Articles

City Tourism

Details: Category: Static; Published on Thursday, 24 January 2013 06:11; Written by Super User; Hits: 24

The Bonuan Blue Beach is ideal for swimming, jet skiing, sailing and other relaxing activities to lift the mind out of the moods and habits of urban living. In the beach, one can view the romantic sunset. Located here are the MacArthur's Park, the landing site of the famous American general in 1945 and the Japan-Philippine Friendship Garden, a fitting tribute to Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers of World War II. The Tondaligan People's Park can also be found within the area. It is a 72-hectare foreshore where the Shrine of the Unknown Soldier was constructed.

St. John Cathedral takes us back in time when Katipuneros won the final battle against the Spaniards within the church grounds on July 21, 1898. Before its altar, the legendary Leonor Rivera, Dr. Jose Rizal's lost love tied the knot with Henry Kipping, a British engineer who set up the first railway system from Manila to Dagupan.

Within the West Central Elementary School grounds stands the Home Economics building, a wooden edifice that served as the headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and US liberation forces during the war. The City Plaza, enclosed in a neatly built fence, has a 200-capacity carpark cum skating rink, a heroes square, children's park, a gazebo, a teacher's park, a fountain and an amphitheater.

Capturing Dagupan's colorful past is the City Museum, which shelters old photographs and antique household items originally owned by famed clans. In the gallery, paintings of native contemporary artists and the masterpieces of National Artist Victorio Edades are showcased.

One can still see the ruins of the Franklin Bridge, which connected the island barangays of Calmay and Carael but was washed away by a great flood in 1935. Also destroyed during the calamity was the Colegio de San Alberto Magno in Barangay Calmay, the first college in Dagupan.