Zamboanga Peninsula: Fortifying diversity's charm

Details

Category: Destination

Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 10:57

Zamboanga del Norte • Zamboanga del Sur • Zamboanga Sibugay

About the region

The peninsula protruding west of mainland Mindanao is Region 9 or the Zamboanga Peninsula. The region consists of three provinces, namely Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. With a population of over three million, the region is blessed with agricultural, fishery and mineral resources which also serve as the main industries of the region.  

How to get there and go around

By Land. Road infrastructure are in place connecting the whole region to the rest of Mindanao. Zamboanga Peninsula is accessible by bus; bus firms in the region are Rural Transit, Ceres Liner, Vallacar Transit, Super 5 Transport and Lilian Express. Vans and other large-sized vehicles also shuttle visitors to and from the region.

By Air. Zamboanga City, being the commercial center of the region, has all the three main domestic airlines (Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines) catering to it from Manila twice daily, while daily flights from Cebu and Davao are also available. Pagadian and Dapitan have direct and connecting flights from Manila and Cebu.

By Sea. Dapitan, Pagadian and Zamboanga ports serve as entry points to the region for sea travelers coming from Cebu, Iloilo, Manila and Davao.

Jeepneys are still the popular mode of transportation in all the major commercial areas of the region. Tricycles can also take the traveler around town. Since the cities in the region are relatively small, a traveler would enjoy the city-view on foot.

Where to stay

Accommodations scattered all over the region serve their varying clientele’s needs.  In Dapitan, there is the Dakak Park and Beach Resort and Top Plaza Hotel. In Dipolog, Elizabeth Hotel and CL Inn can give travelers the much needed rest they need. In Pagadian, Hotel Guillermo and Pagadian Bay Plaza Hotel. Garden Orchid Hotel, Marcian Garden Hotel and Zamboanga Astoria Hotel are Zamboanga City’s popular hotels.

What to eat

Since the entire region is surrounded by water, one can be assured to taste seafood anytime of the year. A popular seafood delicacy is the Curacha, a crustacean which locals describe as a crossbreed between a crab and  a lobster. Any seafood eaten in the region is guaranteed to be fresh and palatable, even to the most discriminating of taste.

What to buy

The region offers its visitors  products mirroring the diverse cultures thriving in the region. Batik-dyed wrap-arounds (locally known as malong) is a must-have; it makes an ideal present as well. Pearl jewelry and other trinkets that demonstrate topnotch craftsmanship can also serve as keepsakes from this region.

 

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