Zamboanga Region Facts

Zamboanga Island Group

• Capital cities: Zamboanga Del Norte (Dipolog City), Zamboanga Del Sur (Pagadian), Zamboanga De Sibugay (Ipil)
• Demonym: Zamboangeño
• Gastronomies:
  • Curacha: Spanner Crab or Red Frog Crab
  • Satti: Beef, Chicken Strips, Livers, and other ingredients in skewers
  • Knicker Bocker: Ice cream sundae made with gulaman and fresh fruit chunks
  • Estofado De Zamboanga: Pork Stew with sweet and sour flavor
  • Bagon De Gata: Snack made with coconut meat, sugar, and Pandan leaves
• Cultures:
  • Chavacano Language: Spanish-based Creole Language
  • Asias Latin City: Zamboanga City due to the Chavacano language
  • Sardine Capital of the Philippines: Zamboanga City with 11 sardine canning factories
  • City of Flowers: Zamboanga City due to its etymology meaning "flowers" in Jambangan Malay words
• Attractions:
  • Glorious Fantasy Land: A world-class themed park similar to Disneyland near Dapitan City
  • Dakak Beach Resort: Known for white sand, diving, and its unique shape
  • Fort Pilar Shrine: A military defense fortress and Royal Fort of Our Lady the Pillar of Saragossa
  • Pulacan Falls: A water irrigation system in Labangan, Pagadian City
  • Buluan Island: Known for its beach, powdered sand, and amazing sunset view

Camiguin Island Group

• Capital City: Mambajao
• Gastronomies:
  • Pastel De Camiguin: Soft bun filled with yema
  • Surol: A type of Ginataan Baboy filled with local ingredients
  • Lanzones: Province of Camiguin, home of the sweetest Lanzones
  • Kiping: Fried dried sweet potatoes shaped like a plate, drizzled with latik and sweet caramelized sauce
  • Lechon De Camiguin: A local version of a regular lechon
• Cultures:
  • Lanzones Festival: Celebrates the Lanzones fruit every third week of October
  • Island Born of Fire: Dubbed to be home of seven volcanoes
  • Sunken Cemetery: A cemetery with large crosses under the water
• Attractions:
  • Sto.Niño Cold Spring: A natural oasis with various amenities, flowing from Mt. Mambajao
  • Mantigue Island: Known for large sea turtles, white powdered sand, lush trees, and beautiful coral reefs
  • Tuasan Falls: A gorgeous waterfall with clear blue water near Looc River
  • Old Church Ruins: Known as an old Spanish Church Ruins and Guiob Church that withstood various volcanic eruptions

Agusan Island Group

• Capital Cities: Agusan Del Sur (Prospiridad), Agusan Del Norte (Cabadbaran City)
• Demonym: Agusanon
• Gastronomies:
  • Buntaa: A Crab filled with aligue or crab fat, herbs, spices, and coconut milk
  • Palagsing: Made from starch of lumbia tree or sagu palm, mixed with meat, coconut, and brown sugar
  • Nilusak/Nilupak: Made of Casavva or Balanghoy, grated coconut and margarine are added to the mashed cassava and shaped into a ball
  • Aligue: Also known as fat crab, extracted from crabs and revered for its umami flavor
  • Binanih Annga Manok: Made with local chicken, coconut, and various spices
• Cultures:
  • Home of Lolong: The largest crocodile in the world
  • The Land of Golden Opportunities: Agusan Del Sur due to its rich natural resources
  • Golden Tara of Agusan: A cultural heritage and a solid-cast gold statue found in 1917 near the Wawa River in Esperanza, Agusan
  • Naliyagan Festival: Celebrates the Manobo people and showcases the different towns of the province, meaning "the chosen one" or "the most loved one"
• Attractions:
  • Butuan National Museum: A museum with historical and cultural resources, featuring two exhibit galleries, the Archeological Hall and Ethnological Hall
  • Balangay Shrine: A small open-air museum housing the remains of the ancient Balangay boats