REGION IX: TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
1. José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
Zamboanga Peninsula is a peninsula and an
administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region
IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely,
 Zamboanga del Norte
 Zamboanga del Sur, and
 Zamboanga Sibugay
- Pagadian City is the regional center.
HISTORY
Zamboanga City was founded in the late 12th or early
13th century as a settlement by the Subanen people.
Zamboanga peninsula was also the homelands of the ancestors
of the Yakan, the Balanguingui, and other closely related
Sama-Bajau peoples.
The area was inhabited by the Subanen people and was
the site of trade among the Chinese, Malays and different native
ethnic groups around the area.
The city used to be known as Samboangan in historical
records. Samboangan is a Sinama term for "mooring place"
(also spelled sambuangan; and in Subanen, sembwangan), from
the root word samboang ("mooring pole"). The name was later
Hispanicized and named as Zamboanga.
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE
Zamboanga del Norte is a province of the Philippines
located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga
del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis
Occidental to the east. The Sulu Sea lies to the northwest of
Zamboanga del Norte.
This destination is also called the Rizal Park and Shrine.
It is a protected landscape to preserve the memories of the late
Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero, during his life in
Dapitan. The place extends to 439 hectares and a popular
tourist spot for kids and families. Jose Rizal’s life in Dapitan is
one of the reasons why Zamboanga Del Norte is a historical
province.
2. Gloria’s Fantasyland
Aside from Rizal’s memorial landscape and Dakak Beach,
Dapitan also houses the Gloria’s Fantasyland which is regarded
as one of the biggest theme parks in the Philippines. This
amusement destination has various rides inside–swinger, kiddie
ride, train ride, tea-cup rides, happy journey, and many more.
This is such a perfect place for family bonding especially if you
want to treat your kids after a long day at Dakak.
3. St. James Church Dapitan
Dapitan City is indeed a tourist destination itself. You can
also visit St. James Church in this city as you plan your itinerary
to Dakak and Gloria’s Fantasyland. Historically speaking, this
church symbolizes Christianity in Dapitan. Its architecture
inspired by Spaniards is still evident.
4. Dipolog City Cathedral
In Dipolog, the capital city of Zamboanga Del Norte, you
will find the famous cathedral. If you want a sacred place
plotted on your travel trip, you should not miss out this
destination. This place is not only popular for its sacredness but
as well as its unique architecture.
5. Aliguay Island
Surrounded by the Sulu Sea, Aliguay Island is a 65-
hectare property of trees and white sand and is home to a
thriving small community. To get there, you either have to ride
a helicopter, take a motorized boat (outrigger), or take a speed
boat from Dakak Park and Beach Resort.
CULTURE
1. Kinabayo Festival
Kinabayo Festival which is celebrated every July 25 in
Dapitan City Zamboanga del Norte Philippines celebrate a
mysterious and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-
Moorish wars, mainly the Battle of Covadonga.
2. Sinulog sa Dipolog Festival
Dipolog City- The annual Sinulog Festival Celebration in
Dipolog City featuring this year’s theme “Senior Sto. Niño
Hiusaha Kami, Pit Señor.” (Señor Sto. Niño unite us, Pit Señor.)
made the heart of the Dipolognons beats hard and wild with
passion to the Lord Jesus as they celebrate his feast day.
3. El Toro Festival
The week-long celebration commemorating the 60th
Founding Anniversary of the municipality of Polanco was
formally opened on December 1 despite light rain.
4. Hudyaka Festival
Hudyaka which means revelry in Bisaya is an annual
festival that is attended by contingents from the whole
Zamboanga del Norte province. The festival celebrates the
founding of the province and the cities and municipalities of
Zamboanga del Norte usually send in contingents to compete.
GASTRONOMY
1. Moron - Smoother variety of suman.
2. Binaki - deliciopus dessert made of grated young corn with
milk, wrapped in corn husk and steam.
3. Budbud -rice cake snack wrapped in banana leaves
4. Dayok - mixture of different fermented fish intestines,
5. Tagaktak - net-like snack of ground sticky rice batter mixed
with coconut milk beaten with egg.
6. Bulad or Dried - all time favorite pasalubong
7. Ginamos and Oyap - very smelly but delicious side dish
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
1. D’Hotel and Suite’s - 1,394
2. Dakak Park and Beach Resort - 5,804
3. Gwandalan House - 1,627
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines
located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
capital is Pagadian City, which is also the regional center of
Region IX. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte to the
north, Zamboanga Sibugay to the west, Misamis Occidental to
the northeast, and Lanao del Norte to the east. To the south is
the Moro Gulf.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
1. Lapuyan Falls
The favorite haunt of the fair Subanen maidens of Sitio
Baga and all its neighboring areas, usual meeting place with
many a young country swain in some secluded cavern beneath
the rocky forest lane.
2. Lakewood
Some 15 km. from Brgy. Tubod is a beautiful mountain
lake, on the banks of which is located the town of Lakewood, a
quiet and lovely place where the air is heavy with the scent of
wild champakas and the fragrance of a thousand nameless
herons.
3. Lake Dasay
The second largest mountain lake in the province,
located in the town of San Miguel. Its luscious mouth is parted
like the smile of a country damsel yet silent fury lurks beneath
its innocent-looking waters.
4. Sominot Cave
Massive pillars and columns guard the entrance to
Sominot cave. Deep within, beautiful stalactites and stalagmites
adorn wide spaces. The subterranean stream makes a long
journey towards the coast and empties into the Tukuran River.
LOCAL CULTURE
1. Pasalamat Festival
Pasalamat Festival is highlighted with a fluvial parade
(regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty
pageant, carnival shows as well as a civic military parade.
2. Megayon Festival
The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that
coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in
September. It honors the tri-people settlers of the province: the
Subanens, Bangsamoro Muslims, and Christians.
3. Araw ng Pagadian
Pagadianons celebrate the Araw ng Pagadian every June
21 in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city. It is a
week-long celebration highlighted by a sports fest, banner
raising ceremony, trade fairs, Miss Pagadian beauty contest,
and other activities. An anniversary program at the city hall
concludes the celebration every 21st of June.
GASTRONOMY
1. Putli Mandi
The Putli Mandi is made of malagkit flour with sweet
coconut strips like bukayo inside and rolled in fresh coconut.
2. Daral
The Daral is looked like the Lumpia or crepe!
What is wrapped within the wrapper is also sweet coconut
mixture or bukayo.
3. King’s Balbakwa
Balbakwa or balbacua is a famous Visayan/Mindanao dish
made from beef knuckles, or knees or tail and skin. In many
areas, it can vary with the type of main ingredients: skin and/or
knuckles. The thickness of the soup can also change, which
includes color.
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
1. Four Queens Resort - 1,104
2. Mifamco Hotel - 940
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
Zamboanga Sibugay is a province in the Philippines
located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the
north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to
the southwest.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
1. BULUAN ISLAND
Buluan Island features white sand beach and clear blue
waters. The uncombed sand may not be super powdery fine but
Buluan Island can offer seclusion and tranquility. The island is
privately owned but no entrance fees are collected from visitors.
The island is still uncommercialized. Since there are no resorts
nor restaurants on the island, visitors should purchase food and
drinks from the town. There are bamboo cottages and tables
available to visitors at no cost.
2. MOALBOAL CAVE
That features a human face hewn in stone by time, is
another attraction that awaits you. All these picturesque glories
and many more, unite to make known to the world, the glory
and grandeur of Zamboanga Sibugay.
3. TAGBILAT FALLS
A short 30-minute trek will take you to the waterfalls that
has a wide façade with a small cave-like space in the middle. I
climbed to the center of the waterfalls and I was spell bound by
the water cascading like a curtain of diamonds. Swimming is
also great in its basin that can reach up to five feet deep. A
climb on the right side of the falls would take you to a smaller
second tier with a smaller but deeper basin.
LOCAL CULTURE
1. Sibug Sibug Festival
The two-week festivity features colorful street dancing
with ethnic themes, including the ritual that shows of good
harvest, wedding ceremony, and healing rituals. It is one of the
much-awaited events in the festival is the Sibug-Sibug street
dancing competition.
2. Bangus Festival
Bangus Festival – every December Bangus Festival is
celebrated at Barangay Monching, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay as
thanksgiving festuring the abundance of Bangus or Milk Fish as
prime product in the locality and it is highlighted with Culinary
Contest.
3. Kasikas Festival
Kasikas Festival – an annual event honouring Sr. San
Jose Mamumuo falls every May 1, the patron of Ipil. The
celebration or town fiesta is highlighted with religious
processions, choral competition and others. They also have
parade or street dancing competition featuring the Lechon or
Roasted Pig. Ipil Municipal, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay is the site
of the said festival.
GASTRONOMY
1. Oko-oko
Oko-oko is a dish that is sure to catch your eye. This
delicacy is cooked sea urchin stuffed with rice that has been
sauteed and flavored. It is said that oko-oko is incredibly
tedious to make, having to carefully clean and remove the
spines of the urchin before stuffing it with rice.
2. Chupa Culo
Chupa Culo is a must-try if you’re adventurous with food.
Its name comes from the Spanish terms chupa = to suck, and
culo = behind. This dish is made of black snails cooked in
coconut milk and pako (fiddlehead fern). The meat is kept
inside the shell to soak up all the flavor of the sauce. The best
(and only) way to eat this is to suck the meat out of the shell,
hence the name.
3. Curacha
Curacha is definitely on the top of the list of must-try
eats in Zamboanga. The Chavacano name is derived from the
phrase “cockroach of the sea”.
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
1.Marcian Garden Hotel - 3,500
2.Casa Canelar Pension - 1,033
3.City Inn Hotel - 1,040