Region IX

Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga Peninsula:
Is an administrative region in the Philippines,
designated as Region IX. The region consists of
three provinces (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga
Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur) and two cities
(Isabela City and Zamboanga City; the former being
part of Basilan province and the latter a highly
urbanized city). The region was previously
known before the enactment of Executive Order No.
36 on August 12, 2015.
The city of Zamboanga was designated as the regional
center until Pagadian City was designated as its new
regional center, although Zamboanga City remains the
region's cultural, economic, and educational center.
During the ancient era, the Zamboanga peninsula was a
vast territory home to various ethnic groups - the largest
of which was the Subanen people. Later on, the southern
coastal areas of the region was under the influence of
the Javanese Majapahit Empire, although the empire
never did conquer the area.
Map
History :

In the 14th century, the Sultanate of Sulu ruled the

southwestern sections of the peninsula. By the late 15th
century and early 16th century, Malay missionaries
further spread Islam in the southern Philippines. Sharif
Kabungsuwan, a Johore-born missionary
of Malay and Arab descent established the Sultanate of
Maguindanao, which the entire island of Mindanao is
named after.
The Sultanate also occupied the entire island
except present-day Caraga region and eastern
portions of Davao region, stretching from the
Zamboanga Peninsula to modern-day Davao
City, while the Sultanate of Sulu lost its
territories in Zamboanga. Magauindanao's
sultans provided Mindanao fierce armed
resistance against the Spanish occupation,
especially under the lead of Muhammad
Kudarat.
They soon allied themselves with the Sulu Sultanate.
The Muslim natives of the region were collectively
known as Moros by the Spanish, meaning "Moor",
though the Iberian Moors and the Philippine Muslims
had little cultural connection outside of following Islam.
A large chunk of the Spanish-Moro Conflict, the war
between the Spanish conquerors and Mindanao's
Muslim natives took place in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Cultures:
Zamboanga always throbs with the colorful cultures,
traditions, and lifestyles of people shaped by the
confluence of native Subano, Malay, Islamic (Yakan,
Samal, Tausug and Badjao), Spanish and American
cultures that spanned the course of centuries. Of all
these, the Spanish culture had the strongest impact –
about 50% of Zamboangueño culture is anchored on
España and its three centuries of presence.
Love of one’s heritage is typical value, which clearly
manifests the extent of Hispanic culture, and influence
among the Zamboangueños.
Despite the authenticity and distinctiveness of the
Zamboangueños as a cultural group in the Zamboanga
Peninsula, there is not much that can be identified as
indigenous in terms of beliefs and practices. All of these
cultures, however, are fascinating and form the essence
of Zamboanga’s cultural heritage, unique and the envy
of many less fortunate cities and provinces who cannot
lay claim to such a colorful past and history.
The diversity of Zamboanga flows together in a single
stream the Christians and Muslims living in harmony
for centuries, the Chinese and the Spanish or American
mestizos transacting the daily business of life, and the
women of all races giving Zamboanga the face of
beauty the world has known for many years.
Zamboangueño customs and traditions are quaint and
replete with old world courtesy. Modernity and western
influences have somewhat modified them through the
years.
Among them: the role of the father as the family model
quite strict, specially with daughters, and the mother as
the light of the family whose kingdom was the home; or
table manners that required a code of courtesy; the
respect for elders and visitors that saw children
relegated to their rooms until guests had left; or the
Zamboangueño who was often called “un hombre de
cojones.” On the other side, though, there are also traits
such as misplaced or excessive pride, vanity, jealousy,
boastfulness, and snobbishness that detracted. But put
them all together, this was the Zamboangueño package,
like it or not.
The Zamboangueño courtship and traditions are
elaborate and regulated by a long list of required social
graces. An example is the fact that a suitor could not sit
unless permitted to do so by the lady’s parents, or the
heavy cross-examination of the suitor who had to
answer satisfactorily all questions as to his lineage,
credentials, and occupation, or the courtship curfew, the
need to cultivate the goodwill of all the members of the
lady’s family.
“Zamboangueño songs” also show much of
culture. The songs of love show the need for
the harana or the coutship serenade as well as
the limits puts on the expression of love by
the norms of culture and tradition. The
Chabacano Song Festival, has produced
numerous Chabacano pieces. The Chabacano
Song Festival is one of the events of the
Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
 Provinces:
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga Sibugay
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Norte:

Is a province in the Philippines situated

within the Zamboanga Peninsula region
in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and
the province borders Zamboanga del Sur
and Zamboanga Sibugay to the
south, Misamis Occidental to the east, and
the Sulu Sea to the west.
• Independent cities 0
• Component cities  Dapitan
 Dipolog
• Municipalities  Baliguian
 Godo
 Gutalac
 Jose Dalman
 Kalawit
 Katipunan
 La Libertad
 Labason
 Leon B. Postigo
 Liloy
 Manukan
 Mutia
 Piñan
 Polanco
 President Manuel A. Roxas
 Rizal
 Salug
 Sergio Osmeña Sr.
 Siayan
 Sibuco
 Sibutad
 Sindangan
 Siocon
 Sirawai
 Tampilisan

• Barangays 691
History:

Prior to its creation as a province,

Zamboanga del Norte formed the northern
portion of the historical province of
Zamboanga.The early history of Zamboanga
del Norte is shared with that of Zamboanga
City, which had been the center of the
entire Mindanao area, most notably during
the American era.
When Zamboanga City became a chartered
city on October 12, 1936, it encompassed the
southern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and
the island of Basilan, making it the largest
city in the world in terms of land area.
Through Republic Act No. 711 issued on
June 6, 1952, Zamboanga province was
divided into two independent provinces,
which included Zamboanga del Sur.
Tourist Spot:
 Rizal Shrine
Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal spent his last
four years in exile in Dapitan.
 Casa Redonda
It is an octagonal dwelling that served as the
quarters for Dr. Jose Rizal's pupils.
Festival:
Sinulog and Kinabayo
It is a two-day celebration, held from July 24
to 25, of the annual patronal feast of St.
James. The Sinulog is a dance procession
while the Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful
pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish
Wars, particularly, the Battle of Covadonga
During this battle, the Spanish forces under
General Pelagio took their last stand against
the Saracens. They were able to reverse the
tide of the war with the miraculous apparition
of St. James, the Apostle. The addition of
local color and innovations make this annual
revelry a popular attraction drawing crowds
to the city.
Zamboanga Sibugay:
Is a province in the Philippines located in
the Zamboanga
Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital
is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to
the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east
and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the
south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf.
Zamboanga Sibugay is the 79th province
created in the Philippines, when its territories
were carved out from the third district of
Zamboanga del Sur in 2001. Hence it the
fourth newest province, being before now-
defunct Shariff Kabunsuan (October
2006), Dinaga Islands (December 2006)
and Davao Occidental (2013).
• Municipalities  Alicia
 Buug
 Diplahan
 Imelda
 Ipil
 Kabasalan
 Mabuhay
 Malangas
 Naga
 Olutanga
 Payao
 Roseller Lim
 Siay
 Talusan
 Titay
 Tungawan

• Barangays 389
History :
Zamboanga Sibugay was formerly part
of Zamboanga del Sur. Attempts to divide
Zamboanga del Sur into separate provinces
date as far back as the 1960s. Several bills
were filed in the Philippine Congress, but
remained unacted.
The new province was finally created
by Republic Act No. 8973 signed into law
by President Joseph Estrada on November 7,
2000. On February 24, 2001, R.A. 8973 was
ratified through a plebiscite conducted in 44
municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur and
Pagadian City. Zamboanga del Sur Third
District Representative George Hofer was
elected as its first governor in 2001.
Tourist Spot:
Great Santa Cruz Island
Paseo del Mar
Pasonanca Park
Buluan Island
Festival:
SIBUG SIBUG
Sibug-Sibug Festival is an annual event held
during the 26th day of February in the
province of Zamboanga Sibugay. This
celebration is also the anniversary of the
foundation of the province. The two-week
festivity features colorful street dancing with
ethnic themes.
Zamboanga del Sur:
Is a province in the Philippines located in
the Zamboanga Peninsula
region in Mindanao. Its capital is the city
of Pagadian. Incorrectly grouped with
Zamboanga del Sur is the highly
urbanized city of Zamboanga, which is a
chartered city and governed independently
from the province.
The province borders Zamboanga del
Norte to the north, Zamboanga Sibugay to the
west, Misamis Occidental to the northeast,
and Lanao del Norte to the east. To the south
is the Moro Gulf.
• Independent cities Zamboanga City
(Highly Urbanized City)
• Component cities Pagadian
• Municipalities Aurora
Bayog
Dimataling
Dinas
Dumalinao
Dumingag
Guipos
Josefina
Kumalarang
Labangan
Lakewood
Lapuyan
Mahayag
Margosatubig
Midsalip
Molave
Pitogo
Ramon Magsaysay
San Miguel
San Pablo
Sominot
Tabina
Tambulig
Tigbao
Tukuran
Vincenzo A. Sagun
• Barangays 681
779 (including Zamboanga City)
History:
The name of Zamboanga is the Hispanicized spelling of
the Sinama term for "mooring place" -
samboangan (also spelled sambuangan; and
in Subanen, sembwangan), from the root
word samboang ("mooring pole"). "Samboangan" was
the original name of Zamboanga City, from where the
name of the peninsula is derived from. "Samboangan" is
well-attested in Spanish, British, French, German, and
American historical records from as far back as the 17th
century.
This is commonly contested by folk
etymologies which instead attribute the name
of Zamboanga to
the Indonesian word jambangan (claimed to
mean "place of flowers", but actually means
"pot" or "bowl"), usually with claims that all
ethnic groups in Zamboanga were "Malays".
However, this name has never been attested
in any historical records prior to the 1960s.
The original inhabitants of the Zamboanga
peninsula were the Subanen, who settled
along the riverbanks in inland areas; and the
various Sama-Bajau and Yakan ethnic groups
who settled in coastal areas. Tausūg settlers
from northeastern Mindanao also migrated to
the region in the 13th century.
The region was additionally settled by
migrants (mostly from the Visayas islands)
after World War II. Together with the original
settlers, these pioneers helped develop
Zamboanga del Sur into the abundant and
culturally diverse province that it is.
Historically, Zamboanga was the capital of
the Moro Province in western Mindanao,
which comprised five
districts: Cotabato, Davao, Sulu, Lanao,
and Zamboanga. In 1940, these districts
became individual provinces. Zamboanga
City became the capital of Zamboanga
province.
Soon after World War II, the provincial
capital was transferred
to Dipolog. Molave was created as the
provincial capital in 1948.
On June 6, 1952, through Republic Act 711,
Zamboanga del Sur was carved out from the
former Zamboanga province that
encompassed the entire peninsula in
southwestern Mindanao.
As the 52nd province of the Philippines, it
originally consisted of 11 towns, which were later
expanded into 42 municipalities and one
city, Pagadian, its capital.
Political developments in February 2001 saw
another major change in the territorial jurisdiction
of Zamboanga del Sur. Its inhabitants voted to
create a new province out of the third
congressional district, named Zamboanga
Sibugay.
Tourist Spot:
Pulacan Falls
Kendis Cave
Lison Valley Waterfalls
Dao dao Island
Mt. Timolan
Festival:
Megayon Festival
An institutionalized tri-people festival to
showcase the arts and crafts of Zamboanga
del Sur.