Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Dumaguete Government Sites
The City that ‘Swoops’
The history of the first settlers and its civilization had something to do with the natural attractiveness of the place. The location was said to be looted by Muslim buccaneers that used to ‘daggit’ or ‘to snatch’ something out of this place. Another account said; its charm never failed to magnetize visitors to come and stay for good, hence, the word ‘dumaguet’ (to swoop). Until in 1734, the place was known to be Dumaguete: the City of Gentle People.
Dumaguete City: University Town
The city of Dumgauete has a distinct reputation of being ‘the center of learning in the south’ for some obvious reasons. The presence of notable universities and colleges made Dumaguete City famous locally and internationally as well. Thus, it was considered a ‘melting pot’ of scholars, artists, professionals and students from different parts of the Philippines and of the world. The presence of Siliman University had given the university town aura since its foundation. The said university is the oldest American-established university in Asia. The Siliman Main Library is considered to be as one of the largest libraries in the Philippines. Other universities and colleges situated in Dumaguete are Saint Paul University of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental State University (or NORSU) and Foundation University. Computer schools or Information Technology (IT) related schools are also prevalent in Dumaguete City as well (AMA Computer College, STI College and Asian College of Science and Technology or ACSAT).
Festivities of the city of Dumaguete
The following are some notable feasts or reasons for merry making in Dumaguete City. Every month of May, Santacruzan and May Flower Festival are being commemorated by the last week of the month. The foundation of Siliman University is being celebrated during August annually. The Buglasan Festival and the founder’s day of Saint Paul’s University of Dumaguete are being held every October yearly.
Getting to know more about Dumaguete City
The status of the place as the center of education in the southern part of the Philippines had paved way to the influx of individuals to study, stay and do business. With this thing in mind, the local government of the city of Dumaguete use one of the most effective ways to access the place in the most convenient way. The official website (www.dumaguetecity.gov.ph) is the cyberspace gateway of the city of Dumaguete. It is full of information for individual who would like to have a glimpse of the beauty of Dumaguete City. As a traveler, it is a must to check this website for real-time updates regarding the place.
Dumaguete Festivals and Events
Overview
One of the favorite things that tourists and local visitors do when in Dumaguete is participate in Dumaguete festivals. Dumaguete festivals are among the most unique and colorful in the entire country and because these events are lively and enjoyable, many people flock to Dumaguete particularly on these occasions.
Sandurot Festival
One of the most highly anticipated Dumaguete festivals is the Sandurot Festival held every November for 5 days, starting from November 21. For those who particularly want to learn about the rich history of Dumaguete, should make it a point to attend the Sandurot Festival since this is a depiction of the lives of the early inhabitants. The history of Dumaguete from the time that the foreigners entered the city from the Dumaguete seas is depicted at the Sandurot Festival through dances, parades and plays. This Dumaguete festival traces history from before to now so all those who are watching begin to understand the journey that this city has made. The Sandurot Festival is organized by the local government and the organizers make it a point to represent all the foreign cultures that have had an influence on Dumaguete such as the Spanish, Americans, Japanese and Chinese. Of course, no Dumaguete festival is complete without the rhythmic street dancing and this is definitely part of the Sandurot Festival.
Buglasan Festival
The Buglasan Festival is held for 10 days every October and this event kicks off with dance competitions. All the inhabitants of Negros Oriental culminate at Dumaguete City for this much awaited Dumaguete festival. During the 10 days that the Buglasan Festival is celebrated, there are even singing competitions for all age groups. One of the good things that happen during this Dumaguete festival is the cultural shows that exhibit the talent of the inhabitants. The Buglasan Festival also has booths with local handicrafts for sale. There are also other competitions during the Buglasan Festival such as chess, cheer dance, folk dance, and pyrotechnics. In this Dumaguete festival, there is something for everybody whether it be a cultural show display, shopping or just a day of dancing.
Santa Cruzan Fiesta
This Dumaguete festival is somewhat similar to Buglasan Festival. The Santa Cruzan Fiesta is held every May and it is where the prettiest girls and some showbiz icons walk the streets adorned in beautiful dresses. The Santa Cruzan Fiesta is a religious event celebrated as far back as the time of the Spaniards so this Dumaguete festival will give one an opportunity to appreciate the history of this city.
Dumaguete City Travel Information
If you’re traveling to the Philippines, you will not want to miss Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People. Europeans and Japanese love the place, and after making that vacation trip, you’re going to love Dumaguete too.
Dumaguete City is the center of education in the region. The large number of universities and colleges in Dumaguete has made the city a favorite converging point for students from nearby provinces who wish to pursue a college degree. Silliman University, named after philanthropist and Presbyterian layman Horace Brinsmade Silliman of New York, was established in 1901 and is the first Protestant school in the Philippines; it is also Asia’s oldest American university. So don’t be surprised if you bump into someone who can fluently talk about marine biology when you visit Dumaguete.
Dumaguete offers sea lovers easy access to nearby water havens. A favorite stop is Bais Bay, where one can watch whales and dolphins frolic in their sea paradise. There are also many beach resorts to get a good tan and several dive sites to explore. Among the best beach resorts to go to in Dumaguete are Atlantis, El Dorado, and Antulang. If you plan to dive, go check out Sumilon and Apo Islands and experience the diversity of the sites’ marine ecosystems. Incidentally, Silliman University has its Marine Preserve in Apo Island.
If you would rather scale heights and go on a trek that will take you 1,864 meters above sea level, you can opt to hike to Mount Talinis. Also called Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros), Mount Talinis is adorned with rare flora and fauna. If you’re lucky enough, you can get a glimpse of the Visayan Hornbill (Penelopides Panini), a critically endangered avian species. Once you’re reached the top of Mount Talinis, you won’t regret having made the whole-day trip. The orchids, lakes, and virgin forests are eye candy to the nature lover. Don’t forget to bring a camera or you’ll regret it.
Travelers who need a cyber fix or simply want to e-mail messages and photos to loved ones back home can choose from several Internet cafes in Dumaguete.
There are also several food stops with the traveler in mind. Persian Palate serves hummus, kababs, and curry dishes. If you’re a Chinese food lover, you can drop by the air-conditioned Chin Loong; just make sure to come in early because it won’t be easy to find an empty table at night. If you fancy pizza and pasta, Buonissimo Pizza Flight 2000 is the place for you; it’s an open café that offers large servings to the hungry traveler. You may also want to end your day by checking out the bars and restaurants along Rizal Boulevard.
Travel to Dumaguete and spend an activity-filled vacation. Meet its warm, friendly and educated people or check out the sorcery and witchcraft of Siquijor. Enjoy the cool waters and dive your heart out. Climb scenic Mount Talinis. Surf the Internet. Savor the flavor of international cuisine. Go for that nightcap. Experience Dumaguete.
Dumaguete Destination Guides
Overview
Dumaguete is a place that holds many wonderful surprises for visitors and among the main attractions here are the beaches amidst a tropical island background and the encounter with the indigenous groups. A variety of activities can be done here and of course several visits can be made to Dumaguete’s historical sites. These Dumaguete destinations all hold a piece of the puzzle to this city’s rich history, culture and heritage.
Apo Island
Apo Island is synonymous to a great beach experience in Dumaguete. This Dumaguete destination is a good way to cool down this summer and it is a 2 hour boat ride from Siliman Beach. Apo Island is also a favorite spot for divers in the Visayas and the best part about it is that one does not have to be a certified diver to be able to enjoy the underwater paradise. Diving lessons are offered on Apo Island and everything one needs to become a certified diver including equipment is provided by the dive shop in this area. This Dumaguete destination is a marine sanctuary protected and maintained by the Global Science Community. Apo Island is said to be home to close to 700 species of fish and about 400 different types of corals. If one does not want to venture into diving while on Apo Island, snorkeling is also an option and because the water is so clear, many fishes can be seen just swimming by.
Dolphin Watching
Dolphin Watching is one of the things that one must do while in Dumaguete. Dolphin Watching can be done at Tanon Strait and this Dumaguete destination is where one can watch the playful creatures of the sea frolic in the water with sperm whales. Although Dolphin Watching can be done pretty much all year round, the best months to go would be anytime between May and September since these months are the times when numerous dolphins are here. Dolphin Watching is supervised by the city hall of Bais and the cruises made to this Dumaguete destination are under their close watch for the protection of the species.
Canlaon Volcano
After Dolphin Watching, a visit to the Canlaon Volcano is a must. This Dumaguete destination is said to be the tallest peak in the whole of Visayas and the Canlaon Volcano stands at about 8,100 feet tall above sea level. Many mountain climbers attempt this active volcano found in Canlaon City. Canlaon City is about 170 kilometers from the bustling Dumaguete City.
Dumaguete Transportation
You can visit numerous places and enjoy various activities in the city of gentle people but you cannot do it all without the proper Dumaguete transportation. Yes, you heard it right, even a small city such as Dumaguete has its own special system of public, private and semi-private transportation. Be pushed into the interesting world of Dumaguete transportation.
One of the oldest ways of getting around in this city as well as all across the Philippines is by a so-called “Kutchero” which is a horse attached to a tinier version of a sleigh. It only fits two people at most who however have to be at their ideal weight. The sleighs are often lavishly decorated in reds, pinks and other bright colours. You pay approximately five to ten Philippine pesos which are equivalent to 25 cents for a ride. The rate however differs from locality to locality but the Dumaguete transportation prices for horse rides are usually below 10 pesos.
The next novelty that can be found in the Dumaguete transportation system is the Tricycle or commonly known as Pedicab. A Pedicab consists of a motorcycle and an attachment where four to six people can be seated on. The Philippine pedicabs can be compared to rickshaws. These are very common in Dumaguete and in other Visayan cities. The usual fare is 5-8 pesos if you are heading somewhere within 1 km. Farther than 1km will cost you an additional 1 peso per km.
Common vehicles in the Dumaguete transportation system that take you to far destinations are the Jeepneys and the Multicab which are also known as Easy Rides. The Jeepneys are larger in size and charge from 5 pesos to 30 pesos depending on their destination. The Easy Rides usually take the same. There are also big buses to be found in the Dumaguete transportation system and they are called Ceres Liners. The Ceres Liners have connections throughout the Visayas and other parts of the archipelago and their bright yellow colour cannot be missed. There are also private taxis that you can hire for a flat rate of 200 pesos and there are so-called V-Hires which are family vans that take you across the island.
A couple of years ago Dumaguete was a small city with only few cars but now the city has grown and you can see more and more car owners out there roaming the streets of the city. The Dumaguete transportation system would however be nothing special without all the motorcycles. There are more motorcycles in this city than anything else and the city was in fact crowned the Motorcycle City of the World.
Now you learned plenty of interesting facts about the Dumaguete transportation system and what is hot to ride with and what is not. Have a safe drive and do not get ripped off of those drivers.
Dumaguete Travel Agents
The ‘City of Gentle People’ or Dumaguete City, has its own way of ‘snatching’ the hearts of every tourist and visitor who had a chance staying in this very attractive city. History attested that the place of Dumaguete had been very enticing. The word ‘danggit’, a root word of ‘Dumaguete’ literally means ‘to snatch’. The place was so-called because of the looting assaults of the Muslim raiders on this coastal municipality. Another word, however, could be attributed was the word ‘dumaguet’ (to swoop) because of the influence or attraction to keep the place’s visitors to stay and live for good.
Dumaguete City: The University Town
The city is well-known as an educational destination for the surrounding provinces and municipalities in Mindanao and Visayas Regions. The presence and existence of seven universities and noted colleges are the reasons why it is place of established educational system. Siliman University is one of the distinguished universities in Dumaguete and the first American founded university outside the Metropolitan Manila. Aside from these tertiary education establishments, Dumaguete City has all in all, nine secondary education schools (high school) and twelve institutions for primary or elementary education.
Main Attractions
Best dive spots have characterized the area of Dumaguete City as a coastal area. The Sumilon and Apo Islands are some of the noted world-class diving sites in Dumaguete City. Other marine related activities like dolphin watching (nearby Bais Bay) and kayaking are popular among tourists and locals alike.
Talking about Business in Dumaguete City
The onset and the wave of business process outsourcing or BPO in the international market has also been one of the major commercial drive in the growth and progress in the economy of the city. The booming outsourcing process venture is widely branched out with diverse services (editing, medical transcription, publishing, call center industry et al). There are other business drivers in Dumaguete City such as medical services and real estate industry.
Catching this Special Place
The natural beauty of this place since time immemorial, has been one of the reasons why those who had a chance to be in the place, seemed to be ‘swooped’ to stay in the place. To have a real account, to be a witness, and to have a first hand experience of what it takes to be ‘captured’ by this place is to stay in Dumaguete City. Dumaguete Travel and Tours is a service travel and tours office or agency based on the city itself (Perdices Street, Dumaguete City).
Since its foundation way back 2000, the agency had served a lot of tourists regarding their travel needs (visa and passport processing). The agency also arranges domestic and international trips and they are also specialized in providing educational and cultural field trips for the students. Dumaguete is certainly one of the best havens of total getaway and vacation. As always good and relaxing timeout has something to do with the right timing and being at the right place.
Dumaguete Shopping
The Dumaguete shopping scene does not exactly cater to the upscale designer clientele but at least this charming city offers unique bargains and finds. Since the city is not exactly big, you will be able to find majority of shopping havens right in the downtown area in which you can walk from one store to another without even breaking a sweat. Let us introduce you to the highlights you would want to see in the Dumaguete shopping scene.
Probably the oldest and the biggest mall that you can find in the Dumaguete shopping scene is Lee Super Plaza located right in the heart of the city. You cannot miss this mall since majority of public transportation drives through and around this place. Within you will find everything from food and groceries to fashionable and affordable clothes, toiletries and furniture. This is the only place where you will find Adidas, Nike and Mossimo outlets.
Since there is but one big mall in the city, the rest of the Dumaguete shopping scene is confined to little boutiques and stores. An interesting hang out that has just recently been opened is Portal West. This building houses fashionable boutiques for both men and women and even kids. You can enjoy your spare time in one of the restaurants or ice cream bars. The Portal West building also houses Philippines famous bookstore called the National Bookstore where bookworms will truly find whatever their looking for.
There are also several other boutiques and specialty shops in the Dumaguete shopping scene such as the Gift Shop. The Gift Shop specializes in handmade jewelry and arts and crafts for an affordable price. The owner of this store (whose name is Gift) makes each and every item herself to put the extra love into an item. You can even order or specialize an item to your every wish. You can also check out Handumanan where you will find hand-made and hand-woven tribal jewelry at a great price.
If you are more of a tech savvy person and if you are looking for your perfect tech accessory then you might head to Octagon or to AAC Tech where you can find the latest gadgets and gismos waiting for you. If you don’t find what you are looking for then you can simply order your desired product in one of those stores and enjoy your item a few days later of course straight from the Dumaguete shopping scene.
Even though the Dumaguete shopping scene is small, it comes with and charming and intimate flair that attracts people to buy and buy. Maybe the next time you get to enjoy this city, you will probably also enjoy the Dumaguete shopping scene.
Dumaguete Education
The capital city of Negros Oriental has a couple of hidden surprises in store when you go looking for quality education. Dumaguete City has one of the best institutions and Universities in the entire region and this city is called the University Town for no other reason than that. Discover the schools and campuses that are spread throughout this little city.
The Dumaguete education always has an international flair no matter which school or institute you may choose. The schools in town are plenty and there are a total of four Universities, namely Foundation University, NORSU which is short for Negros Oriental State University, Silliman University and Foundation University. The city also houses several language schools for foreign students and it also has various school of arts and dances such as Fu.N Shop and JFCGA College.
The Dumaguete education really allows you go do whatever you really wanted to do. If you do not find your field of choice in one school then you will surely find it in another school. Part of the Dumaguete Education is also a good graduate program that is offered by all the Universities cited above. Some of them even have a Ph.D program which attracts many foreign students.
All of the educational institutions in the Dumaguete Education system give opportunities to foreign students and talented students as well with theatre programs or music programs. The athletic programs in the Dumaguete Education System are also very popular and there are annual championships and competitions held. There are even special treats if you are part of these programs such as scholarships or grants.
Since we are already talking about scholarships and grants we should probably mention that the Dumaguete Education system rewards good academic performances with scholarships that differ from school to school and level to level. Even the graduate and the post graduate programs have grants that are available to candidates that qualify the requirements. These grants usually relief the student of the full tuition fee for every semester so that they can focus on their thesis or study.
The campuses in Dumaguete’s schools and Universities differ from each other. You can see the green and clean campus of Silliman University, tailored after its American sisters and brothers while we have a pretty closed and artsy campus when you go to Foundation University. The student body is comprised of 80% Filipino students, 10% Korean students, 6% Iranian students, 2% American and 2% of other minorities such as Chinese, German, Belgian, Spanish and other European and Asian students.
You now probably realize that the Dumaguete Education system is quite stunning and elaborate as well as the different kinds of schools and Universities that you can find in this small city. Enjoy the education that you can get and be enriched academically upon your visit.
Dumaguete Hotels and Resorts
Overview
There’s just something about Dumaguete that draws thousands of tourists to this Philippine destination every year and one of the reasons is that it sets the mood for a holiday that brings us closer to nature. However, when we’re on holiday, it’s not just the tourist areas that we want to see, we also want to stay at a resort that will help us make the most out of our vacation and will make us feel that we are right at home. Dumaguete hotels that have the right facilities and the most cordial staff can contribute a big deal to making our vacation a great one.
Thalatta Beach Resort
Divers who are in Dumaguete to experience the rich flora and fauna as well as the diverse marine life can do so at the Thalatta Beach Resort which offers dive sessions at Apo Island. Aside from diving, this Dumaguete hotel also has equipment for several water sports such as snorkeling, jet skiing and kayaking and it has taken full advantage of the beauty of its location to give their guests a great time. Thalatta Beach Resort is fully committed to preserving the environment and has taken measures to minimize the impact of their presence to the natural wonder of their location. When at this Dumaguete hotel, one will notice that there is no other sound here except for the serene lapping of the waves and birds singing in the morning. The facilities of Thalatta Beach Resort include 2 restaurants, a bar, an Olympic-sized pool, a business center with Internet access, function rooms and a gym. The rooms at the Thalatta Beach Resort are very well maintained and clean while the food served at the restaurant are just heavenly. The specialty at the restaurant of this Dumaguete hotel is the seafood which is always fresh and cooked best Asian style. Room rates at the Thalatta Beach Resort start at Php 2,500.
Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort
The Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort is a very relaxing destination and the rooms at this Dumaguete hotel is surrounded by well maintained gardens that add to the peaceful atmosphere. The Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort is owned by an Austrian citizen who saw the potential of its location and went ahead to develop one of the modern and spacious Dumaguete hotels. Since Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort is also relatively near Apo Island, one can get in touch with reception for any diving, snorkeling or kayaking inquiries. The staff of Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort is very warm and they make it a point to add a personal touch to everything. This Dumaguete hotel also has a pool where one can do a couple of laps to start the day off. The restaurant of Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort serves a great buffet for an affordable price and the rooms are always very clean and there is more than enough space for two people.
Dumaguete Travel Guide
Travelling around the Philippines without having a clue where you are going or what you can possibly see is a little frustrating and without a good travel guide, you will get literally nowhere. If you are planning to go the this small city in the Philippines called Dumaguete, then you are on the right spot right here because we are going to provide you with our own Dumaguete Travel Guide that will take you to place in and out of this city in the Philippines.
The first spot of the Dumaguete Travel Guide is the Japanese Shrine that is located all the way on the mountaintop of the hills of Valencia. The Japanese Shrine is a three sided pillar which was erected to show that this was the spot where American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers fought a surprising hilltop battle during World War II. The Shrine was erected in the 1970s and it overlooks the city and its neighboring areas. This site is neighboring another Dumaguete Travel Guide site of the Philippines which is the waterfall called Casaroro. A beautiful single waterfall is soaring down into a basin where you can relax, meditate or swim on. This site is a perfect family spot.
A spot that the Dumaguete Travel Guide wants to take you is a site in the heart of the city of gentle people. This site is known all over the Philippines as Sidlakang Negros and is the little town of Negros. This attraction exhibits all the specialties of each city and town in Negros Oriental and is compacted into a large space that also includes a stage. The Sidlakang Negros was built in accordance with the Buglasan Festival that was to be held in the little town for the future Buglasan festivals so that every town and city already has a predesigned space without spending money year in and year out to construct an entirely new hut.
Another place in the Dumaguete Travel Guide is the pier located at the DUCOMI coconut oil milling company in Bacong, Philippines. The pier of this company happens to be the best dive spot within the Negros Island and you will have your hands and your eyes full of corals, critters, cuttlefish, seahorses, nudibranchs, stonefish, anglerfish and many more rare marine species. This is one of the highlights of the Dumaguete Travel Guide, because there is no dive spot like the pier in the entire Philippines.
The Dumaguete Travel Guide took you to different places to experience the nature, the festivals and the marine life in Dumaguete, Philippines. We hope that the Dumaguete Travel Guide inspired you to plan your trip to the capital city of the Negros Oriental region and experience all these places.
