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.