Dapitan City

A paradise for everyone

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Founded in 1963, Dapitan City just celebrated it's 57th charter anniversary as a continuously thriving destination. Gateway to the rest of Mindanao, it is the center of tourism in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Dapitan Bay used to be part of the Galleon Trade route during the Spanish regime; being a stopover for barter and repairs. Through the years, the city has nurtured it's enterprising pursuits.

The city also serves as a refuge for seafarers in distress. "The Taguilon Cove harbors ships during storms. Its glass-like stillness is the perfect platform for our wakeboarding park," revealed city tourism head Apple Agolong.

A city of 'multi-activity destinations,' Dapitan is also home to the Dakak Park & Beach Resort. This 31-year-old tourist enclave has made major thoroughfares possible in this once heavily-forested area. "There were no roads prior to Dakak. Before, the only way into the private resort was through the sea. The name Dakak was coined from 'dakong kakahoyan,' which literally means 'a big forest.'

"The river cruise in Burgos, Rizal's Shrine, the amusement park in Gloria de Dapitan, diving destinations, a world-class golf course, and the Dakak Park & Beach Resort are some of the city's places of interest. And soon, the 7-million-peso airport project in Aliguay Island will bring visitors straight to Dapitan," continued Agolong.

Answering the call of the times, Dakak has opened its Villa Angelina luxury suites for the upscale Asian market. Eight key offices around the Philippines take care of booking concerns.

"There's something for every travel enthusiast here in Dapitan. We've kept the natural terrain and wove developments around it as part of our eco-practice.

"Dr. Jose P Rizal and Josephine Bracken lived here for four years, watching the same sunset we are enjoying now," quipped Agolong, at the end of our colloquy.