Where to visit in Zamboanga City? Foreigner at Paseo del Mar & Shopping Malls, Mindanao, Philippines

How safe is travelling in Mindanao? There's so much bad publicity about this area of the Philippines called the Red Zone, that I thought I'd best go and explore the place myself. Have been in western Mindanao almost 3 weeks: spent 4 nights in Dipolog City, a place I'd wanted to come to for awhile, having been on my radar since I heard about its fabulous Boulevard; a sad night in Oroquieta City which had nothing to offer; 4 nights in Ozamiz City; 6 nights in Iligan; 4 nights in Pagadian city; I'm now in Zamboanga City at the tip of the western part of Mindanao.
On the morning I left Ozamiz city I received a text from a filipina I’d been chatting to asking if I had any foreign friends in Ozamiz. Then forwarded a Facebook post regarding a foreigner who’d been discovered dead that morning with gunshot wounds to the head who’d been executed. He had no phone or anything on his possession, so police couldn’t identify him. It was a chilling thought knowing that a foreigner was murdered in a place where I’d been staying for the previous 4 nights.
I’d not spent much time on the Ozamiz streets, as I’d been holed up in my hotel room editing. There’s a handful of good places to eat, but that’s about it. Fortunately the Royal Garden Hotel where I'd stayed was really lovely, which was probably the best thing about Ozamiz city. Apart from leaving.
This was my first time visiting western Mindanao. I have previously taken a ferry from Camiguin to Cagayan De Oro, spent time in that city, before travelling on to Davao, spending 3 weeks in Davao over Christmas 2022.
How safe is Mindanao Island? On the United Kingdom’s Foreign Travel Advice Website, they’ve virtually drawn a line down the middle of Mindanao depicting which are the safe places to travel to and those that are not so safe. The website states that there’s a high threat of kidnap in the Philippines, with foreign nationals targeted by both criminal and terrorist groups. The threat of kidnapping is particularly acute in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and offshore areas in the nearby waters of the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.
A British national and a dual Filipino-British national were kidnapped on 4 October 2019 from a resort in Zamboanga, Western Mindanao. They were successfully rescued on 25 November 2019 by the Philippines Armed Forces. Some hostages however, including foreign nationals, have been murdered.
According to the 2020 census, CDO has a population of over 728,000. It is a vibrant multi-cultural city with over 50 mosques dotted around the city. I love cities. I walk each day for hours pounding the streets. I find much more life to see on the streets than a hike up a mountainside. Even if I’m not taking photographs or shooting video I still like the energy and interest that a city provides.
The Philippines should be on everyone’s bucket list with its beautiful white sand beaches, fabulous idyllic islands, turquoise sea and stunning scenery. The Philippines is a traveller’s paradise and regularly included in top ten favorite places to visit in Asia and affordable, favorite world holiday destination.
Many foreigners/expats choose the Philippines as the best country to retire in Asia and live in paradise. The Philippines is one of the cheapest countries to live in the world with its low cost of living and all year sunshine. Retiring in the Philippines is affordable on a budget of less than $1000 per month.
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[@fp2642]

You have Zero game with the Ladies there ZERO….my goodness 5yrs Now in PI and no GF…unbelievable…a Nerds guide to Paradise should be your Vlog

[@seanpm123]

Can't help, walking around unshaven in that old man's cap, manky looking shirt and NHS glasses.

[@Cryogenictrucker]

That’s A mean thing to say

[@ItsReallyMe.]

Leave the guy alone, he approached and number closed while making content.

[@MadMax-py9fm]

Wow, how awkward for the girls.

[@BiggWorldCinema]

@fp2642 You're assuming that I want a permanent gf lol. Still it's great to know you're getting satisfaction from my videos as your mum jerks you off.

[@junlab2612]

I like those jealous comments it keeps us going♥️🇵🇭

[@stevesilver7437]

Seems like more of a Relaxing town Zamboanga. Seems good for people watching.

[@alysatoribio721]

Hi! I'm happy to be your guess in your KZbin. Nice to meet you🤝...

[@joeconrad3828]

Green dress girl, vavava-voom! Such a pleasure to see a pretty Filipina dolled up like that.

[@MSWcryptoworker]

What makes a boring mall and dejar. Makes a mall superb?

[@brucebaum1458]

One of the main reasons to go to the mall is to enjoy the sights and sounds but mainly to enjoy the air on, also the food is cleaner.

[@HumansLiveForMoments]

Good job sir, I think you picked a good woman who lives in Manila. Uninspiring videos malls are ok, it's great way to have conversations with locals. How has it been travelling solo on your trip?? Do you get lonely? I will be in Cebu in October first solo trip to Ph. Enjoying content and great to see good respectable mature content.

[@douglasmichel1000]

Your best video. I have heard mixed reviews about Zamboanga and you have shed a lot of light on this topic.

[@reyaz8531]

One of the better bands I've seen in South East Asia! Keep it up Phillip, looking forward to your perspective on Manila in 2024.

[@andysnyder4603]

Philip, Sunday is also the day Christians especially Catholics attend Mass/Religious Services.

[@seanpm123]

You should try your best to hook up in Manila with that girl in the green dress at the start of your video - she's a stunner!

[@jimw7916]

Is that genuinely relevant in any way that she looks stunning? ....If you think like that my friend you will never be happy............. But dont think I dont want you to be happy .....I do!

[@Lancaster7]

​@jimw7916 your comment is something only a woman would say.

[@jimw7916]

@@Lancaster7 Its what a "human being" would say ....so.... keep learning my friend.

[@seanpm123]

@@jimw7916 That's a rather ironically shallow and skewed way of thinking and my opinion was not based solely on the girl's looks but also on her personality and how she presented herself. I happen to be married to a Filipina who in my opinion, has these same qualities. And I am happy.

[@jimw7916]

@@seanpm123 you sound like you've been reading. Too many paperback novels

[@myhistoryfeed3967]

Keep up the work, just curious how do you edit your videos? Capcut?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Thanks. Imovie that came free with my Apple Macbook. Feels like I've been sat at a computer all my life. Do you edit videos?

[@myhistoryfeed3967]

@@BiggWorldCinema i make simple videos through capcut. My father lives in Cebu so I have been to the PH a few times. Currently reside in the USA.

[@MikeHoncho884]

When you were talking to that girl that guy in the olive drab with the baseball cap was creeping me out!!! He was eavesdropping big time!

[@rickychanko]

I think they are all together

[@j.sherlock7213]

Nice to hear some Bread. Asians are keeping classic 70's music alive.

[@francoa.9646]

One of the things I love about the Philippines, my fianceé knows all the songs from my youth and are her favorites as well.

[@j.sherlock7213]

@@francoa.9646 That's awesome!

[@jinyualcantara5036]

That "don't black the driveway" got me rollin 😂😂😂

[@MikeMuniz615]

You should go eat at Mano Mano at KCC Mall

[@Billy_B_Goat]

Phillip, do you recall me mentioning synchronicity when you happened upon the drag race scene? You actually completed step 3 and pulled the digits (good form) and a lovely band played you a favorite S&G song about imagined love while you ponder meeting a special Filipina. A clever boy would have put a message for her at the end of this video musing about whether you might meet up with her in Manila and then you text her a link to the video. Stay in the flow Dude. Oh yeah, eating the India was the right choice..... Obviously. Peace and Love, B Goat

[@peterslade5903]

Another example of of a filipina having no standards haahahaha...god bless phil! ;)

[@danilolabrador2595]

Jealousy

[@RealGaryGibson]

Good job getting her digits Phil!

[@stevegumanit8230]

Do you live in Zamboanga city or thereabouts. steven

[@TC-yx1qt]

how does Zamboanga feel safety-wise compared to other areas of Mindanao, as far as possible kidnappings etc?

[@krischris1160]

You seem to be more interesting for the people especially girls here than in Dipolog City😅

[@peterthomas6486]

Brought your A game to Zamboanga🎉

[@JohnnyLawrence293]

hope you meet up with that girl in Manila later

[@misterboo72]

If the mall is boring to you just imagine how your beloved viewers are feeling. I thought you "edited".

[@BiggWorldCinema]

I kept the boring bits in just for you, cos I know how super picky you are.

[@St63420]

Malls are boring mostly everywhere. Besides going to see a movie, eat, girl watching, occasionally look for dicount, or escaping bad weather , I'd rather stay away.😂

[@junlab2612]

​@@St63420jealousy

[@St63420]

​​@@junlab2612I agree😊.

[@mrmaillouify]

Philip is it safe there ?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Absolutely. Naturally you need to be on your guard. I was warned many times about bag snatchers. Safe to live there as a white man, who stands out from the crowd is debatible.

[@samiam8114]

I think that telling Filipinas they are pretty and asking if they have a boyfriend makes a lot of them uncomfortable. Better to do it indirectly imo. Like saying it as a statement and let them decide how/if to respond. "Your boyfriend is a lucky guy". Asking their age directly is probably not a great idea either. Again, just my opinion. YMMV.

[@andysnyder4603]

Just have cards made with your Whatsapp or Telegram number on them saying I love the Philippines. Put your name somwhere on the bottom. Just slip them your card and walk away. I'll bet you get more responses that way because it's stealthy.

[@MC-yv3kw]

Did you call her now that you have her number?

[@RickWalkerSaunders]

DJI pocket 3?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Not yet. Buying one next week hopefully.

[@HumansLiveForMoments]

I would stay and eat Indian food. You will be able to create your own luck with the ambiance. Lol

[@DannyGoodwin-f9h]

I was told not to go there when I was in Philippine's this year Zamboanga to dangerous??

[@francoa.9646]

Just by islamophobic people. It is safe as well as GenSan

[@danilolabrador2595]

Sometimes the predators becomes a prey

[@MikeWood-yc1er]

Does one still need a Vaxx pass to take a ferry ?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

No. Fortunately that nonsense has passed now.

[@mrmaillouify]

Met a girl works in McDonald's there

[@jesstravln]

That first girl u got her number was very pretty , did u ever meet up? Did u hey to second base? 😊

[@rolandmueller7218]

I know you like Indian food. But, it seems harder to meet Indian women that are interested in dating and relationships, right?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Yep. It's easier in the west. I dated an Indian lady in the UK when I was 44 and she was 29. But she was a single mum and unwanted by guys from her culture. Chances of finding a younger Indian woman in India at my age are very slim.

[@rolandmueller7218]

@@BiggWorldCinema The chance of finding a Filipina without kids that doesn’t want kids in the future is pretty slim.

[@francoa.9646]

@@BiggWorldCinemainteresting, I would have thought that it would be relatively easy away from the cities. Every culture is different.

[@tarzanztoonz]

she is sooooo cute and has the most beautiful LIPS i have ever scene!!

[@stevesilver7437]

Is that a lady boy at 5:53?

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Yep.

[@johndelarosa8214]

They are more Muslims in Zamboanga City than in Palestine 🙃

[@francoa.9646]

Fortunately, they are not being slaughtered by genocidal maniacs.

[@mrmaillouify]

Go on son with the phone number ❤

[@jimw7916]

it really worries me see so many people still wearing masks after all that we have learnt.

[@BiggWorldCinema]

Seemed to be more people masked in Mindanao than anywhere else.

[@jimw7916]

@@BiggWorldCinema about the same i recon everywhere, but I still cant understand it. Must be a lot of fear still lurking.

[@healthwealthgurus]

@@jimw7916and what have you learnt?

[@St63420]

A lot of mask wearers do it for pollution reasons.

[@MadMax-py9fm]

It also covers bad teeth and moles etc.

[@colincowie2547]

Carefull my friend.. you are becoming a creepy old man...

[@fnqwaz5816]

Im here for the comments 😂