The Archdiocesan Shrine of the Santo Niño in Tacloban traces its beginnings to 1770, when it was founded by the Augustinian missionaries. On June 30, 1889, the image of the Santo Niño, once believed to be lost at sea, mysteriously arrived at the Port of Tacloban. The timing of this miraculous return coincided with the sudden end of the epidemic, which the people gratefully attributed to divine intervention. From that day on, the Santo Niño was venerated as the city’s patron, and Tacloban’s annual Sto. Niño Fiesta has continued to celebrate this miracle with heartfelt devotion and vibrant cultural expression.
Bert Monterona’s “All Out Peace Not War” Art Exhibit
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
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.
Plaza Cuartel
In December 1944, something tragic happened in Plaza Cuartel. More than a hundred American prisoners of war were locked in an underground tunnel inside the fort. The Japanese soldiers poured gasoline into the area and set it on fire. Only eleven men managed to escape by jumping into the sea and swimming all the way to Iwahig.
Saint Ezequiél Moreno and the Puerto Princesa Cathedral
In the heart of Palawan’s capital stands the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. But beyond its pointed arches and Neo-Gothic towers lies a deeper story—one rooted in missionary zeal, colonial history, and the unwavering devotion of a man who would one day be canonized a saint: Fray Ezequiél Moreno.
Palawan Crocodile Farm
Visitors begin their tour at the hatchery, where baby crocodiles are raised before being transferred to larger enclosures. The highlight is meeting the two species cared for at the center: the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), a rare freshwater species found only in the country and now critically endangered, and the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the world’s largest reptile, thriving in coastal and brackish waters but often feared for its size and territorial behavior.
Nom Nom Palawan: More Than Just a Meme
What made Nomnom stand out was the experience rather than the food alone. The cheerful staff, the lighthearted atmosphere, and the sense of being in on the restaurant’s online humor all added to its appeal. It may not have been a gourmet burger destination, but it was more than just a meme, it was a fun and memorable stop, especially as the closing note to our Puerto Princesa trip.
Vietnamese Refugee Village in Palawan
Tucked away in Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, lies a place that tells a story beyond the turquoise waters and limestone cliffs that Palawan is known for. Viet Ville, or the Vietnamese Refugee Village, is a quiet community built in the late 1970s as a haven for thousands of Vietnamese “boat people” who fled their country after the Vietnam War. Palawan became their sanctuary, and with the support of the Philippine government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Catholic Church, the settlement thrived as a temporary home until the refugees could be resettled in other parts of the world.
Macau Giant Panda Pavilion
In the quiet, green area of Coloane, the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion offers visitors a simple and peaceful place to see animals up close. Located within Seac Pai Van Park, the pavilion is part of a larger nature park that houses various animal species, including gibbons, flamingos, monkeys, and, of course, the famous giant pandas.
Amoj In Wanderland 