REGION IX: ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA TRADITION: Hermosa Festival, Regatta de Zamboanga,
(Western Mindanao) Sibug-Sibug Festival
PROVINCES:
1. Zamboanga del Norte
-a.k.a Zanorte
-capital cities are Dapitan and Dipolog
2. Zamboanga Sibugay
-“Emerging Pearl of the Southern Seas”
-formerly part of Zamboanga del Sur
3. Zamboanga del Sur
CITIES:
1. Zamboanga- Ciudad de Flores/City of Flowers; Asia’s
Latin City
2. Dipolog- previously known as Tulwanan/Settlement
by the River; gateway to Zamboanga del Norte
3. Dapitan
4. Pagadian- regional center, capital of Zamboanga del
Sur
5. Isabela- first referred as Pasangan/Market or Pueblo;
colloquially known as Isabela de Basilan; named after
Queen Isabel II of Spain
POPULATION: 3,629,783 as of August 1, 2015
PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:
1. Subanen- people of the river
2. Badjaos- people of the seas/sea gypsies
3. Sama, Yakan, Chavacano, Cebuano, Zamboangueno,
Tausugs, Maranao
RESOURCES: Copra, Rubber, Cassava Corn, Rice, Marine
Products, Fruit Crop Production
LANGUAGE/DIALECTS: Chavacano, Cebuano,
Zamboangueno, Magindanaon, Sama, Subanen
HISTORY:
-was formerly “Western Mindanao”
-was home to various ethnic groups (largest were the
subanen)
-southern coastal areas were later on under the
influence of the Javanese Majahapit Empire (Hindu) but
was never conquered
-where the war between Spanish conquerors and
Muslim natives took place
-site of Spanish settlement and garrison
-site of constant battling between Spanish sodliers and
Moro pirate raids
-In 1942, the Zamboanga Peninsula and rest of the PH
Islands were occupied by the Empire of Japan at the
beginning of WWII. The Peninsula was liberated in 1945
by joint American and PH Commonwealth forces
fighting against the Imperial Japanese Army.
-In 1952, the province was partitioned into Zamboanga
del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, while the chartered
city of Zamboanga became an independent,
extraprovincial unit.
-1975-1989, it was further divided into two sub-regions.
Sub-Region IX-A consisted of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-
Tawi with Jolo, Sulu, as the sub-regional center, while
Sub-Region IX-B consisted of the provinces of
Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur and
Zamboanga Sibugay, with the chartered city of
Zamboanga City as the sub-regional centre.
-In 2001, Zamboanga Sibugay, was created from the
province of Zamboanga del Sur with Ipil as the seat of
government
In the same year, the residents of Basilan opted to join
ARMM in a plebiscite. However, the citizens of the
capital, Isabela, did not want to join so the city
remained a part of this region.
 REGION X: NORTHERN MINDANAO LANGUAGE/DIALECTS:

PROVINCES: Major Languages- Bisaya, Boholano, Cebuano

1. Bukidnon- 4th largest province in PH; major producer
of corn and rice; abundant in Banana, Sugarcane,
Pineapple Plantations where Del Monte and DOLE PH
operate
nd
2. Camiguin- “Paradise Island”; 2 smallest island in PH;
“Island Born of Fire” because much of it was formed
through volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
Native Languages- Higaonon in MisOr, Marinao in LDN,
Subanen in MisOcc, Binukid in Bukidnon, Kinamiging in
Camiguin
TRADITION: Higalaay Festival in CDO, Kaamulan Festival
in Bukidnon, Lanzones Festival in Camiguin
HISTORY:

3. Lanao del Norte- has developed agricultural land, rich
coastline, private fishing grounds; numerous waterfalls
in ILG
4. Misamis Occidental- abundant in aquamarine
resources; has one of the country’s shrimp spawning
grounds; close to becoming aquamarine centre of PH
5. Misamis Oriental- qualifies as a centre of industry,
trade, and commerce in the region; 37 major industrial
and manufacturing firms
-name was derived from its position on Mindanao
island. The term was officially coined by the Americans
after the establishment of American colonial rule in the
PH due to the defeat of Filipino revolutionaries.
-there have been proposals to rename region. (1)
“Amihanan”- northern area in Cebuano language, (2)
“Calaminon”- combined names of the provinces

CITIES:

Iligan and Cagayan de Oro- highly urbanized cities

administered independently from any provice; CDO is
the regional center

Seven Component Cities- Malaybalay, Valencia,

Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangub, El Salvador, Gingoog

POPULATION: 4.69 Million

PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Higaonons, Christians,

Muslims

RESOURCES: rich in aquamarine and agricultural

products like Banana, Sugarcane, Pineapple, Lanzones,
Shrimps, Shellfish, Prawn, Crabs
 REGION XI: DAVAO REGION HISTORY:
(Southern Mindanao)
-In 1967, the Province of Davao was divided into three
PROVINCES: provinces: Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao
del Sur. The city of Davao became part of Davao del Sur;
1. Davao del Norte- PH’s top Banana producer; “Banana no longer the provincial capital, it became a commercial
Capital of the PH” center of southern Mindanao. During the 1970s, Davao
became the regional capital of southern Mindanao; with
2. Davao del Sur- known as the coconut country; the reorganization, it became the regional capital of the
coconut is their major crop Davao Region (Region XI) and highly urbanized city in
the province of Davao del Sur.
3. Davao Occidental- main industries are agriculture
and aquaculture

4. Davao Oriental- top producer of coconut and copra

in PH; “Coconut Capital of the PH”

5. Compostella Valley- one of the largest gold deposits;

Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo is the largest gold mine in the
province; home of the biggest gold ring, “The Solidarity
Ring” in Nabunturan

CITIES: Digos, Davao, Panabo, Mati, Samal, Tagum

POPULATION: 1.633 Million as of 2015

PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Bagobos, Guiangans,

Mandayas, Mansakas, Manobos

RESOURCES: Mangoes, Pomelos, Bananas, Coco

Products, Durian

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS: Cebuano, Chavacano,

Hiligaynon, Giangan, Kalagan, Tagabawa, Matigsalug,
Ata Manobo, and Obo

TRADITION: Araw ng Davao, Kadayawan Festival,

Dorongan Festival, Banana Festival
 REGION XII: SOCCSKSARGEN HISTORY:
(Central Mindanao)
-name is combination of it 4 provinces and 1 city
PROVINCES:
-SOCCSKSARGEN and Maguindanao province were once
1. South Cotabato- was sparsely inhabited by Malay part of the original Cotabato province
pioneers; melting pot of people coming from different
regions and tribes - The region used to be named Central Mindanao.

2. Cotabato- from Maguindanaoan word kuta
wato/Malay word Kota Batu meaning “Stone Fort”; a
landlocked province; major food basket in Mindanao
3. Sultan Kudarat- home to Muslim Maguindanaos or
“People of the Foot Plains”; home for Muslim Iranons,
the animistic
4. Sarangani- coastal zone; major gateway to Brunei-
Indonesia-Malaysia
CITIES:
1. General Santos City- “General Paulino Santos”, Head
of the National Land Settlement Administration of the
Commonwealth Gov’t under Pres. Manuel L. Quezon
-Prior to the creation of ARMM it comprised the
following provinces:
 Maguindanao
 North Cotabato
 Sultan Kudarat
 Lanao del Norte
 Lanao del Sur
With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur and
Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City) were removed
from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte, Cotabato and
Sultan Kudarat, and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as
constituent provinces and cities. Lanao del Norte and
Iligan were later transferred to Northern Mindanao,
while Marawi became part of the ARMM.

2. Kidapawan, Cotabato, Koronadal, Tacurong

POPULATION: 4,545,276 as of 2015

PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Maguindanao, B’laan

Tribe, T’boli Tribe, Manobo, Iranun, Tiruray, Ubo Tribe,
Kalagan Tribe, Tagakaolo Tribe, Christians, Muslims

RESOURCES: Cereals, Tropical Fruits, Vegetables,

Sugarcane, Coconut, Coffee, Freshwater Fish, Livestock

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS: Hiligaynon, Cebuano, T’boli,

Ilocano, Maguindanaoan, Karay-a, Tagalog, B’laan,
Sarangani

TRADITION: Tuna Festival, Kalilangan Fest, Kalivungan

Fest, Talakudong Fest, Pasundayag Fest, Bansadayaw
Fest, Kalimudan Fest, Munato Fest, Sangils,
 REGION XIII: CARAGA REGION
(Northeastern Mindanao)
PROVINCES:
1. The Dinagat Island- one of the holiest sites in PH;
mineral reserve; site of historic Battle of Surigao Strait
during WWII; old settlers were Lumad
HISTORY:
-“Surigao” comes from, (1) Sulig- sprout or spring up, (2)
Suligao- spring water, (3) Surgir- swift water, (4)
Surigaonon: SUROGAO/SUYOGAO- water current, (5)
Cebuano: SUYOG=SUROG=SULOG- current
-“Agusan” means “where the water flows”

2. Surigao del Norte- important transportation hub
between Visayas and Mindanao
3. Surigao del Sur- where Enchanted River is located
4. Agusan del Norte- “Habagatang Agusan”; landlocked
-history can be traced back to the 15 th century when
explorers discovered the existence of “Kalagans”,
belived to be a Visayan origin.
-“Kalagans”, Kalag means people or soul, ans means
land

5. Agusan del Sur -Kalagans have a long history of being brave and
fearless. That’s why the region was called the “Land of
CITIES:
the Brave and Fierce People”
1. Butuan City
-Caraga Region was created though RA No. 7901 on
POPULATION: 2,933,772 as of 2015 February 23, 1995

PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Surigaonon, Cebuano,

Boholano, Waray, Hiligaynon, Kamayo, Mamanwa,
Manobo, Aeta, Higaonon (Weavers of Peace)

RESOURCES: Labor, Agriculture, Poultry, Livestock, Fish

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS: Sinurigaonon, Cebuano,

Tandaganon, Kamayo

TRADITION: Banwag Festival, Bugkosan Fest, Bonok,

Sirong Fest, Naliyagan Fest
BARMM: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao
PROVINCES:
1. Lanao del Sur- Lanao means lake, derived from the
word ranao; mainland of BARMM
2. Basilan- lowest poverty incidence
3. Maguindanao
4. Sulu- capital is Jolo
5. Tawi-Tawi- from Jaui-jaui meaning “far-away”; one of
the global centers of marine diversity; largest seaweed
producing province, 80% of their livelihood;
CITIES:
POPULATION: 3.78 Million as of 2015
HISTORY:
-recently coined term Bangsamoro, derived from the
old Malay word "bangsa", meaning "race" or "nation"
with the "Moro" as "people", is now used to describe
both the Filipino Muslims and their homeland. The term
Bangsamoro carries the aspiration of the Filipino
Muslims to have an Islamic (Moro) country or state
(bangsa)
-Replacing ARMM, the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region was formed after voters decided to ratify
the Bangsamoro Organic Law in a January 21, 2019
plebiscite. The ratification was announced on January
25 by the Commission on Elections. This marks the
beginning of the transition of the ARMM to the
BARMM. Another plebiscite was held in nearby regions
that sought to join the area on February 6. This
plebiscite saw 63 of 67 barangays in North Cotabato join
Bangsamoro.

PEOPLE/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Meranao, Christian,

Iranun

RESOURCES: Coconut, Cassava, Tobacco, Agriculture,

Fishing, Agar-Agar (seaweed), Copra, Root Crops, Fruits
and Vegetables, Turtles (Turtle Island), Reptile Skins,
Capiz Shells, Mother-of-Pearl, Boatbuilding, Citrus
Fruits, Coffee, Cacao, Sugarcane, Kapok

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS: Maranao, Cebuano, Filipino,

Iranun

TRADITION: Kalilang sa Ranao, Ramadhan, Eid’l Fitr,

Eid’l Adha, Lami-Lamihan Festival, Budbud Festival,
Seaweed Festival