Gloria's Fantasyland in Dapitan

When I was told that the package we paid for includes a ride-all-you-can ticket at Gloria's Fantasyland, my friends and I had second thoughts of using it since we were tired already and just wanted to stay in for the night instead of going to a perya (or so we thought). But the staff at Dakak insisted that we give it a try and so we found ourselves at the lobby to wait for our ride to Fantasyland.

The trip from the resort is less than an hour but enough time for me to recharge my energy for a night of adventure and more walking.

Gloria's Fantasyland is named as such in honor of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The pride of Mindanao is owned by the Jalosjos Family along with Dakak Park & Beach Resort and it currently sits in a 3-hectare land near the famous Sunset Boulevard.

Gloria's Fantasyland is nowhere near your typical carnival in the province but more on the Enchanted Kingdom level of theme parks with more than 30 rides operating from 5pm to 12 midnight from Monday to Thursday and extends up to 1am during the weekends.

Some of the rides include Old Western Train, Midi Flume Ride, Mini Coaster Ride, Flying Balls Wheel Ride, Tea Cups Ride, Wonder Flight, Telecombat Ride, Bumper Cars, Roller Coaster, Apollo Ride, Swinger Ride, Pirate Ship, Happy Journey Ride, Fight Shark Ride, Horror Ride and Go Kart.

Swinger Ride

Bull Ride

Galleon

Ferris Wheel

Mini Coaster Ride

5D Cinema

Giant Roller Coaster

Horror House

Flying Balls Wheel Ride

Jumping Bed

But the highlight of the night is Fantasyland's world-class show which starts at 8pm and runs for an hour. It stars local dancers -- some as young as 7 years old (I think), who are really good! The performance was breathtaking with all the lifting and air dancing!

While everyone have their eyes fixed on the stage, my friends and I can't help but stare at these guys who make the air dancing possible and totally safe. It's like they have their own dance routine on the side of the stage as well.

The group taking a bow after the amazing performance. Hope someone can bring them to Manila for more people to see. Paging Resorts World!

The Zamboangeños are lucky to have a first-rate theme park in their province and I'm glad that I got the chance to experience it for myself.

For all of you who wants to visit Gloria's Fantasyland, you may refer to the rates below:

Ride-All-You-Can - Php500.00
Entrance Only - Php200.00
Go Kart - Php100.00
5D Cinema - Php100.00
Horror House - Php100.00

~o~o~o~

Fantasyland sa Dapitan

Sunset Blvd., Dapitan City
Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
Tel.: (6365) 906-0054
Website: http://www.gloriasfantasyland.com

Rizal sa Dapitan

"A life which is not consecrated to a great ideal is useless. It is a pebble lost in the field without forming part of an edifice." - Jose P. Rizal

If you went to school in the Philippines, I bet you know Rizal like the back of your hand. From grade school to college, we were all taught that Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled in Dapitan by the Spaniards. I even had a subject for an entire semester about the life and teachings of our National Hero.

So a visit to the most historical landmark in Dapitan City is a must.

A brief history

In 1892, Dr. Jose Rizal along with 2 others won the lottery that made them Php20, 000 richer. His share of Php6, 200 was divided into the following: Php2, 000 he gave to his father, Php200 to his friend Basa who was in Hongkong while the rest was used in business investments, buying lands and building houses in Talisay where Rizal Shrine is located. A year after Rizal transferred, his mother, sisters, some relatives and neighbors also went to live with him in Dapitan.

During the trial, the Court Martial who imposed Capital Punishment also made him pay One Hundred Thousand Pesos! All his properties were confiscated by the Spaniards along with this property in Talisay.

Going back to our tour..

Upon entering the park, you will immediately see the museum to your right. Everybody can come inside because there's no entrance fee here.

During his four-year exile in Dapitan, he worked as a physician, teacher, painter, sculptor, inventor, engineer, architect, poet, archeologist, surveyor among others. A proof that Rizal was really a genius!

The many faces of Dr. Jose Rizal.

A real ladies' man! A wall with photos of the ladies he was romantically involved with including Segunda Katigbak his puppy love, Leonor Valenzuela from Pagsanjan, Leonor Rivera his sweetheart for 11 years, Consuelo Ortiga his lady love when he was in Spain, O Sei San who was a Japanese samurai's daughter, Gertrude Beckett whom he met when he stayed in London, Nellie Boustead who was the reason for near-duel with Antonio Luna, Suzanne Jacoby from Brussels and the most famous of them all, Josephine Bracken.

Josephine Bracken is an Irish lady who was the adopted daughter of one of Rizal's eye patients from Hongkong. The two instantly fell in love so Josephine stayed in Dapitan while her father went back to his country. They married without the church's blessing due to some complications with the priest. Josephine later on conceived Rizal's child but the baby was born premature and died.

The exact blackboard which Rizal used in teaching his students in Dapitan. The paper above the board bore the names of his students during that time while the table is one of the many his students used in their class.

The second floor of the museum had some of Rizal's clothings and works of art.

We continued exploring the park after an educational tour of the museum.

Based on what I know, Rizal's height is 4"11 and this statue of him is his exact height. I know my height is more than that so did he grew taller over the years?

Rizal the Mason

Casa Redonda. The octagonal hut that served as Rizal's clinic where he treats his patients and was also made as a dormitory to some for his students.

Casa Residencia. The replica of the house where Dr. Jose Rizal spent his exile days in Dapitan.

The house is very simple with just one bedroom, a veranda on three of its four walls and a comfort room at the back of the house connected through a bridge.

Rizal's bed

Comfort room

The kitchen was located outside the house. I bet this is where he cooks for his lady love Josephine when they were together.

Casa Cuadrada. Rizal had to construct another hut for his growing number of pupils in Talisay. The area underneath served as a workshop station for his students.

I'm not sure if this mini-amphitheater was constructed before or after Rizal stayed here though. Can someone please enlighten me on this?

A colorful bug which didn't mind all the foot traffic and just stayed in the middle of the road.

Mi Retiro Rock. It was where Rizal wrote the first stanzas of his poem Mi Retiro. It is also called Lover's Rock since this is where he and Josephine spent some romantic moments together.

Jumo-Josephine Bracken lang. So where is my Rizal?

I definitely learned a lot from my visit in Rizal Shrine, more than what I've learned in school. I urge you to come and visit the place and see how our National Hero spent his days in exile for the freedom of our country. Or just feel how it's like to be Jose Rizal or Josephine Bracken for a day.

Dapitan Food Trip: Inato Lang Restaurant

Our friend in Dapitan recommended we go and have lunch at Inato Lang by the Riverside.

Service was so slow but somehow bearable upon hearing this lady's angelic voice in the middle of the afternoon.

Just like in Bohol, Dapitan offers a River Cruise with Buffet but we decided to pass on that since we wanted to visit as many historical landmarks as we possibly can.

At last! After more than thirty minutes of waiting, our orders finally arrived one by one.

Avocado Shake

Tinolang Malasugue - Php150.00

Grilled Prawns (Half Kilo) - Php375.00

Grilled Squid - Php250.00

It was a delicious lunch but the servings and the service was quite disappointing. I bet the staff are not used to so many patrons at one time so orders are forgotten and lost along the way.

We vowed to have a great time in Dapitan City so carry on.

~o~o~o~

Inato Lang Restaurant

Dampa Riverside, Dapitan City
Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines