Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte

Literally, my trip to Dapitan via Dipolog was a weekend getaway.  After my graveyard shift work schedule, I immediately went to the airport.   The trip was my way of relaxation due to my disagreement with the schedule provided to me.  Anyway, life is too short to dwell on petty things.

I arrived in Dipolog at 12 noon.  From the airport, I asked the military personnel on where I could ride a bus going to Dapitan.  At the airport gate, I took a tricycle.  The agreed fare was PhP60 but when I arrived at the bus terminal the driver was asking for PhP100 which I refused to pay.  I told the driver that his attitude discourages tourist from going to their place.  I only paid PhP80.  Then, I took a van going to Dapitan.  The fare was only PhP25 and travel time lasted for almost 1 hour. I did not speak nor asked for directions since I was intimidated with the previous bad experience with the tricycle driver.  I alighted at the market and took another tricycle in going to the resort.  The fare was only PhP7.   I checked-in at Villa Pilar Pension (tel. no. 065.2136579) and their rate was only PhP600 per night.  I was happy with their room, it was simple and clean.  Since it was already 1pm, I ordered for a meal at the counter.  The meal was only PhP70.  I immediately left my things in the room and I took a tricycle in going to Rizal Shrine.  I went to the museum and I noticed that Rizal had may relationships based on the photos of women linked to him.  I also saw his clothes which I did bother to take photos.  Then, I went around the area which was surrounded by old trees.  As I was about to leave the premises, a man approached me and he offered to bring me to Dakak Beach Club for only PhP400.  I agreed and rode his motorcycle.  The ride lasted for 3o minutes.  I interviewed the driver. He told me that the Rizal Shrine guide noticed that I was alone.  He was asked to assist me to take my photos.  I told him that I was used to travelling alone. I also found out that he was a security guard at the shrine in the evening and he works as guide during day time.   When we arrived at the Dakak Beach Club toll gate, I paid PhP500 which included one meal at their Italian Restaurant.  I was picked up at the toll gate by their service vehicle.  Inside the resort, I immediately took some photos of the beautiful beach front.  At the end of my photo sessions, I proceeded to the Italian Restaurant for my snack.  I ordered for a pasta and added a coke in can which cost almost PhP100 (four times the actual price).  Anyway, the food and ambiance were very good.  I also went to their souvenir shop just to buy a ref magnet.  I was told by the employee to go to the highest peak located near the toll gate.  I asked for the service vehicle to bring me back to the gate.  At the gate, I asked the driver to come with me.  I thought that the walk going up was easy but I was wrong.  I sweated a lot, the top view of the resort was spectacular.  Then, he brought me to the place where Rizal first landed.  We also went to St. James Cathedral located near the old municipal hall and park.  It was also the place where a Mindanao map was located and according to the locals, it was created by Rizal himself.  As we were going around, I noticed that all their streets were related to Rizal.  Lastly, we went to Dampa to take a merienda.  I ordered for a roasted banana with vanilla ice cream with caramelized sugar. I loved this dessert.  After the tour, I went back to the Villa Pilar to take a nap.  Eight in the evening, I walked towards Fantasyland which was only a five minute walk.  Honestly, I was not impressed at all with the theme park.  I did not bother to spend for the entrance but I only went to the shops around the park.  What I liked about the place was the bread shop which I bought for pasalubong.  I went back to my accommodation for my dinner (PhP80). 

The following day, I went out early to go to the Cathedral.  I went inside but only stayed for a while since the mass was in their dialect. After that, I decided to go back to Villa Pilar for my check out.  I took another tricycle back to the terminal located at the market.  This time no van was available and I took an ordinary bus (fare PhP20). I paid for two seats so that I can place my bag beside me.  I told the bus conductor that I will alight at Dipolog City Hall.  At the middle of the ride, I found out that conductors normally alight and another one comes in, so my instruction to the first conductor was futile but it was another learning experience for me.  The bus stopped and I noticed the Zaragoza store which sells bottled Spanish sardines.  I immediately alighted and proceeded to the store.  I bought pasalubong for my family… of course sardines and shrimp paste!  I asked for the directions on where I could buy shirts and I was informed to go to Lee Mall.  At the mall, it sells souvenir shirts which were cheaply sold. Then, I took another tricycle to the airport and I paid PhP60.  The airport terminal fee was only PhP20.  I checked-in my things and there was only one kiosk located inside but it did not have the ref magnets I need.  Since I was not doing anything, I simply watched the videos being shown at the waiting area.  Luckily, the dessert which I loved at the Dampa where shown and I jotted down everything so that I could prepare it at home.  Overall, this weekend getaway was OK.  

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Visited last August 25-26, 2012