Dapitan digitizes its cultural heritage

Dapitan City, famous for being the final our national hero Jose Rizal, is taking its cultural heritage online.

The Dapitan local government, in cooperation Smart Communications Inc. and InnoPub Media, has moved to make the city's tourist attractions accessible via mobile app.

With the new Dapitan Guide, initially available for Android devices, allows you to explore the city on your mobile device.

Several places in Dapitan—from where our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal arrived on board the vessel to where he stayed and worked during his exile—have markers with special quick response codes and near-field communication stickers. Simply scanning these codes would yield interesting trivias and informations about the site.

The free app also includes list of attractions to go to, places where travelers can stay, things to do.

Once installed, the Dapitan Guide app will no longer need the internet to give travellers quick tips and information. It downloads all the information on the get go allowing users to access everything even in places without internet connection.

Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto said in a press statement that this would help create a digital version of the rich history of Dapitan.

“Apart from enhancing experience of travelers, our Digital Tourism project also contributes to the preservation of Filipino heritage and culture,” Isberto said.

Dapitan is but one of the few places Smart and InnoPub Media have already readied for digital tourism. They have already rolled out their project in tourist destinations like Cebu, Iloilo and Baguio City.

The digital technology has been an ongoing trend on marketing and promotions lately. Just recently, the Ayala Museum introduced a dynamic 3D Augmented Reality (AR) feature to accompany their exhibit, Diorama Experience of Philippine History. With the AR feature, still photos are brought to life and given a visual narrative. This is the first time 3D and AR feature are used in museums in Asia. — Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/TJD, GMA News