By Jong Cadion
DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (May 30, 2016) – Dapitan will always be
a special place, taking into account its historicity, evidences of which we try
to preserve and conserve for posterity; lest future generations will be robbed
of very important and notable proofs of its beauty, eccentricity, arcadia and grandeur
such as the markers, heritage houses, furniture, clothing, books, manuscripts,
pictures, paintings, and the huge and mighty trees that still stand proud and
erect, surviving the tests and challenges of nature for more than 150 years!
Like the trees, Dapitan itself is an awe to be discovered! It is so beautiful with its long stretch of shoreline of black sand in some areas and pinkish white sand on others! It has wide navigable rivers rich with edible and delicious products, waterfalls, caves, rapids, two islands which triangulate with the mainland and serves as a haven for whales and dolphins to name a few!
I believe these inherent qualities and conduciveness for good living prompted the Subanen tribe, known as the earliest settlers, to form settlements at Dapitan’s coastlines. They engaged in commercial trade with people from neighboring islands including those coming from parts of Asia and some parts of Europe. Prompted mostly by atrocities committed on them by moro pirates, they decided to venture upriver and into the hinterlands which did not fail them as fruit bearing trees and other agricultural products abound!
In 1563, a large group of Boholanos led by Datu Pagbuaya arrived in Dapitan. They instantly liked Dapitan’s environs and felt at home! They decided to make their settlement and called it Dapitan, a place where they felt invited to stay. In 1565, Legaspi and his expeditionary group came to Dapitan. They were received hospitably by Datu Pagbuaya and his people. This encounter culminated with a “Treaty of Friendship” between Pagbuaya and Legaspi and marked the beginning of the Dapitanons defense of the Spanish crown and faithful adherence to the Catholic faith, to the extent of giving free assistance to Spain’s pacification of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. Thus, the era and rule of Datu Pagbuaya and his descendants in Dapitan gained popularity not just in Mindanao but also in the Visayas and Luzon! Their strength, bravery and success in warfare gained them the trademark as “the Brave and Noble Nation of Dapitan”.
Dapitan was already in the Philippine map as early as the 1500s! Dapitanons should be very proud!
The Spanish Philippine conquest and rule brought forth in Dapitan another notable Filipino, the greatest man the Malayan race has ever produced, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He spent four fruitful years of exile in Dapitan showing the versatile person that he was, very much ahead of his time! He was a teacher, a poet, a writer, a painter, a sculptor, an engineer, a surgeon and ophthalmologist, a scientist, a sports enthusiast! A farmer and a leader to the community! He was well loved not just by the locals of Dapitan but by his friends from around the world as well. Dapitan is so blessed to have sheltered Rizal and his greatness! Everything that is reminiscent of Dr. Jose Rizal may be found at the Rizal Shrine, in Dapitan’s barangay Talisay. Hence, Dapitan got the descriptive title, "the Shrine City of the Philippines”!
Dapitan City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong in an interview with CNN Philippines said that based in the history of Dapitan City, Local leaders took turns in leading the administration of Dapitan but for a longer span of time, nothing much had been done about the Rizal Shrine, no representations made to the national government until Dapitan lost its name in history. It doesn’t ring a bell anymore, it lost its importance... Such a pity considering the fact that Dapitan is the only place which no other place could replicate, unless they can produce another Rizal.
With all the wonders possessed by Dapitan, the same failed to supply the needs of its constituents. Dapitanons then needed to travel and apply elsewhere to have a salaried and stable job. The main product before was copra when the price in the market was still competitive. Another was fish and other agricultural products. It can feed the family but still no room for advancement except for the landlords.
Agolong disclosed that the vision for the revival of the glory of Dapitan came to being in 2001. It was during the administration of Mayor Rodolfo H. Carreon Jr that most if not all the streets in the poblacion were cemented as part of the preparation for a Tourism Masterplan. The aim was to make Dapitan a competitive tourist city offering historical tourism, ecotourism and manmade tourist facilities. When the Tourism Plan was laid down, it seemed impossible considering the garagantuan amount of money needed to finance everything in the plan. It was also during the time of Mayor Rodol that commenced the planning of the construction of the New Government Center.
Agolong said that theduring the time of Mayor Dominador G. Jalosjos' three term administration produced the imposing unique and respectable structure of the New Government Center! It saw the sprouting of tourist facilities such as the delienation of Dapitan Poblacion into two zones namely the Old Dapitan and the New Dapitan! Farol de Kumbate proudly adorned the lamp posts of old Dapitan while the erection of the Global lights silently magnifies the new Dapitan Zone.
Like the trees, Dapitan itself is an awe to be discovered! It is so beautiful with its long stretch of shoreline of black sand in some areas and pinkish white sand on others! It has wide navigable rivers rich with edible and delicious products, waterfalls, caves, rapids, two islands which triangulate with the mainland and serves as a haven for whales and dolphins to name a few!
I believe these inherent qualities and conduciveness for good living prompted the Subanen tribe, known as the earliest settlers, to form settlements at Dapitan’s coastlines. They engaged in commercial trade with people from neighboring islands including those coming from parts of Asia and some parts of Europe. Prompted mostly by atrocities committed on them by moro pirates, they decided to venture upriver and into the hinterlands which did not fail them as fruit bearing trees and other agricultural products abound!
In 1563, a large group of Boholanos led by Datu Pagbuaya arrived in Dapitan. They instantly liked Dapitan’s environs and felt at home! They decided to make their settlement and called it Dapitan, a place where they felt invited to stay. In 1565, Legaspi and his expeditionary group came to Dapitan. They were received hospitably by Datu Pagbuaya and his people. This encounter culminated with a “Treaty of Friendship” between Pagbuaya and Legaspi and marked the beginning of the Dapitanons defense of the Spanish crown and faithful adherence to the Catholic faith, to the extent of giving free assistance to Spain’s pacification of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. Thus, the era and rule of Datu Pagbuaya and his descendants in Dapitan gained popularity not just in Mindanao but also in the Visayas and Luzon! Their strength, bravery and success in warfare gained them the trademark as “the Brave and Noble Nation of Dapitan”.
Dapitan was already in the Philippine map as early as the 1500s! Dapitanons should be very proud!
The Spanish Philippine conquest and rule brought forth in Dapitan another notable Filipino, the greatest man the Malayan race has ever produced, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He spent four fruitful years of exile in Dapitan showing the versatile person that he was, very much ahead of his time! He was a teacher, a poet, a writer, a painter, a sculptor, an engineer, a surgeon and ophthalmologist, a scientist, a sports enthusiast! A farmer and a leader to the community! He was well loved not just by the locals of Dapitan but by his friends from around the world as well. Dapitan is so blessed to have sheltered Rizal and his greatness! Everything that is reminiscent of Dr. Jose Rizal may be found at the Rizal Shrine, in Dapitan’s barangay Talisay. Hence, Dapitan got the descriptive title, "the Shrine City of the Philippines”!
Dapitan City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong in an interview with CNN Philippines said that based in the history of Dapitan City, Local leaders took turns in leading the administration of Dapitan but for a longer span of time, nothing much had been done about the Rizal Shrine, no representations made to the national government until Dapitan lost its name in history. It doesn’t ring a bell anymore, it lost its importance... Such a pity considering the fact that Dapitan is the only place which no other place could replicate, unless they can produce another Rizal.
With all the wonders possessed by Dapitan, the same failed to supply the needs of its constituents. Dapitanons then needed to travel and apply elsewhere to have a salaried and stable job. The main product before was copra when the price in the market was still competitive. Another was fish and other agricultural products. It can feed the family but still no room for advancement except for the landlords.
Agolong disclosed that the vision for the revival of the glory of Dapitan came to being in 2001. It was during the administration of Mayor Rodolfo H. Carreon Jr that most if not all the streets in the poblacion were cemented as part of the preparation for a Tourism Masterplan. The aim was to make Dapitan a competitive tourist city offering historical tourism, ecotourism and manmade tourist facilities. When the Tourism Plan was laid down, it seemed impossible considering the garagantuan amount of money needed to finance everything in the plan. It was also during the time of Mayor Rodol that commenced the planning of the construction of the New Government Center.
Agolong said that theduring the time of Mayor Dominador G. Jalosjos' three term administration produced the imposing unique and respectable structure of the New Government Center! It saw the sprouting of tourist facilities such as the delienation of Dapitan Poblacion into two zones namely the Old Dapitan and the New Dapitan! Farol de Kumbate proudly adorned the lamp posts of old Dapitan while the erection of the Global lights silently magnifies the new Dapitan Zone.
Agolong added that Handuraw
Festival in honor of Rizal was also added to the major yearly activities. Participation
from the private sector was greatly encouraged with marketing and promotions
and tax holiday support from the local government. Hence, a number of well-meaning
Dapitanons took the challenge and came up with hotels and pension houses
business; Dapitan's ultimate entertainment venue, the Gloria de Dapitan; and of
course, the only theme park in Visayas and Mindanao, the Fantasyland. It also
has travel and tours operation with a fleet of big buses transporting domestic
tourists from different points in Mindanao. Dakak Park and Beach Resort had
been renovating their resort for more than four years already. Adding up the
best facilities which may be found in other posh resorts and surpassing them.
To date, Agolong
said Dakak now has the longest zipline in Asia at 1.3 kilometers. Dapitan City
received a lot of help through the construction of infrastructure projects from
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Governor Rolando E. Yebes, Governor Rommel
Jalosjos, Congressman Cesar Jalosjos, Congresswoman Cecilia J. Carreon,
Congressman Bullet Jalosjos, from the Senators and Congressmen friends. Their
contributions produced the Punto de Desembarco de Rizal en Dapitan.
She said that during
the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2011 the facilities was introduced, widening
of the Rizal's Trail, Face-lifting of the City Square, 1.2 billion continuing
road project from the Rizal Shrine to the municipality of Rizal and a lot more.
City Tourism Officer said, Mayor Rosalina G. Jalosjos' present administration pushed for the continuance of the effective tourism programs of her predecessor and added programs and events that would give our city a new name, the City of Festivals. Kagang Festival was launched in February in the coastal barangays and Ulang Festival for the barangays along the riverbanks. Entertainment and Services are being offered to the barangay folks to let them feel the same level of importance as those living in the poblacion.
City Tourism Officer said, Mayor Rosalina G. Jalosjos' present administration pushed for the continuance of the effective tourism programs of her predecessor and added programs and events that would give our city a new name, the City of Festivals. Kagang Festival was launched in February in the coastal barangays and Ulang Festival for the barangays along the riverbanks. Entertainment and Services are being offered to the barangay folks to let them feel the same level of importance as those living in the poblacion.
Again, the private
sector is also very active in coming up with different kind of interesting and
enjoyable events through the constant courting of the Mayor Agolong said. Dapitan
was the proud host the most expensive motorbikes in the world during the 3rd
International Motorbike Conference, three years after we successfully hosted
the Palarong Pambansa 2011. National offices held their conferences here almost
every month! While skydivers and motocross riders found their home in our
beautiful city. Soon we will be holding the World Arts Camp Olympiad courtesy
from the able and active participation of the frontliners from the private
sector. We will soon be visited by international golfers in less than three
years when the Greg Norman Signature Golf Course will be completed. National
Geographic enthusiasts will have their eyes on us as we extract the sunken
galleon. Russians will become a natural sight in the next years to come as they
already forged a sisterhood with our neighbor city, yet Dapitan has everything
the Russian market wants. We are eyeing not just domestic tourists as clients but
the only international community. Just recently, groups from Mainland China,
Hongkong, Taiwan and Singapore took turns in their arrival and immersion here
in Dapitan since January for our magnifiscent and awesome offering of Fly and
Dive Package within the Dapitan Sea Triangle.
She said all these activities were being backed up by a consistent marketing and promotions team from the trimedia making it sure that our activities will always make it in the news locally as well as in the regional and national television news. Participation in various Trade and Industry Expositions both local and international also played a very big part in the success of our tourism activities and missions.
She said all these activities were being backed up by a consistent marketing and promotions team from the trimedia making it sure that our activities will always make it in the news locally as well as in the regional and national television news. Participation in various Trade and Industry Expositions both local and international also played a very big part in the success of our tourism activities and missions.
Historian Florentino
Cad described Dapitan in the 1500s as the capital of Mindanao. "if Manila
stood as the pride of Luzon and Cebu to Visayas, Dapitan was considered the
pride and strength of Mindanao." Dapitan today is making a raging comeback
redeeming its glory days! We just need to do our share and do away with our
negative behaviors which will take a toll in Dapitan's consistent advancement!
Meanwhile, the 36th National Folkdance Workshop which was being held here for 5 days made its culmination last Saturday May 28, 2016, through the voluntary presentations of what the 1,200 participants from all over the country learned during the 5-day workshop. It was the centerpiece of our Heritage Month celebration vis a vis the Santacruzan 2016 which is a mirror of our religious opulence from the time of our forefathers up to the present.
Meanwhile, the 36th National Folkdance Workshop which was being held here for 5 days made its culmination last Saturday May 28, 2016, through the voluntary presentations of what the 1,200 participants from all over the country learned during the 5-day workshop. It was the centerpiece of our Heritage Month celebration vis a vis the Santacruzan 2016 which is a mirror of our religious opulence from the time of our forefathers up to the present.
The City Tourism
Officer also inviting everyone to witness the traditional Santacruzan on
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 and make a trip down the lane of Dapitan's historic,
proud and preserved past.
