 Fourteen years ago while on a business trip to Min danao I visited Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte for the first time. Dapitan plays a role in Philippine history in that it was there that our national hero Jose Rizal was exiled. Somewhere nestled in the hills of this quiet city is Dakak Beach Resort.
Back then Dakak did not have a road to get to it, the way to get there was by boat after landing at Dipolog Airport.
 I can still remember the boat ride when we first went to Dakak. After landing at Dipolog City airport early in the morning a boat brought us through placid waters courtesy of the cove that was surrounded by dramatic rock faces - stunning then, just as stunning now.
On this visit however, there was no more boat ride as a new road (under construction) leads directly to the resort.
 As soon as we got there the familiar inner roadway that winds over the 15 hectare resort passing by the old boat dock brought memories of 14 years ago.
The resort's well maintained inner roads are lined with beautiful plants and trees. Ahhh, zero semblance of city life - it's summer time.
 The familiar beach that's about a quarter of Boracay's was just as mesmerizing, white sand, blue waters and lots of flora.
Two hills are on either side of the island. Not seen on this picture is a 10 storey high rock face on the southern tip of the island - simply dramatic.
 The beach is a lot smaller than Boracay's but then again there's not as many people. On our side of the beach there was no one there. My idea of a great vacation.I guess we just happened to be there at the right time.
 Within minutes I just knew this was going to be a great vacation.
Unlike Boracay Dakak features a symphony of birds chirping and variety of nature hisses from insects shrouded by the sound of the cool breeze over the trees. Without trying I saw at least 10 different bird species - one blue, one yellow, a black with white streaks, another looked like a mina, there was also a golden brown and even an eagle. Let's not forget the scheduled chants of "tuko".
(picture courtesy of Google Philippine bird images)
 Then it was back to isolation. Empty beach, empty hammocks, cool breeze, the perfect way to relax, recover, read and reflect.
So if you're looking for a place to spend summer this year - think Dakak.
 This picture is in another part of the resort. It's part of a 2 hole golf course that slopes into another cove. Beautiful trees on a rolling terrain.
Like most of the places - no people. You could just lie down here looking up to the stars at night do ala-Abraham and build your faith. This is the other end of the main cove. which has several nicely manicured gardens, a basketball court and 2 shell tennis courts.
It is also on this side of the beach where you can rent a jet ski, kayak, wind surf, scuba and other water sports equipment.
Just writing this post makes me want to go back to Dakak. Here's a picture of the rock face that faces the sea from another angle. This view is from one of the 3 pools in the resort.You can climb the rock (all 350 steps) to the top. From there its a vista to dream about.
What you see is the resort's coves and greenery and the open sea with islands in the horizon, some that will rival the Maldives. Amazing.
The Philippines is beautiful!
 The view from the top. The main beach on the left and one of the several coves above my head.
This picture was taken from the top of the rock face that faces the sea. By the time we got down I was ready for another plate of lechon kawali. I normally don't eat this heart attack of a meal but Dakak's version of it is worth pigging out on - only on vacations.
 Here's a picture of a typical sunset to end the day.
I write this post for 3 reasons - my way of remembering summer of 2008, my way of letting my friends know of a cool place to go to and to thank Lana Jalosjos and her family for being such great hosts.
Thanks Lana, it was great meeting your brothers and sisters in law. Your hospitality will always be remembered. See you at church!
Lana's Pictures
 | Very nice place, Pastor Joey! |
 | such a beautiful place! that's where Regina and I spent our honeymoon 10 years ago. hope to be there soon. your post made me miss the place all the more. thanks for posting Pastor Joey! |
 | pastor joey you can moonlight as a travel reporter:) i'm totally sold on this place now haha! |
 | wow, finally breaking your silence on this..i never knew that it was Dakak when I texted you last week. I was also in Mindanao that time. I totally agree with you that the Phils is so beautiful, so many places to see and appreciate. Just came back from Butuan and CDO on a business trip and also preached at 9,11 and 2pm services on Mother's Sunday at VCF-CDO. We had a great time with Arnie and the some of the leaders of the church. See you soon. |
 | coneyrn wrote on May 15, edited on May 15 I remember being in Dakak Beach Resort at their grand opening sometime in 1989 or 1990...that was the first time I experienced having dinner buffet by the beach with the lights and the yummy spread of seafood...
Yes, the Philippines is beautiful! |
 | Nice shots. I especially like the one of the bird. I like your camera. Can I have it? |
 | parang pro yung shot ng bird. |
 | Ganda ng Pilipinas! excited kami umiwi uli sa ating bayan :) |
 | Panalo Pastor! Sa picture pa lang nakaka-relax na. =) |
 | Pastor Joey, you're absolutely right --- the Philippines is beautiful! And when one sees places like Dakak, along with the numerous white sand beaches in other parts of the Philippines, one's jaws can hardly remain in place. God is good! |
 | beautiful place! you're right -- the Philippines is beautiful! glad you were able to rest and recharge, you deserve it! ;-) |
 | The Philippines is beautiful!
- ABSOLUTELY!
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 | wow Pastor Joey! you gave such a beautiful description of our hometown..pwede bang icopy ang mga writeups mo,hahaha...baka kasi may intellectual property rights,hehe....Thank you:) You and your family were a joy to host..Till next vacation!:) |
| kayang kaya mo yan. if you can identify a good photo, you can taka a good photo also given the proper equipment. the bird shot was taken with a long lens. notice the composition. the bird was not put in the center but on the right side. If it were on the center, the shot would be a bit boring. if the bird was on the left, it would be a compositional disaster. notice also how the background is blurred isolating the bird and the branch. Nice. This is normally achieved with long lenses. Anyway, you got attracted to this bird shot, and rightly so. You and everyone who is moved by gods creations can take good photographs given the proper tools and a bit of practice! |
 | great pics pastor joey! and yes, the philippines has awesome places. |
 | I miss that place:) Nice to know a lot of improvements were made and its just AMAZING!:) Hope i could visit soon my foster parents in Dapitan:) Your pix are great! |
 | Philippines...I'm proud to be a citizen of this country. Enough said. |
 | a 2 hole golf course! wow :-) |
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The Philippines is beautiful! 
