The word Zamboanga comes from the Malay word Jambangan, meaning “place of flowers”. The name was difficult for the Spanish to pronounce, so they called it Zamboanga. It’s still known as “The City of Flowers”

Aside from being the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” and home to world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, General Santos City was originally known as Dadiangas and used to be a municipality of Maguindanao

Ozamiz is home to Bukagan Hill, upon which stands the tower with four bells collectively weighing seven tons. They were intended for the Immaculate Conception Cathedral’s belfry, but were too heavy for that location

Cotabato is the seat of two great religions: Islam, which was brought here by Shariff Mohamad Kabunsuan in 1515, and Christianity. The first Catholic church was built by the Jesuits in 1871 at Tamontaka

Siargao is the country’s top surfing destination, famous for its perfect wave, the Cloud 9. The tear-drop shaped island offers sandy white beaches, forests, and waterfalls. It is very rustic and unspoiled

Davao City is one of the biggest cities in the Philippines in terms of land area, and has been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the country! No wonder more Manila folks are relocating to Davao with their families

Cagayan de Oro had several names before this one stuck. The oldest name of the city was Kalambagohan or Malambagohan, coined by the Manobos, which actually means “a place full of lambago trees”

Tacloban was formerly known as Kankabatok. Fishermen used a bamboo contraption called taklub to catch fish at Kankabatok Bay. Fishermen said they were going to Tarakluban, ergo Tacloban

Caticlan, home to Boracay Island, is the country’s version of France’s Cote d’Azur. The party island attracts a lot of famous Philippine celebrities and models especially during the Holy Week break

The Panay River in the province of Capiz winds its way through the heart of the city, earning Roxas the name, “Venice of the Visayas”. It also calls itself the seafood capital of the Philippines