It is October 2, 2011 and we can now feel the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival air.
My flight from Cebu arrived at 5:30 a.m. because we now rode the jet instead of the small plane. Maybe, this is in preparation for the Fiesta.
As soon as I arrived in the Zamboanga International Airport, we were welcomed by festive buntings inside the airport and a Tourism 9 area.
We were greeted by beautiful dancers dancing lively Phil-Hispanic dances such as Chavacano de Zamboanga as they welcomed us to Zamboanga City.
This is the facade of the Zamboanga International Airport.
We leisurely drove around Zamboanga City at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning and this is how it looks.
These are places from the Zamboanga International Airport to the R.T. Lim Boulevard.
We passed by the R.T. Lim Boulevard and we see many people exercising, strolling, sitting and even swimming.
We already see some vintas as early as now. The Regatta de Zamboanga is more than a week away.
The Regatta de Zamboanga is scheduled on October 9, 2011 at 8 a.m.
The Regatta de Zamboanga is scheduled on October 9, 2011 at 8 a.m.
Then, we continued to ride to the Zamboanga City Public Market passing by the entrance of the Zamboanga City Port.
This is Magay on the way to the Market.
http://www.zamboanga.com/barangay/zone1.htm
Barangay Zone I is located within the city proper of Zamboanga City and is historically known as Magay since the 18th century.
The boundaries of the old Magay is basically west of the central business district, from Mayor Climaco Ave. corner Ledesma Rd. to the southern side of Bangayan Building. Along this side was the old Sucabon creek and was the natural boundary that separates the district of Magay from Pueblo Nuevo and Pueblo Viejo.
An 18th century map indicates that the whole stretch of Cawa-Cawa beach, from the mouth of Sucabon creek (south of Bangayan Building) up to the present Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Center, is part of Magay.
The old Magay, before Martial Law in the early 70’s, was famous for its various amenities. Cawa-Cawa Boulevard with its gray-colored sand was the favorite place to go for beach lovers and is noted for its beautiful sunset. Buleigh School, now Zamboanga East and West Central School, which the Americans built, was the center for elementary education. Because the area was big enough, it is often the site for industrial fairs, garden day festivities and carnivals. From Magay St. up to Varela St was the center of trade and commerce. Most of the merchants were Chinese who exchange goods and services with the local natives. Carmen St., now Varela St. was called Tiangge Moro until the old Public Market was created. Wilson Ice Plant, the only ice factory in Zamboanga was also famous because it also provided warnings and signals through its loud siren.
http://www.zamboanga.com/barangay/zone1.htm
Barangay Zone I is located within the city proper of Zamboanga City and is historically known as Magay since the 18th century.
The boundaries of the old Magay is basically west of the central business district, from Mayor Climaco Ave. corner Ledesma Rd. to the southern side of Bangayan Building. Along this side was the old Sucabon creek and was the natural boundary that separates the district of Magay from Pueblo Nuevo and Pueblo Viejo.
An 18th century map indicates that the whole stretch of Cawa-Cawa beach, from the mouth of Sucabon creek (south of Bangayan Building) up to the present Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Center, is part of Magay.
The old Magay, before Martial Law in the early 70’s, was famous for its various amenities. Cawa-Cawa Boulevard with its gray-colored sand was the favorite place to go for beach lovers and is noted for its beautiful sunset. Buleigh School, now Zamboanga East and West Central School, which the Americans built, was the center for elementary education. Because the area was big enough, it is often the site for industrial fairs, garden day festivities and carnivals. From Magay St. up to Varela St was the center of trade and commerce. Most of the merchants were Chinese who exchange goods and services with the local natives. Carmen St., now Varela St. was called Tiangge Moro until the old Public Market was created. Wilson Ice Plant, the only ice factory in Zamboanga was also famous because it also provided warnings and signals through its loud siren.
This is Magay Creek.
My family used to live here and when they were young, they remembered the Magay Creek to be so clean.
This is where they used to sit by and relax and leisurely talk with family and friends.
Here is the Zamboanga City Public Market on a Sunday morning.
Then, we continue to the Sunken Garden at J.S. Alano Street where the Zamboanga City Tourism office is located.
Here is the Zamboanga City Hall.
Then, we moved on to N. Valderoza Street passing the Lantaka Hotel by the Sea, the historical 50-year old hotel in Zamboanga City.
There were very many Ateneo College students passing this way and heading to the Paseo Del Mar. We didn't ask what their activity was.
We went on the Paseo Del Mar early on a Sunday morning and we saw people already exercising individually and we also saw a large group performing Tai chi.
These are the structures in Paseo Del Mar.
These stalls are usually closed early in the morning since the height of the activities in Paseo Del Mar is in the evenings.
For the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, there are many activities which will be held in the Paseo Del Mar.
These stalls are usually closed early in the morning since the height of the activities in Paseo Del Mar is in the evenings.
For the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, there are many activities which will be held in the Paseo Del Mar.
As we leave Paseo Del Mar, we see the Fort Pilar and this is the road leading to the detour to Rio Hondo.
These are the walls of Fort Pilar.
This is the Plaza Del Pilar. This is Zamboanga's "Pasalubong Center", although, the place is not yet completely occupied.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/281893/zambo-unveils-plaza-del-pilar
October 12, 2010
Plaza del Pilar is the first all-in-one “pasalubong center” in the city and has 56 stalls catering to all types of good, candles, devotional items, and souvenir items that are truly Zamboangueño.
“The strength of the city is its rich and colorful history and culture,” the DoT secretary said, adding that the architectural design of the plaza and the other adjacent landmarks – Fort Pilar Shrine, Paseo del Mar and the National Museum – harmonizes each other.
Also at the Plaza Del Pilar, there are City Activities that are held here such as jobfest last October 2010 and earlier this year, the foodfest called Festival de Comidas y Alegria.
For this Zamboanga Hermosa 2011, there will be bands who will perform at the Plaza Del Pilar.
Zambo's ‘Tres Dias de Musica’ na Plaza del Pilar set Oct. 7-9
October 3, 2011 9:56 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 3 — Six of the hottest bands in the country today will rock the City in a three-night back-to-back free concert at Plaza del Pilar from October 7 to 9.
Dubbed “Tres Dias de Musica y Alegria na Plaza del Pilar”, the first-ever concert series will feature mouthwatering tandems of professional band performers whose hits are topping the mainstream of music charts.
Siakol and Maldita will initiate the thrill on October 7 at 8:30 PM. They will be followed by Side A Band and Delara on October 8 at the same time and venue.
On October 9, Rivermaya and True Faith will conclude the concert series that form part of the 2011 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and also in celebration of the 1st Anniversary of Iggy’s Ducks and Dogs Place.
Then we passed by the on-going construction of the massive Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
These are other buildings and sights seen in the N.S.Valderoza to Rizal Street.
The folks are now preparing for the Agri-Trade Fair displaying Zamboanga's harvests called the Cosechas de Zamboanga starting at October 1-15, 2011 at the Veteran's Park in Rizal Street.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are available here.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are available here.
.Then, we view the Zamboanga City Hall and Plaza Rizal once again from the Plaza Pershing side and see some further improvements in the walkways.
I now see the Plaza Pershing. The construction didn't finish in time for the Fiesta. Maybe, it will be done by Christmas.
Beside Plaza Pershing is the Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ).
As we turned, we see the Zamboanga City Hall and the Old Compaña Maritima Building from the UZ view.
.We detoured to the Shopping Centers in the Pueblo (Downtown Zamboanga) but of course, these were closed at this time.
Then we passed by the newer and larger malls, Southway Mall and The Gateway, and rode straight to Pilar Street.
Here at Pilar Street, people flock early in the morning to buy satti.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/food/food/view/20091119-237076/Satti-curacha-imbao-salmuera-butong-pie-Zamboangas-specialties
‘Satti, curacha, imbao, salmuera, butong pie’-Zamboanga’s specialties
By Micky Fenix
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Date
First Posted 21:45:00 11/19/2009
We sought out satti because it was one of the new things I learned on my first visit. I remembered going to Morning Glory for the small barbecued chicken and beef immersed in red sauce eaten with puso, or rice wrapped in coconut leaves. This time, we went to Jimmy?s, suggested by a reader who read my piece on pamapa itum, the spice mix of Tausugs. Satti is breakfast food also and the place was packed. Jimmy?s now sells satti sauce ingredients to make at home or consisting of a pamapa itum pack, grated coconut with red coloring and camote starch as thickener.
We pass by Zamboanga Children's Hospital, now the Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center.
This is a specialized hospital inaugurated in July 15, 1999 and dedicated to children's health and this hospital was formed by a group of Zamboanga Pediatricians.
It expanded as a Maternity and Pediatric Hospital and now is the Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center which will open a new hospital in Putik to provide general health services.
from Southern City Colleges Multiply Site
The Southern City Colleges traces its beginnings to 1946 in response to the clamor for educational institutions to help rebuild the city from the ravages of World War II.
The school started out as a vocational institution offering technical courses in typewriting, stenography and bookkeeping. It produced graduates who filled the need for skilled workers in the growing business and service sectors in the city.
Today, after nearly seven decades from a start as a vocational school situated in an unpretentious nook of "shanties", the Southern City Colleges, a private, non-sectarian educational institution, has a five-storey building, with all its amenities. It magnificently towers above its surrounding neighborhood, which is bounded by three streets; Pilar Street, Cervantes Street, and Veterans Avenue - away from all unnecessary noises typical of the city's traffic.
This is the corner of Southern City Colleges, where Myrna's Bakeshop is located.
‘Satti, curacha, imbao, salmuera, butong pie’-Zamboanga’s specialties
By Micky Fenix
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Date
First Posted 21:45:00 11/19/2009
There are homegrown eateries that have been there for what seems like ages. Myrna?s Bake Shop, for instance, has been providing sweets for 25 years now. Myrna Inocencio, with her daughter Ivy, makes not only the usual cakes and pastries but innovates as well. One of the bestsellers is the maja blanca in four flavors?ube, lychee, mais and durian. Myrna is one of the first winners of the Maya Cookfest.
We are now back to Veterans Avenue and we pass by ZCMC and here is the Budgetwise Supermarket, which is one of the accessible home, furniture and appliance store and supermarket in Zamboanga City.
From Facebook
A supermarket, home appliances and furniture store in Zamboanga City. BUDGETWISE - Pasok sa budget!!!
With these images during a normal Sunday morning, we can well say that Zamboanga City is a beautiful city with so much to offer.
