Tuesday, April 12, 2005
02:45pm

Afraid I’m not giving Zamboanga due credit. Blame on smug city kid attitude. May have been initially amazed by overhead views of whole rolls of greens but currently mocking place for emerging as a substandard city.

Quiet Zamboanga life may be overwhelming for some people, but as much as it struck us as slightly peculiar, it has also dawned on us that most of our Zamboanga experiences would rely on the peace and quiet the city so treasures, and not the noise, excitement and adventure we were looking for. At 9pm everything shuts down. Our system doesn’t do so until 1am at the very least.

Last night, we were asked by one of the store keepers from where we had our dinner at what we like about Zamboanga. I am not sure whether what we answered were what we really “like”, but maybe just listing down differences that set Zambo apart from Manila or Cavite. Obviously the superficial peace emerged as number 1. The lady laments that behind it lies the tremors of fear aroused everytime the feet of rebels or bandits walk around the tranquil streets. It seems they were forced to endure lives that seem meek but is just an aftermath of gun-armed men’s wrath. Apparently death isn’t the only prominent by-product of bullets.

I almost wanted to enlist the nearby sea, but not much of it can be appreciated. The sun rises opposite the place of the sea, so sunrise isn’t so beautiful in Zamboanga seas. Monday morning I tried to wake up early and jog around hoping for a moment alone that both I and Zamboanga can commune with, something to possibly cherish along with other possible Zambo moments. But as I gingerly set my feet on the beach’s sandy shores filled with sea weeds and some garbage, I lamented the loss of connection I hoped would transpire. Above me a warning about high content of coliforms saddened me more. Rendering a sea unusable to nature-lovers might be the worst punishment to a sea already bereft of the white-sand beauty and cleanliness of shores.

Technology-wise though, I have not much to say. According to Matt Zamboanga imports their computers from nearby countries like Malaysia, making their systems at par with that of Manila’s. DSL’s at P20 with cameras and headsets along with their Pentium 3&4s. Not bad, actually. Even our class B hotel has wi-fi around its building.

As much as I am trying to be fair with Zambo, I cannot help but be a little impolite with my own judgements. When your expectations fail you tend to compare, and in my case, the nearest of course would be Manila and its ad-populated streets screaming of development and consumerism. But I and the rest have not really explored the outer skirts of Zam, and since time for that is precious, we might not be able to accomplish our task.

What is Zam famous for anyway? The flowers which we don’t see much of. The festival is far from our visiting date. Our calendars don’t tell us much.

But I’m still convinced I might find something beautiful in the area still. After all, I’m still around.