ABC Lantern Parade

        Dipolog is home to numerous educational edifices that don't only focus on the quality of education, but also to the whole being of the learners. Educators in Dipolog believe that education isn't merely knowledge, but a way of lifestyle as well. On the 30th of November, Andres Bonifacio College, one of the most popular Alma maters in the city, opened its Founding Anniversary by a lantern parade. The school was founded in 1940 by Amando Borja Amatong, a great educator and follower of Andres Bonifacio, the Father of Katipunan. Both personalities are no strangers to poverty, but such woe did not stop them from rising and learning more, leading fellowmen, and eventually leaving an heritage too tough to be shaken by poverty - education. The lantern parade showcased sprightly students, ready to take part in one of its annual celebrations in costumes and makeup despite the long walk and swollen feet. Ahh... the goodness of being a youth and having a youthful heart. 

*all photos above are by Sir Ruel Tabada 

* the last 3 photos are from Sir Freger Reyes

Where to Dine in Dipolog City

           Whenever I plan on visiting other places, I always make sure that I have happy memories, sore feet, and happy tummy, too. After all, we need as much energy to keep moving and create wonderful experiences in every stop if we have grumbling tummy, right? Here is a list of restaurants and fast foods situated in Dipolog City. It’s a comprehensive list, which you can use as a resource when you come to Dipolog in the future for a happy travel and happy tummy experience.

Dining Spots near the Holy Rosary Cathedral

Julie’s Halo Halo and Refreshments – Situated beside the UCCP building, Julie’s is the perfect spot for old school halo halo at its best for only P50.

            Address: Rizal Avenue, Dipolog City

            Price Range – P15-100

photo from dipologcity.com

map and distance of Julie's and the Holy Rosary Cathedral and Plaza Magsaysay

Daddy Don’s Pizza - A modest place for pizza, meals, snacks, and refreshments at pocket friendly prices.

            Address: Bonifacio St., Dipolog City

Contact Number:  +(63) (65) 212 7373

Here’s the map – Daddy Don's

Price Range – P45-200

Classic Dimsum – One of the go-to places of students from St. Mary’s Academy and Saint Vincent’s College, it’s all about siopao, siomao, and every Chinese menu that your palate craves. For only P60, you can have 4 pcs of steamed siomai and a bola bola siopao.

            Address : General Luna St., Dipolog City

            Contact Number - 065-212-2176 Store Hours – 8:30am – 8:00pm

            Map here - Classic Dimsum (it's marked with B)

 

photo from pinasmuna.com

Bird's Nest - Located few blocks from Cathedral and St. Mary's Academy, the place is a great spot to chat, relax, and enjoy good food at great prices.

             Address : Gonzales St., Dipolog City
             Map here for Bird's Nest and Cathedral.

Calda Pizza - Looking for margherita? Calda Pizza is probably the only pizzeria restaurant in the city that serves margherita. 

            Address - Garcia St., Dipolog City
            Map here for Calda Pizza.

1948 Cafeteria - Nestled in front of the Ospital ng Kabataan (OKDI), the place is ideal for good food, nice chats, and cool refreshments with paintings, structures, and landscaping that all spell warm ambiance. The cafeteria is a gated area which can accommodate from 50-75 diners. 

           Address - Padre Ramon St., Dipolog City
           Contact Number - +(63) (65) 212 2837

D' Hotel and Suites - The newest addition in town, D' Hotel, is at par to some 5-star hotels located in big cities, serving delectable meals and providing impeccable accommodation at reasonable rates. It holds at least three food spots namely, Umami Room, which serves your favorite Japanese and Chinese cuisines; D'Cafe, the spot that offers a wide plethora of cakes, pies, and everything nice that go well with your favorite coffee and drinks; and Tonino's Resto and Wine Bar is the perfect place for diners who love mouth watering dishes and flawless service. 

            Price Range - Umami Room - P60-200; D'Cafe - P40-150; Tonino's - P80-400

            Address - Rizal Ave., Dipolog City

            Contact Number - (065) 212 1256
            Here is the map of D'Hotel and Suites

D' Cafe

Umami Room

Tonino's Resto and Wine Bar

*all photos are obtained from D'Hotel Suites' Facebook page.

Greenwich - If you're feelin' for a creamy and saucy lasagna or delicious pizza, Greenwich is a familiar place you can always dine in Dipolog City. It is located below a shopping mall, and it's directly in front of Dipolog City Public Market and at the opposite street is Jollibee. 

                   Price Range - P40-190 (budget meals) P99-500 (for various pizza sizes and                                                         various pan sizes of lasagna)

                   Address - Rizal Ave., cor F. Lacaya St.

                   Contact number - 065-212-5000

photo by panoramio.com

Jollibee - A household name in the Philippines, Jollibee has two franchises in the city, and one of them is situated in Lacaya St., Dipolog City, fronting Greenwich. It's got budget meals and snacks that range from fried chicken to spaghetti to burgers. It also has sundaes and fries for palates who love to savor satisfying fast foods on the go.

                  Price Range - P20-150
                  Map here for Jollibee, Dipolog City
                  Contact Number - 065-212-2419

Big Joe's Cafe - Dubbed as home to some of the best dishes in the city, the place boasts of a modern style and tasty Filipino, Chinese, and Western dishes so crafted and conceptualized well you'll be amazed of its incredible prices . True to their caption, Big Joe's is making you hungry and will keep you coming back for more. 

                        Price Range - P 35 -110
                        Contact number - 065-212-3025 / 065-212-4111
                        Address - Gen. Luna St., Dipolog City
                        Map here for Big Joe's Cafe

Balai Resto Bar - It is where teens, yuppies, and young at heart hangout for cool beer, good chats, good music, and scrumptious food.

                        Address - Tomas Claudio St., Dipolog City 

                        Map here for Balai Resto Bar

Dining venues near the Dipolog Boulevard

Green Kitchen - Looking for the best dining venue that's both delicious and healthy? This place is a must-try as it offers a variety of Italian and Asian recipes that come from organic harvests. Most of the ingredients are obtained locally, providing you with guarantee that they're served fresh and perfect daily. They also have happy hour time at 5-7pm daily, but they're closed every Tuesdays.
                      Address - General Luna St., Dipolog Boulevard Commercial Complex

                      Contact Number - 212-1240
                      Map here

Karylle

Esquina Deli

                      Map here

Sources

http://www.dipolognon.com/dipolognondiningout3.html

www.pinaytravelista.com

           

Things to Do in Dipolog City

           Dipolog City, dubbed as the gateway to Western Mindanao, has certainly evolved overtime. This year alone, more banks were opened, more function halls and restaurants were introduced, and more hotels emerged, showing that it is capable of bagging the Most Business Friendly LGU award from other competing cities in the region. So before you tick out Dipolog from your list, check out this list of things to do in the city, and you might be surprised that it may even be at par with other renowned cities in nearby areas.

Let’s start at the heart of the city, shall we?

Find serenity and exercise your faith at the Holy Rosary Cathedral

            Erected in 1800’s by Spanish friars, the cathedral still stands proudly and gloriously until today. The altar was designed by Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, who obtained his inspiration from that of San Ignacio Church in Manila. You can hear mass, light up a candle, or soul search in the adoration chapel.

photo from skyscrapercity.com

Relax and sit back at Plaza Magsaysay

       Fronting the Holy Rosary Cathedral is the Plaza Magsaysay. Its lush foliage, clean pavements and pathways, ampitheater, mini stairways, and mobile food stalls make it a prominent feature in the heart of the city. It is where both old and young ones meet, study, and chat.

photo from alltravels.com

Give yourself a refreshing treat at Julie’s Halo-Halo and Refreshments

         Julie’s a staple halo-halo spot in Dipolog City beside the UCCP. Its accessibility, affordable prices, and mouth watering halo-halo make it a go-to for both students and adults in the locality. For only 50php, you can have a halo-halo topped with a slice of delicious leche flan, a must-try for every meticulous consumer who wants to get more value from their penny.

Marvel the sunset at Dipolog Sunset Boulevard

          About 5-minute ride straight from the Holy Rosary Cathedral is Dipolog Sunset Boulevard. In this place lies the splendid Sulu Sea that’s worth all your time, especially during sunset. Essential amenities like benches, toilets, food stalls, and dining spots are well situated in the area. Listen to the sea’s hush-hush; let your curious palate savor the exotic taste of balut; sweat it out with Zumba and Taebo that’s done daily at 5am and 4pm; or have fun with the gang in any of its KTV bars.

photo from dipolog.com

Shop ‘til you drop at Lee Plaza

            With Lee Plaza in the city, you can now shop for anything that you need or bond with your kids in Toyland located in its 4^th floor. Gastronomic spots like Mang Inasal, Jollibee, Chowking, and Café Isabelle are also available in the building, providing satisfaction to hungry tummies and tired feet.

Take a plunge in the city’s popular venues with swimming pools

            Spots like Manuel Pool and Function Hall, Sylvia’s Best Mibang Hotel, C & L Sea View Hotel, and Royal Farm are a great way to seek escape from the summer heat. Large swimming pools for kids and adults, superb services and modern amenities, and pocket-friendly rates are all a common feature in all of these relaxing locations.

photo by Lito Garcia 

photos are from the Manuel Function Hall Facebook account 

Test your stamina at 3003 Steps to Linabo Peak

            Almost 40 minutes from the city proper lays one of the most challenging man-made spots in the area, the 3003 steps to Linabo Peak. It is characterized by cemented steps that are built closely to each other with steel handles on the sides, dense foliage that surround the area, a big rock near the school on the mountain top, and a gazebo at the pinnacle. Every 50 steps or so, you will find a station of the cross with few benches for adventurers to rest on. The place is warmed by both Dipolognons and tourists of all ages during the Holy Week on April.

Feels like Superman at the Linabo Peak.

Curl your feet on the dark beaches of Galas

            Galas beaches may not have pristine, white sands like that of Boracay’s, but it can assure you of soft sands and pure bliss that quiet beaches can offer. Unlike commercial beach resorts, Galas beaches help you achieve total seclusion. Apart from that, you will be greeted beaming vendors of lechon or roast pig in the morning and barbecues at night, particularly on Sundays. Definitely, it’s worth your every penny.

Get closer to nature at Cogon Eco-park

            Established in 1958 in the hinterlands of Barangay Cogon, the place, enveloped with dense foliage and plethora of fauna, is home to numerous endangered species in the likes of fruit bats, pigeon dove, Philippine turtle dove, and many others. Fresh air, scenic landscapes, beautiful creatures, and warm people make every visit to this place more memorable.

Sources from:

imfromaroundhere.blogspot.com

dipolog.com

5 Reasons Why Dipolog City Rocks

          

    Dipolog City is a humble spot with tons of breathtaking locations to showcase. Its picturesque scenery, clean and non-polluted environment, coupled with convivial people, make tourists flock the area every year, experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be in a seemingly modest, yet travel worthy place.

1. A Smoke-free Zone – Dipolog City bagged the Red Orchid Award last 2011 and 2012 for its strict implementation on anti-smoking programs. For the past few years, its local government has consistently made sure that its anti-smoking law is observed in all of its corners thru the Ordinance No. 196 or the Dipolog City anti-smoking law program. To encourage everyone to stop smoking, posters, streamers, and tarpaulins all related to health and smoking are stamped in its public market entrance.  Meanwhile,the local government is imposing penalties to those who are caught smoking publicly, and is even profiling government employees who are dubbed to be smokers. The city government is aiming to be a Hall of Famer for the Red Orchid Award, so expect the place to stay as smoke free as possible in more years to come.

2. A Kid-friendly City – It has been a recipient of the Most Child Friendly City award for the past three years, surpassing all other bigger cities in whole region 9. It has been consistent of its fight to maintain harmony for minor dwellers. With the local police officers, fight against drugs and child trafficking is doubled in the area.

3. Festival-filled City – Annually, both locals and tourists gather in the sidewalks, street corners, parks, and popular spots of Dipolog City to witness some of the most colorful revelry in the region. Most of its festivities are characterized by awesome street dances, colorful costumes, and aplenty of programs lined up for the entire date/s of celebration. In January, it celebrates Sinulog sa Dipolog Festival, and on May, the city celebrates its annual fiesta, in which activities and merrymaking like Pagsalabuk Festival are eagerly anticipated. Dipolognons know that May 20 to July 1 is a rendezvous of dances, food, and fun. Araw ng Dipolog is another date to save as it showcases pageants, and various sports and cultural events. The seemingly modest city then bustles with life as non-stop jollity surrounds every corner of the locality.

4. Tons of Gastronomic Spots to choose From – Do you have a penchant for great food? Dipolog City is the place to be when you want to experience adventure, food, and fun in your travels. Restaurants like Grandma’s Best, Tonino’s, Mooon, Green Kitchen, Esquina, Big Joe’s Café, Penong’s Chicken House, Chicken Ati-Atihan Restaurant, Umami Room, Ur Choice Café, Kusina de Binoy, and Café Isabelle all thrive in the area. They also have national-renowned franchises like Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, and Mang Inasal. If you crave for street food, the Dipolog City Boulevard holds the longest food stalls of barbecues that come in plethora of choices including chicken intestines, adidas or chicken feet, pork meat, chorizo, and many others. Staple street foods like tempura, fish balls, as well as balut are in the said venue. Dipolog certainly satisfies every meticulous palate.

photo credit to pinasmuna.com

5. Numerous Places to Stay and Marvel – Gone were the days when Dipolog City used to have few hotels to stay, few places to visit, and few shopping areas to go to. These days, the place takes pride of its numerous tourist spots including 3003 Steps to Linabo Peak, Sungkilaw Falls, Cogon Eco Park, Galas Beach, and the Dipolog City Cockpit Arena. Furthermore, Dipolog City is now teemed with luxurious and humble accommodations to suit the preferences and budget for each traveler. Hotels like D’Hotel and Cuisine, C&L Sea View Hotel, Ariana Hotel, Camila Hotel, Mibang Hotel, and Top Plaza Hotel are some of the best accommodations in the city, offering superb services and modern amenities that are certainly at par to some world-class hotels in the country. The West End Court Hotel and Antonio's Pension House are some of the newest additions in the city. Of course, Lee Plaza, the biggest shopping mall yet in town doesn't disappoint.

photo credit to Dandi Romano

Still looking for the best place to travel without breaking your bank? Dipolog City in Western Mindanao is definitely worthy of your hard-earned travel allowance.