Travel Journal #1: A Trip to Historic Dapitan

Thanks to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) who issued me a credit card mid-last year and Cebu Pacific’s incessant low promo fares, booking a travel has been a lot easier -- although it’s also a temptation for my wife and me to splurge.

Our first destination for 2011 was the city of Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, which we visited last January 7-9 to celebrate my wife’s 26^th birthday (her birthday is on January 8). We booked it June of last year and our total fare cost PhP1,334 round trip (not a bad deal!). Dipolog City served as our gateway to Dapitan. The two are said to be twin cities due to their proximity with one another.

I’m not much of a planner whenever we travel; that’s my wife’s role (and I feel a bit guilty that I barely help her out with this stuff yet I get cranky whenever things go haywire). Amidst the post-Christmas stress and New Year buzz, we were caught unaware that our travel’s nearing and we weren’t able to prepare a proper itinerary. Moreover, Lorenz had measles a few days before our travel and we needed to check with his pediatrician first if he’s fit to travel.

Mishap in Dipolog City

We arrived in Dipolog City Airport before 12 noon. It is quite small -- the arrival area has no conveyor belt (just like Ozamiz City Airport). Passengers may opt to pay the “luggage boys” to get their bags or they can claim their luggage themselves (first timers and foreigners may get confused with the system). Personally, I think the system was very lax because there was no security check upon exiting the airport.

Our first misadventure (if I may call it) happened when we finally got out of the airport. We decided to take a tricycle to reach the Central Terminal going to Dapitan. Dipolog’s tricycles are bulkier and higher -- it can probably accommodate up to six persons. There are many tricycles parked just outside the airport but our primary problem was the language barrier.

My wife and I both do not understand Bisaya. We cannot haggle with the driver who said the fare costs PhP40/person. It was scorching hot in Dipolog and we were already hungry (plus the fact that we were traveling with a toddler and still had our luggage with us). Hence, we decided to pay the driver with the agreed cost. The ride lasted for about seven to ten minutes (if I remember it right).

Upon reaching the terminal, the mini-bus going to Dapitan operated by Evergood Transport was already on its way and our driver had to shout for the bus to stop and wait for us. We were in such a hurry. I gave the tricycle driver PhP100 bill but he said that we owed him PhP240 since we rented the tricycle (which was good for six persons). I was too tired to argue (because I still can’t understand most of what he’s saying since he’s speaking vernacular) so I just gave him the money (against my will). Aboard the mini-bus, my wife told me to let it go but I found it hard to do so.

First lesson identified: Ask an airport staff regarding fare costs as well as the most common route you can take to get to your destination (and probably, try to learn a bit of the local language). Despite all the information available online, it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Back at the mini-bus, we asked our co-passengers where we should alight if we are to go Monina Pension House in Sunset Boulevard (we’ve learned our lesson). The locals were accommodating and told us we should alight at the plaza. From the plaza, we took a tricycle (this time paying the minimum fare) going to Monina Pension House (where we have earlier made a reservation).

Monina Pension House is clean and affordable. We paid PhP700/night for our room -- the only drawback was that they do not serve food. But the boulevard stretch is lined with restaurants and eatery so it’s not really a big issue. After checking in, we had a sumptuous lunch at Kamayan ni Manay (too bad we were not able to take a picture of our food) and proceeded to our first itinerary thereafter.

Brushing up on our History

Dapitan was where the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal was exiled for four years (from 1892 to 1896) thus earning the name “Shrine City of the Philippines.” Considered a historical landmark, Rizal Shrine houses a replica of several structures used by Rizal during his four-year stay in the city.

Casa Redonda in Rizal Shrine

These include Casa Cuadrada, Casa Redonda, Rizal amphitheater, and the Mi Retiro Rock, to name a few. Although there were no guides, there were helpful signages explaining each structure's historical significance. Rizaliana Building, located at the entrance’s right side, has a number of memorabilia ranging from Rizal’s books, code of conduct, and other paraphernalia. Women clothed in white, who are members of the Rizalista sect venerating Rizal as a god, are also a common sight. The park has no entrance fee but visitors are expected to maintain the area’s cleanliness (strictly no littering).

The park has a luscious green trail which visitors can follow. The tall trees surrounding the trail creates a semi-humid atmosphere inside the estate -- it becomes more humid and extra challenging when you are carrying an 11 kg. toddler who’s just learning how to walk. My wife and I took turns carrying Lorenz (although it was mostly her) as we traverse the path leading to the amphitheater.

Visiting Rizal Shrine was a good experience. As a resident of Calamba City (Rizal’s birthplace), I’ve been to his ancestral house quite a few times already. Seeing his shrine in Dapitan gave me a glimpse of the other aspects of his life. Other notable Rizal-related landmarks in Dapitan include the Mindanao Relief Map located at Dapitan City Plaza and the Rizal Landing Site Marker in Brgy. Sta. Cruz fronting Dapitan Bay.

With my son, Lorenz at Sunset Boulevard

It was almost 5PM when we left Rizal Shrine. Before heading to our abode in Monina, we had a quick stop at Vallecer Shopping Mart to buy some things for Lorenz. On our way back, I fully appreciated how laid back Dapitan City is with the serene Sunset Boulevard as backdrop.

The city seemed safe, peaceful, and progressive all at the same time. As our day drew to a close, my wife and I were both tired while our little tyke still has the energy to roam around our room -- he played a bit before finally sleeping.

The day after was my wife’s birthday. I was looking forward to ask her to try the infamous “kinilaw” and have our day tour in Dakak. But I believe those experiences deserve a full account. So I’m going to stop writing (for now).

“Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.”

– mentioned in Bob Ong’s Stainless Longganisa