Discovering Zamboanga-Sibugay

February 17 to 27 brought me to the country's newest province, the very flourishing Zamboanga-Sibugay. I could never turn down an invitation from my dear aunt, Dulce Kintanar-Hofer and my beauty-and-brains cousin, Ann Hofer to join them in celebration of two very special occasions. February 24 was "Araw ng Sibugay" and February 26 was Gov. George Hofer's birthday. Uncle George earned the title "Father of the Province", having created it in the year 2001 during his term as Congressman in the district.

My trips to Zamboanga-Sibugay have always been very enjoyable, adventure-filled and relaxing. I have become so attached to the place I have seen metamorphosed into one very peaceful and progressive province with a much more "empowered" people. This is the very reason that Governor Hofer was awarded Most Outstanding Governor in 2003 and the province, awarded Most Peaceful Province. Zamboanga-Sibugay now prides of being the country's biggest rubber producer and is so blessed with very rich aquaculture. Ann would never fail to bring us to various hidden treasures every visit. This time, along with the ever-reliable Tourism Officer Erik Inoferio, fun cousins Marlon and Cristy Hofer, my sister Karla, basketball legend Ramon Fernandez (who conducted a 3-day basketball clinic in Ipil as one of the kick-off events) and our good friend and PBA heartthrob John Ferriols (who assisted Mon), we ferried to the Buluan Island - the Sea Snake Sanctuary which has become one of the more popular tourist sports in the region and the pristine Looc-Labuan Beach of Tungawan, among others. Every day meant feasting on their giant and juicy talaba (oysters), super large and sweet paje (freshwater prawns), real-fat alimango (mud crabs) and fresh red-spotted snappers (lapulapu). Channel 28's "Island Hopping" host Paulo Varela, cam wizard Remton Zuasola and the workaholic PA Mahal Cabatingan, who were also there to do a special feature of the province and to cover their Guiness Book of World Records' entry for the longest oyster grill in the world, also shared that gastronomic experience. How we all enjoyed it and we swear it's going to be an annual escapade for us! After all, my SEAIR flight from Cebu to Zamboanga City via Cotabato City was such a pleasurable trip in itself, I must swear too!

Here's a photo play of that great sojourn. (*Photos taken by a Kodak digital camera and processed at Colours Foto Shop-Banilad Town Center Branch)