DAPITAN CITY

Dapitan City is located in Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninzula Region. Dapitan City is the place where Dr. Jose P. Rizal was exiled for 4 years time during the Spanish era. And up until now, you can still visit his house and his classroom. They were well-preserved, thanks to the Rizalians though. But why is it really called Dapitan? What's the thing behind its name?

My lola told me that the land was so mysterious cause during the Spanish time, Spaniards almost ransack the city but as they were approaching to the island, it suddenly was gone. So the Spaniards didn't got the chance to enter into the island. My lola also said that it's because of the man who is riding a horse along the seashore that's why they never get to see the island again. They said that the Spaniards were bewitched by the man. She said that it was St. James the Greater so he's our patron in Dapitan. Furthermore, she told me that the island is getting bigger because when she was just a little girl, the sea wall is just near the seacoast but now it's already far away. She said that it's called Dapitan cause the city will "mangdapit". It's like the island is telling people to come over and live there. She said that in years time, Dapitan will be a big city someday.

I don't know if it's true or not but whatever the truth is, I will always love Dapitan. It's home and it is where I can breath without thinking school especially accounting.