Memories in Dapitan
My friend Shen Fajardo-Polinar, tied-the-knot in this island. It was a glorious and a charming small town of Dapitan to celebrate her special day. We stayed in Dapitan almost a week to prepare the venue, staffs, accommodation, invites, the prenup pictorials and of course the food. After the coordination, roaming around the Island was the best activity for the day. I've never been in a place of such attractions minus the noise and the pollution. It was the perfect place to get to know the heritage of our land.
Everything is history
Dapitan City is an attraction by itself. Concrete and well-paved roads stretching to the coastal barangays have turned it into a showcase of beauty and cleanliness. The Dapitan Bay with its expanse of clean beaches is also a constant attraction to tourists. There are so many historic places in Dapitan City namely; Liwasan ng Dapitan, Liwasan ng Dapitan, Rizal Park and Shrine, Casa Real, and their beaches. It is historically significant as the place where Jose Rizal was exiled by the Spaniards for his revolutionary activities. He is considered a national here, and this is known as the "Shrine City in the Philippines.
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St. James the Greater Church
This church was built in 1871 in honor of St. James the Greater, Dapitan's patron saint. The design of the interior walls is more or less 1 meter thick and still original except for the furnishing. The altar and the interior have undergone several renovations. Inside is a historical spot where Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippines' National Hero, stood while hearing mass every Sunday. At the mezzanine is the priceless heritage organ that bears a year in the making - the year 1827 at the choir loft. It was brought to Dapitan by the Augustinian Recollect fathers. A German made with European pipes. It is a manual pipe organ. |
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Casa Real
Dr. Jose P. Rizal stayed here in Casa Real with Governor Ricardo Carnicero from his arrival until he moved to Rizal Shrine at barangay Talisay in March 1893. The looks of Casa Real is the same as the old City Hall with bamboo on each side, the upper portion is made up of woods. A replica of Casa Real will soon rise near its marker.
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After the morning historical walk, we headed to the river cruise the invigorating Dapitan River and took our lunch with the team. What a scrumptious seafood lunch we had! This must experience when in Dapitan.
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