10 Interesting CEMETERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES and Things You Should Know About Them

Looking for must-visit cemeteries in the Philippines? Check out this list of 10 interesting cemeteries in the Philippines and things you should know about them.

Dark Tourism is the act of travel and visitation to sites, attractions and exhibitions which have real or recreated death, suffering or the seemingly macabre as a main theme (as mentioned by thepinaysolobackpacker.com). Honestly, I didn't know that there's such a term not until she posted an article about it on her blog. In my previous travels, I have been visiting remarkable cemeteries in different parts of our country. I have acquired a fascination not only on heritage houses but also with old and interesting cemeteries that are rich in history and has a lot of "out of the ordinary" stories to tell.

4 Underrated Tourist Spots in the Philippines You Have to Visit

Tourism is a major industry in the Philippines for good reason. There’s no shortage of natural and man-made attractions in the country that appeal to all sorts of travelers. A lot of foreign tourists visit the Philippines to enjoy its many tropical beaches, but even domestic tourists find themselves with plenty of possible options for leisurely excursions in their respective provinces and regions.

In 2021, the travel and tourism industry contributed USD 41 billion or 10.4% of the country’s gross domestic product. This is despite the fact that the country only truly opened its doors to fully vaccinated international tourists in early 2022. According to experts, this indicates that the tourism and travel industry is well on its way to recovery.

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2016 Schedule of Events and Activities

Zamboanga City's Hermosa Festival or popularly known as "Fiesta Pilar" is a much-awaited festival held every October in the City of Zamboanga. It is a celebration in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar), the patroness of Zamboanga City which celebrates its feast day every October 12th. As Catholics, it is also a celebration of the profound faith and devotion of the Zamboangueños to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

2023 ZAMBOANGA TRAVEL GUIDE: 30 Things to Do in Zamboanga City, Tourist Spots & Attractions PART 2

Planning a trip to Zamboanga City?! Here is my comprehensive list of the top things to do in Zamboanga City, tourist spots and best places to visit for your Zamboanga itinerary this 2023!

Previously, I shared to you the first part of my Top 30 Best Things to Do and See in Zamboanga City. Since Zamboanga City is such a beautiful place and having 15 reasons why visit Zamboanga City is not enough, here's the second part! Check out this Zamboanga Travel Guide that lists fun and exciting things to do, Zamboanga tourist spots, best places to visit and must-experience activities when in Zamboanga City. Enjoy!

Fun Fact! Did you know that Zamboanga City is the hometown of Olympic Gold Medalist Hydilyn Diaz and Olympic Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial?

30 THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBOANGA CITY, Tourist Spots & Attractions for your Zamboanga Itinerary (Travel Guide Blog 2023)

Traveling to Zamboanga City this 2023? Looking for top things to do in Zamboanga City, best tourist spots and places to visit?! Check out this comprehensive Zamboanga Travel Guide Blog to help you plan your Zamboanga itinerary!

Zamboanga City is indeed a majestic place and it is full of astonishing tourist spots, attractions, and places to visit. The city is quite big and it would require you several days to really experience the top things to do in Zamboanga and to visit most of its famous tourist spots and attractions. Known as the "City of Flowers" and "Asia's Latin City", you can find many amazing places and do many exciting things in Zamboanga City.

What are the top things to do in Zamboanga? For first-timers in Zamboanga City or even if you're going for a re-visit, I listed here some of the most popular attractions, tourist spots and things to do in Zamboanga City that you should include in your Zamboanga travel itinerary. Indeed, there's a bucket of fun and adventure to do, but here is the first part my top 30 ways to enjoy your trip!

ZAMBOANGA CITY TOURIST SPOTS: The Pink Beach of Sta. Cruz Island (with Boat Fares and How to Get There)

Looking for the Pink Beach in Zamboanga City? You've come to the right place! This detailed DIY travel guide is exactly what you need.

The Philippines, as an archipelago is composed of more than 7,000 islands and has one of the longest coastlines in the world. With that, we are blessed with some many lovely and pristine beaches just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. One of them is the pink sand beach of Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City.

THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBOANGA: Exploring the Lagoon on Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City

Looking for top things to do in Zamboanga City, Tourist Spots and Best Places to Visit?

A popular birding site where migratory birds love to go to is the famous Las Islas de Sta. Cruz Islands, located off the coast of Zamboanga City. We went there on the first day of Zamboanga City Bird Festival 2016 last February 22-24, 2016. From Paseo del Mar, we took a motorized boat and after about 15-20 minutes we arrived at the mouth of the lagoon where a small community of the Sama Banguingui tribe is located.

THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBOANGA CITY: Visiting the Old Badjao Burial Grounds on Sta Cruz Island

Looking for top things to do in Zamboanga City, Tourist Spots and Best Places to Visit?

Not many people visiting Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City know that the place is also rich in history. One of the things you shouldn't miss when visiting the island are the Old Badjao Burial Grounds on the eastern part of the island. It is my first time to see a Badjao grave and its quite fascinating to know how they bury they loved ones compared to the Christian way that I am familiar of.

WHERE TO EAT: 8 Must-try Food in Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City Food Trip

Looking for best places to eat in Zamboanga City?

Whenever I travel, a destination becomes more personally special when I get to have a taste of its local cuisines. So, every time I visit places, I make sure that I get to experience its local dining scene. During my recent visit in Zamboanga City, I got to taste some of its well-loved and popular dishes and delicacies. Here's my list of "8 Must-try Food in Zamboanga City."

2nd Zamboanga Bird Festival in Zamboanga City

The renouncing glory of Zamboanga City’s hosting of the 9th Philippine Bird Festival in 2014 marked the success of the 1st Zamboanga Bird Fest held in 2015. Just last week, I was in Zamboanga City thru the invitation of the Department of Tourism Region IX to be part of the 2nd Zamboanga Bird Festival from February 22-24, 2016. This is actually my 5th time to visit Zamboanga City and I am so delighted as it's one of my favorite cities in Mindanao.

Awesome Pasalubong Ideas in Cebu Pacific’s Local Destinations

It is natural for us Filipinos to be thoughtful and always eager to share to our loved ones the joy of our travels. That is why, aside from great memories and awesome photos of our travels, we always want to bring home "something" from that memorable trips we had. Travelers often find it easy to load up on the usual and common "pasalubongs," like ref magnets of tourist destinations or key chains with the name of the city in cursive font. But that has always been the "usual pasalubong," that someone might already given to an office-mate, a friend or relative.

Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival 2014 Schedule of Events and Activities

Zamboanga's La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as "Fiesta Pilar" is a much-awaited festival held every October in the city of Zamboanga. It is a celebration in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar), the patroness of Zamboanga City which celebrates its feast day every October 12th. As catholics, it is also a celebration of the profound faith and devotion of the Zamboangueños to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

Where to Eat in Zamboanga City: Babuh Hana's Restaurant (Authentic Tausug Cuisines)

A trip to Zamboanga City is never complete without experiencing the flavors of its dishes. So, when in Zamboanga City, try the local food and eat at the local restaurants. One of the most popular choice among the locals is Babuh Hana's Restaurant which is known to serve native Tausug dishes.

THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBOANGA: Riding the Colorful Vinta in Zamboanga City

The vinta could be one of the most recognizable icons of Zamboanga City, dubbed as "Asia's Latin City". Remember those days during our grade school years where our teacher would teach us the different tourist spots in the country? We were taught that vintas can be found in Zamboanga City which is used by the locals to sail its waters.

Zamboanga City's Knickerbocker

I've been to Zamboanga City for 3 times already. But it was only on my 3rd visit last August 2013 that I got to try this famous dessert among the Zamboangueños. The knickerbocker is a "halo-halo like" dessert of delightful mix of fresh fruits, jellies, condensed milk and topped with strawberry ice cream. It is a refreshing dessert that has been a long time favorite among locals of all ages.

Zamboanga City - Pascua na Zamboanga, Christmas in Asia's Latin City!

Christmas is so alive in Zamboanga City! Families and friends flock to the City Plaza every night to watch the lights at the well decorated City Hall. The lights somehow dance to the tune of Christmas carols with bubble machines accentuating every blink of the Christmas lights. The adjacent parks were also decorated with Christmas lanterns, lights and a huge nativity statue.

TRAVEL TIP: How to Get in and Out of Zamboanga City Airport

Dubbed as "Asia's Latin City", Zamboanga City's international airport is located very near the city center. As a major gateway of Zamboanga City and the Zamboanga Peninsula Provinces it is one of the busiest airports in Mindanao. It serves flights from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Jolo (Sulu) and Tawi-Tawi. Unlike other airports in the Philippines, getting in and out of the airport is easy.

TRAVEL GUIDE: Basilan and Zamboanga City Solo Trip Summary, Itinerary and Expenses

The Basilan and Zamboanga City Trip is a series of blog posts during my visit to south-western Mindanao last July 2-3, 2011. I waited for almost a year to be able to fly to "Asia's Latin City", via AirPhilExpress’ seat sale last year. Originally, my plan was to explore Zamboanga City, but Basilan came into picture when I met Dom, a fellow blogger. He helped me discover and experience Basilan’s exceptional splendor and exquisiteness, a beauty not everyone is lucky to see.

ZAMBOANGA CITY TRAVEL GUIDE: DIY itinerary, Things to do, How To Get There, Hotels, Expenses and More!

Zamboanga City Budget Travel Guide

This Zamboanga City Budget Travel Guide will provide you with useful information on Zamboanga City's tourist spots and attractions, DIY itinerary, Things to do, How To Get There, Hotels in Zamboanga City, Budget and Expenses, contact details and More!

HOW TO GET THERE
From the airport to the City center
Walk a few meters outside the airport and take a Canelar bound jeepney to the city proper. Fare is 7 pesos and travel time about 10 minutes.

From city proper to Pasonanca
Take a Pasonanca bound jeepney from the city proper and get off at the Boy Scouts grounds. Fare is about 10 pesos and travel time is around 20 minutes.

Zamboanga City - Pasonanca and Freedom Parks, Mt. Pulong Bato and La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat

After strolling around the streets of Zamboanga City, I went back to the hostel to fix my things and checked out. I had my lunch in a nearby restaurant and took a jeepney bound for Pasonanca (PHP 10).

Pasonanca Park is about 7 kms away from the city and is recognized as the "Little Baguio of the South" as it is one of the highest elevated barangays from the sea level. It is a popular tourist attraction in Zamboanga City well-known for holding conferences, regional seminars, conventions, outdoor camping or jamborees of Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts and has won awards as the number one garden in the Philippines.