Theย PTB Blog_Carnival for June 2011 honors Dr. Jose Rizal on his 150th Birth Anniversary. The themeย isย Rizal and Travel.
Rizal was the quintessential traveler of his time. In the Philippines, he visited towns as far north as Tarlac, all the way down to Dapitan, Dipolog and Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.
As an international traveler, heโs been to over 50 cities in 13 countries. A true jet-setter of his time.ย During my trip to Paris and Madrid in 2007, Iโve come across commemorative plaques in his honor as a National Hero who stayed in their hotel.
To take part in this celebration, Iโm reposting a trip account of my visit to Dapitan on August, 2010.
Any Filipino school kid will be able to tell you that Dapitan City is where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled during the Spanish era from 1892-1896. But where is it in the Philippines? And whatโs in Dapitan?
After stuffing ourselves for 3 hours, we set-off again. ย It will be another 3 hours of scenic ride, in a food filled van, cruising on nice concreted road and we finally end up in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Dakak Park Beach Resort
Dakak Park Beach Resort rests within a 15-hectare property of flora and fauna is our home for 2 days (rush-rush trip). It has powdery white sand beach looking over a gorgeous formation ofย karst. Hidden spring and water falls fill their swimming pools. It has other facilities such as casino, golf course, and water sport shop that can keep you occupied. We were here for one purpose. If youโve visited my site a few times you can probably guess โ yes, scuba dive! :)

Dakak Beach Front
Diving is scheduled for the next day for it was already 6pm when we arrived. And while we didnโt stopped eating while in the van, our hosts declared itโs time for dinner. ย Needless to say, it was another feast with the Que family in charge of food.
Gloria Fantasyland is a multi million dollar theme park in Dapitan City.ย As part of our accommodation in Dakak, we received a complimentary entrance to amusement park. It was a surprise to find a state of the art theme park in Mindanao. They said it was designed and developed by the group who did Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Both Dakak Resort and Gloria Fantasyland are owned by former congressman Romeo Jalosjos. So instead of dessert, we rode the giant roller coaster, the swinger, and bump car. We were 10 years old for a few hours.
It was raining when we awoke the following day, but nothing is going to deter us from our โmissionโ. ย At 8am, we were geared up at the dive shop. Itโs been a while since my last dive and I needed my underwater fix. We did 2 dives in Aliguay and 1 in Gitputan Sanctuary. This is why I love diving the Philippines and is not obsessed in diving in another country โ Zamboanga del Norte is not famous for scuba diving like Moalboal or Apo Island. As a matter of fact, Iโve not heard of diving there until Neilโs invitation. But look how unbelievable 20-25m visibility we had during a cloudy day. I also remember the current being extremely strong and exhausting, but the fantastic view underwater more than made up for it.
Rizal Shrine is theย big piece of property Rizal bought and lived in during his exile. Today itโs a famous tourist spot in Dapitan. We made a short stop over on our way back to Zamboanga City. ย Near the entrance is a 2 story museum that showcases Rizalโs life and a few of his belonging. Itโs always an amazing experience for me to see momentos from the past. It transports me back in time. So is walking through his well kept estate.

main house where he hosts visiting family members

view deck that overlooks the bay
To imagine Rizalโs life in here, read this passage from his letter to friend F. Blumentritt dated December 19, 1893.
Iย shallย tellย youย howย weย liveย here.ย Iย haveย three houses;ย oneย square,ย anotherย hexagonal,ย andย aย third octagonal, all of bamboo, wood and nipa.ย Inย theย square house we live, my mother , sister Trinidad, a nephew and I; in the octagonal live my boys or some good youngsters whom I teachย ย arithmetic, Spanish and English; and in the hexagonal live my chickens. Fromย myย houseย Iย hearย the murmurย ofย aย crystalย clearย brookย which comes from the highย rocks ; Iย see the seashore , theย ย seaย where I have small boats,ย twoย canoes or barotos, as they sayย here. I have many fruit trees,ย mangoes, lanzones,ย guayabanos, baluno, nangka, etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats,etc. I rise early โ at five โ visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people and put them in movement. At half-past seven we breakfast with tea, pastries, cheese, sweetmeats, etc. Later Iย treatย myย poor patients who come to myย land;ย I dress, I go to the townย inย myย baroto, treatย theย people there, andย returnย atย 12ย whenย myย luncheon awaits me. Then I teach the boys until 4 P.M. and devoteย theย after- noon to agriculture. I spend the night reading and studying.

lamp posts during Spanish time
the world is absolutely beautiful :)
where is the white sand? only in Dakak???
Pink Sand Island
Ah, Rizal lived a charmed life even to his last few days. Parang beach resort- ang ganda!