Hi, Pinmapple community! I am back again to continue my travel articles in the Philippines. After my first Siquijor trip, I visited Dumaguete City with my friends. From Siquijor, we took a ferry back to Dumaguete City.
Dumaguete City - The City of Gentle People
Dumaguete City – the capital of Negros Oriental – is known as the City of Gentle People and University town. Located in Region 7, Central Visayas, the charming city became one of the hot-spots for tourists from all over the world. It is a vibrant city which makes its way into the heart of each visitor immediately. While diving is since may years the main attraction of the region, the City government put much effort into promoting the land-based tourist attractions of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.
Dumaguete is subdivided into 30 Barangays, the smallest political division in a Philippine city. (Info about all Barangays in Dumaguete)
Source: here
True to its name. I agree that Dumaguete is a city of gentle people. I witnessed that once we stayed overnight there in Dumaguete after our Siquijor trip.
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The Most Bike-friendly City in the Philippines
As a city of gentle people, so far, they are the most bike-friendly city in the Philippines. Our hotel in Dumaguete offered free bikes to their guests. We were able to avail the free bikes right away and took advantage of it.
Since my traveling companions and I know how to ride a bike, we took this as an adventure as we don't have to spend money hiring a tricycle or paying for a jeepney fare. We were able to tour some tourist spots in Dumaguete City for one day.
Places we have visited in Dumaguete City while biking
It was raining a little when we decided to get around the city. The sky was gray but the little rain can be tolerated. Good thing, we never got sick after the whole day of biking. Our immune system is great. Hehe!
Quezon Park
We went to the plaza as it was near the Dumaguete Cathedral and the Belfry. After taking the mass, people come here to relax.
A vintage red firetruck was on display so it was cool to take pictures of it.
It is nice to see how the city kept the vintage firetruck and it looks like new.
We can see here the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal. There was a history here that Rizal visited Dumaguete City.
Across the park is the Dumaguete Cathedral.
English: Monument dedicated to José Rizal at Quezon Park, which is also the city plaza of Dumaguete. The monument features a statue of Rizal and a historical marker by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) commemorating Rizal's visit to the city after his exile in Dapitan.
Source: here
Saint Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral
This is the cathedral in Dumaguete City. We paid a visit inside and check what was going on. I realized a new priest was ordained here on this day.
According to Wikipedia:
The Saint Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Parish (Spanish: Catedral Parroquial de Santa Catalina de Alejandria), better known as Dumaguete Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church and cathedral in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dumaguete[1] and is considered as the island's oldest stone church having been completed in 1776.[2]
Source: here
The Dumaguete Watchtower or the Belfry or the Campanario
We went to the Campanario to see if we can light some candles.
Here is the grotto of Mama Mary where we were allowed to light some candles and say our prayers for giving us a safe trip.
Ninoy Aquino Memorial Freedom Park
This park is dedicated to the late senator, Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino. He was assassinated at the airport by the time he arrived in the Philippines.
A group photo with our bikes. Sorry, I just had to exclude a person in this photo. Hahaha!
Sidlakang Negros Village
From the park, this was far more than a kilometer. But it was all worth it since we were biking. This is a one-stop tourism center for Negros Oriental. We've seen each highlight of each town.
Considered a one-stop shop for the finest arts, crafts and delicacies of Negros Oriental, the Sidlakang Negros Village in Dumaguete welcomes visitors with the best souvenir products on the islands. It was born to attract the 25 local government units of the province to protect the cultural heritage and wealth of Negros Oriental.
Source: here
More fun in the Philippines, this was the previous tagline of the Philippine Tourism.
Paintings were also displayed here at Sidlakang Village.
You can visit the Sidlakang Village all year round as it is open from 9 AM to 6 PM. We paid a minimal fee. Visiting here was worth it, it is a must-visit.
The place gets busy when there are events and festivals happening here.
The people of Negros or the Negrense display what their city or town has to offer for tourists.
It was quiet when we came here so we just took photos of the small village. When each booth is open, every city or town displays its food delicacies here. You can buy some souvenirs here.
The tourism office is located here. You can ask questions to find out where are the other places to visit in Negros Oriental.
After visiting Sidlakang Village, we passed by a house with a little castle outside of their house. I just took a photo but we never got the chance to go near the house since it is a private property.
Visiting Silliman University
According to Wikipedia:
Silliman University (also referred to as Silliman or SU) is a private research university in Dumaguete, Philippines.[6] Established in 1901 as Silliman Institute by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, it is the first American and Protestant founded institution of higher learning in the Philippines and in Asia.[7][8][9]
Source: here
We got the chance to go inside Silliman University. The guard stopped us and gave us the visitor's pass.
Biking around the university was so refreshing. Everything was so clean and green.
This is the Silliman University Anthropology Museum. We never got the chance to go inside. The museum looks so photogenic outside.
Silliman Hall is the oldest standing American structure in the Philippines. The design of the building is reminiscent of the Stick-style architecture that characterize American buildings in the late 19th century. Some of the materials used to build it were salvaged from an old theater in New York.[24][25] The present structure was built in 1909 as an addition to the original structure built in 1902, now demolished. It presently houses the university's Heritage Museum.[26]
Source: here
The university was named after Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a former businessman and philanthropist from Cohoes, New York who provided the initial sum of $10,000 for the establishment of the school.
Source: here
The logo of Silliman University
The benches of the Silliman University ground
The Silliman University Church
The Famous Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries in Dumaguete City
This place is very popular with locals and tourists. We came here to buy food and souvenirs before going home. Sans rival and silvanas are popular here.
It is packed, full of people. Later on, they opened other branches in Cebu and Manila.
Ending our day having our dinner in a small carinderia
We went back to our hotel and return our bikes. Although we never spend so much money during the day, we still opt for a local carinderia or eatery.
Tata here just having fun with the owner because the owner was so talkative.
We had to prepare for our flight the next day going back to Cebu.
Summary of the trip, the places we visited
- Quezon Park
- Saint Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral
- The Dumaguete Watchtower
- Ninoy Aquino Memorial Freedom Park
- Sidlakang Negros Village
- Silliman University
- Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries
Indeed, the City of Gentle People
The people here are so calm and gentle. While we were biking around, the tricycle drivers were patient and kind enough to stop while we were crossing the streets. If this was in Cebu City or Cebu in general, people would scream at you. I experienced it myself in my hometown when I crossed the street with my bike, a multi-cab driver shouted at me as I wasn't in the correct bike lane or whatever.
You can also visit Dauin, another town in Negros Oriental
From Dumaguete City, you can take a multi-cab or hire a tricycle to Dauin.
I did my scuba diving here.
Welcome to iTravelRox! Roxanne Tamayo is a Cebuana who is a traveler. Now a mom of 2 kids and a wife. She is a travel blogger and a digital nomad. As a Virtual Assistant, she does a lot of things like content writing, WordPress web design, WP updates and maintenance, graphic design, and photo editing. She is into wedding photography, as well.
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