It’s the only place in the Philippines where you still hear people greet each other with “Hola” and “Que tal?”

This is Zamboanga City, where the local dialect is called Chavacano, a Spanish-based creole language that is blended with Filipino grammar. It’s as hermosa as the ciudad.

Unfortunately, some violent interfaith conflicts in the past have kept a lot of people from visiting. But once one is able to see past the stigma, one will appreciate Zamboanga as a lovely place where Christians and Muslims now peacefully coexist.  

I found myself there again last weekend for the Zamboanga City Marathon, which was among the activities coinciding with the annual Hermosa Festival — a month-long cultural and religious festival held every October in Zamboanga City, in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s patroness. 

As soon as I flew in, I went straight to the Butterfly Garden in Pasonanca Park to claim my race kit.

Pasonanca is an ASEAN Heritage park that serves as a huge watershed forest reserve. Its area, at 17,414 hectares, is even bigger than Quezon City. 

I previously discovered the area when I had to go to Zamboanga for a work assignment and asked the locals for the best place to run and I was pointed in that direction. It has a well-known morning crowd of joggers and cyclists who are fond of its gentle uphill climbs, slopes and curves.

Due to its challenging terrain, I was relieved it wasn’t included in the marathon race course.

The race started at Paseo del Mar, a serene beachfront area, and wound its way through city streets before continuing along the long stretch of Governor Camins Highway

We skirted the new flyover they just opened last May. Too bad we didn’t get the chance to run through what must be the most expensive 437-meter flyover that cost a whopping P470 million to build. It may just hold the record for being the most expensive half-kilometer in the Philippine highway system! 

The route was well-lit and the aid stations were adequate, offering fruits and precious ice for runners. The volunteers were very friendly, too.

I was not chasing a specific time but simply enjoyed my pace. It was already daybreak when I got back to Paseo Del Mar to claim my medal at the finish line. The atmosphere was festive with a parade of the image of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar.

After I freshened up a bit in my hotel, I went to watch the regatta that featured hundreds of colorful vintas. It was truly a visual feast and a great way to cap this Zamboanga race experience.