Zamboanga City: Enter Rio Hondo
Muslim Mosque on stilts in Rio Hondo
I have been mentioning a lot about the scenic stilt houses down in Zamboanga Peninsula, and now it’s time to get deep inside one of these villages and take a glimpse of their life here. Enter Rio Hondo. Rio meaning ‘river’ Hondo meaning ‘deep’, is a deep river Muslim village on stilts of the coast of Zamboanga City. I heard Jessica Soho Reports featured this village a few weeks back, but I wasn’t able to catch it. I hope you’ll enjoy my feature on this scenic village on stilts as well.
Girl pulling some bottles of water
The Rio Hondo village is only a short drive from one of Zamboanga City’s major landmark, Fort Pilar. In fact Jeepneys go directly or end their routes in this village. We arrived at a bridge entrance to the so called village and we were hesitant to go in. Rio Hondo isn’t really a tourist spot, in fact it looks more like a slum at first sight and the scene of poverty is apparent. We are not one who’ll just walk in some unknown place like this not knowing what we would see inside.
Barangay Mariki’s elementary school
While at the bridge entrance, where a lot of kids and passers by whose attention we seemed to have attracted, we were able to talk to some locals on what we could find inside and if they could accompany us as well. Fortunately, we bumped into a nice guy named Mandangan (not sure if I got this right) who turns out to be the brother of a Baranggay Tanod in the area and was gracious enough to tour us around the place.
Walking through a labyrinth of Paths
Upon entering on what may seem a slum area isn’t very much really inside. Not all are makeshift houses using galvanized iron sheets really some are actually well made using concrete. At first we passed by on what seemed to be their market place with fresh fish, meats and vegetables are sold. Believe it or not, even pirated DVDs and CDs already made it here as well. There are billiard halls and videoke centers as well. But things really get interesting once we set foot on the wooden stilt foot paths inside the village.
Parked boats by the stilt houses
These wooden stilt foot paths are just really amusing and it was great that we have a guide who can show us around as it’s a labyrinth in here. One can easily get lost in this complex maze of wooden walkways and corridor of houses. At first I was really careful on pointing or taking shot of my camera, so while walking I was discreetly taking pictures from my camera phone. Of course I was being cautious as I don’t know if people here are okay being taken pictures with. But soon I learned that the community here are very welcoming of visitors and the aren’t very mindful of a picture or two. hat really put me at ease.
Hair cut anyone?
The village is very picturesque, those long stilt foundations reflecting over the waters, the parked boats, especially the geometric shapes of the paths along the houses and of course, the everyday life of the people of these village. We learned that there are actually a combination of Muslims and Badjao’s in the area. How to differentiate them, I have no idea, but it seems they themselves know hot tell one from the other. Like most of the people living close to the sea, most of their revenues come from fishing.
Scenic mosque among mangroves
It’s really amusing to see how people just hang out here and go on with their lives. Most of the children playing by the waters, some elders hanging out by their windows watching people pass by on their idle time. Mandangan also showed us this new section of the village facing the sea where we could clearly see the Great Santa Cruz Island on the horizon. He said the village is planning to build another section of houses in this area. Interesting. Too bad I never got to ask whether they got to pay some land taxes or water property taxes living in these areas.
Scenes among the wooden paths
Some of the interesting and scenic structures I’ve seen in this village is their Mosque found among the mangroves. There are actually 2 mosque here, one which you can find at the entrance and this one which I find really scenic. The structure seems to reflect the village’s identity as well, being made with sheets of galvanized irons as well. Honestly it looks very fragile and can seem to collapse at any moment. Seems to be leaning on one side as well. Another interesting structure is the school in Baranggay Mariki.
Muslim families in their houses
A visit to this stilt village of Rio Hondo is culturally rewarding. I know, it’s not everyone’s taste visiting places like these which seems like a venerated slum area to some people but this is how these people live and this is their culture. And I find these places quite interesting.
Laying the foundation while waving goodbye to us. (Great Santa Cruz Island at the background)
Tags: Mosque, Muslims, People, Rio Hondo, Stilt Village, Zamboanga City
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Thursday, July 5th, 2007 at 10:24 am 
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July 5th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Looks like the woman in the second to the last pic is texting. If she is, wow! even here phones are necessity.
This is nice and interesting. Houses on stilts and footbridges and there are mangroves nearby..This place reminds me your trip to the floating village in Camboadia
July 5th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
It definitely is an interesting place to visit and the first photo is amazing; I like the way you composed it!
(:
July 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
what were you doing there anyway? are you covering for a magazine or something?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Very interesting place indeed. I just showed these shots to my aleman asawa he said the same Very interesting daw!
I hope people won’t misunderstand me with this,though I like to see these places a lot! I do not think, I’d be willing to pay a visit,anjan lagi ang takot ! sigh
July 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
For some reason, I’m not shocked that there’s pirated DVDs and CDs being sold there. hehehe
I’m a little freaked out about taking pictures above water or heights because my camera might fall below.
I like the photo of the boats “parked” right next to their houses, like the cars for the houses for people on land.
I wonder how clean that water is though. You know, how do they deal with sanitation?
July 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
ayos ang series ah… great pics… you showed us the way of life of the people in rio hondo… two thumbs up…
July 5th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
again, another great set bro . hala, kelan kaya tayo makaka-shoot? tagulan na
July 5th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
parang yung mga pics mo sa indonesia ba yun. galing ng parking area.
July 6th, 2007 at 9:30 am
sarap sigurong mag-shoot jan ano, kaya lang siguradong mas mauunahan ako ng takot, mahirap kasi kapag dayo lang sa ibang lugar. gusto ko yung first picture, ang ganda ng pagkaka-highlight ng mosque using the wooden bridge..
July 6th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Nice images sir. Sarap talagang mag-travel, makakarating din ako jan! hehehe!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I wonder - what place have you not visited?
Magipon-ipon ka na, Ferdz - the moon is next! LOL!
July 7th, 2007 at 3:52 am
that is a very interesting place. great picture of the bridge leading to the mosque on stilts.
July 7th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
nice pic and very interesting exploration in zamboanga
July 7th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
thanks for the tour ferdz…
i wish rio hondo well.
July 8th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Ferdz, this is fascinating. I haven’t been to Zamboanga, or in most of the places featured here. It’s great that you feature them because I get to travel vicariously.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:07 am
wow nice place i think its worth a visit. and the photography was excellent. great site….
July 8th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Rio Hondo and Mariki is just about a mile from us and when I was a kid, I used to frequent it since we have some relations there.
It wasn’t always like that. When it was newly built in the Marcos era, the area was in fact considered a tourist area, showcasing the unique culture of muslims and sea
habitating Badjaos. You can actually tell the Badjaos by there distinctive ethnic looks, like more of similar to those in Palau and the Pacific tiny islands. Some have become muslims by faith but still others remain some kind of atheist.
But over the years, it had gravely deteoriated that the wooden planks/passageway have lots of holes in them, couldn’t pass or walk as easily. Years ago, in the main wooden bridges, one could even run a motorcycle there.
Still, I am sure it was culturally enriching to ever visit the place.
July 8th, 2007 at 9:14 am
wow another set of best photo essay… what can i say!
July 8th, 2007 at 10:22 am
very interesting place…. even pirated stuffs made it there as well? wow.
i like the last picture…
interesting post..
July 8th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
nice shots Ferdz! Aw.. I love the innocent children in the last pic.
July 8th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
eyyy ferdz… i love the #2 photo… full of character…
wheww di man lang tau nagkita sa Pinas ah… medyo busy din
July 8th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
What a fascinating enclave by the river. I bet most kids are fine swimmers since having grown up there.
Another wonderful feature, Ferdz. Thanks for sharing!
July 8th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Another Zamboanga adventures…..the picture # 2 is eventually a perfect shot for a professional photographer standpoint of picture taking….
I love it……wish to borrow some of your pics with your kind approval of course.
July 9th, 2007 at 1:20 am
We have our own version of Venice!
I honestly thought the elementary school in the third picture was flooded until I examined it closely and saw the stilts. It is a very charming place. I can’t imagine though living on top of water. It must be fun for the kids.
Missed reading your travels Ferdz. Been on hiatus the past weeks because of work.
July 9th, 2007 at 10:46 am
God! Great pictures, man! Sad to see people in such a sorry state, though. Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment by the way.
July 9th, 2007 at 11:58 am
ei ferdz! thanks for dropping by. aint too lat e to shoot, titiyempo lang. but ur right, the rainy season is a good time as any to catch up on reading matters.
July 9th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
ang cute nung bata sa second pic. =)
July 9th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
It’s been awhile since I opened my PC to surf, but whenever I do, I always see to it that I visit ur blog. Dude, I am fascinated by ur previous travels for their breathtaking views. Now, I can’t help but admire you more for your recent posts because of the social relevance it tries to show. Keep it up.
July 10th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
galing naman yan… lahat siguro ng bhay jan may garahe para sa mga bangka nila.. hehehehe
July 10th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
How come the river still looks so clean when people live on top of it? Why no floating trash??
July 12th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
wow ferdz. this to me can ditch a documentary of a pro
but in the greater perspective these photos depict the deprived life of most of our fellow filipinos. haaay.
July 15th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
nice pics. hubby just arrived from a short trip to zamboanga also. i was hoping to see and taste curacha (crab). i got durian candies, duster and malong instead. he he
September 10th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I apologize for hijacking this post’s comment function for a bit. I am currently undertaking my undergrad thesis on spatial representation and discourse, a study my group and I have anchored on Zamboanga City and online information effectively surrounding it. Would you be willing to play respondent to one or two interview email exchanges? We would greatly appreciate it.