Ayala, Zamboanga

Barangay de Ayala, or more commonly Ayala, is one of the 98 barangays in Zamboanga City. It is located 16.5 kilometers west of the city proper and is easily accessible by land and sea. Generally regarded by Zamboangueños as one of the most developed barrios in the west coast, Ayala spans 5.29 square kilometers wide and houses several canning factories.HistoryAyala used to be predominantly inhabited by the Subanons. They gathered and lived near the Dumalon River as fishing was their main source of food, aside from hunting wild pigs and monkeys. These people were ruled by a Datu. In 1865, a Spanish priest, Father Martin, arrived in the place and was welcomed by the Datu with hospitality. The priest told the villagers that he came from a place in Spain called Ayala and suggested the same be named of their place. Agreeing to this, the people shouted, "Ayala!, Ayala!"Barangay FestivalAyala residents celebrate their Festival every 16 July in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.Fonda de AyalaFonda de Ayala, founded in 1982, is a monthlong festivity held from the 8th to the 30th of December, every year. Before the season starts, a stage is set up on a large field and around 20 makeshift stalls are built encircling the area. A tall Christmas tree, adorned with colorful decors and lights is then erected in the middle of the open ground. Every night, people from Ayala and the neighboring barangays would swarm the field to witness live band performances, dance or singing contests, pageants, and a variety of entertaining shows that typically will run throughout the night. Traditionally, Fonda de Ayala is held at the field fronting the Ayala Police Station. Nowadays, the yearly celebration takes place beside the Ayala Gymnasium open field. Fonda de Ayala would become so popular that other barangays in Zamboanga City started their own Fonda-inspired festivity as well. (e.g., Fonda de Tetuan, Alegria na Pasonanca, Fonda de Sta. Maria, etc.)