Visiting Dumaguete City

Dumaguete is a charming small city facing the Visayan Sea. It is famed for being the home of Silliman University which as established by American Presbyterian educators in the early 1900s.

I was able to visit the "City of Gentle People" last month for National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Cinema Rehiyon and got time to explore the city.

Afternoon cultural performances at the Pantawan, located in a corner of Rizal Boulevard. Inaugurated in 2018, Pantawan means "Porch" and is described as a porch by the sea sort of a view deck for promenaders.

A fire tree near the monument of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. The monument commemorates the coming of the sisters to Dumaguete in 1904.

Silliman Hall, one of the oldest remaining Stick-style American colonial structures in the country is a landmark in the city. 

Silliman University grounds. The University was founded in 1901. The main campus is about 62 hectares. 

Foundation University is also another educational institution in Dumaguete. Being the home to several colleges and universities Dumaguete is often called as the university city.

Horse-drawn tarantilla at Rizal Boulevard.

The Dumaguete Belfry, it was built in the 1800s to serve as a watchtower which would warn
residents incoming pirates. So common was the piracy menace that the term Dumaguete came 
from the word "Dagit" which means "to snatch" describing the slave-raiding attacks of
 Moro pirates 

"Tempurahan" the section of Rizal Boulevard where stalls selling tempuras are located.

A promenade along Rizal Boulavard serves as a park for residents and tourists. The boulevard was named after Jose Rizal who visited Dumaguete en route to serving exile in Dapitan. Dumaguete was transit point for ships plying Cebu and Western Mindanao. 

The view of Mt. Talinis from our hotel balcony

The Dumaguete Port located at the far end of Rizal Boulevard.

Quezon Park located in the center of the city. The park was built in 1916. It was named after Manuel
L. Quezon who had a stopover in Dumaguete after escaping from Corregidor in World War II. 

A majorette at the Quezon Park, the park hosts several activities in the city.  

About 14 kilometers from Dumguete City is the town of Dauin, the hometown of my paternal grandfather. Dauin is known
for its diving spots.