DAPITAN CITY, Philippines -- The city commemorated the departure of Dr. Jose Rizal here 112 years ago by holding a torch parade and program at the Rizal Shrine on July 31.

Councilor Apple Marie Agolong, chair of the city council's committee on tourism, said the activities were also attended by people from the academe.

Exiled by the Spanish colonial government, Rizal arrived here on July 17, 1892 and built a house, a clinic, a school and a library, and a water system for agricultural production in Barangay Talisay, a village fronting the bay.

Some of the things that Rizal built still exist today.

Agolong said because of Rizal's legacy, Dapitan has become a destination for those who want to learn about the national hero's life and works and the city has capitalized on that to boost tourist arrivals.