DAPITAN City launched Friday, September 24, 2021, the “Pista Turismo de Dapitan (Dapitan’s Tourism Track)” as it joins the Tourism Month celebration to showcase its rich cultural heritage and history being dubbed as the “Shrine Capital of the Philippines.”

Apple Marie Agolong, Dapitan City tourism officer, said the celebration consists of different activities like workshops, competitions, exhibits and historical tours.

Agolong said the listed activities are as follows: Kaluto ni Rizal: Cooking Competition (September 24); Paseo de Costume Contest (September 24); Dapitan Ecological Urban Adventure Race (September 25); Faith Tourism and Dapitan Landscape Photo Exhibit (October 2); Free Photography Workshop (October 2); Heritage Photo Walk (October 2); and Heritage and Sunset photo Contest (October 2 and 3).

Agolong said the activities they lined up are open to residents of Zamboanga del Norte as well as nearby areas and basic health protocols will be strictly complied with.

“The new experience brought by the pandemic is a challenge for all of us. Thus, we have to adapt whatever restrictions and guidelines from the Department of Health,” she said.

The Pista Turismo de Dapitan is anchored on the theme: “Pagpatunhay sa Industriya sa Turismo Mao ang Sumbanan sa Pagbangon (Sustainability is the key to Tourism Industry’s Recovery).”

The Pista Turismo de Dapitan will run until October 3, although it is the main activity of Dapitan City in line with the celebration of Tourism Month this September. (SunStar Zamboanga)