This marks the very spot where Dr. Jose P. Rizal landed ashore on the night of July 17, 1892 to start his life as an exile in Dapitan. The historical significance of this moment is immortalized by the life-size images of Rizal, Captain Delgras, and Spanish artillery men that show them preparing to walk along the dark Sta. Cruz street with only a farol de combate to light their way. Their solemn procession was headed to the Comandancia, where Rizal would be turned over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, the District Governor.
The poignant scene captures a pivotal chapter in Rizal’s life, evoking a sense of reverence and reflection on the struggles he faced during his time in exile. It is now memorialized by the Revisitamos de Dapitan, an annual event open to the public that follows his footsteps from the shore to the old Casa Real.
A visit to Dapitan is like following the foot trails of Rizal, from his arrival in the city up to his last settlement in Barangay Talisay, which is now called Rizal Shrine.
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Landing site
Punto de Desembarco is the point in Dapitan generally considered as the arrival site of Rizal. According to historical accounts, Rizal arrived here at seven o’clock on the evening of July 17, 1892 onboard a vessel called SS Cebu. The ship was manned by Captain Delgras and three artillery men.
With combat lights (farol de combate), they made their way to the nearby Casa Real through Sta. Cruz Street.
The monuments at Punto are the ultimate expression of glorifying the historic arrival of Rizal to begin his life in exile in Dapitan. Punto is an elevated semi-circular structure with an area of 1,500 square meters.
Punto has aesthetic and functional purposes. At the elevated center are the life-size statues. The figures are those of Rizal, Delgras, the SS Cebu skipper and three artillery men weaving through the shallows on their way to Casa Real.
Historical accounts
Both sides are promenade areas with artsy concrete balustrades with granite nails. The farther side also serves as a sunset viewing deck with 16 high posts.
Tony Tuviera did the research on the molding and the specifications of the statues, including the farol de combate held and hats worn by the three men. He said they were based on historical descriptions. Even the face of Rizal was molded as close to his photos on the records.
Ronel Roces, former assistant of famed Filipino sculptor Napoleon Abueva, was the one who sculpted the structures.
The whole project is secured from the potentially devastating waves by a steel file and stone masonry riprap structure.Punto broke ground on December 29, 2009.