Last October of year 2011, I intended to get to Dapitan City to purposely explore the Lakbay Jose Rizal sites and have it stamped as well . So I have gone ahead and packed my bag and flown to Dipolog City .

From the Dipolog Bus terminal going to Dapitan City,It took 20 minutes for me to reach Dapitan City.

Objective

To visit

Dapitan Church
Relief Map of Mindanao
Rizal Farm
Santa Cruz Beach

Dapitan city is the Shrine City in the Philippines which the province of Zamboanga Del Norte. Dapitan City made a great contribution in the Philippine history as it was Rizal’s place of exile .

Getting in and around Dipolog City was a great experience. From the Dipolog bus terminal I travelled almost half an hour to get to Dapitan City.

Funny as I made friends at the bus terminal. Every minute I asked them whether I reached Dapitan City. ( nakulitan na ata sila everytime I asked them)

I began to take pictures when I saw the St James of church of Dapitan which was built in year 1883 . The church has a marker that can be found in the spot where Dr Jose Rizal stood every sunday during his exile from 1892 to 1896. I asked the driver to stop and went ahead to Sangguniang Panglungsod.

Go to Sangguniang Panglungsod Building , City Hall Drive, Barangay Sta Cruz , Dapitan City if you want to get your lakbay passport stamped.

The church was really beautiful unfortunately I was not able to get inside. I truly enjoyed taking photos at the Dapitan Plaza . All the kids are out to play. It was like a different side of Luneta. Very quiet and peaceful .

I was having a great time when I asked a group of teenagers where the sunset boulevard is. I was really amazed to learn that these kids know Jose Rizal more than I thought. I was overwhelmed with some information they know about Rizal . They wanted to join my trip however , however they still had to go to school. Getting there will give you a glimpse as to where Rizal first set foot in Dapitan, The Punto Del Desembarco de Rizal.

It was on the 17th of July 1892 when Rizal landed at Santal Cruz Beach at exactly 7pm with artillery men. Walking through Sta Cruz  Street to the Casa Real where he was presented to Don Ricardo Carnicero, a spanish military governor at the area. This was built to commemorate Rizal’s arrival in the City of Dapitan. 

The sunset boulevard

Sta Cruz Beach in Dapitan City is known  as the landing site of Jose Rizal when he was exiled.

Dapitan City was also one of the best trips in 2011. From the sunset boulevard I took a tricycle to get to Rizal Shrine. Tricycle and habalhabal is predominantly the mode of transportation here. The shrine is bigger that I thought. I met Bador, one of the security personnel and offered to show me around . I took a lot of photos . Souvenir, tree house, clinic and a lot more.

Sa dalampasigang ito noong Dapithapon ng Hulyo 31 1896 ang pambansang bayani ng Pilipinas at dangal ng lahing malayo ay umalis patungong Maynila kasama ang kanyang pamilya at mga kaibigan na nagbigay wakas sa mahigit na apat na mabungang mga taon ng pagkapatapon niya sa Dapitan.

I was told that this was the oldest tree at the Shrine .

There were  few Rizalistas offering massage services.

This used to be the kitchen of Dr Jose Rizal.

Father and daughter affair| bonding and fishing

The Shrine is at the village of Talisay. Ask tricycle drivers to take you to the Rizal Shrine. Transportation costs Php7. Or you can hire them for your trip in case you visit Dapitan.

Hotels , pension houses are relatively cheap so you can always find a reasonable place to stay in Dapitan City which offers a modern style of accomodation.

 Dapitan City is extraordinary. Tourists will certainly enjoy this trip .  History,  adventure and outdoor relaxation . Dapitan city will offer you all.