Looking back at their storied past: Dapitanons celebrate Rizal’s life and legacy with “Revisitamos”

CEBU, Philippines —  The Dapitanons in Zamboanga del Norte led by no less than their mayor Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos will walk down memory lane and revisit their storied past via the "Revisitamos Dapitan 1892" commemorating the 130th anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's arrival in Dapitan.

The two-week celebration, which is part of their advocacy in promoting culture and history to the community  especially to the rest of the Filipinos who have been inspired by the impact of Rizal's works while being exiled in Dapitan, is held in partnership with the Province of ZaNorte headed by Governor Rosalina "Nanay Nene" Jalosjos, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

The fortnight festival kicked off with the "El Deportado", a one-act re-enactment of Rizal's landing at the Punto del Desembarco de Rizal en Dapitan on July 17, 1892.

"Rizal has left a footprint to the Dapitanons. He spent four of the most productive years of his life in Dapitan so this is very significant, something that we should highlight - his life, his works, everything that he was doing while he was here," said mayor Seth Jalosjos. "This is just the first time we're holding this event but rest assured that this will get bigger each year."

Rizal, the country's national hero, lived the life of a political exile in Dapitan for four years, from July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896. During that memorable period in Philippine history, the Spanish authorities want to limit Rizal's movement especially that he was becoming the center of resistance against their colonial rule in the country.

Out of his banishment in what is now known as "The Shrine City", Rizal was able to make his situation worthwhile and productive. He built three houses made from bamboo, wood and nipa. There, he taught several children at an informal school and took care of patients wanting to get healed from their ailments.

Rizal was also fond of agriculture, establishing a poultry farm and a water irrigation system near his house. It was also in Dapitan where he fell in love and formed an intimate relationship with Josephine Bracken. He summed up all his experiences as an exile through his poem "Mi Retiro".

Just like what he manifests in other facets of his being, Rizal was truly ahead of his time.

In hindsight, Rizal has created a ripple of inspiration to his fellow countrymen by making a difference in the lives of others and producing something beautiful out of a difficult circumstance.

Rizal's simple yet meaningful and fruitful life in Dapitan will be the main showcase of "Revisitamos", according to the city's tourism officer Apple Marie Agolong.

"This year is a very important milestone because it is the 130th anniversary of the arrival of Dr. Jose Rizal here in Dapitan as an exile and made priceless contributions to Dapitan itself as well as to the neighboring places within the Province of Zamboanga del Norte. Dapitan became what it is today because of him, hence, it is our honor to celebrate it with a reenactment of its arrival, heritage festivities, cultural presentations, sporting events and other tourism activities," said Agolong.

"It aims to promote tourism in our province by highlighting the contribution of Rizal in the different localities of ZaNorte. In this manner, we are ultimately recovering from the severe losses of tourism revenue brought about by the travel restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic while celebrating a historic and monumental event," Agolong ended. - (FREEMAN)