A little background.
Holding the map we bought from national book store, I told my wife, Dumaguete seem like a small city. And I was not wrong. We hardly took any tricycle from point A to point B. And almost 80% of vehicles in the City proper consist of either tricycles or motorcycle/scooters. Now, what to do in Dumaguete? A friend said that Dumagueteños’ past time is… drinking. Seriously? A question I exaggeratedly asked as well. Where I grew up, liquor is most often associated with good times and yeah… trouble; an irony that they are termed “The Gentle People”.
Holding the map we bought from national book store, I told my wife, Dumaguete seem like a small city. And I was not wrong. We hardly took any tricycle from point A to point B. And almost 80% of vehicles in the City proper consist of either tricycles or motorcycle/scooters. Now, what to do in Dumaguete? A friend said that Dumagueteños’ past time is… drinking. Seriously? A question I exaggeratedly asked as well. Where I grew up, liquor is most often associated with good times and yeah… trouble; an irony that they are termed “The Gentle People”.
A
friend also told me about Rizal Avenue, much like Baywalk here in Manila. Other than Siquijor and Apo Islands, there’s also the internationally known Silliman University… Founded 1901, we
were fortunate enough to be there during its 109th founder’s
celebration.
|| Hotel || Silliman U || Food || Landmarks || Street Photos || Siquijor Island || Apo Island || Expenses ||
Welcome.
It was a warm welcome, even for us, the
tourists. We felt like we were the delegates as everybody was smiling and
greeting us at the airport. We were even fortunate enough to catch the JUAN
DELA CRUZ Band, most significant among them, is Pepe Smith. They were there,
invited to play in a gig.
Plaza Maria Luisa Suites Inn. This is a
nice spot if you want to go roaming about. You have a nice view of the City
Plaza (Quezon Park) and proximity to the busier streets where the major
establishments are. It is also a few blocks away from the most recognized spot
in Dumaguete, Rizal Boulevard.
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| Still at the hotel lobby, tables for dinning. |
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| Elevator, wide enough to accommodate at least us 4. |
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| Landing area, with a view of the outside. |
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| Yes it does look creepy. But if you don't dig that shit, it has a unique artistry in the way they designed this place. |
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| A view of the Plaza. |
Vicente T. Locsin Bldg.
Legaspi St. DumagueteNegros
Oriental
(035) 225-3267 or 7994 / 09228774056
Legaspi St. Dumaguete
(035) 225-3267 or 7994 / 09228774056
Our stay also includes free pickup from the airport and free breakfast as well, very ideal.
We had a list of places to visit but most
of them we had to screw as they require that we do some special travel to get
to where they are, or so I assume. And we made no priority, just an optional
to-go list as itemized below. If you plan on just bumming around in Dumaguete, these places might interest you.
- Provincial
Capitol
- St. Catherine
of
Sidlakang Negros VillageLamplighter zooFil-Am-Jap Amity ShrineCasaroro fallsMag-aso springMina’s Underground WorldZoo Paradise of the WorldSto. Nino ChapelTwin Lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao
For info about these places, http://www.godumaguete.com/
It was capital B for BUSY for everyone. Each
has his own business. A pack here, an org there. Old folks and young. You can
tell by their different costumes designated by a shift in design and clothing
color, Oh and yeah, and age. Some faint sound says a group is practicing their act somewhere near,
ever getting louder as we progress walking; might be a drummer doing some
paradidling, warming up the pulse and sticks. The afternoon sun, even at its
angriest is blocked by huge tree populations, dispersed in the open Campus
grounds. Silliman U is huge, much like UP. People waiting by the side of the main road summarizing that the
parades are about to begin.
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| A recognition of diversity. |
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| Consolation from all the sweat and heat, Mirienda at Scoobys. |
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| Our hosts, Liane and James. |
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| Huge Pizza delivery. |
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| He doesn't seem to find me amusing. No, not at all. :D |
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At the Provincial Capitol, walking all the way from Siliman. Exploring, mingling, immersing.
Locals here always recommend City Burger
and Sans Rival. City burger for its grilled chicken and Sans Rival for their
pastries. But James, a friend and a local who grew up in Dumaguete, took us to
where students and even the public officials eat. JP's Eatery. It’s neither fancy nor decent
looking, but they have a wide range of “Lutong Bahay’s” served over.
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| These small silis are teh bomb. Looks harmless, but one of these is usually enough. |
There are also a lot of bars and restos across the Rizal Boulevard and intersecting street inskirts with pinches of foreign ownership if not used to attract them.
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| Jutz cafe. |
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| Sans Rival |
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| Jo's Chicken Inato. |
Landmarks in the City.
As I used to street shoot alone back in the days DSLRs are very uncommon, I am always fascinated in immersing in different environments. Here's a glimpse of Dumaguete.
As I used to street shoot alone back in the days DSLRs are very uncommon, I am always fascinated in immersing in different environments. Here's a glimpse of Dumaguete.
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| Dumaguete Cathedral |
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| In Quezon Park. |
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| Rizal Boulevard. |
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| Rizal Boulevard. |
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| Sisters of St. Paul Chartres |
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| An insignia under a probably broken lamp post. |
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| Park at the Rizal Boulevard. |
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| Dumaguete Cathedral. |
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| Bell Tower. |
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| Tricycle ride. |
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| They actually have Valet parking here due to little street space specifically in commercial areas. |
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Isla de Fuego or Island of Fire as referred
to by the Spanish conquistadors back then, due to the swarm of fireflies that
abound at night.
Attributed to the island is also the practice
of witchcraft and mysticism, when during Holy weeks, traditional healers are
said to gather herbs and secret ingredients they use as potions and herbal healing
stuff. Awooo….
But enough of that shit. We were there on a
short day tour. It was awesomely laid back which was for me, very nice. When we
stepped foot the port, I immediately fancied relaxing by the nearby white sand
beach, dosing off upon the winds breeze, rolling on the sand, living the island life… I had to
snap out of it. Again, we were there on a day tour, and a constricted one. We
had to secure our return and so bought tickets as early as we arrived. They
said that we can tour the entire island in a day on a tricycle, problem is, the
ferry returns at 3PM and it’s the last trip back. So point to take note of, Dedicate at least 2
days here to explore and visit the recognized landmarks in Siquijor and as
well, bum by the beach.
Another to note is that the first ferry trip at 5:45AM, may not be available. So buy tickets a day before to determine if the earliest ride is a Go. The port is just a
tricycle ride and is at the back of Silliman University, left most part of the
Rizal Boulevard.
Places of interest in Siquijor:
Cantabon Cave- Cambugahay
Waterfalls
- Century old
tree, estimated to be 400 years
- Capilay /
- Lazi Convent
and Church
Mt. Bandilaan Peak, viewpointSalagdoong BeachSiquijor TownSpring ParkSt. Francis of Assisi, oldest church in the SiquijorSt. Isidore De Labrador church & conventOld Cang-isok House
At the port you'll be presented with a lot of offers of resorts and island transpo. We picked a tricycle to go about these landmarks.
References:
We took the bus to Zamboangita, a quick 30minute ride. Then waited at the Malatapay Terminal
for their operation which starts at 7:30AM. Here you have to register and pay
for the boat which will take you in an hour ride
to Apo Island. At the island, you need pay for an entrance fee and secure
yourselves with a life vest if you’d want to go snorkeling. This is required as
the corrals at the sea onset are shallow; hence from there you are required to
float to avoid stepping on the corrals.
They should have reserved telling us that
this is a shark infested island. But none the less, us being snorkel suckers,
plunged and wandered at how awesome and colorful the corrals were at Apo
Island. Apo is quite populated so no worries about food and water, you can just dine in at a local eatery on the island to satisfy your hunger.
References:
To sum up, I appreciate the diversity this
trip brought us. Laid back Dumaguete, Walks in Rizal Boulevard and the food, especially
City Burger and Sans Rival. I would like to return here and explore Siquijor
and Apo Island further. Awesome creations, and Apo’s Marine Sanctuary is so far
the most colorful snorkelling experience I’ve had above Balicasag island in Bohol.
Dumaguete Map
DETAILED TALLY OF OUR EXPENSES (from teh wife)
August
29, 2010 - Sunday
August
31, 2010 - Tuesday
Dumaguete Map
DETAILED TALLY OF OUR EXPENSES (from teh wife)
August
27, 2010 - Friday
Time
|
Amount
|
Activity
|
415 AM – 445 AM
|
250.00
|
Taxi from Hampton
to Airport
|
400.00
|
Terminal fee
|
|
75.00
|
Delifrance coffee
|
|
900 AM
|
50.00
|
Hotel / Tip to
guard
|
945 AM
|
145.00
|
Brunch at Manga
area
|
30.00
|
Tricycle to Hotel
|
|
200 PM – 400 PM
|
Watch Parade at
Silliman
|
|
400 PM
|
117.00
|
Scooby’s
|
620 PM
|
30.00
|
Back to Hotel
|
740 PM – 830 PM
|
324.00
|
Dinner at Jo’s
Chicken Inato
|
107.50
|
Grocery
|
|
900 PM
|
Rest at the hotel
|
|
TOTAL:
|
1528.50
|
August
28, 2010 - Saturday
Time
|
Amount
|
Activity
|
630 AM
|
Breakfast
|
|
815 AM
|
Port of Dumaguete
going Siquijor
|
|
900 AM
|
350.00
|
Ticket to Siquijor
|
20.00
|
Candies
|
|
1000 AM
|
Arrived at Siquijor
|
|
30.00
|
Bottled water
|
|
348.00
|
Ticket to Dumaguete
|
|
530.00
|
Tour
|
|
1230 PM
|
75.00
|
Lunch
|
20.00
|
Beggar
|
|
300 PM
|
Departure from
Siquijor
|
|
50.00
|
Magnet (Souvenir)
|
|
345 PM
|
Dumaguete
|
|
27.00
|
Tricycle to Lee Super
Plaza
|
|
400 PM
|
101.50
|
Merienda
|
500 PM
|
Go back to Hotel
|
|
900 PM
|
175.00
|
Dinner at City
Burger
|
15.00
|
Tricycle
|
|
142.50
|
Grocery for Apo
Island
|
|
1000 PM
|
Rest
|
|
TOTAL:
|
1884.00
|
Time
|
Amount
|
Activity
|
400 AM
|
Wake up time
|
|
430 AM
|
168.00
|
McDo breakfast
|
545 AM
|
16.00
|
Tricycle
|
615 AM – 645 AM
|
60.00
|
Bus fare to
Zamboangita
|
740 AM – 815 AM
|
680.00
|
Boat to Apo Island
|
300.00
|
Entrance and
snorkel fee
|
|
200.00
|
Rent for Life Vest
|
|
200.00
|
Sarong
|
|
1200 PM
|
100.00
|
Lunch
|
100 PM – 145 PM
|
Back to Zamboangita
|
|
40.00
|
Halo Halo
|
|
50.00
|
Souvenir
|
|
40.00
|
Bus fare
|
|
300 PM
|
15.00
|
Tricycle to Hotel
|
445 PM
|
189.00
|
Merienda at How
Yang Cuisine
|
50.00
|
Sans rival
|
|
530 PM – 630 PM
|
At Rizal boulevard
|
|
700 PM
|
84.00
|
Jutsz Café
|
54.50
|
Grocery
|
|
15.00
|
Tricycle
|
|
745 PM
|
Rest at the Hotel
|
|
930 PM – 1030 PM
|
355.00
|
Dinner at Jutsz
Café
|
1100 PM
|
Hotel, rest
|
|
TOTAL:
|
2616.50
|
August
30, 2010 - Monday
Time
|
Amount
|
Activity
|
530 AM – 630 AM
|
Sunrise shoot
|
|
900 AM
|
Breakfast at the
hotel
|
|
230 PM – 300 PM
|
189.00
|
Late lunch, City
Burger
|
15.00
|
Tricycle to City
Burger
|
|
80.00
|
Souvenir
|
|
300 PM – 415 PM
|
Boulevard
|
|
415 PM – 500 PM
|
166.00
|
Coffee and cake,
Sans Rival
|
500 PM – 630 PM
|
Roam around the
plaza, shoot
|
|
645 PM – 745 PM
|
Rest at the hotel
|
|
800 PM – 940 PM
|
Street photog
|
|
945 PM
|
196.00
|
Dinner at Highway
10
|
5.00
|
CR fee
|
|
1015 PM
|
Back to hotel, rest
|
|
TOTAL:
|
651.00
|
Time
|
Amount
|
Activity
|
830 AM
|
Breakfast
|
|
1100 AM
|
Check out hotel
|
|
3800.00
|
Hotel fee
|
|
1115 AM
|
15.00
|
Tricycle to
Robinson
|
1130 AM – 1150 AM
|
183.00
|
Lunch at Ted’s
|
438.00
|
Pasalubong at Bong
Bong’s
|
|
1235 PM – 145 PM
|
225.00
|
Coffee at Sans
Rival
|
60.00
|
Terminal fee
|
|
530 PM – 615 PM
|
290.00
|
Taxi from Airport
to Pasig
|
615 PM
|
Home
|
|
TOTAL:
|
5011.00
|
Overall Expenses:
Friday
|
1528.50
|
Saturday
|
1884.00
|
Sunday
|
2616.50
|
Monday
|
651.00
|
Tuesday
|
5011.00
|
Total
|
11691.00
|
Airfare
|
2843.00
|
P14,534.00
|
