GREAT STA. CRUZ ISLAND
Pink Sand Beach

If Aklan in Visayas has white sand beach, Zamboanga City in Mindanao has this striking, unique pink sand island beach- the Great Sta. Cruz Island. Sta. Cruz Island is dubbed as ''Pink Sand Beach'' and is one of the best beach destination not just in Mindanao but in the whole Philippines. 

Tubipora Musica renders the pinkish sand effect of the island

The unique pinkish sand was due to pulverized rare red organ-pipe coral (tubipora musica) mixed with white sand. Take note of this, the fusion of the red organ-pipe coral with the white sand took million years to take effect the pinkish sand to emerge. Diverse marine life and magnificent water visibility [depending on weather] are ideal to do snorkeling and scuba diving along the island. The island is also surrounded by plenty of majestic coral reefs, something the scuba divers can look forward to. These are the primary activities that can be done in the island except for the usual bathing.The island's interior is covered with lushy green grass and vegetation, with some flowering trees, providing a welcome shade from the near equatorial sunshine. The island is also rich in marine plants such as mangroves, in addition, the island has also islets which the locals called Little Sta. Cruz islands and also have similar features of the main island.

Rica, my cousin along the island's shore

Honestly, I've never been in the island before. Quite humiliating but true. The island can be seen visibly even when you're on R.T. Lim boulevard or in port area of Zamboanga. The island also had a mangrove laden lagoon that serves as the habitat of marine/aquatic animals. Such beauty and uniqueness is inevitable for curious tourists to have a visit.

Getting to the Island is just 5 to 8 minutes away from the city. Boats are the only means of transportation going to the island. The boats are mainly based in Lantaka Hotel and is the jumping-off station. Sadly, the island's true beauty has been taken from it due to recent illegal coral reef mining which cause massive destruction.  All that's left are the dead skeletons of what once were glorious shells and coral reefs. No matter, the beach and water is still a thing of beauty, and well worth your endeavor.  Thankfully, the thieves of nature cannot cause the same damage to nearby Little Santa Cruz Island because it is a guarded military installation, and the coral reef there is still healthy, and a possible source for restoration of the big island. The island is a protected sanctuary but illegal activities can't be avoided since the island can't be guarded 27/7.

 

Pasonanca Park

The Boys Scout Camp

The Famous Pasonanca Tree House

from left: Omar and Lucky (my nephews) posing underneath the tree house last summer

The construction of the park started in 1912 by the Governor of Moro Province- General John J. Pershing and completed during Governor Frank W. Carpenter's administration. The park is composed of several activity areas- a separated campsites for both males and females, an amphitheater, a convention center, and other useful facilities. 

I really can't remember my last visit in this park, I guess I'm 10 years old that time during my last visit. As I know, the park has already a mini zoo and is considered to be the best place in Zamboanga City to have picnic since a lot of towering old trees are surrounding the park that gives much shaded area. Pasonanca park is also rich in flora- wild flowers, orchids, ferns and wild shrubs. 

Fort Pilar

Our Lady of Pilar Altar

The Courtyard of Fort Pilar

The Shrine

The Royal Fort of Our Virgin Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza or commonly known as Fort Pilar is one of the main tourist attractions and landmark of the city. This 17th century military fortress was built by the Spanish Colonial Government for defense against outlaws and rebels. Outside of the fortress' eastern gate wall, a Marian shrine can be found dedicated to the city's patroness- Our Lady of the Pillar. 

Legend has it that Virgin Mary appeared to a soldier on December 6, 1734 at the gate of the fortress. The soldier didn't immediately recognize her and asked her to stop. As the soldier scrutinized the lady, he fell down to his knees. Another apparition has been taken place, not in the fortress' gate but floating in mid-air. On September 21, 1897, around 1:14 in the afternoon, a tough earthquake struck the western region of Mindanao Island. The Virgin Mary made an apparition, and according to the people who witnessed it, they saw the Virgin floating in mid-air over the Basilan Strait raising her right hand that signals on the rushing waves to stop, thus saving Zamboanga City from a tsunami.