Autor: admin

Located seven hundred kilometers away from Manila is a land known to
many as Asia’s Latin City. But aside from its rich Hispanic past, this
tourist hotspot is one of the centers in the fields of commerce, trade,
finance, health, and education in Mindanao. Synonymous to nature,
beauty, and variety, Zamboanga City is the place to be if you’re looking
for a different kind of adventure in the Philippines.

Zamboanga City might not sound music to the ears of the
adventure-bound. Other than its diving sites, the highly urbanized city
offers no particular spots for mountain climbing, caving, and other
outdoor recreations. Nonetheless, Zamboanga always amuses its visitors
with its natural charm and appealing attributes.

While most Philippine travel guides caution tourists about security
risks in Zamboanga City, the local travel industry remains a force to
reckon with. Last year, visitor arrivals in the city reached 321,581, a
1.5% growth from the 2008 figure. The local government attributed the
improvement to the opening of new tourist attractions and continuous
promotion of other scenic spots and festivals. Mushrooming resorts and
hotels that offer various accommodations are also contributing factors.

Here are some of the places and events that make Zamboanga City one of the major travel destinations in the Philippines.

Fort Pilar

Fort Pilar is one of the famous landmarks in Zamboanga City. Built by the Spaniards in the 17th
century, this military fortress was used to defend the city against
pirates and raiders coming from different parts of Mindanao. Fort Pilar,
which was originally called Real Fuerza de San Jose, now houses a
shrine of the Virgin Mary. Rumors have it that the Blessed Virgin made
miraculous appearances in the fort.

Paseo del Mar

One of the newest additions to the growing list of attractions in
Zamboanga City is Paseo del Mar. This bay walk area, which opened to the
public last year, provides a magnificent view of the famous Zamboanga
sunset. It has several stalls rented by concessionaires, a police
outpost, a travel information center, and a mini-port for tourist boats.

Santa Cruz Island

Visitors in Zamboanga should not miss out on Santa Cruz Island. It is
famous for its pink sand beach, one of the very few of its kind in the
world. The island, which has been declared a protected area, is a magnet
for diving enthusiasts. Its crystal-clear water is perfect for
underwater photography. Santa Cruz Island is just 20 minutes away from
downtown Zamboanga.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Feed your soul with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception. This place of worship, located beside Ateneo de
Zamboanga University, is considered one of the modern cathedrals in
Asia. Inside the church can be found a marble statue of the Immaculate
Conception designed by national artist Napoleon Abueva.

Yakan Weaving Center

Zamboanga City is also known for its colorful fabrics with intricate
patterns. The best way to discover how these indigenous clothing are
made is to visit the Yakan Weaving Center. The facility, located just
across the La Vista del Mar Beach Resort, displays and sells various
products made from pineapple and abaca fibers such as clothes,
placemats, coin purses, and bags.

One of the travel tips
experts frequently give to visitors in Zamboanga is to look for
accommodations and vacation packages that suit your budget and
preference. Another is to always get information about the security
situation in Mindanao.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information
about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area
and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations
under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it
and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.

Got enough of the Philippines? If not head down to Iloilo to explore
more astonishing tourist attractions in the archipelago of 7,107
islands.

With an area of 4,829.1 square kilometers, this beautiful province is
the commercial, industrial, financial, and cultural center of the
Western Visayas region. Iloilo, which is also considered the cradle of
early Philippine civilization, is subdivided into 42 municipalities, one
component city, and one highly urbanized city. The province is bordered
by Antique to the west and Capiz and the Jintotolo Channel to the
north.

Like Boracay and Palawan, Iloilo’s beaches are worth exploring. Its
beaches are known for its white sand and gentle waves. Tourists can also
select from a wide array of resorts and vacation packages that suit
their interest and budget. Here is a sampling of the premier tourist attractions in Iloilo.

Miag-ao Church

Recognized for its fortress-like design, Miag-ao Church is deemed as one
of the country’s architectural and religious masterpieces. Located in
the first-class municipality of Miag-ao, the church was built in 1786 by
Augustinian priests, making it one of the oldest in the Philippines. In
1993, Miag-ao Church, which is also known as Church of Santo Tomas de
Villanueva, was included in the UNESCO Word Heritage List.

Agho Beach

Agho Beach is a perfect weekend destination
for travelers looking for a serene atmosphere. Its white sand and
crystal-clear water are comparable to some of the world’s finest. Agho
Beach also caters to the needs of the adventurous. Diving, boating, and
snorkeling are some of the water recreations visitors can enjoy here.
There are also cottages and picnic sheds for the whole family near the
beach. Beautiful and pristine beaches can also be found in the towns of
Concepcion, Carles, San Joaquin, and Ajuy.

Dinagyang Festival

Dinagyang Festival is the pride of Iloilo. Celebrated annually on the
fourth Sunday of January, this colorful event in Iloilo City is a way of
honoring the Santo Niño. It is also held to commemorate the arrival of
Malay settlers in Panay. During the festival, street dancers dressed in
vibrant costumes shout the thundering words “Hala Bira” (Hit them).

Iloilo Museum

To know more about the province and its culture, you should visit the
Iloilo Museum. Located beside the provincial capitol, the museum houses
various artifacts such as fossil collections, Chinese potteries, and war
relics. It also showcases new and Spanish-era masterpieces made by
local artists and craftsmen.

Ilonggo Delicacies

Aside from fascinating man-made and natural attractions, Iloilo is also
famous for its food. Thus an ultimate Iloilo adventure is never complete
without tasting dozens of mouth-watering Ilonggo delicacies such as
Cabanatuan’s tinuom, Pototan’s aripahol, Alimodia’s sinakol, and Passi
City’s dried pineapple. But two of most famous among Ilonggo dishes are
the La Paz batchoy and inasal (grilled chicken).

Local Philippines
is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how
to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the
beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations
right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will
most likely feature it.