Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Basilan : Isabela City

Isabela City is the capital of Basilan.  The province of Basilan belongs to ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) but the city of Isabela is administered as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.  The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan.  Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City. (wikipedia).

The native language is Chavacano, a Spanish creole, understood by 80% of the population.

Here are some of basic Chavacano
Yes - Si!
No - No!
Good morning! - Buenos Dias!
Good Afternoon! - Buenas Tardes!
How are you? - Quetal 'tu?
How much is this? - Cuanto 'ste?
Thank you! - Gracias!
Welcome - Bienvenidos!

How to get to Isabela, Basilan:
Ride a fastcraft ferry at  Zamboanga City for an hour at Php 150, kids half fare.  Regular ferry fares are at Php 100 and will take an hour and a half to reach Isabela, kids' rates are at Php 40.  
 

on board Weesam Express Fastcraft

arrival at Isabela Port

at Isabela Port with my kids


in front of Basilan Provincial Capitol



Yahoooo!!! there's a Jollibee store in Basilan... Jollibee will always be a kid's haven wherever it may be located...
my kids at Jollibee playground

Jollibee's 500th store: Jollibee Basilan opened in early 2005

bancas crossing Malamawi

After enjoying Malamawi Island, we roam around Isabela...I just used my point and shoot camera for the other locals not to notice us in taking pictures.

the City Hall of Isabela

Basilan Provincial Capitol

Basilan's map at the back located at the city plaza


vintas


the altar with an intricate mosaic from Italy

Sta. Isabel Cathedral has been bombed several times and most of the time there are armed personnel guarding some of the gates of the church to monitor closely the people entering the area. 


A Muslim area but you'll be surprised that there is a large number of  Catholics in  Isabela.  Roughly there are 73% Roman Catholics and only 27% Muslims.  Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslims while Chavacanos are Christians. 

Muslims gathered outside Sta. Isabel Cathedral, proving that Muslims and Christians in Basilan are in good terms.

our service jeep owned by Poe Reynera, the Manager of Malamawi White Beach

We braved to go to Basilan because we have a local guide in going around Isabela.  You can also message thru his blogs Sir Dong Ho, a travel blogger, who is also a native of Basilan.  I came to know Sir Bobby Reynera in Sir Dong's blog and he commented that it is safe to go to Basilan, not knowing that he is the owner of the 11 hectare Malamawi White Beach and the 48.9 hectares on the northern end of Malamawi Island located on top of the mountain.  He is developing it for future tourism purposes to somehow address the negative image of Isabela.  A true hearted Basileño, he tried to serve his fellow Basileños by running at the local elections last May 2013 as a vice mayor of the city but sadly he loss.  He has generated jobs by hiring some Badjaos to maintain his beach resort and Hacienda Bobby Rey.  

Mr Reynera has  provided us with a guide starting from Zamboanga City port up to Malamawi White Beach in Isabela City.  And surprisingly it is the Manager of the White Beach, kuya Poe Reynera, together with his son, who fetched us at the port.  If travelling alone or in a group it is better to have a local guide so that the guide will only roam you around safe places. Or better contact Dept. of Tourism Isabela when going to the city.


going back to Zamboanga City
the regular ferry at Php100 for adults and Php40
For travel assistance :
* Hja. Gigi Carama-Junudi, Basilan Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Capitol Building,
   Isabela City, Basilan.
* Jayson Tubil, Isabela City Tourism Officer, Isabela City Hall Complex, Isabela City, Basilan.


Bobby Reynera - Owner of Malamawi White Beach - 0916-7138518

You can also visit Basilan's official tourism website at
http://basilan.gov.ph/index.php/tourism-basilan


We also visited  Malamawi Island



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