Region 9: Zamboanga Peninsula
Location/Composition
Location/Composition
The Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula, as it is is known now, now, was formerly former ly Western Mindanao is in the southernmost portion of the country. It is bounded by: Sulu Sea on the north; Illana Illana Bay and Moro Gulf on the the south south;; Misa Misami miss Occi Occide dent ntal al,, Lana Lanao o del del Nort Nortee and and Pangu Panguil il Bay Bay on the the east; east; and and the the Celebes Sea on the west.
It now has three provinces and five cities — the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur as well as the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga, and Isabela.
Physiography
The Zamboanga Peninsula is surrounded by bodies of water; the region relied on fishing as one of its major industries.
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Bays: Sindangan, Sibuco, Sibuguey, Dumanquilas, Maligay, Taguite & Pagadian •Rivers: Kumalarang, Sibuguey, Dinas & Labangas. •
ZAMBOANGA RANGE – forms the backbone of the Zamboanga Peninsula stretching from Mt. Dabiak in Zamboanga del Norte and arching to Zamboanga City in the Southwest.
NO ACTIVE VOLCANOES
del Norte – hilly & mountainous with plains along the coastlines. •Zamboanga
del Sur – flat coastal plain with interior mountains.
•Zamboanga
Maps
Climate Dry Season from November to April. Wet Season from May to October.
Provinces Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay
Cities Zamboanga Dapitan Dipolog Pagadian Isabela
Zamboanga City In 2006, Zamboanga City was relabeled from "City of Flowers" to "Asia's Latin City". The new label is the brainchild of Mayor. Celso L. Lobregat believing that this was a more relevant and significant label given the fact that the people of Zamboanga speak Chavacano,
a local dialect composed of Eighty percent (80%) Spanish words and the remaining Twenty percent (20%) a mixture of other local dialects such as Visayan, Ilonggo, Subanon, Yakan and Tausug.
Dapitan City The City of Dapitan is also known as the "Shrine City in the Philippines" because the place where Jose Rizal, the National Hero, was exiled. It is also known for the old St. James Parish and the beautiful beach resort of Dakak. The city continues to exude an atmosphere of primeval charm amidst a growing presence of modern-day sophistication.
Dipolog City The City of Dipolog is also known as the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" and "Orchid City" of the Philippines and the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines." Peace-loving and genial Dipolognons proudly celebrate their rich culture and colorful history. It is a city whose rich natural wonders beckon everyone to its natural shores.
Pagadian City The City of Pagadian is also known as the "Little Hongkong of the South― because of its topographical feature that is reminiscent of Hongkong, China. It also has an affluent Chinese community that officially celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year. The city of Pagadian is the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula.
Isabela City - is a component city and capital of the province of Basilan. Isabela City continues be under the jurisdiction of Basilan for the administration of provincially-devolved services and functions. But for the administration of regional services, the city is part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region despite the rest of Basilan being under the authority of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Population & Demography
•In
the latest census count of 2007, the total population of Region 9 reached 3.230 million, up from 2.831 million recorded in census year 2000. •Yearly average increase of 57,000 people •Region IX accounts for 15% of Mindanao’s population and about 3.6% of the national population of 88.6 million. •1.83% average annual growth rate
•Population
will reach 3.487 million in 2010 and 4.205 million by 2020. Zamboanga City has the largest and fastest growing population. (3.54% annually) More people reside in rural areas. There are slightly more males than females. People with ages 15-64 years old comprised a larger percentage of the population •
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Ethnic Composition
About a third of the region ’s population is composed of ethnic et hnic people. These groups, usually erroneously classified under the general heading of Muslims, are actually distinct from each other in culture. They are generally divided divided into into the Tausug Tausugs, s, Yakan Yakans, s, Badjaos Badjaos,, Samals, Samals, and the Subanon Subanonss of Zamb Zamboang oangaa del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Subanens
The Subanens are considered the aborigines of Zamboanga, settling in the city before the Spaniards occupied it. The term Subanen, derived from Suba (river), means People of the River. The Subanens form a single distinctive cultural and linguistic group and are mostly farmers who grow upland rice, root, and tree crops.
Badjaos
Often referred to as the Philippine “sea gypsies ”, the Badjaos, until recently, spent their lives on their small boats which frequent the waters around the numerous islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Today, about two-thirds of the TawiTawi Badjaos still use boats as permanent living quarters. Some of their villages are in fact flotillas.
The Badjaos are of two groups: the southern Badjaos of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, who call themselves a single “ bangsa” or ethnic group; and the northern Badjaos (the Basilan and Zamboanga groups). Though water people, they go on land and are buried on land. They make frequent trips to their cemeteries to seek favors from spirits of their deceased ancestors and relatives.
Samas
The Samas are a grouping of tribes that generally inhabit the shorelines of northern and southern Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula and nearby islands. They are peace-loving people whose means of livelihood is fishing. Their staple food is the cassava or puto as it is locally called. They also eat fruits and vegetables, showing a partiality to mangoes.
Their principal musical instrument is the gabbang or nose flute. Seven Sama groups inhabit Zamboanga City: the Sama Banguingui, Sama Laminusa, Sama Ubian, Sama Siasi, Sama Daungung, Sama Kaunlunga, and Sama Bitali.
Tausugs
The Tausugs, considered the most politically dominant group in the Sulu Archipelago, inhabit the island of Jolo and are dispersed into several communities in the smaller islands of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Southern Palawan. They have a rich culture, an amalgam of different cultures and foreign influence that dates back to as early as the 13th century,
when Sulu was trading with China, India, the East Indies, Arabia, and Japan. They formed the Sultanate of Sulu in the 15th century. Jolo, which has been the seat of power, is predominantly Tausug. Fishing is one occupation many Tausugs are engaged in. They also plant upland rice inter-cropped with cassava, coconut, abaca, and coffee.
Yakans
Yakan enclaves are however, also found in Isabela City and nearby Zamboanga City. They are peace-loving people, originally pagans until the spread of Islam in the island. Yakan men and women are distinguished by skin-tight trousers and bulky waist sashes which serve as protection from bladed weapons or as hummocks in the hills at night.
These days, Yakans are engaged in both dry and wet agriculture. They grow upland rice, corn, coconut, and root crops. Hunting continues but is mainly for amusement. They boast of their intricately designed hand-woven cloth which no other tribe in the country can imitate.
The loom that they use, being the type normally used in Indonesia, has one end fastened to the wall and the other, ending in a cord, is worn around the waist of the weaver.
Religion
According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in the city is Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority of Christians are Roman Catholics with minorities of Protestants, Iglesia Ni Cristo and Jesus Miracle Crusade. The remaining 27% percent belongs to other non-Christian faiths such as Islam and Buddhism.
Catholics - The city contains the first Catholic diocese in Mindanao, today's Archdiocese of Zamboanga which was created in 1910 and elevated to an archbishopric in 1958. Protestants - With the inception of the American era, Other religions were introduced. Seventh Day Adventists, Church of Latter day Saints, Iglesia Ni Cristo and United Church of Christ in the Philippines are included.
Muslims - The Muslims have been an integral part of Zamboanga City since the beginning. Before any other religions were practiced in Zamboanga City, the Muslim religion already had a firm hold of the area.
It is estimated that approximately 22% of the people in Zamboanga City are Muslims. Some barangays of Zamboanga City are populated by 100% Muslim. These barangays with Muslim majority population, do not celebrate "Fiestas". Instead, they celebrate Hari Raya.
Languages and Dialects
•Chavacano:
Spanish-based Creole language (derived from the Spanish word "chabacano", meaning "poor taste," "vulgar," "common," "of low quality ”) •Cebuano (Bisaya) •Zamboangueño •Magindanaon •Sama •Subanon (Tuboy-Salog; Kanluranin/Siocon; Lapuyan)
Cultural Festivals
Festival – celebrate founding of Zamboanga del Norte •Hudyaka
Festival – celebrate founding of Zamboanga Sibugay •Sibug-Sibug
Festival - thanksgiving festival of the Subanen •Buklog
Festival – held in Dapitan City and Zamboanga del Norte; colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish wars. •Kinabayo
•The
Hermosa Festival or the Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as Fiesta Pilar (held in Zamboanga City)
*Held in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of Zamboanga City which is held every October 12
Festival - highlights the cultural diversity of the three groups of people that populate Zamboanga del Sur *Unique cultural dances, traditional costumes •Megayon
Art: weaving, basketry, metalwork
Music: kulintang ensemble (gandingan, dabakan, etc.)
Agriculture and Fisheries
•Total
agricultural land area comprised almost half of the entire land area (45.2%). •Due to the increase in the no. of farms and area planted over 1991 estimates, the average farm size increased from 2.87 ha. (per farm) to 3.11 ha. in 2002. •Area harvested likewise increased by 5.8%.
DEL NORTE has the highest number of farms. The total farms for the province accounted for 41.2 % of the total farms in the region. •PALAY is the major temporary crop in the region. Total palay production increased by 2.62%. •COCONUT is the dominant permanent crop. •ZAMBOANGA
•All
provinces have the same top three crops namely, COCONUT, RUBBER & BANANA both in 2002 and 1991. •Zamboanga City showed a large increase in fishery production, which offset the declines in other provinces. •Region 9 makes up 10% of aquaculture nd production in the country. (2 among regions)
•SARDINES
CAPITAL of the
Philippines • i.e. With companies such as Mega Fishing Corporation based in the region •Supplies 70% of the Philippine domestic requirements for DRIED FISH
•Total
of 104 big dried fish processors in the region •Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte is renowned for pioneering the production of in-glass or bottled sardines in the country. •Region 9 ranks third in terms of seaweeds production contributing roughly 12% of the total national output.
Natural Tourist Attractions
The region is blessed with numerous tourist attractions. Besides many enchanting islands and islets, there are cultural and historical shrines as well as exotic scenic spots and pristine beaches. Among these are Santa Cruz Island, Vista del Mar, Zamboanga Golf and Country Club, and Dakak Beach Resort.
. Vintas (slim boats) with colorful sails and a number of beautiful mosques are just a few of its ethnic attractions. Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, a walled fortification built by the Spaniards and the Shrine of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine national hero, in Dapitan City, are a must-see for historical buffs.
Sta. Cruz Island Known for its pinkish sand beach which gets its unique hue from coral bits washed up from the sea bottom. The island is ideal for swimming, skin/scuba diving, beachcombing, and sunbathing.
Vista del Mar The beach itself is lacking in its content and visual appeal, but nevertheless remains popular with city residents and continues to attract throngs of people into its warm shallow waters.
Zamboanga Golf and Country Club The lack of sand bunker hazards is noticeable, as is the abundance of trees. The front nine of this course is relatively flatter and straighter than the back nine, which is more of a challenge. Enjoy the view of the Basilan Strait as you play in this 18-hole golfing paradise.
Dakak Beach Resort The closest place to paradise one could ever experience, with its beauty and serenity. Dakak started operating on 1988, was conveniently positioned in the southern part of the Philippines and surrounded by mountains in its west. Situated at Taguilon, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Dakak tactfully eludes the typhoon belt, making it anideal all-season destination for travelers
Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City Fort Pilar houses the National Museum. It has wide collections of cultural memorabilia and paintings which could be a good reference for the history of the people of Zamboanga.
Vintas The vinta (locally known as lepalepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros living in the Sulu Archipelago, Zamboanga peninsula, and southern Mindanao. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for interisland transport of people and goods.
Shrine of Dr. Jose P. Rizal Rizal House
Rizal’s Bedroom.
Sala of House
Dormitory and School
Kitchen
