THC 121 PHILIPPINE TOURISM,

CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY

Prepared by: Hazel C. Bernabe
HM INSTRUCTOR
 REGION ix–
Zamboanga Peninsula
 Zamboanga Peninsula
 The Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula, as it is known now, was formerly Western
Mindanao is in the southernmost portion of the country.
 The ZAMBOANGA Peninsula was known as Sibugay or Sibuguey during the coming of
the Spanish conquistadors. And later on was changed into Zamboanga from the capital
town of the province which derived its name from the Malay word “Sambangan”
meaning: a place where wild flowers grow.
 The original inhabitants of the Zamboanga peninsula were the Subanons. The next group
of settlers to arrive were Muslim migrants from the neighboring provinces. The
Maguindanaoans and Kalibugans were farmers; the Tausugs, Samals, and Badjaos were
fishermen; and the Maranaos were traders and artisans. Mat weaving was the major
occupation of the Muslim settlers.
 The most commonly spoken language is Cebuano. Also spoken, although in small
percentage, are Zamboangueño, Tagalog, English, Hiligaynon, Maguindanao, Iranun,
Subanun, and Ilocano.
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. Zamboanga del
Norte is the largest province of Zamboanga Peninsula in terms of land area.
 Zamboanga del Norte's main crops are coconut, corn, palay, banan, cassava,
and vegetables. Its known mineral deposits are gold, chromite, manganese,
asbestos and silica. Fishing and farming are the primary economic activities.
Leading industries include coconut production as well as rice, corn and
banana production. The region is the third highest in fish production in the
country.
 Zamboanga del Sur
 A province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region
in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital. Zamboanga del Sur is
subdivided into 26 municipalities and 1 component city. These divisions
are further subdivided into 681 barangays.
 • Raising of chicken is the primary poultry raising activity. (Zamboanga
del Sur contributed most.)
 • Other agricultural activities:
  Ornamental & flower gardening (excluding orchid) are more common.
  High percentage increases in mushroom culture &
sericulture/silk/cocoon activity
 Zamboanga Sibugay
 A province of 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.
 Zamboanga Sibugay was formerly part of Zamboanga del Sur. Attempts to divide Zamboanga
del Sur into separate provinces date as far back as the 1960s. Several bills were filed in the
Philippine Congress, but remained unacted. The new province was finally created by Republic
Act No. 8973 passed on November 7, 2000 and signed into law by President Gloria
MacapagalArroyo on February 24, 2001. Zamboanga del Sur Third District Representative
George Hofer was elected as its first governor in 2001.
 The leading industries are in the areas of semi-processed rubber, rice and corn milling, ordinary
food processing, wood and rattan furniture making, dried fish & squid processing, and home-
made food processing. New industries include concrete products, garments, wax and candle
factories, lime making, and other home and cottage industries. Major crops produced include
rice, corn, coconuts, rubber, fruit trees, vegetables, tobacco, coffee, cacao, and root crops.
Livestock and poultry productions are predominantly small-scale and backyard operations. Coal
mining in large and small scale and precious metal mining in small scale category are likewise
present in some areas of the province.
 Zamboanga City
 In 2006, Zamboanga City was re-labeled 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.
 Historically, the City of Zamboanga has always been sentimentally referred
to as "The City of Flowers." It's ancient founders, the Subanons, named it
"Jambangan" in their native language, meaning "a place of flowers."
According to legend, the place was resplendent with flowers and full of their
ever-changing blooming colors.
Basilan
 Capital: Isabela City
 4th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan,
Philippines. It is also colloquially known as "Isabela de Basilan"
to differentiate the city's name from the province of Isabela in
Luzon island. While administratively the island province of
Basilan is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM), Isabela City itself is in not part of this region and is
placed under the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
 Tourist destinations in REGION VIii
 Dakak Beach, Zamboanga del Norte
Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur
 Tagbilat Falls, Zamboanga Sibugay
Abong Abong, Zamboanga City
Malamawi Island, Isabela City
 Provinces capitals and titles

 ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR: The City of Flowers

 Pagadian City - The Little Hong Kong of the South
 ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE: Twin City Province
 Dipolog City - Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines
 ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY: Little Disneyland
 Ipil – Heart of Zamboanga Peninsula
 ZAMBOANGA CITY: Asia’s Latin City
 BASILAN: Treasure Islands of the Southern Seas
 Isabela City - The Economic Center of Basilan