Bottled Sardines - Best Pasalubong from Dipolog

Dipolog, being the capital of Bottled Sardines in the Philippines, a traveler should not forget to grab on of these. In Davao supermarkets, these Montano sardine products are sold twice the price in the Montano sardines factory in Dipolog. 

Montano Sardines now comes with different variety like Bangus (milkfish) sardines, sardines in olive oil, in tomato sauce, spanish style and the new Ginisang Bagoong.

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The 3003 steps at Linabo Peak, Dipolog

The 3003 steps to Linabo Peak is a popular tourist attraction in Dipolog because it gives a beautiful panoramic view of Dipolog City.

But for the residents or locals of Dipolog, this place is popular during Holy Week Celebrations where devotees climbed all the way to the top with perserverance and strenght having in mind that they are in one suffering with Christ, our Lord. 

Here I am getting ready for the climb and to make matter worst, I decided to bring my bag with me as it represents a cross like Christ did. The peak has 14 stations over all, each has different meaning. Dont forget to bring lots of water and put on mosquito repellants because you will be climbing a moist forest conducive of mosquito breeding.

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Gloria Fantasyland in Dapitan

Just a 15 minute walk from Rizal Landing Site in Dapitan is the only theme park in Mindanao, the Gloria Fantastyland.

This Disney-inspired or should I say I local version of Enchanted Kingdom is one of Dapitans charmer, it offers kiddie rides like carousel, bumper cars, tea cup rides and for people who looked for a more thrill like the roller coaster, pirate ship and apollo rides. 

The entrance fee is P500 is ride all you can or you can have the P200 for the sightseeing only. When I went here, it was getting gloomy and there are only few people around probably less than 20. I was hesitant to pay the P500 ticket because it might get rain in awhile and maybe some rides will not operate. So  I took the lesser ticket and Im glad I did. 

It was 6pm and the sun is still up and we were just very few inside the theme park. I was a bit disappointed because for me its just a improved-perya park probably I was thinking too  much of Disneyland when I got here. If you ask me, its not a worldclass establishment. 

This is the pirate ship in which you will be swayed back and forth. I love this ride, its gets you nauseated afterwards.

This is where you are placed on sitting position and you will be rotated. 

 This is the apollo ride where you are simulated to be in the real spaceship. 

The classic rollercoaster ride that lways makes my heart palpitate. 

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Rizal Trails: Rizal Landing Site at Dapitan

The Rizal Landing Site in Dapitan is an iconic landmark in which Rizal himself first stepped on foot on Dapitan beginning his exile years. It is located along Sta Cruz beach and a 15 minute liesure walk to Gloria Fantasyland.

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Rizal Trails: The Rizal Religion at Dapitan City

Clothed white like nuns and “white ladies” I approached them out of curiosity. On my mind, what was a  nun doing at Rizal Shrine in Dapitan maybe there is a retreat hall around but I was in shocked to know that they are Rizalians or the people who worship Dr. Jose Rizal as God himself.

I was totally heartbroken! 

I cant believe that people really do worship Rizal as a God, the first thing I heard about this was during high school on a TV Documentary and for along time, I didnt know it still existed. This is just crazy. Naparesearch bigla ako about Rizalist.  I was immediately compelled about their religion or cult, what do they do in sunday service, if they ever had bible and I was again SHOCKED IN DISBELIEF. I dont know what to say anymore.

Anyway, I was at Rizal Shrine in Dapitan when I discovered this. The place has a museum where Rizal artifacts are preserved.

Rizal also spend his time here at the park and the trees and the rocks were the witness to his struggles and endeavors if only they can speak. The park today provides replica of Rizals old houses, former clinic or hospital and even his kitchen. 

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Beach bumming at Dakak, Dapitan City

Continuing my travel to Zamboanga Peninsula, I headed up north to Dipolog City however due to time constraints, I decided to proceed to Dapitan City or the Philippines Shrine City.

Traveling from Pagadian to Dipolog is easier now because of the Osmena Road cutting time to half. Before people from Pagadian used to pass Ozamiz and Oroquieta City to go to Dipolog or Dapitan, but now the Osmena road made it possible to travel easier, faster and a little uncomfortable. Some parts of the road to Dipolog is not yet concrete and from the looks of it, the progress is really slow and perhaps it would take time before it finally be completed. 

I left Pagadian at 9:30am and arrived at Dipolog at 12:30 pm. At the terminal, I wasted no time to look for a bus to Dapitan and I found out that Evergood are the only one that ply that route. After 40 minutes, I finally arrived in Dapitan. When in Dapitan, take note of the spanish street signs all over the city. According to one local, the signs are either related to Rizal, our national hero, who was exiled and spent most of his unforgettable moments in Dapitan. The city feels like very rural, silent, calm, peaceful, no tall buildings and I love it. Its as if I time traveled back to Spanish times because old buildings, streets are common here.

 DAKAK

It was a scorching hot day in Dapitan and the place offers a perfect hideaway in this hot weather, Dakak. This coved beach is perhaps the most popular beach in Zamboanga Peninsula. The road to Dakak was all paved, in 30 minutes I reached the resort. This resort is not really for budget travelers because the price per room here is very expensive. For a day tour, a pass will cost P500 consumable in the restaurants or in the botique shops. As for me, its a great exchange for sumptuous food.  

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Seaweed Farming in Pagadian City, Philippines

Seaweeds farming in Pagadian is an important contributor in the economy of the city and even though I have no statistics to show but these underwater crops are expensive to sell and it provides jobs to many residents of this area.

I was invited in a home of no other than the wife of the Baranggay Captain and this gave me an opportunity to ask about seaweeds. Seaweeds have many uses and one prominent use of this is the agar-agar commonly used as an agent in the laboratories to grow bacteria. Other than that, they are also important ingredients in cosmetics and in medicines. 

I thought that my adventure would end already but the wife of the Baranggay captain had a crazy idea. She said that  we will go out to the sea and she will show me how do they farm seaweeds. OH WOW! FOR REAL! At first, I was really nervous because I dont know how to swim but they insisted since the sea is also calm. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness this business, again its a unique experience to me.

So the real adventure begins. The locals are really friendly they even looked for a hat for me. We paddled along the beautiful Pagadian Bay and thank God the sea is calm. 

I have recorded my trip on my point and shoot camera and I had the great time at Pagadian Bay. 

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Unexpected Adventure at White Beach, Pagadian

On my second day in Pagadian, swimming on the the beach was on my mind, so I asked some locals where to find the nearest beach around, they all have common answers Puting Balas and Dao Dao Islands.

Walking along the bay to look for a bakery to buy some bread for my beach adventure, I noticed this castle like structure in the city. Its like an unfinished theme park,  maybe in the future this could be the Disneyland of Pagadian. 

The port reminds me of my trip to Tawi-tawi and Zamboanga because we had passed several stilt houses. The boatman told me that in 10 minutes, we will arrive in the beach. 

So we finally arrived in Puting Balas. However, I was puzzled because there was no resort and all I can see are garbage and dried seaweeds.

 Suddenly, a woman approached me and asked who I was looking for, she also said that we were together in the boat going to this place. She seemed very friendly and she invited me to come with her because she will guide me around.

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Lakbay de Zamboanga Peninsula - Only in Pagadian City

Part of my Northwestern Mindanao tour is Pagadian City, the capital and the regional center of Zamboanga Del Sur. The city is also dubbed to be the Hong Kong of the Philippines and Im gonna find out why or how they get that name. 

As soon as I arrived in Pagadian, one thing I noticed was the weird inclined tricycles so unique in this part of the Philippines, its like a rocket propelled motorcycle angled at 30-40 degrees. According to some locals, the inclined tricycles were designed to navigate along the hilly terrains of the city. You should also try this once in Pagadian, it has become a local attraction because its only in Pagadian.

At first,  I had a little hard time riding the tricycle because its a bit small against my body and it felt like Im in a can of sardines. 

Surprisingly, Pagadian is a thriving city and infact its more urban than the nearby city of Ozamiz, there are many banks, hotels and other business establishments, a sign that Pagadian has a strong local economy. 

As I roamed around the city, I stumbled on the fish port and I noticed another weird looking fishing boat along the bay unlike nothing Ive seen before. From the looks of it, its like a boat that has “tentacles” of its body. From the inclined motorcycle to the octopus-like fishing boat, this is something unique to Pagadian City. Again, Only in Pagadian.

I dont know the rationale behind the tentacles but my guess would be, it could hold a net to catch more fish since Pagadian has rich in marine resources from sardines to seaweeds.The port provides a view of the nearby islands and the sorrounding mountains and the mountainous background is perhaps the reason why its called the Hong Kong of the Philippines. At first I had a hard time deciphering because I think about tall skyscrapers around Hong Kong but it wasnt that.

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Hoyohoy Highland Park - Summer Capital of Misamis Occidental

It was scorching hot while I was in Ozamiz City taking a short break before I embark again on another adventure. This time, I planned to visit another charmer in the province of Misamis Occidental, the Hoyohoy Highland Park located in Tangub City. The park is famed for its hand-made stone chapel and zipline which is the longest and the highest zipline in Asia. 

A fresh mountain breeze welcomed me as I reach the park, there was pine trees all over and despite the sun, the weather here was very cool where it reminds me of Tagaytay or Baguio City. The park has a beautiful landscape but the best is the spectacular view of the Panguil Bay and the nearby province of Lanao. 

Before starting out on an zipping adventure, I paused and reflect while waiting for the complimentary snack. Here, you can have your own space and time. If I have extra money I would love to book a night in their hotel.

Just what I need for the day! A hot lomi for the cool weather and the signature Hoyohoy iced tea. 

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