Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur - Solo-Backpacking in Mindanao

After Ozamis City and Misamis Occidental, I travelled to Pagadian City, Province of Zamboanga del Sur, which is the last province on my list. It was a three-and-a-half-hour land travel with a huge picture of how the people of the Zamboanga peninsula live. At the integrated terminal, I rode on a motorcycle to the centre of the city, passing by the famous rotunda. I was wearing a sando, and I easily felt the fresh and cool wind while we were on a descending road with a clear view of the stunning sunset.


How to Get to Pagadian City:

  1. By Air: Book a flight to Pagadian City Airport. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia have regular trips to PAG.
  2. My solo backpacking started at Misamis Occidental, where I rode on a Rural Transit Bus to Pagadian City.

Pagadian City Tourist Attractions:

  1. Mt. Palpalan
  2. Plaza Luz
  3. Lison Valley Waterfalls
  4. Pulacan Falls
  5. Manga Falls
  6. Guipos Cave
  7. Kendis Cave
  8. Dao Dao Islands
  9. Puting Balas sandbar
  10. Agro Tourism and Heritage Complex


This is Day 7 – 9 Days Solo-Backpacking in Mindanao
ZamBaSulTa, Zamboanga Provinces, Misamis Occidental

While on the motorcycle, the driver asked me if I already booked a hotel and when I answered NO, so he offered Napsally Pension House. Since I had already stayed at GV Hotel branches in Samar, Southern Leyte, Ipil, and Dipolog, I planned to stay at their branch here, but there was no available room upon my arrival. I walked along Rizal Avenue, where a few hotels are located, and ended up at Hotel Guillermo - a good option for an overnight stay. I paid 750 pesos for a standard room with a single bed, aircon, cable TV, WiFi, toilet, bath, and hot & cold shower.


Where to Stay in Pagadian City:

  1. GV Hotel
  2. Raim Hotel
  3. RedDoorz @ Pilgrims Hotel
  4. Rotunda Inn Home Stay
  5. Villa View Private Room

👉 Click Here to Book via Agoda 👈

Photo: Standard room at Hotel Guillermo.

It was already dark, and I hadn't eaten my dinner yet. Tidy up and rest for 20 minutes. Then, walked on the street to find a place for dinner. While walking, I noticed many people were walking on the streets towards the Pagadian City Hall and the city plaza. Without anything in mind, my feet brought me to the place where these people were heading. I was still a few meters away, and street food stalls were blocking the gate of the city plaza; I easily saw the sparkling and dancing lights on and thought there was something special. And YES, it was the crowning night of the Pasalamat Festival Queen.







Pasalamat Festival, Pagadian City

  • The Pasalamat Festival is a huge event that is being celebrated to thank the Sto. Niño, for all the blessings. It is also Pagadian City's 50th Golden Year. In relation to Sto. Nino festivals, if Manila has the parade of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Cebu has the Sinulog Festival, Aklan has the Ati-Atihan Festival, then Pasalamat in Zamboanga del Sur is something that we also need to look into.

It was already 10 PM, the event was still ongoing, and the 5th contestant was performing when I left the city plaza. Also, standing there for three hours was tiring. Bought two steamed hotdogs at one of the food stalls and returned to Hotel Guillermo. Tidy up again and rested.

Photo: Unique tricycle design in Pagadian.

Ride in a tricycle with unique design: The streets in Pagadian City are uphill and downhill, so the design of their tricycle, their primary mode of transportation, is different from the other across the country.

Photo: Pagadian City Cathedral.

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Day 7 – Pasalamat Festival, Pagadian City
Day 8 – Back to Zamboanga City
Day 9 – Flown back to Manila

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