Travel and Places Wednesday! Zamboanga City Aviary, Pasonangca Park

Another tourist attraction that Zamboanga City heralds is the Zamboanga City Aviary, situated at the heart of the very famous Pasonangca Park, it housed several bird species booth local and international. The park is actually just a few steps away from the Butterfly Farm that I featured two weeks ago and beside the Cascade Swimming Pools that was also featured and like the first two attractions, this Aviary park was also well scape and well contoured that could leave a lasting impression to visiting tourists around the region.

There were several bird species being kept, unfortunately I lost count on the number, my rough estimate was between 30-40 and they are all well cage and place strategically around the tree-filled park. Among the famous resident of the Aviary was the countries pride and glory, the Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle that was house in a high rise cage reaching a 100 meters high (again, rough estimate).

Images shown here were taken from my well loved Nokia N82 and because it has no optical zoom camers feature, I wasn't able to generate close images of the birds, c", just a few still worth watching landscape shoots of the scenery, Enjoy folks!

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Travel and Places Wednesday! Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat

This is one of the newest tourist spots that Zamboanga City, Philippines fancied, the Jardin Maria Clara Lobregat that prods a Butterfly Garden within making it the only garden of its kind in Mindanao. I knew about this project two years ago, probably been finished last year and now stands pride as one of the most visited place in the city.

I was expecting something big on this place but when I visited it last week, I was a bit aghast because it wasn't as huge and as fancy as I envisioned it to be, the butterfly garden came out as a mini garden with only few butterflies flying around in contrast to the butterfly gardens I saw on TV, in other words, it came out short and I was disappointed.

According to the caretakers, the butterfly sanctuary only have 50 species roaming around which I thought was superlative as I only saw 10 butterflies flying around and some larvae and pupa being cultivated. They should have at least been honest with the number count to prevent to failing expectations.

This huge poster greats people along the lobby of the Butterfly Farm, the woman in the picture is the late Maria Clara Lobregat, wife and former City Mayor of Zamboanga City. This farm is totally dedicated to her loving memory.

Images that follows are taken inside the farm, as mentioned, it wasn't that spacious and there where only few butterfly around yet. Lets have a game here while watching the images, its called, spot the butterfly in the picture, c", the prize? hug an kisses from me hahaha, anyways, its a bit difficult taking close images of them as the Nokia N82 doesn't have capability to zoom background to close proximity, that why the images doesn't seemed to have butterflies on it but it really does have. c", You really need to be as close as possible to the butterfly to take desirable images which often times flies away except some few lucky events. Enjoy it all dear friends!

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Travel and Places Wednesday: Pasonangca Park, Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City have been very prominent in this blog, the fact that I have business in this city every now and then, it has captured my interest and fascination thus making it one of my ideal place to lived.

One of the best city feature that captivated me was the public parks and amusement centers that it has like the Pasonangca Nature Park located north of the city proper. I been very vocal about my big love for nature in this blog, I always wanted a serene and peaceful environment which I would often relate to nature. Being a Nature park, mini forest with big trees sprawling around is expected but aside from this, the Park has a mini zoo, a camping booth, public spring swimming pools, waterfalls among others for visitors to savor. Temperature is also a bit colder here than the normal, somewhat like a perfect combination for a restful and fun summer camp.

The images that shown here was part of my long time photo collection, taken two year ago using my Nokia 6233. On the left was a water pathway from a nearby waterfall down to the swimming pools, image on the right. This pools where nicely landscape within a sloop, creating a magnificent cascade of 3 level pools with 2 smaller pools on top and an Olympic size pool at the buttom. Though I haven't tried a dip slurge, people says that the water was refreshingly cold, very typical for any spring pools everywhere. If only I knew this pool exist before I got here, I would have prepared my trunks and dive down to my hearts desire.

Image on the left was the mini zoo which houses several exotic animals, it sprang several meters and covers most of the center area of the park, while on the right was the booth camp with a Pre-American Indian cottage design. Most of the Regional Jamboree's of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scounts of the Philippines where held here.

I know there were several improvements made by the city government to enhance the area like the Butterfly Sanctuary that was on construction that time, I believe it have already been mop up by now making it one of the main attraction in the area. Plans were also made to put up rooms and cottages within the park to target stay-in tourists, a perfect and wise decision. The place is also very easy to access, its just a few kilometers away from the Zamboanga City International Airport which makes it very feasible for first timers. If only the city government could heighten security measure within the area, I would have encourage everyone to be here.

If your about to visit Asia's Latin City and security treats doesn't matter much to you, make this park one of your destination to savor it's unique antiquities. Its really worth the risk.

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Weekend! Back From A Long Absence

Its almost a week now since I've visited the worldwide snitch, I was broodingly away for a convention with the Philippine Hospital Association then a seminar from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation with their annoying and alienating Benchbook program blah, blah which took me to away from civilization for almost a week. c", It was damn crazy listening to speakers about a topic that hates small hospital business, I mean are we ready for such program when the the country and the world is in recession, REALITY check please and stop dreaming PhilHealth!! Haha, I never really mentioned anything from my work on this blog ever since, its just that I was annoyed by this Benchbook Program at the moment but nonetheless I want to spare you all from cruelty that's why I wont talk about it.

I was in Zamboanga City for almost a week and I would say the place didn't really change that much for the past 2 months, though I missed a few bombing incident and the sensationalism brought by the International Red Cross Kidnapping, it would have been fun seeing all those media people creeping the cityville to cover the event. I like to see a live newscasting and how odd it was for newscasters to do their job on live national television broadcast, for curiosities sake that is.

Anyways, speaking about bombings and kidnappings in this part of the country or should I say its notorious reputation and dangerous clout, I was wondering why this place is still visited by lots of people from all walks of life, if you try observe the place, a lot of people where walking on the streets from all direction, people hanging out on the most bombed place in the city, that's the Park by the way, malls full of shoppers, schools with lots of students, etc. The place is very much alive and kicking as if its not being threatened by terrorism among others on a day to day basis. Even I, was mesmerize by this place and wanting to do live and do business here, I wanted to invest in this place and put up a Nokia Flagship Store or a CDR-King franchise etc, weird but true. So whats with this place that carved my enthusiasm?

Well, a little FYI, I've been to a lot of places in the country, I think I have covered almost all places within the Visayas and Mindanao region and some parts of Luzon being an ex researcher from a refutable Research Firm in the country, but of all the places I've been to, Zamboanga City ranks #2 on my list with Davao City on top and Puerto Princesa on 3rd. That's how the city charmed me, or maybe I was just born to love danger in general. c",

That gave me an idea to countdown the top 10 places I want to live in my next posts and reasons behind it, that would be exciting I supposed, so watch this space.

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Zamboanga City Golf Course and Beach Park

Lets go back and visit Asia's Latin City, Zamboanga City, Philippines and this time, a trek off to the City's major sports attraction, the city runned Golf Course and Beach Park situated at the Upper Calarian.

Whats so special about this place is the combination of Golf and Beach all in one. I love to play Golf and that's why when a friend of mine invited me to play with her, I didn't hesitate to say YES, with "I love to" quote. The fact that I've been wanting to play one for quite sometime now, its like a dream come true. It was a sort of tutorial for me because she teach me the basics. I find it awkward at first but then along the way, I'm starting to get along with her.

The place was average I would say for a Golf Course, the view is not breathtaking but it can leave with standard. Area was average if I am to compare it with the spacious Golf courses on ESPN, its serine and a bit windy being near to a beach. I believe that's not a good indication, Golfers? Aynways, the beach rather was average, its not a white sand as that of Dakak or Boracay and it has no fancy cottages or special features, just a typical beach resort where families and friends get together and have fun.

This is the welcome lounge area of the Golf Course, they have mini store here that were selling Golf parafernalias and soveigners as well as food for the players to munch while playing. They even have a bar on the side that sells anything from breveranges to beers. I wonder if beers and golf give together c",

Southwest and Northeast part of the Golf course (on the right), I told you its average and not breathtaking, right?

Anyways if your visiting Zamboanga City and you love Golf, this is a good place to play to your hearts design.

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Excerpts of Love

In a year of being hook to photography and stuff, I have gathered several collection of images that I snap upon seeing special people, places and events. I call it Excerpts, photos of just about anything, just about something under the sun, call it sudden. rash, uncontrolled and unplanned.

With a little knowledge on real photography, you can see how weird this images have become. c", Right now I a trying to read and enrich my knowledge on the field, I'll be glad to hear your suggestions and comments on my work with no art.



I took this photo when I was riding a jeepney from Pueblo to Department of Health Facility in Zamboanga City, Philippines. I just felt like taking a fast snapshot of this scene because it looks very disturbing to me. This kids, just 6-7 years old in my estimate, were risking their small life in riding a fully packed bicycle on their way home just to save nickles. Worse thing, their cruising on a busy street with a lot of vehicles passing by and a small slip on the passengers might cause their life. Has the citizens and the law enforcing agencies of this City realize that this is a ride of death for this kids?




A sweet smile from a Badjao Kid trying to beg some food from me while eating in a Jolibee Chain in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines. Its an innocent smile from a kid who didn't know what shes doing and how she became an image of poverty and failure of society. All she know about was beg because her parents were doing the same. The woman at her back was her mother who never thought of doing anything useful and beneficial for the day, like working to earn money to feed her child and so forth. She was as well begging.


This are my Excerpts, the real scene, real people, real events that I am seeing in my world, call that share of everything.

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Visiting Zamboanga City?

Friends, do you have plans in visiting Zamboanga City, Philippines and don't know where to stay yet, I have discovered a good and safe place to stay.

The Red Palm Pension House over at Guiwan, city suburbs. Whats best about this pension house is that its the closest to the Guiwan Bus Terminal, just 10 steps away actually, you wont definitely get lost finding this place. Aside from that, its a new facility thus the rooms and the confort room are clean and very comfortable, relaxation at its best. The pension house has 15 rooms only, most are single bed rooms while the most were 2 beds. Being near to the Bus Terminal, restaurants, convinient stores, internet cafes, pharmacy among others are just around the corner.







The facade of the Pension House, not that attractive but don't be fooled by the outside look.






This the check in area of the facility. Its small yet clean and well organize. The left part of this room is the internet cafe of the facility. A convergence of technology and hospitality in one.







Rooms are solely located on the second floor and this is the stairs on the way up. Very typical though and not an ideal place for disabled customers since they don't have ramps on the way up.






The hallways are narrow, they must have utilize more space for the rooms rather than the hallway. The place is really clean and serene as seen on this picture.






The rooms are not that stellar but its spacious and clean. This room is a single room with bathroom with hot and cold shower, aircondition, and cable TV. Soaps and clean towels are provided as well as a table and chair.






Single and Double bed rooms with hotel like amenities cost at around Php550 only, its Php300-600cheaper than regular hotels, a super saver right here.

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Nature Fights Back

During my recent travel to Zamboanga City, a landslide happen along the way, part of the national highway on Barangay Sangali, Zamboanga City, gave in to the ravishing fury of nature, landslide, leaving us stranded for several hours. This incident tells a different story though, most of the landslide I knew was cause by a soil sliding from a nearby slopes and covering the road making it impassable to vehicles but this incident is different, the road of about 50 feet long (rough estimate) slides down, lowering it a few feet from the original level.

The main reason of the collapse was the continues rain hovering the area for days. There was not enough trees to adsorb the waters poured in the soil thus softening it affecting the nearby cemented road particularly beneath it. With a soothened road, being heavily used by fully loaded trucked and all types of transportation vehicles and being the only way to access Zamboanga City by land, landslide is inevitable. The road was in existence for decades already, and nobody expect it to bug down. It just show how things change through time, permanent is nothing but a word, something has to gave in as the effect of a cause. Its the law of nature.

Somehow, everyone was thankful because nobody was hurt in the incident. A bliss for the last bus loaded with passengers to pass by before the road collapse. And for us, waiting for hours before given a signal to walk across, all is worth ed because we were able to witness breathtaking scenery that leaves us awe for hours.
2 days after, vehicles can now pass by the area, they curved a mountain slope beside the road and made a one way lane but still impassable to heavy loaded trucks. Maybe what they can do right now is to make a bridge across the collapse road or fill it up with stones to level it up again.

Moral lesson of the story? Don't underestimate mother nature, we should listen when she speaks, and learn from pass mistakes.

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Zamboanga City (Asia's Latin City) Latin Love

"Buenas Dias" Everyone
Specially to the people who visited my blog yesterday, there were quite a few,
"Muchas Gracias"!!

As promised, My blog today will feature Zamboanga City (Asia's Latin City). I have to asked "despensa" to the readers because the pictures that you are going to see are not the best in terms of quality since I'm taking this pictures using only a 2mega pixel camera phone, my Nokia 6233.

I'm planning to upgrade to a better phone though a.s.a.p.

It would have been nicer if I have the Nokia N82 Black Edition, with the 5mega pixel camera and zenon flash. Paging Nokia, send me one please!!! Hehehe joke only!

Well, Zamboanga City is a buzzing diverse metropolis located in the southeast part of the Philippines. Diverse because it is a city where Chavacano, Bisaya, Tausug, Maranao among other tribes lives in harmony? not, a lot of bombing incidents happened here and this city well forever be tainted with terrorism, abu sayaff , MILF among other infamous events.
(Left Inset) The Spanish style Zamboanga City Hall.

Besides all this, I still love Zamboanga City, For me this is the best city to visit because of its unique nature, the Latin ambiance where you cant find anywhere in the Philippines, among others. Its like being in a place where the Spanish colonial era remains, a part of the countries history.

If your taking the bus route, as what I describe on my blog before, passengers will be unloaded in the Zamboanga City Guiwan Terminal.

This is how the terminal looks like by night.

But there where other modes of transport available as well. Thru plane is possible, the city even have an International Airport as well as an International sea port. Check PAL, Cebu Pacific, Superferry, Sulpicio Lines websites for their respective time scheds.

Since the terminal is about 3kms away from the city, you have to ride a motorela, the picture on the left side, or a jeepney. The motorela is like a taxi where you can ask the driver to drive you to the destination you want. Jeepney's have their own routes to follow, so you have to be knowledgeable with the routes in order for you to reached your aimed destination.

Motorela Fare: P30.00
Jeepney Fare: P6.00

My Advise, take the motorela so you wont get lost c",

Places to Stay:

There were several hotels, inns and pension houses within the city proper. It will now depend on your budget as to where you want to stay.

This is the Lantaka Hotel, one of the high end hotels in the city. Room Rates are from P1000-3000 depending on the type of rooms you choose.

This is the Skypark Hotel, another high end hotel, but this one is within downtown area, better access to the shopping areas, malls, restaurants etc.

Room Rates: P900 - 2000, I do believe this is reasonable rate since they offer the best service, 3 star hotel way.

Viva Pension House. A viva and a hooray for this pension house since they offer cheap rates hehehe. The rates ranges from P600 - 1500 only and they are situated in the heart of the city as well, downtown area. Their rooms looks presentable enough, but they don't have elevators, so you have to exert effort in climbing their stairs specially if your room is in the 5th floor. An ideal place for people who wants to loose weight c",

The cheapest pension houses thought are the Atilano and the Blue Pearl Pension. You can rent a non aircon rooms with cable tv for as low as P350 pesos only. Place is presentable as well but you have to ride a motorela in reaching them because their in the outskirts.

Places to visit:

There were several of them actually, for now the places I'm going to show were those within the city proper only. I will be featuring other places in my upcoming blogs.

Shopping Malls

Who doesn't love shopping?!?

The Southway Square,one of the newest mall in the city. It has several shops, food chains among others. There very own department store and supermarket. A descent and comfortable place to dine and shop.

Inside the Southway Square Mall. Typical yet artistically designed, well lit as well. The mall by the way is not that big and spacious, its just a 4 story building and you just have to circle around the elevator to see all the shops per floor.

The famous Mindpro Citimall. Famous because it have been featured in the news alreadyc",This mall have been bomb by abu sayaff in the past hehehe, but then look at it, it still stand strongly with pride, amidst adversity.

This mall by the way is the biggest in the city, the only mall that has a movie theater, a foodcourt and has the most number of shops.

Historical, it is!!

(Right, Inset)Inside the Mindpro Citimall. With head held up high c",

Golden Bell Department Store. One of the most prominent shopping haven in the heart of the city. Just across the famous Plaza Pershing, this store hovers quite a number of shoppers since they offer a bit lower prices compared to other stores.
The place fails to give shoppers convenience though, the aircondition is bad, and the place is small.

Places That You Shouldn't Miss:

This is the Fort Pilar, an old Spanish Garrison which is now being converted to a national museum. The museum houses the cities old artifacts, a great place to learn more about our culture and tradition.

This is the power fortress of Fort Pilar. It was said that behind this fortress is a history of struggle, power and wealth. Hmm I love mysteries c",

When I said that Fort Pilar has a power fortress, the main reason for that is actually because of this open field church with the figure Mama Mary situated at the west side part of the fortress which have been said to be miraculous.

A true Power Fortress Indeed.

Just a few blocks away from Fort Pilar is the newly built picturesque bay side park Paseo Del Mar for people to who loves sea breeze, a relaxation at its best.

Valderosa Street. One of the remaining street in the city where you can find Spanish colonial style buildings.

Plaza Pershing!! You cant miss this place when you visit Zamboanga. Nothing special in this place, just a plain park but unique thou.

Well I think this well be for now, I will be featuring some more pictures of Zamboanga City in my upcoming blogs.

Hope today's blog helps you somehow in learning more about Asia's Only Latin City c",

Again if you have comments and suggestions, please feel free to ask.

Till Next Time Friends

Muchas Gracias! Hasta La Vista!

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