Dapitan City – Dakak

The City of Dapitan has a rich history in the Philippines as the place the Spaniards exiled Philippine national hero Jose Rizal to after he criticized the Spanish regime for their occupation of the Philippines.

While he was training as a doctor in Spain he wrote two novels attacking the Spanish repression in the Philippines. He became one of the leading spokesmen of the nationalist movement. He was an advocate of gradual change rather than a revolutionary approach, but ran into problems with the Spanish authorities when he established the Liga Filipina, in 1892 a reform society. He was exiled to Mindanao and though not involved in the nationalist uprising of 1896, he would later be executed by the Spanish authorities for alleged complicity in the rebellion. There is now a shrine dedicated to Jose Rizal in Dapitan City.

Gloria Fantasyland

Gloria Fantasyland has become one of the best known attractions in Dapitan City. It’s a beautiful theme park, comparable to the Disney ones. It is also the largest theme park in the Philippines outside of Manila and is the first of its kind in the Mindanao - Visayas region. It boast 35 rides with more on the way and at night the view with the lights and the live shows is spectacular..

Dakak resort

The Dakak Park & Beach Resort is a 750 meter private beach and is blanketed with powdery white sand. Spring water flowing over waterfalls feed the resort’s two pools. There is a private open-air jacuzzi where you can relax and unwind. Jet-skis and water skiing are just two of the many options you have here. At night the beach is turned into a buffet and you can dine while watching locals put on a show of traditional dance. There’s plenty to do for the family besides the beach. The family can enjoy bowling,, tennis, basketball, billiards or golf.

Marine life

Dakak is also called the “Diving Mecca in Mindanao”. The prime months are March through September. The Dakak dive sites offer a variety of environments from gradual slopes to dense groups of coral, vertical walls, caves, a shipwreck and reefs. The marine life is varied. Some spots are abundant with soft coral growth and huge basket sponges, while others team with schools of jacks, surgeons, and other small reef inhabitants. There is also over 15 hectares of lush greenery to explore and you can even do some cave exploration.


Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte 2012

GLORIA'S FANTASYLAND ENTERTAINMENT ON TOUR 2013

Batanes

Batanes is the northernmost province in the Philippines. It’s also the smallest as far as land mass and population. This is a nature lovers dream with plenty of opportunities for fishing, diving and hiking. This small group of islands sits where the Pacific ocean meets the China Sea and is home to some of the rarest corals in the world.

 

 
Sabtang

Two of the more popular islands are Sabtang and Itbayat. Both are accessible by boat from the capital Bacso. Sabtang is only a 30 minute ride by boat while Itbayat can take 4 hours. Charter planes are available that can make the trip in 30 min. If you do choose to go by boat be prepared for active ride. The seas can be a little choppy. Itbayat terrain consist of  rolling hills and semi level plateaus surrounded by continuous massive cliffs rising up to 70 meters above sea level. There are no shorelines. Sabtang is quite different though, it has many small flat areas spread out on its coasts and its interior consist by steep mountains and very deep canyons. Sabtang does have some stretches of sandy beaches and or rocky shorelines.

Batan

Batan is another great island to visit for hikers. It’s similar in topography as Sabtang.  It offers long stretches of hills where animals graze, a ghost town, deserted after years of beatings by storms and the “radar Yuron” an abandoned weather station that offers a 360 degree view of the island.

Batanes

Sagada

coffins, sagada philippinesSagada is a small province resting peacefully in the mountains of the Paradise called the Philippines. It’s about a 6 hour bus ride from Baguio City, which is itself about a 6 hour bus ride from Manila. It’s well worth the trip though. Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins. It was a former practice of hanging the coffins from a cliff with the belief that this would aid the souls of the dead to reach heaven.

Hanging Coffins

Rock formation inside the Sumaguing Cave

Sagada’s main tourist attraction though are the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves. The caves feature unique and unusual rock formations, and they also include tunnels. They were carved out by water and it is interesting to see what water has done to the rocky surroundings and floors in these caves. You can explore the caves with the help of the local guides.

Sumaguing cave

You have two options for exploring the caves. The first is the short route. The caves have flowing water in the lower parts, and by choosing the short route, you will only pass through the parts of the caves that have a shallow water level. Your second option is the long route. This route is much more difficult and challenging because you must pass through parts of the cave where the water is much deeper. It can reach up to one’s neck. The long route will take you through the cave’s tunnel systems. This route is takes much longer and either way you go a local guide is a must.

Sagada rice terraces

Other interesting places to see there are, Other places of interest in Sagada are, Lake Danum, the Rice Terraces, Echo Valley, the Underground River, Kiltepan Tower and the Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls.

Sagada

As for accommodations, there are a number of hotels and inns located very near the bus stop. The accommodations offered are at a very reasonable rate. You shouldn’t have any problems finding a place to rest. There are restaurants located nearby, ready to serve all visitors. The town is very peaceful and a great place to see some extraordinary sites and relax. One final note, though the town is small, the education level is high and the locals speak English quite well .

Sagada Philippines, A Hidden Treasure Of Caves, Waterfalls, And Pure Mountain Living