Zamboanga: The historic Fort Pilar
Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa
After eating a Satti breakfast at one of the Satti shops in Pilar Street, morning finds us strolling the streets of Zambaonga City ending up at the imposing structure by the Zamboanga Peninsula Seas, which is the historical Fort Pilar. This venerable fort founded in 1635 yet still proudly stands strong until now, represents the rich colonial history of this region of our country.
An outdoor Marian shrine
We entered an open gate at the back of the Fort where an amount of human traffic can be seen going in and out of the premise. It was the entrance to a one of a kind outdoor shrine holding open air mass. The mid morning sun was already beaming its warm light on this holy ground and walls and also to the flock of devotees, equipped with their own umbrellas and sun shields, who were already on their feet and queuing towards the altar for their individual religious ritual with holy water.
Our Lady of the Pilar Shrine details
At the focal point of the area, and where the pathways created from the concrete pews seem to point, is the miraculous statue of Our Lady of the Pillar can be found facing the rising sun. This statue of the Virgin Mary was said to have miraculously appeared on a pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, on October 12, 1492. This paved way to the Christianization of some of the Hispanics from the Moros in which the fort was defending against. On the same day, the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar was declared and became the city’s Patron Saint.
To whom the bell tolls
There is so much history about Zamboanga City’s Fort Pilar that I didn’t know. I guess our historians are mostly focused in Manila and very few Spanish history in the South. For a region deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, Zamboanga City is the seat of Christianization in Mindanao. Under the Spanish rule, sea expeditions were launched to fight the Moro Pirates, and at the near end of the Spanish revolution, it was a Zamboanga born hero Vicente S. Alvarez who unseated the mighty rulership of the Spaniards. And around the 1900-1920s the US government established a short lived form of government where Zamboanga was the Seat of the Government. So for a while a “Republic of Zamboanga” was established.
Candles and prayers
Beside the open area church at the east side of the Fort, the inner structure was converted into a museum, unfortunately for us, it was a Sunday and the museum was closed. So we just decided to go around the area and take pictures and observe the local folks.
Wish upon a burning candle
On the left of the altar is an area where you can offer prayers along with the burning candles. Unfortunately I’m no catholic so I don’t fully understand what the different colors of the candles represent. It was interesting as well that during prayer, people would open and close their palms above the flames for a while.
Religious items sold outside the church
Outside the walls of the fort, like most other churches in the country, have a few stalls selling some religious items as well as food. It was really interesting visiting this place. If Manila has Intramuros, Zamboanga City has Fort Pilar which isn’t short of historical and religious significance as well.
Tags: Fort Pilar, Heritage, People, Structures, Zamboanga City
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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 at 12:58 am 
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September 15th, 2007 at 2:50 am
Wow! That was a huge shrine! Never seen alike to that one.
September 15th, 2007 at 7:39 am
wonderful travelogue. very informative. very pleasing to the eyes too.
September 15th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Wonderful information and love the photos especially #4 and #7.
[:
Kuya, if you aren’t Catholic then you’re? I’m just curious. And happy weekend!
September 15th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
We often go to Fort Pilar on Sunday afternoons and it is much cleaner now than what was before; thanks to the efforts of the city government.
September 15th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Did you EB with the Major?
Anyway, interesting church. I guess they have to bring umbrellas when it rains during mass. hehe. Don’t quite get the barbeque-grill-looking thing. Not sure how the candles work with that.
September 15th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I remember my first visit in Zamboanga..last 2002.I never get the chance to roam around the city coz of the threat done by Muslim terrorists..however,I bought Malong which was a traditional sarong or shawl for a remembrance.
September 15th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
grabe naman ka-eliganteng tigan ang crown.
September 16th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Na-intriga ako sa mga photos mo. Gusto ko rin ma-visit ang lugar na ito. Malapit lang ito sa province namin.
I’m wondering why the museum is being closed on Sunday. In my most experience with museums (Negros, Southern Tagalog, Ilcos etc.), they are open from Tuesday to Sunday and Monday is the closing day…
Anyways, looking forward for more of your photographic adventure, Ferdz
September 16th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Adn to think this place was quite close from Cagayan de Oro. I have never set foot here. It’s so beuatiful…at least this venue is. I am now starting to think that I have led a very sheltered life indeed.
September 16th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
actually, this fort was first abandoned by the Spaniards but at the height of the muslim slave raids, they returned to supress these slave traders. A once glorious fort but the Americans bulldozed portions of the walls to give way to residence communities.
September 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hi Ferdz,
Thanks for taking us to Zamboanga!Never been there in my life.It looks like a very interesting place to visit. Lovely shots as usual!
BTW Sidney has a shot of colourful candles & their meaning.
Have a nice weekend!
September 16th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
parang malaki rin ang Fort Pilar ah… nakapreserve pa rin ang mga pader…
i like the bells shot…
September 16th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
I know its suppose to be religious and all that, but wouldn’t it be cool if you could gather the boys and BBQ right there! Thats a huge grill!
September 17th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I’ve been to zamboanga but never got the chance to roam around by day. Balik ako dun this year.
September 17th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
i didn’t know that about zamboanga. i also haven’t heard about the Lady appearing there. kse diba pag mga ganyan, parang lgeng kinukwento.. even outside zamboanga? kaya nagulat ako kse wala ako narinig na ganyan
September 17th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Great shots and very interesting facts about Zamboanga. I never thought that the Spaniards have ventured in Minadao. That’s probably why Zamboanga they say has some kind of a pidgin Spanish dialect aka Chabacano, as the result of Spaniards settling there
September 18th, 2007 at 12:22 am
ganda ng place! ferdz ano na gamit mong camera?
September 18th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Wow! It seems you are always traveling!
I will never have the chance to visit all those places in my lifetime!
Maybe I can continue the travel as an angel…
Great info and pictures as usual.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Very interesting and informative stuff about Zamboanga. I didn’t know that there was a Republic of Zamboanga and that it’s the seat of Christianity in Mindanao. The photos are a feast for the eyes!
September 18th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
as usual, ganda ng mga kuha at kuwento. hmmm, i’m kicking myself for not joining you when you went to zambo…
September 19th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
just came back from a trip in central visaya and I visited the 2nd oldest church in the philippines, i got few shots to post in my blog soon but my shots are nothing compared to yours. Great posts everytime dude. Keep it up.
October 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
BeautifUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUl
April 17th, 2008 at 10:05 am
wow!!
i really miss my hometown…
God bless!