Dipolog's Top of the World

(I wrote this essay when I was 13 years old. This placed Second during the Tourism Week 2000 Essay Writing Contest.)

The heart of Zamboanga del Norte beats in the Orchid City of Dipolog: a city of colorful history and a breath-taking geaography which as miraculously created by the indefatigable minds of the Dipolognon with the help of its Patron Saints Mary of the Most Holy Rosary and Vincent ferrer, and of course of the Divine Providence.

“Stepping on a stairway to heaven”.

This may sound like a song but believe it that this is a reality in the Orchid City of Dipolog.

The stairway that I want to unfold before your eyes is the 3003 steps of Mount Linabo, Dipolog City. This is just one of the fruits crafted by the creative minds of the Dipolognons. This is just one of the answered prayers of the people of Dipolog to have a place of meditation, and a beautiful place to see the whole view of our beloved city, where we shout our first cry. These steps are intentionally made by the vigorous and hard-working hands of the Dipolognons to bring the public to the wonders that lie on the top of the mountain. It would take a couple of hours to finish our journey.

At first we would feel that it is quite difficult to start our journey. But the plants, the colorful flowers, the gigantic trees that you could see on your way to the top of the mountain would take away your problems and sorrows. The scenic beauty of the view of the sister cities of Dipolog and Dapitan that seems to roll your eyes in awe, makes you feel that you are on the top of the world.

The fresh air and the clouds that gently touch your skin make you feel that you are in paradise where the sounds of the birds seem to be angels singing. It is ideal for our activities during Lenten season.

During Holy Week, devotees of the Jesus of Nazareth from the different towns of the province of Zamboanga del Norte go there. It is because Mount Linabo is also the best place for reflections, meditations, and prayers that would commemorate the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ on his way to Mount Calvary. On the way to the top of the mountain you could see the fourteen stations of the cross for the Holy Week.

“How nice to be there again!”

That’s the shout of those who have gone there already. And when the time comes when I also went there, that’s also what I shouted and boasted about with my friends.

So, this coming Holy Week, people are all welcome to visit Dipolog City and see the beautiful Mount Linabo and all the wonders of the City of Dipolog. All tourists are invited to see. According to our geography, Dipolog is a beautiful city.