15 compelling reasons to visit Zamboanga City this 2020

Zamboanga City isn’t called “The Land of Flowers” and “Asia’s Latin City” for nothing.

The third oldest metropolis in the Philippines — and the third largest, too — first enamored the Malays with its very many beautiful local flowers including bougainvilleas and orchids. So enamored were they that the Malays called it “Jambangan,” meaning the land of flowers.

Residing in the shorelines of Zamboanga, the Samals and Bajaos confused “Jambangan” with “Samboangan,” derived from Sabuan reffering to the long, wooden pole used to sail boats.

So when the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, “Samboangan” became “Zamboanga.”

While Zamboanga City in Western Mindanao is less than two hours away from Manila by plane and boasts of breathtaking nature, an interesting history, and very many cultures, it remains under the rada among residents of the capital.

Below, we’ll attempt to change all that.

This story was produced through a trip sponsored by the 30th Philippine Travel Mart. Presented by Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) www.philtoa.com.

—JCB, GMA News