Dumaguete, always in my mind

[smallbird]

Forgive my indulgence but I’d like to share the memories and excitement I have every time Dumaguete City is mentioned. These accounts happened between 2005 and 2006, during the pre-Robinson’s Mall times, data may be outdated.

Dumaguete City is a university town due to the presence of universities and colleges, local and foreign students enroll and choose to stay here. Primary and secondary schools abound the city of gentle people. It is served from Manila and Cebu by three major local airlines with its airport located in the town of Sibulan. The people of Dumaguete are among the 20 million Filipinos that speaks Cebuano-Visaya.

By Boat and Plane from Cebu

Dumaguete City is accessible from Cebu City by fast boats (e.g. oceanjet, weesam etc) with a short stopover in Tagbilaran City before proceeding to Dumaguete. Travel by these fast boats used to take 4 to 4.5 hours. Upon reaching the city , one of the fast boat travels farther south to Dapitan City while another goes to the nearby island province of Siquijor. Nowadays, a local airline flies from Cebu to Dumaguete several times a week.

Roadtrip from Cebu

Another option for travel is by bus (Ceres), it leaves Cebu’s South Terminal and trails to the southern tip of Cebu province before turning right at Santander, Cebu towards the RORO in Bato. A short cross in Tañon Strait, then the barge docks in the Municipality of Amlan, third town north of Dumaguete City. The view is breathtaking; I remain enthusiastic in every crossing I made. After disembarking from the barge, the road trip continues southward. The bus will pass by the beautiful flower gardens of Amlan; the awesome boulevard of San Jose and street sign leading to Balinsasayao Lake and; not to forget, the airport in Sibuyan before it finally reaches the city terminal.


Sleep and eat

When in the Dumaguete City I normally stay in Coco Grande, a small hotel along Hibbard Avenue near Silliman University (i seldom stay in South Sea or Bethel). It is a stroll away from Dumaguete’s waterfront that has its own charisma whether you stroll during daylight or at nighttime. Locals and foreigners alike enjoy the friendly and relax feeling. I normally end my leisurely walk at Sansrival in San Jose St., munching a plate of spaghetti and when done with my plate I always take home a box of their famous Silvana . I would normally end up in a spa for a foot massage or scrub (spa in Dumaguete does not cost much then, I indulge once in a while) before returning to my hotel.

...just some loud thinking

A score of years ago, I set foot in Dumaguete City on my way to Apo Island, Dauin (Apo Island is part of the Municipality of Dauin though normally accessible via Zamboanguita) ,and I said to myself that I’ll spend my retirement years in Dumaguete City, and you know what? I haven’t changed my mind ever since.

[The Dane]

Don't worry, it s STILL pre-Robinson times in Dumaguete...

They might open some time in 2015 or something