Culture

EL KULTURA (The Culture)

Customs and Traditions

Zamboanga always throbs with the colorful cultures, traditions, and lifestyles of people shaped by the confluence of native Subano, Malay, Islamic (Yakan, Samal, Tausug and Badjao), Spanish and American cultures that spanned the course of centuries. Of all these, the Spanish culture had the strongest impact – about 50% of Zamboangueño culture is anchored on España and its three centuries of presence.

Badjao houses on stilts along the Recodo coastal road. Badjaos are called "Sea gypsies" because they move with the wind and the tide with on their small houseboats called vintas.  The Badjaos are primitive people, friendly and meek. -photo courtesy of Flicker

Love of one’s heritage is typical value, which clearly manifests the extent of Hispanic culture, and influence among the Zamboangueños.

Despite the authenticity and distinctiveness of the Zamboangueños as a cultural group in the Zamboanga Peninsula, there is not much that can be identified as indigenous in terms of beliefs and practices.

Badjao's beautiful handmade vinta sails that paints the Zamboanga's coastal area, in participation with Regatta during Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

All of these cultures, however, are fascinating and form the essence of Zamboanga’s cultural heritage, unique and the envy of many less fortunate cities and provinces who cannot lay claim to such a colorful past and history. The diversity of Zamboanga flows together in a single stream – the Christians and Muslims living in harmony for centuries, the Chinese and the Spanish or American mestizos transacting the daily business of life, and the women of all races giving Zamboanga the face of beauty the world has known for many years.

Zamboangueño customs and traditions are quaint and replete with old world courtesy. Modernity and western influences have somewhat modified them through the years. Among them: the role of the father as the family model quite strict, specially with daughters, and the mother as the light of the family whose kingdom was the home; or table manners that required a code of courtesy; the respect for elders and visitors that saw children relegated to their rooms until guests had left; or the Zamboangueño who was often called “un hombre de cojones.”

On the other side, though, there are also traits such as misplaced or excessive pride, vanity, jealousy, boastfulness, and snobbishness that detracted. But put them all together, this was the Zamboangueño package, like it or not. 

Zamboangueño courtship associated with "harana"

The Zamboangueño courtship and traditions are elaborate and regulated by a long list of required social graces. An example is the fact that a suitor could not sit unless permitted to do so by the lady’s parents, or the heavy cross-examination of the suitor who had to answer satisfactorily all questions as to his lineage, credentials, and occupation, or the courtship curfew, the need to cultivate the goodwill of all the members of the lady’s family.

“Zamboangueño songs” also show much of culture. The songs of love show the need for the "harana" or the courtship serenade as well as the limits puts on the expression of love by the norms of culture and tradition. The Chabacano Song Festival, has produced numerous Chabacano pieces. The Chabacano Song Festival is one of the events of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. -zamboanga.gov.ph

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Lovely Costumes and Nice Flower Props with Matching Big Smiles

This Contingent Came in Blue Motif: Elegant and Vogue, they're Like Fashion Models on Street

Sooo Flamboyant and Colorful 

Every October the scenic city of Zamboanga, as the "City of Flowers", celebrates its grand annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival or the popularly known as Fiesta Pilar with 12 days and nights of events and celebrations. The beautiful city of Zamboanga welcomes thousands to the region's biggest, most extravagant celebration of the year. The two day celebrations are mainly in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pilar Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa, which is also commonly known as the “Fiesta Pilar” at the legendary Fort Pila who has a special fiesta in October. The people of Zamboanga passionately believe that the lady has served as their unifying cultural and historical symbol. 

Colorful and flamboyant costumes juxtaposed with big smiles from participants during the street parade Colorful and flamboyant costumes juxtaposed with big smiles from participants during the street parade

In tribute of her feast day, Zamboanga displays its loyalty and enthusiasm with a nine-night procession, the event includes live music, cultural performances; street parades, fireworks displays and one of the most amazing aspects of the festivities include a wonderful regatta with old sailing ships and yachts sporting red, yellow and other brightly colored sails. There are also art exhibitions and colorful flower shows displaying the botanical wonders of Mindanao's tropical vegetations. (Watch out for the orchids, which are particularly striking). 'Hermosa', which means beautiful, is an appropriate term for this visually dazzling event. This festival runs from October 1 to 12. -philippinecountry.com

Regatta de Zamboanga 

This Picture is BEAUTY- It depicts the transition from sadness to HAPPINESS! ;)

Go, go, go... #08. hahahahah, Sorry friends! 8 is my favorite number! ;)

Of the numerous events held in the month of October, one of the most renowned is the Regatta de Zamboanga, which showcases the finest vintas (sailboats) in the country. 

During the 37th Regatta de Zamboanga Festival 2011 -photo courtesy of Minda News

The boat race started in 1974 to make the indigenous peoples and small fishermen a part of the celebration of the annual feast of the city’s patron-saint Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), which takes place every 12th of October. 

Under the supervision of the local administration, the Regatta, besides all the music, dancing and other festivities, is all about the boat race. While there are special awards given to the winner, it is mainly intended to present to the world the beauty of the vinta. The sails and hulls, often along with the participants, are clad in bright and colorful outfits, which complement the party like atmosphere.-zamboangaboard.com

Badjao Community

"Ayuda Badjao" means HELP BADJAO

Boat making for the men, the finish product is the "vinta"

One of their Livelihood to support their daily needs

Indeed, that's why they are dubbed as "sea-gypsies"

Waiting for Food

Asking for Alms

Badjao Stilt Houses in Barangay Sinunuc

Most of them are called Badjaos or the “sea gypsies” of the Sulu and Celeb seas and they live mostly on house boats all their lives. In this region, once they have caught their fish, they just easily cross by the port and sell their fresh catch. The Badjao Community is situated along the road/shore of Barangay Sinunuc in Zamboanga City. Government, as well as some private sectors offer help to the community to at least help them in having a livelihood to support their daily needs and not just depending their income that they usually gather on the sea such as asking for alms whenever there is a ship docked in the port, and ask some money, or might as well say food, from the passengers of the ship. AYUDA EL MAGA BADJAO (Help the Badjao's)!

Yakan Weavers

Native Yakan Weaver and her Loom

The Finish Product (I think I like the blue ones behind) ;)

The Specially Weaved Yakan Cloth, and that's what we call CREATIVE and CULTURE!

CULTURE + CREATIVITY = Yakan Cloth

Ate! how much would it cost if I buy 3 pieces of shawl, 2 pieces of sling bags, and a pair of that cozy wallet? heheheheh... ;)

Host to the only Yakan community in Zamboanga City, the center is located just across the famed La Vista de Mar beach resort at the border of Barangay Upper Calarian and Sinunuc and along the National Highway. You can witness the local people weaving intricately hand-woven clothes on giant looms as well as traditional brasswares. In order to make a meter of the specially weaved Yakan cloth, it takes a week to finish a meter of it. Please don't be shocked if they charge quite much if you buy these cloths. ;)