Chavacano is a Spanish creole of the Philippines, widely spoken in the city of Zamboanga.
I heard someone knocked the door. It was my grandmother with long black hair, brown eyes, and she is tall. It has been 13 years since I left the city where I was born, the city that made me who I am today. Zamboanga city or ciudad de Zamboanga in Chavacano dialect. When Spain colonized the Philippines, it has brought so much culture to us including the language. It was said that Spaniards did not focus a lot on educating us, the Filipinos.
But I will not going to discuss the whole history of my parents homeland. 17 kilometers away from the ciudad is a small barrio or barangay called Ayala. It has flourish as the center of peace and culture of the Zamboanguenos. “Si, mama. Anda ya yo alli.” I shouted but worried if my grandmother would scold me of raising my voice. Another Spanish culture that we learned. Respect the elders, or else I will get slap.
Recodo, another big barrio of the city, formally known as Caldera Bay where Spaniards first arrived in the city. Where Muslims and Christians lived in peace and help each other. I remember those days where it became a silhoute of the past that keeps me inspired until now.
When I was a little boy, Chavacano was a language of hope and motivation. I used to dug some Spanish old books on the basement of my granny's antique house. With all the house spiders crawled into my face while collecting some old coins and books that are written in Castillan.
“Yo soy de Madrid” (I am from Madrid) the first words I read from a book that I can't remember the title anymore. But one thing for sure, It was a novel.
I memorized. I struggled. I made it.
Chavacano is not just a Philippine dialect that Filipinos should be proud of.
After 10 years since I left the city and moved with my parents to the western Philippines. I promised to use and learn Spanish language and restore the real Chavacano. With the desire of restoring the unique dialect of Zamboanga, I grabbed the opportunity to study in Spain sponsored by my company so I can train Filipinos in the call center industry as Spanish trainer and my formal education.
Is Chavacano a language? Nope, it is a dialect. Although, it has no conjugation but we can understand 80% what Spanish people are saying. Not bad.
There is something that makes me incomplete if I will ignore this beautiful dialect of my ancestors.
Vale, vamos empezar.
I am Filipino and am proud of it. I am proud of having a unique culture.
Chavacano, a dialect of the Zamboanguenos.
It is the Asia's Latin City.
The pearl of the orient seas.
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