During my visit to Zamboanga City, I was fortunate to experience “All Out Peace Not War: Kalinaw Hindi Digmaan,” a powerful traveling exhibition of large-scale paintings by Norberto “Bert” Monterona, currently on display at the National Museum Western-Southern Mindanao inside the historic Fort Pilar. The centuries-old fortress, once a sentinel of colonial history, now serves as a symbolic space for reflection and renewal — a fitting venue for Monterona’s stirring call for peace, justice, and cultural preservation
Month: September 2025
Curacha and Alavar Sauce
When the platter arrived, I was instantly impressed. It was a colorful spread of prawns, squid, fish, and the famed Zamboanga curacha, all glistening under a generous coating of Alavar’s special sauce. The curacha, a spanner crab unique to Zamboanga’s waters, was the undeniable star of the meal. Its meat was tender and naturally sweet, perfectly complemented by the rich, savory sauce that carried a balance of spice, creaminess, and a subtle hint of garlic. Every bite felt indulgent and deeply satisfying, the kind of dish that makes you pause just to savor the flavors and the care behind them.
Rainbow Mosque of Zamboanga City
Repainted sometime after the Marawi Siege in 2017, the Rainbow Mosque stands as a living tribute to the fallen heroes who fought for peace in Mindanao. The decision to cloak its walls in radiant hues was not merely aesthetic, it was deeply symbolic, a visual prayer for harmony and coexistence in a region long shaped by diversity. The mosque’s vibrant palette, visible even from a distance, has turned it into a cultural landmark, an emblem of hope shining brightly for both locals and travelers.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar Shrine in Zamboanga City
Standing proudly within the historic walls of Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City is the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Shrine, one of the most revered Marian pilgrimage sites in Mindanao. Facing the sea and open to the sky, the shrine is both a spiritual sanctuary and a living symbol of the city’s deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, known locally as Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, the patroness and protectress of Zamboanga.
Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City
The Zamboanga City Cathedral, now standing along La Purisima Street, was originally situated at the front of Plaza Pershing, where the present Universidad de Zamboanga is located. Built in 1870, the first cathedral was made of wood and concrete, featuring a main altar dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, flanked by statues of Jesuit saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. When the Diocese of Zamboanga was established in 1910, the church was formally elevated to the status of a cathedral.
Amoj In Wanderland 