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.