Discovering the "Asia's Latin City"

Zamboanga... known for Hispanic influences on its culture as they brand it the "Asia's Latin City..."

It's no different from other places I have been visited... A highly urbanized city of


substantial mass area, with its distinct character, diverse culture, heritage, and languages. People of different tribes and religion living in harmony with each other. As candid for urbanized city big or small, traffic is common, concentrated in business district. No taxi plying the city, tricycle serves as though of the same rate especially for tourists. Weather temperature is totally extreme... A city similar to cozy look of "recto" in Metro Manila... 

Speaking Spanish culture... yes we traced the history of Spanish influences as it clearly depicts the Spanish touch to its building's architecture, and chavacano language which is similar to latin tone. The center of catholic religion is at the city proper, where the Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar of Saragoza is situated, a 17th century military fortress built during Spanish occupation. A church where no roof, its like an open space, and actually is like a park. 

There is also a walled-city-like structure, smaller to that of Intramuros in Manila.. It is converted into Zamboanga National Museum currently under repair and is closed for public visit.. 

I have a quite unpleasant impression on the attitude and hospitality of Zambuagenos. Albeit, my friends and colleagues are generous enough, some people aren't friendly, well I might be wronged but that's how I perceived.

Night life is alive in this city, there are places to hang out. If you want to enjoy acoustic bands, there are plenty to choose from, "Distrito", and "Bar Code" among others flock in a one stop park. 

Hanging out with friends who would want to go on disco, then there's "Katribo" to visit.



Zamboanga visit isn't enough unless you have had shopping. 

Most common venue is the "barter" a specialized term for Canelar Trading Center where you can buy souvenirs and items for pasalubong,  plenty of various kinds from home itmes to malong, shirts, scarfs, to kinds of malaysian products, all in one stop shop. Just be prudent enough since its expensive to stop in this place.  Sta Cruz Market also offers "ukay-ukay" at a affordable price.

The usual street along the Zamboanga City Hall. a freely brandishing Philippine flag in contrast to the reported take over during the Zamboanga siege several months ago allegedly led by MNLF leader Nur Misuari.   




Other side of the City, the  face of poverty along the baywalk designed to entice visitors and tourists.

Witness to history: the ruins of siege, which is increasingly interesting as it draws tourist's attention. A testaments to bloody and horrible experience especially to people who had the actual account.

Classmate's hospitality: Thank you Livia Endozo for the lunch out with your mom. at Teng's Grill. We really appreciate it with Chadley. 

Thank you CG Station  Zamboanga and to all class 10 out there for a warm welcome. Thanks for crunchy lechon and pansit. Just failed to visit kay tinamad na.

Next Stop Dapitan City...

Dahican Beach Resort

Want to go skim boarding? Or just prefer to enjoy the scenery of long white sand coastlines and prestine blue waters?

Well, you'll surely love Dahican Beach Resort. The home of 6th International Skim Boarding Champ in Penang, Malaysia, Sonny Boy "Bayogbog" Aporbo. 

This amihan native guy and his team used to teach newbies in skim boarding. It's a smaller counterpart of surfboard, gliding across the incoming waves and back to the shore... It's nice a try but, truly difficult to make it... I wonder why, even the kids does but difficult for me to have even once... 

There are also cheap bonsai for sale in the resort ranges from P 200.00 to P 3,000.00 depending on age and beauty...

Its a must try place for people who want to enjoy nature's wonders...

Commemorating Good Friday, "Bisita Iglesia"

The best thing in Holy Week is Holiday. Yes, for many it is (lets thank Judas because not for him, there might be no Holy week, thus no holiday at all) tahahaha. Just kidding...

Holy Week particularly the Good Friday is one of the anticipated religious holidays in catholic church. People commemorate the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus Christ just to redeem the world from sins. A time where most Filipinos take their form of penance to repent for their mistakes. Some does the reenactment of Christ's crucifixion, some refrains from customary activities such as partying, social drinking, eating meat, and others usually engage in prayer and fasting.

Bisita Iglesia, usually visiting seven churches and pray for the stations of the cross. A simple gesture how we value our true Christianity. 

Today, I want to share with you how we commemorate in our own little way the passion of Christ to redeem us from our sins. 

This what we had today:

Our First Stop: Sto. Rosario Parish, Toril, Davao City 

We have had our first and second stations

Second Stop: San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Talomo, Davao City is just few minutes away from our first church. We had our third and forth stations here.

Third Stop: Holy Spirit Adoration Convent in Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.  It is located near the highway, and one of the beautiful churches we visited. It is convent for pink sisters where you can write your prayer request in envelope same as pink sisters in Baguio City. Our fifth and sixth stations are here...

the views are nice which can't refrain me from doing this...  

 religious devotees doing their stations of the cross too.

Fourth Stop: Our Lady of Lourdes in Davao Central Park Subdivision, Bangkal, Davao City 
Had our seventh and eight stations of the cross.

Fifth Stop: Ascension of the Lord Parish Height, Matina, Davao City
Had our ninth and tenth stations of the cross.

Sixth Stop: San Pablo Parish, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City 
Had our eleventh and twelfth stations of the cross here

Our Seventh and Final Church Destination: One of the most well known pilgrim sites in Davao City, the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus in Matina Hill, Davao City.  There are stations of the cross area along the road going on top of the hill where the shrine of infant jesus is situated. Vehicles are not allowed to enter during this season. Meaning you have to walk going to top of the hill... 

We had our thirteenth, and last stations of the cross including the closing at the shrine.

 Lots of people flocked here for this year's stations of the cross. 

Going on top of the hill is quite exhausting walking under the heat of glaring sun. Though thirst quenchers and foods are available on the road, we tried to at least realize our fasting...

 souvenirs, food and drinks and other stuff are available on the road going to the top.

 Of course, the travel isn't enough without the souvenirs available in souvenir shop inside the shrine. I bought mine, a blessed (accordingly) stainless rosary worth P 200.00  

 selfie din para completo ang lahat

 mainit talaga...

Thanks God. We have had our seven churches visit safe and sound. i never though that i will do this here in Davao. I never had this thing for my several decades of existence. 

Thank you Davao and of course, we wouldn't make it without the car of poging poging Joel Palma, the just bought Mitsubishi 1995 went on test drive for seven churches in Davao City. 

Truly, the experience is worth remembering.