalubong)
6. penoy or pinoy – /PE-noy/, /PEE-noy/ duck eggs that are not properly developed after nine to twelve days which look, smell and taste similar to a regular hard-boiled egg. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(food) )