EXPLORING: DAPITAN CITY & DIPOLOG CITY

If you got a chance to take a road trip right now, where would you go? Well, I personally love road trips especially with family, and this time we had the longest and farthest road trip of our lives (so far.). We were thinking about how we’re going to spend the last of summer before school and work starts. We are a busy bunch. My parents and I are employed while my two younger siblings are still in high school. Basically, we only see each other after work hours and therefore, travelling is a luxury where we can’t get a hold of so easily. But hallelujah! Summer exists and we all get a chance to have a break.

We wanted somewhere far away and laid back so that we could just unplug, relax, and bond even just for a few days. Fortunately, my folks were invited on a mission in Dipolog City and they decided that we’d tag along and squeeze in a quick family getaway. And since Dapitan City is just about 30 minutes away from Dipolog, we decided to include it on our bucket list to visit.

Dipolog City and Dapitan City are both located on the west coast in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao. These two cities both offer historical sights, refreshing clean air and a simple rustic feel.

HOW WE GOT THERE:

From Cagayan de Oro, there are three ways to get there via land. The first two, which would only take you 7 hours to arrive are the routes via Aurora-Molave-Osmena Road, where you pass through Mt. Malindang. And the course via Mukas port, where you can take a barge with a fare of 40 pesos to Ozamiz City, then take a bus from Ozamiz to Dipolog City. The third option is the long route where the travel time is 10 hours, and it is through Aurora-Molave-Ozamiz-Oroquieta Road. And since we want adventure, we took the long route.

So we left CDO around 3:00 am with our bare faces and comfy slip-ons thru private vehicle and arrived in Dipolog City at 3:00pm in afternoon. Sounds torture right? But for me, NO. I actually enjoyed the trip. Aside from having a spontaneous adventure by being lost along the way cause we missed a few turns here and there, the trip was also a heart warming sensation cause of the panoramic view of the jewel blue seaside and the lush greenery, plus being accompanied by family, good country music, and food. Who wouldn’t agree?

Dapitan City

So, a brief background before everything else: Dapitan City is where our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal lived in exile for four years before being sentenced to death. His life in Dapitan was fruitful and successful because of the major contributions he made for the people living there.

Dapitan City is like being back into time and I enjoyed savoring the laid back and historic feel that it offers.

THINGS WE DID:

❀Visit Rizal Shrine and Rizal’s Disembarkation Site

In Rizal Shrine, we went to the museum where Dr. Jose Rizal's clothes, writings, and belongings were. We also saw his house, the water system that he built not just for himself but also for the people living in Dapitan, and the naturally heart shaped rock formation to where he and his beloved Josephine sit and admire the relaxing view of the old city. Aside from the shrine, we also stopped at the site where Rizal landed when he first arrived in Dapitan, in the beach of Sta. Cruz. 

Mandatory Selfie at Rizal Shrine

The Museum of Jose Rizal  

Jose Rizal's House

Rizal's Disembarkation site

❀Tour at the Century-old Dapitan Cathedral and the City Plaza

Just 20 minutes away from the shrine and the disembarkation site is Dapitan’s city plaza where you can find its century-old church and the relief map of Mindanao where Rizal made with his bare hands according to locals. 

After that, we just strolled and wander around the city and admired its charm.

The one that we're standing on is the relief map of Mindanao crafted by Jose Rizal himself

Dipolog City

Another beautiful place with a country vibe and rich culture is Dipolog City. The capital city of Zamboanga de Norte is a small yet progressive city. Dipolog, the twin sister of Dapitan, offers simplicity and peacefulness that I and my family get to relish.

THINGS WE DID:

❀Photo sesh and a walk around and the Boulevard

One of Dipolog’s famed and important landmarks, is its boulevard. This is one of the best places to catch a sunset so we couldn’t miss a photo session. You can just walk around, adore the scenery, people-watch, see how the locals enjoy the place, and of course, food trip 😋. This is my favorite part of the trip, and because of that we visited this place twice.

❀Visit Dipolog Cathedral and Bring home Dipolog’s best

Our trip would never be complete without a stroll around the city and see Dipolog’s cathedral which was built on 1894 and bring home one of Dipolog’s best--Bottled Sardines! 

I really had fun with our trip, although it was only for a few days. We absolutely loved being so far away and just bond with each other. I wish we could stay longer but regrettably the reality of Cagayan de Oro was already calling us. I fell in love with the two cities' charm and bucolic vibe, and I hope to visit them again soon.

‘Til next time :)