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Zamboanguita Negros Oriental | Dumaguete Info

Welcome to Zamboanguita!

Zamboanguita is a municipality in the southern part of Negros Oriental. You can reach this place if you ride a vehicle or a bus going to the South. The travel period is about an hour from Dumaguete City. The place is across from the beautiful island of Siquijor. The estimated population of the people here is around 25,000 last 2010. Zamboanguita means “little Zamboanga”. This is named Zamboanguita because Zamboanga City is its neighborhood city located at the lower south across the sea. Another version of the name Zamboanguita came from some legends that involve an octopus. Locals call it coguita. A long time ago, before the Spanish Spaniards set foot in the island of Negros, some Muslim fishermen came to this town which is not yet named that time. They will benefit the abundant harvest of fish in the area. From its juvenile gobies or as locals would say, “Small tugnos” to the large “iho” or the shark which is nearby the island of Apo.  One day, a group of fishermen were fishing in the area and found a big octopus. They caught it in their net. Then they separated it from their fish catch because it has tentacles and it has no gills. Their leader ordered one of them to go to the beach and find a tree and hang the octopus. Since then, every time an octopus was caught, they would hang it on that tree.  So, the name Zamboanguita actually means a hanging octopus.

The Malatapay market

In 1866, Zamboanguita was formed and established. It has a total of 10 barangays. Zamboanguita celebrates there Fiesta every May 15. They would prepare food and other programs in their activities. They would also have a feast which is called San Isidro Labrador. This is a celebration is for the farmers and to the patron saint which is San Isodro Larador. They would also have their little fiesta day every Wednesday on their open market which is in Malatapay, located at the beach in front of Apo island. They would offer unique dishes of sea foods and they have the most delicious lechon baboy (roasted pig) in the whole province of Negros. Vendors would compete to give you the best offer and services and their best food. They would also offer authentic native cuisine. They also organize a flea market in which they would sell native things, handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes and many more. A lot of tourists would come here as they would enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Father Tropa Zoo

The famous Father Tropa Zoo can be found here located in Barangay Salngan. The entrance is not expensive. Inside the zoo, they also have a museum that has some animals that were made into a collection of figurines and stuff toys. These are real animals that are preserved after dying.  They also have a mini marine sanctuary for turtles. They have some old turtles that are huge and are more than a hundred of age. So, what are you waiting for? Try to visit Zamboanguita . You would really enjoy if you visit this place with your family and friends.

White choclate hills, a new tourist destination in Zamboanguita