In planning for a trip to Zamboanga--either to enjoy the 12-day-long festivity or to visit on ordinary days, the following activities should not be missed:
1. A weekend getaway to Sta. Cruz Island and take delight in its famous fine-grained pink sand
2. Hear a mass or light a candle at Fort Pilar and pay homage to its patroness
3. Vicita Iglesia (Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph Parish Church in Nuñez St., St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Tetuan, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Ayala, Our Lady of Purification Parish in Sta. Maria, Divine Mercy Parish in Divisoria)
4. Enjoy the Pasonanca Park (swimming, water-fun slides, jogging, or find a spot for a quiet moment)
5. Have a taste of some Tausug delicacies: Jimmy's Satti, Pastil Dumpling Soup, Tiola Itum, Baulo, Panyalam, Darel, Lukot-lukot
6. Have a seafood overload at Alavar's Seafood House in Tetuan or Lantaka Hotel Resto (Curacha with Alavar Sauce)
7. Enjoy the nightlife at Catibro Complex
8. Experience some thrill at the Zamboanga Freeport Ecozone (Gamezone and Mar Y Monte Resort)
9. Have some balut at RT Lim Boulevard
10. See a movie at Mindpro Mall at a very low price
11. Have lunch at the Puericulture Food Center (Fresh Imbao, Tanguingue Kilawin, Fresh Lato, Agar-agar Salad)
12. Have a cozy night at the Paseo del Mar Complex
13. Tour the over-a-century-old (established in 1904) sole state university in Region 9, Western Mindanao State University
14. Visit the mosque-looking building(formerly the head office of ARMM) in Catabangan
15. Be amazed at the Badjao kids who would dive without gears for a tossed coin in the Philippine Deep
16. Buy Malong, Sarong, Arafat, Maggi Noodles Chili Flavor, Malaysian ans Indonesian Products at Barter Trade in Canelar
17. Enjoy some laid-back activities at the Woodland Resort in Zambowood
18. Eat a variety of in-season fruits such as lansones, durian, mangosteen, rambotan, mangoes, pineapple, kaimito, santol, papaya, etc.
19. Take a tour at the country's biggest sardines factory, Mega Sardines in Recodo
20. Try the Sizzling Bulalo and pig out at Chow Time Cuisine in Divisoria
Despite being considered a third world country, the Philippines has one of the most festive peoples and it shows whenever they celebrate special occasions. Let us discover the colorful and joyful fiestas of its 82 provinces and key cities. Let us explore the religious and cultural background of each festivity. Let us look at the possibility of enjoying each festival after the other.
Love the pictures!
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