REGION IX: TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA This destination is also called the Rizal Park and Shrine.
It is a protected landscape to preserve the memories of the late
Zamboanga Peninsula is a peninsula and an Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero, during his life in
administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region Dapitan. The place extends to 439 hectares and a popular
IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, tourist spot for kids and families. Jose Rizal’s life in Dapitan is
 Zamboanga del Norte one of the reasons why Zamboanga Del Norte is a historical
 Zamboanga del Sur, and province.
 Zamboanga Sibugay
- Pagadian City is the regional center. 2. Gloria’s Fantasyland
Aside from Rizal’s memorial landscape and Dakak Beach,
HISTORY Dapitan also houses the Gloria’s Fantasyland which is regarded
Zamboanga City was founded in the late 12th or early as one of the biggest theme parks in the Philippines. This
13th century as a settlement by the Subanen people. amusement destination has various rides inside–swinger, kiddie
Zamboanga peninsula was also the homelands of the ancestors ride, train ride, tea-cup rides, happy journey, and many more.
of the Yakan, the Balanguingui, and other closely related This is such a perfect place for family bonding especially if you
Sama-Bajau peoples. want to treat your kids after a long day at Dakak.
The area was inhabited by the Subanen people and was
the site of trade among the Chinese, Malays and different native 3. St. James Church Dapitan
ethnic groups around the area. Dapitan City is indeed a tourist destination itself. You can
The city used to be known as Samboangan in historical also visit St. James Church in this city as you plan your itinerary
records. Samboangan is a Sinama term for "mooring place" to Dakak and Gloria’s Fantasyland. Historically speaking, this
(also spelled sambuangan; and in Subanen, sembwangan), from church symbolizes Christianity in Dapitan. Its architecture
the root word samboang ("mooring pole"). The name was later inspired by Spaniards is still evident.
Hispanicized and named as Zamboanga.
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
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE destination. This place is not only popular for its sacredness but
Zamboanga del Norte is a province of the Philippines
as well as its unique architecture.
located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga
5. Aliguay Island
del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis
Surrounded by the Sulu Sea, Aliguay Island is a 65-
Occidental to the east. The Sulu Sea lies to the northwest of
hectare property of trees and white sand and is home to a
Zamboanga del Norte.
thriving small community. To get there, you either have to ride
a helicopter, take a motorized boat (outrigger), or take a speed 5. Tagaktak - net-like snack of ground sticky rice batter mixed
boat from Dakak Park and Beach Resort. with coconut milk beaten with egg.
6. Bulad or Dried - all time favorite pasalubong
CULTURE 7. Ginamos and Oyap - very smelly but delicious side dish
1. Kinabayo Festival
Kinabayo Festival which is celebrated every July 25 in FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
Dapitan City Zamboanga del Norte Philippines celebrate a 1. D’Hotel and Suite’s - 1,394
mysterious and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish- 2. Dakak Park and Beach Resort - 5,804
Moorish wars, mainly the Battle of Covadonga. 3. Gwandalan House - 1,627

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.) ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
made the heart of the Dipolognons beats hard and wild with Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines
passion to the Lord Jesus as they celebrate his feast day. located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
capital is Pagadian City, which is also the regional center of
3. El Toro Festival Region IX. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte to the
The week-long celebration commemorating the 60th north, Zamboanga Sibugay to the west, Misamis Occidental to
Founding Anniversary of the municipality of Polanco was the northeast, and Lanao del Norte to the east. To the south is
formally opened on December 1 despite light rain. the Moro Gulf.

4. Hudyaka Festival
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Hudyaka which means revelry in Bisaya is an annual
1. Lapuyan Falls
festival that is attended by contingents from the whole
The favorite haunt of the fair Subanen maidens of Sitio
Zamboanga del Norte province. The festival celebrates the
Baga and all its neighboring areas, usual meeting place with
founding of the province and the cities and municipalities of
many a young country swain in some secluded cavern beneath
Zamboanga del Norte usually send in contingents to compete.
the rocky forest lane.
GASTRONOMY 2. Lakewood
1. Moron - Smoother variety of suman. Some 15 km. from Brgy. Tubod is a beautiful mountain
2. Binaki - deliciopus dessert made of grated young corn with lake, on the banks of which is located the town of Lakewood, a
milk, wrapped in corn husk and steam. quiet and lovely place where the air is heavy with the scent of
3. Budbud -rice cake snack wrapped in banana leaves wild champakas and the fragrance of a thousand nameless
4. Dayok - mixture of different fermented fish intestines, herons.
3. Lake Dasay 2. Daral
The second largest mountain lake in the province, The Daral is looked like the Lumpia or crepe!
located in the town of San Miguel. Its luscious mouth is parted What is wrapped within the wrapper is also sweet coconut
like the smile of a country damsel yet silent fury lurks beneath mixture or bukayo.
its innocent-looking waters.
3. King’s Balbakwa
4. Sominot Cave Balbakwa or balbacua is a famous Visayan/Mindanao dish
Massive pillars and columns guard the entrance to made from beef knuckles, or knees or tail and skin. In many
Sominot cave. Deep within, beautiful stalactites and stalagmites areas, it can vary with the type of main ingredients: skin and/or
adorn wide spaces. The subterranean stream makes a long knuckles. The thickness of the soup can also change, which
journey towards the coast and empties into the Tukuran River. includes color.

LOCAL CULTURE FACILITIES AND AMENITIES

1. Pasalamat Festival 1. Four Queens Resort - 1,104
Pasalamat Festival is highlighted with a fluvial parade 2. Mifamco Hotel - 940
(regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty
pageant, carnival shows as well as a civic military parade.

2. Megayon Festival ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY

The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that Zamboanga Sibugay is a province in the Philippines
coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its
September. It honors the tri-people settlers of the province: the capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the
Subanens, Bangsamoro Muslims, and Christians. north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to
the southwest.
3. Araw ng Pagadian
Pagadianons celebrate the Araw ng Pagadian every June TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
21 in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city. It is a 1. BULUAN ISLAND
week-long celebration highlighted by a sports fest, banner Buluan Island features white sand beach and clear blue
raising ceremony, trade fairs, Miss Pagadian beauty contest, waters. The uncombed sand may not be super powdery fine but
and other activities. An anniversary program at the city hall Buluan Island can offer seclusion and tranquility. The island is
concludes the celebration every 21st of June. privately owned but no entrance fees are collected from visitors.
The island is still uncommercialized. Since there are no resorts
GASTRONOMY nor restaurants on the island, visitors should purchase food and
1. Putli Mandi drinks from the town. There are bamboo cottages and tables
The Putli Mandi is made of malagkit flour with sweet available to visitors at no cost.
coconut strips like bukayo inside and rolled in fresh coconut.
2. MOALBOAL CAVE Roasted Pig. Ipil Municipal, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay is the site
That features a human face hewn in stone by time, is of the said festival.
another attraction that awaits you. All these picturesque glories
and many more, unite to make known to the world, the glory GASTRONOMY
and grandeur of Zamboanga Sibugay. 1. Oko-oko
Oko-oko is a dish that is sure to catch your eye. This
3. TAGBILAT FALLS delicacy is cooked sea urchin stuffed with rice that has been
A short 30-minute trek will take you to the waterfalls that sauteed and flavored. It is said that oko-oko is incredibly
has a wide façade with a small cave-like space in the middle. I tedious to make, having to carefully clean and remove the
climbed to the center of the waterfalls and I was spell bound by spines of the urchin before stuffing it with rice.
the water cascading like a curtain of diamonds. Swimming is
also great in its basin that can reach up to five feet deep. A 2. Chupa Culo
climb on the right side of the falls would take you to a smaller Chupa Culo is a must-try if you’re adventurous with food.
second tier with a smaller but deeper basin. Its name comes from the Spanish terms chupa = to suck, and
culo = behind. This dish is made of black snails cooked in
LOCAL CULTURE coconut milk and pako (fiddlehead fern). The meat is kept
1. Sibug Sibug Festival inside the shell to soak up all the flavor of the sauce. The best
The two-week festivity features colorful street dancing (and only) way to eat this is to suck the meat out of the shell,
with ethnic themes, including the ritual that shows of good hence the name.
harvest, wedding ceremony, and healing rituals. It is one of the
much-awaited events in the festival is the Sibug-Sibug street 3. Curacha
dancing competition. Curacha is definitely on the top of the list of must-try
eats in Zamboanga. The Chavacano name is derived from the
2. Bangus Festival phrase “cockroach of the sea”.
Bangus Festival – every December Bangus Festival is
celebrated at Barangay Monching, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay as FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
thanksgiving festuring the abundance of Bangus or Milk Fish as 1.Marcian Garden Hotel - 3,500
prime product in the locality and it is highlighted with Culinary 2.Casa Canelar Pension - 1,033
Contest. 3.City Inn Hotel - 1,040

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