Thursday, September 4, 2008

Dipolog City

Another coast to coast travel. From the northeasternmost coast of Surigao City to the western coast of Dipolog City.

My last travel there, that was 2006 in Dakak Resort, Dapitan City, took me more than 12 hours so i needed to cut the trip and took an overnight rest in Cagayan de Oro.

This time we are onboard a private car but since we departed from Surigao at 3 in the afternoon of August 27, we also took an overnight stop in CDO for the next day's tiring journey. Fortunate we are, we managed to book a hotel beside being crowded for the CDO's fiesta activity or the Kagay-an Festival on the 28th. We settled at the Casa Crystalla which is just one block away from the central park where the Night Cafe every Friday was held.

Upon arriving, we took the opportunity to experience the vibrant celebration of Cagayan de Oro's fiesta. So we stroll around the park, from its tip facing Ateneo de Cagayan/Xavier University to the south end, and here is what we got...

..the mixed martial arts exhibition competition where the barakos flocked. The fight was very entertaining at the same time amusing because of the somehow kengkoy scenarios made by the contenders. Most out of breath and sometime used foolish stunt to outplay their opponent.


..the fence of Xavier University full of promotional materials of the different personality's performances in celebration of CDO's fiesta.

On the dawn of the 28th, we departed Cagayan de Oro for Dipolog taking this billboard-packed highway..

Sorry for the messy photos. I took it inside the car.

A welcome arch greeting visitors a warm welcome to Iligan City.

In contrast with the thoughts and reservations i had regarding the recent happenings in the northern part of Lanao, Iligan City remains peaceful and unshaken in spite the presence of the military checkpoints and outposts and maybe even with the presence of helicopters around. I did not feel any fear but rather thrilled.

And my most anticipated sight... the burnt school and houses along Kauswagan and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte.


Im so ashamed to admit that i reacted OA about this trip as caused by the military encounters with the MILF and posted here in my blog asking for everyone's prayer. On the contrary, those places remained the same except for the extensive presence of checkpoints which are unmanned. So I concluded it was an isolated case widened by the media. It was even foolish of me to ask for some bullets to show up as we go along our way so that i could fell the hype of hiding. Hehe.

Anyway, i would like to thank the people who prayed for our safe travel. We successfully hurdled it.

And as the battlecry of the conference we attended, "Business as usual in Mindanao!"

To continue with our journey, one of most enjoyable experiences of the trip was the crossing aboard the barge from Mukas Port in Lanao del Norte to Ozamis Sea Port. The site was awesome!

..the queue of vehicles going to Ozamis Port as a shortcut to the rest of Misamis Occidental areas. This sea cruise is not going to another island but rather a shortcut for a shorter trip taking 20 minutes only.

..the Mukas Port

..the ferry cruise with the sole rising mountain in Ozamis on the background. I was geologically wond'ring why only one mountain cares to rise in that area.

..the abodes near the Ozamis Sea Port.


After traversing Ozamis, Oroquieta City also a city under the Misamis Occidental Province is the urban city.

And after hurdling the serpentine road to Zamboanga del Norte, here we finally arrived in Dipolog. Dapitan City is just a 15-minute and a crossroad away from Dipolog.

This monument called as Estaka on the rotonda serves as Dipolog's landmark. As quoted from their website, "The Estaka – Turno Y Junction Fountain is a cast fiberglass monument that depicts the diverse cultures of the people of Mindanao brought together by a unified goal: to attain peace, development and prosperity for Dipolog City. This landmark is a glorious example of the fusion of modernism and conservatism. It mirrors the quality of life in the city in which there is acceptance of modernization while still keeping intact the traditional values and cultural heritage of its land and people. The cascading waters from the bowl symbolize the city’s abundant blessings while the fruits and flowers etched on the bowl symbolize the bountiful harvest that Dipolog is blessed with."

We were billeted at the Top Plaza Hotel and from the 4th floor can be seen the view of the boulevard..

..and the Dipolog Center Mall.

On our first night, guests and participants were entertained with a fashion showcasing the crafts of local designers and the lovely models daring to show off some skin.

..the Dipolog Shopping Center.

In every places i went to, i noticed each of them have different taste of tricycle design. And this is Dipolog's distinct design of tricycle..

After the following day's affair, we managed to escape from the official tight sked and chilled out in the boulevard devouring on their type of balut.


..and some photo ops

Then went on to the sponsored dinner where Sen. Bong Revilla was the guest of honor. Heck! He was on the center stage giving his unsubstantial speech. Discussing on his accomplishments and reiterating the potential of Mindanao which of course we already know. My blood pressure was heightened by his presence.

Fortunately the organizers produced an entertaining show of the best of Mindanao arts and costume. It was a sentimental show for me reminding how i should be proud being a Mindanaoan! Hehe.

And im sorry to say that i wasnt able to invade the tourist spots of Dipolog City. The schedule was so tight that it does not permit me to go anywhere far. And according to some locals that i have talked with, there's nothing much in Dipolog for a tourist attraction. Most of them are in Dapitan City which i have already gone to.

38 comments:

Oman said...

thanks for the tour, ang linis pala ng kalye ng Dipolog. sayang naman at medyo walang na feature na tourist attraction pero ok na rin bro.

bakit ayaw mo kay bong revilla eh magkamukha nga kayo. lols.

The Islander said...

nyahaha! knock on the wood. *kapal. hehe*

ewan ko ba, basta pulitiko ayoko. onga sayang din kasi medyo nasa city lang ako. meron silang 3,003 steps pero di ko napuntahan.

Anonymous said...

nice blog. i'll be visiting Ozamiz next week and dipolog/dapitan in the coming days...

The Islander said...

wow!

dapitan is lovely. dipolog is lively.

good luck and enjoy your trip.
i have watched from the trip na trip that oroquieta have lots to offer too. like dolphin watching, etc.

escape said...

nakapunta na ako sa dipolog twice nung jamboree ng boy scout. pero tagal na nun. 1997 pa.

hindi pa ako nakapunta ng ozamis.

The Islander said...

kabanas ang night life sa dipolog. 9pm pa lang quiet na ang environment.

Anonymous said...

So, you're a person who loves the nightlife!:) Btw, I'm just curious, was it really mixed martial arts or just plain boxing?

The Islander said...

mixed martial arts po. kickboxing with something i missed to recall...

Anonymous said...

oi, nakakadto nasad ako sa ozamis from lanao del norte and duol ra gajud sija. may 3 ka cities didto, ozamis, oroquieta sanan tagum man bagan adto.

pusangkalye said...

Ganyan na pala hitsura ng place. Pumunta kami tangub dati---1997 pa para sa National schools Press Conference. Plane to cagayan de ORO tapos bus na papunta Tangub. Yeah, I remember the ferry ride to Ozamis kaso gabi na so diko masyado na-appreciate yung place. Ganyan na pala hitsura. I didn't remember the highway though. Is it new? Or maybe I was just not paying attention that time.....nice. it's like a flashback. I miss all those coconut trees.

pusangkalye said...

Cnu yung babae JP? gf u? sorry ha---curious lang---peace.

pusangkalye said...

Ay--uo nakarating rin kami sa Dapitan then dakak---Dapitan muna bago dakak from Tangub ayt? Dakak area is wonderful. mas magagaganda ang mga niyog don----

Jerick said...

wala pa ko kabisita sa northern mindanao. unta, makasuroy ko dira.

The Islander said...

@faye.. tangub? bagan sa davao jaon tagum. hehe.


@tonyo.. may mga bagong pavements, merong iba ganun pa din. but the highway's smooth now.

i think i knew that spot where coconut trees look lovely and aligned. yeah, theyre somewhere going to mukas port. i got a picture of it actually but didnt post here cause i dont like the photo quality.

the girl? nope. she's one of our staffs. she's fond of posing in front of the camera thats why shes a constant subject. no inhibitions. hehe.

dakak is in dapitan. and i have them here in my blog. dakak is a paradise for me. very refreshing environment it has.

The Islander said...

@curbside.. plan it and youll have it. determinasyon lang.

taga asa diay ka?

Admin said...

Ei Islaman... You're really are a great Blogger and adventurer! Yehey!

Kakainggit talaga...

The Islander said...

halu richard! been so long... hehe. medyo busy lang talaga kaya di makagala..

bakit naman kakainggit. kaya mo ring gumala.

Anonymous said...

All the places you've posted here are all interesting and attractive. We wanted to go to Mindanao one of these days. God willing, next summer.
What place can you suggest we should see first?

Dakilang Islander said...

teka bakit may mga nasunog na buildings? gawain ba nanaman sa mga hinayupak na mga abu sayaf?

sa mga nagtanong dyan sa gf ni islander, he's taken na po ng isang reyna! nyahahahah punta lang kayo sa blog ko at ibigay ko ang link..hehh

the spool artist said...

hahaha, i can imagine how unexciting it is to end a perfect trip by listening to Bong Revilla's speech! Great post on your journey though!

Soy said...

That part of Mindanao is least known by those in the north. You're doing a good job showing that Mindanao is beautiful, and peaceful too!

Anonymous said...

that was very nice! para na rin tayong nag-date feel na feel ang story. wish ko lang i could go visit these places in the near future. there's just a lot of things to do really sa pinas at ang ganda at alam mo wa biro pero you could count this as sipsip to you comment, but you need to be commended for doing what you're doing and you're really good at this. great job really. me like you long time talaga. ang galing. pramis.

o ayan. kelan date naten???

The Islander said...

@tita beng.. surigao of course. dubbed as the gateway to mindanao (which is now concerted by dipolog also as gateway to mindanao in the western part), surigao is a good start for your mindanao tour.

just a refresher, surigao is located at the northeastern tip of mindanao. closer to the visayas region, with cebu and leyte being the visayan neighbor. but we're still part of the mindanao region.

The Islander said...

@dakilang islander.. di ka nagsiselos sa lagay na yan ha. sabi naman kasing di ako mang-aagaw eh. hehe.

at yung mga nasunog.. they were school buildings burnt by the milf during their attack in kolambugan sometime in middle of august. but nothing to worry about. that was an isolated case. pero meron pa nga nyan along the highway na magkatapat na bahay, sinunog din.

The Islander said...

@spool artist.. i just didn't mind him. but the others in the crowd were dying to have a photo op with him. parang yung table lang yata namin ang di nagpa picture kasama sya.

i have nothing personal against him. i just dont like how his way of politicking. nakakatanga.

The Islander said...

@maam soy... thank you maam. if only i have the excellent writing prowess to really cull out what i have in mind and promote mindanao better. i should have make this post better but due to time constraint, even me myself is disappointed how this goes out. kuyang.

The Islander said...

@reyna.. tagal kong di nawitness sagala mo ah. namimiss ko nang tumawa sa mga posts mo. haha.

date? di mo ba alam na may nagdurugong puso jan sa tabi tabi? pinagsiselos mo yata eh. may lq kayo? haha.

nyways, thank you sa comment. flattering and heart-wrenching. nyehehe.

Anonymous said...

sige ko balik balik Dipolog sa una pero wa jud kaayo ko kalibot sa mga attractions nila. next time...

The Islander said...

ako pud gitan-aw ang sa ilang website, gamay man lang ilang tourist attractions.

Anonymous said...

Been to Dipolog City twice on official business. The first time, it was via CDO, land trip to Pagadian then to Ozamis and finally to Dipolog. Took the plane from Dipolog on my way back to Manila. Second time, I took the plane direct to and fro Dipolog. I also stayed in Top Plaza Hotel. Nice and clean city. And, lots of spanish sardines.

Jerick said...

@ the islander,

nipuyo lang ko for 2 years sa davao, gen san, cebu og dumaguete. apan, tagalog ko nga dako.

The Islander said...

@tom.. is it before the mukas-ozamis ferry exists? via pagadian as ive learned will take 2 hours daw to ozamis. very tiring.

yeah dipolog is very clean. just like surigao. they are similar in so many ways. take as example the cleanliness and the simplicity.

but i missed curacha. didnt know how it tasted.

The Islander said...

@curbside.. kewl!
my mother is a tagala but she barely speak surigaonon or bisaya. and shes been here for 40 years i guess but til now she's tagalog pa gihapon. hehe.

Anonymous said...

I'm happy that u enjoy staying in cagayan de oro..Same as u Ilike to travel also..I already visit some place that u mention here..aehheh..Here is my Travels and Tours Blog where I post also all my travel place that I visited...

bisaya@atb said...

yes clean and organized and dipolog city at yan ang ipagmalaki nila. i came from diplog city and i work in other place. everytime mo uli ko i always look forward sa mga developments nila and i am happy nga maganda ang mga comments ng mga naka punta doon. dipolog is one of the safest and peaceful cities in mindanao and they have many hotels, inn, pension house to offer for those who wants to visit and see dipolog city.

bisaya@atb said...

yes ang linis talaga ng dipolog and dito lang ako naka kita ng public market na bina-brush with soap and water sa gabi para walang amoy kina bukasan. ang garbage nila ay kinocolect at night para wala ng garbage in the morning.

Unknown said...

Good day. I was s anning .y old works a d saw your blog. i was hoping it can help shed light as to whom the statue can be atteibuted to. I was lobbying it for a ling time and wo dering if it can be addrsse d to the city council.
My name is Derrick Macutay, artist and muralist from Pasig City. I am the designer of the statue and the orchid ornaments around the rotonda. My good friend Sajid Imao, son of National Artist for sculpture Abdulmati Imao, sculpted thework. The project was spearheaded by Architect Manifelmo Dacanay under Mayor Uy's term.

Unknown said...

Our names were notwritten in the markers or evwn being men tioned in social media.
Could this matter be .entio ed to the city council?-Derrick Macutay artist designer of the Dipolog monument