Pagadian, officially the City of Pagadian, (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pagadian; Chavacano: Ciudad de Pagadian), or simply referred to as Pagadian City, is a 2nd class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It is the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula and the second-largest city in the region, after the independent city of Zamboanga. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 199,060 people.
Pagadian began as a stop-over for traders who plied the road between the old Spanish fort-town of Zamboanga on the southwestern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and other bigger towns to the north of the old Zamboanga Province. Except for its sheltered bay and good fishing grounds, it was not a promising site for the foundation of a city, for it is situated on steeply rolling terrain. In the course of its local history, waves of different kinds of people came to stay, and eventually called among themselves “Pagadianons”.
The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle built to adopt to the city’s hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with a public transport inclined at about 25-40° angle. The native inhabitants in the area were the Lumads, specifically Subanens. Then came Muslim settlers who converted the people to Islam. A sizeable number of lumads who refused to be converted eventually settled in the highlands.
The early Bangsamoro were under the leadership of Datu Akob, an Iranun datu whose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok), also an Iranun from Malabang, Tukuran, also part of modern Pagadian. He was the son of Shariff Apo Tubo who descended from the bloodline of Shariff Kabungsuan, the first Sultan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob, the beautiful daughter of the royal datu of Pagadian City and royal bai putri of Raya.
Upon the death of Datu Akob also known as Datu Mimbalawag, his son-in-law, Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of taga Nonok) assumed leadership; he established the territorial boundaries of the present city proper, from Balangasan River in the west of Tawagan Sur River in the east. Beyond the river of Tawagan Sur was the territory of Datu Balimbingan. At one time, Datu Macaumbang requested the assistance of the Philippine constabulary due to the rampant banditry and piracy in the area. A detachment led by Col. Tiburcio Ballesteros stationed at Malangas landed at the place and stationed themselves at Dumagoc Island. The arrival of the soldiers restored peace and order, thereby attracting the influx of settlers from other places.
The people of Pagadian (Pagadianons) are classified into three (3) main groups which is based primarily on faith and heritage: (a) The Subanens (or any other indigenous tribes who had been living in the area before the advent of Islam in Mindanao), (b) the Muslim (Bangsamoro) settlers who came from other parts of Mindanao and other places such as Sabah and Indonesia, and (c) the Christian settlers who generally came from the Visayas and Luzon.
Majority of Pagadianons speak the Cebuano language. The national language, Filipino (Tagalog) is widely understood and is the native tongue of a small percentage of the population. Iranun, Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, and Samal dialects are used by the Muslim community. The Subanen dialect is exclusively used by the Subanen people, the original inhabitants of the area. Remaining percentage of the population are classified as Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Zamboangueño and Ilokano speakers. As with the rest of the Philippines, English is widely understood and is used as the primary language for business.
Muricay Beach. It is just a little over 4 km from the city proper, swimming is allowed in some parts but is as yet largely underdeveloped. Mangrove and seaweed plantations are nearby.
Springland Resort. A natural spring water resort, it has three (3) swimming pools and a fishpond. The resort also has a multifunction hall and a restaurant designed in Native Filipino Style.
Puting Balas. Its name is the literal translation for “white sand” in the local dialect. It is classified as a white sandbar just five minutes via motorboat from northeast of the city seaport.
Lourdes Waterfalls and Hot and Cold Springs. These are natural hot springs in barangay Lourdes, about 32 km. northwest from the urban area. This is being tapped by the Pagadian City Water District as a water source for barangay Kagawasan.
Lison Valley Waterfalls is located about 42 km. northwest of Pagadian proper, in sitio Santa Lucia. The falls has a height of about 20–25 meters. The spherical basin, 20 meters in diameter, is ideal for swimming.
Ditoray Waterfalls is 14 km from the Pagadian poblacion and 5 km from the center of barangay Ditoray. Manga Falls and Twin Caves. These natural attractions are located in Barangay Manga, 7 km. from the city proper. A two-layered cascading fall surrounded by huge trees, it is home to monkeys. The twin caves can be explored along the two-layered waterfalls. It is currently in the process of being developed as a tourist spot.
Kendis Cave is about 14 km from Pagadian poblacion and 5 km from barangay Ditoray and not yet accessible to regular traffic as the only way to reach it is through horseback. The cave has large overhead crevices with two interior chambers.