Zamboanga City is known for its diverse culture and rich history. It is referred to as "Asia's Latin City" due to its Hispanic influences with its Spanish-style architecture and a Spanish-based creole language — Chavacano. Chavacano is 80% Spanish and 20% mixture of Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Portuguese, and Italian. I had a Chavacano colleague before, and every time she started speaking in their dialect, it's like music to my ears. I'm also jealous that my father can speak Chavacano since he worked in Zamboanga del Sur then in Zamboanga City for more than two decades. Aside from the enthralling culture, tradition, and history, the place is also surrounded by a rich marine ecosystem and fine white beaches. [1]
I've been to Zamboanga numerous times. But I was still a little kid at that time and I can't even remember clearly the tourist spots I've been to. Luckily, my previous work always had a conference wherein the last two days were island hopping and/or city tour. At that time, it was the Ateneo de Zamboanga who hosted the conference. I was thrilled that I'll be visiting Zamboanga City again. Surprisingly, aside from the short tour around the city, they included two islands: Santa Cruz Island, Zamboanga City, and Malamawi Island, Basilan.
How to Get to Santa Cruz Island
The jump-off point to the Great Santa Cruz Island is the Paseo del Mar in Zamboanga City. Before boarding, we had an orientation first regarding the rules and regulations. Then we grouped per university. Each pump boat can accommodate 20 passengers excluding the boatmen. The MSU-IIT team had 21 employees and that includes me. The boat was already full of 20 passengers leaving me to ride to the other university's boat. Luckily, both the guide and boatmen agreed to have me as an excess. Hah!
Pink Beach
It was around 20 minutes of a boat ride to reach the island. In a distance, the island doesn't look as pink as what I've been picturing out. It looks like the usual white sand but when we drew nearer to the shore, that is when the pink hue was visible. A huge "I love Zamboanga" signage surrounded by Vintas welcomed us.
The blush color of the beach comes from pulverized rare red organ-pipe coral from years of surf erosion blended in with the white sand. The pink sand beach has gotten the attention of tourists both local and international. And in 2017, it slowly gained its popularity when it was recognized and hailed by National Geographic as one of the 21 best beaches in the world.[2]
We had a Mangrove and non-stinging Jellyfish watching, but, the project leaders were the first to go there. While waiting, we immersed ourselves in the pristine turquoise blue water of the island. The water seems shallow in the first few meters, but as we went further, it suddenly became deeper. It was unfortunate that we didn't bring snorkeling gear to clearly see the underwater wonders. Some were also occupied with strolling along the pink shore, while some played volleyball.
The island is not commercialized and well-preserved. There were no water sports available, but we fully enjoyed the bareness of the beach. Aside from the serene water with a distant view of Zamboanga City of the island, it also offers lush scenery. The island is abounding in greens. There are no resorts on the island. The number of visitors is regulated and it is open from 7:00 AM to 2:00 daily. Thus, overnight camping is prohibited. The local government is very strict with the rules and regulations. With that, we only had less than a day to enjoy the beach.
There were cottages and a grilling station near the trees and bushes. To give respect to the Muslim brothers, it is prohibited to grill pork meat there. Locals sell freshly caught seafood at a cheaper price. Some are selling jewelry made of different birthstones but mostly are pearls. To know that it is an authentic pearl, they lit it with fire and nothing will happen.
When the project leaders and other heads arrived from the mangrove and jellyfish watching, our lunch was also served in a boodle fight set-up. I got to taste again Curacha, also known as "red frog crab". As they say, our Zamboanga trip is incomplete without a taste of this delicious Curacha. Also, we had sea urchins, squid, big fishes, shrimp, and sea grapes, or what we call "Lato" in vernacular.
After that sumptuous meal, we rested for several minutes before we head to the mangrove and stingless jellyfish. We had a boat ride again for a few minutes and afterward moored in a little Badjao town. From there, we got into a smaller boat and grouped ourselves into four. It served as our tour boat in the lagoon. While waiting for our turn, some of us hopped off into the water. About 2-3 meters, the water was deep already, and we call this one "Bucana".
The Badjao is one of the Philippines' indigenous people known to be the sea-dwelling tribe. They are widely referred to as "sea gypsies". [3]
Mangrove Lagoon
We were welcomed by the picturesque view of the big mangrove laden lagoon. The mangrove seemed as though islets covered by lavish greens. The water was calm and low that we could clearly see the sea bed. As we enter the mangrove-covered lagoon, we could hear vividly the symphony of nature. It added the wow factor to the place. Connecting with nature is truly a magnificent treat for our soul. It was truly serene and relaxing.
As we continued sailing from the mangrove maze, our guide kept on giving us information about the mangroves in the lagoon, like how they all look the same but actually differ in species and how important the mangroves are in maintaining the equilibrium of the ecosystem. In the middle of the lagoon, there lies the century-old mangrove (bakawan) with its expansive prop roots, trunk, and branches. Our guide had also mentioned that migratory birds kept on coming in the lagoon, like Heron and Egret. Unfortunately, during our visit, we didn't see them up-close.
Stingless Jellyfish
Apart from the different species of mangroves, the Great Santa Cruz Lagoon is also the home of the stingless jellyfish. I've mentioned this on my Sohoton blog that I've already seen a stingless jellyfish, and this was the jellyfish in Santa Cruz Island. This stingless jellyfish in the Great Santa Cruz Island is also known as the "upside-down" jellyfish. They are earthy colored in shading that made them seemed as though they were camouflaging with the sea bed and brown seaweeds. There were hundreds of them stacking upside-down in the sea bed where you can pick and touch them.
We were so giddy in touching them. But before that, our guide instructed us on the best way to appropriately pick and hold them. Also, while we were in the Badjao village, the guide informed us in advance that those who applied sunblock, lotion, or any other chemicals applied to the hands are not allowed in holding these stingless jellyfish. As mentioned, the water was low, and from the boat, we just extended and submerged our hand into the water to pick them up. We had to do it either one by one or together, but on the opposite side, else our boat will flip over. We deliberately adhered to the guidelines since the bell of these jellyfish is marginally submerged in the sea bed.
Vinta
After the photo session with the stingless jellyfish, we sailed further until the end of the lagoon where there were four colorful vintas docked. Vinta is a traditional boat originating from Mindanao, Philippines. The boats are made by the people living in southern Mindanao especially in the Sulu Archipelago and Zamboanga peninsula. It is used for fishing and widely known for its colorful rectangular lug sails (bukay). [4]
We had 15 minutes to spare for a Vinta photoshoot. Vinta is the only thing that I remembered during my Zamboanga trip when I was still a little kid. Its vibrant colors embedded in my mind that I was able to remember it vividly.
Then, we rode again to our boat and went back to the Badjao village. Time was ticking before we head back to Zamboanga City. So, we rode to the bigger pump boat and headed back to Pink Beach where we enjoyed the remaining time on the Great Santa Cruz Island.
Rules and Regulations
Orientation is a must before boarding to inform the tourist about the implementation of the strict rules. Local tourism officers are serious about preserving the bareness and beauty of the island. The following are some of the rules mentioned in the orientation:
- No smoking
- No drinking of alcoholic beverages
- No littering
- No climbing of trees
- No bringing of marine life, like the corals and sand
- No grilling of pork
- No overnight camping
Summing Up
Hats off to the tourism officers and locals who are helping one another to preserve the beauty and cleanliness of Great Santa Cruz Island and to maintain its rich ecosystem. There's no question why it was hailed as one of the best beaches in the world.
We only had less than a day to savor and enjoy the island. Yes, it was short, but it was still a fun-filled trip. Its bare beauty is what makes this island stands out.
NOTE:
Some pictures used in this blog (with watermarks) are from the shared Google Drive account available to all Phil-LiDAR 1 employees.
Credits to iTravel Tourist Lane and Ateneo de Zamboanga Phil-LiDAR 1.
REFERENCES
[1] Guide to the Philippines
[2] Zamboanga City Beaches
[3] Ethnic Groups in the Philippines
[4] Vinta
K N E E L Y R A C
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