Dazzling Dumaguete

Dumaguete City is the largest and the capital of Negros Oriental province. It is also nicknamed as “City of Gentle People”  and the “Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines” because of the number of motorcycles here similar to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Interestingly, I noticed that there are more motorcycles than cars in the city. 

The best way to move around the city is through walking, Dumaguete is a small city, everything is within reach like malls, parks, hotels and the famous Boulevard. Another option is to hire a motorcycle and drive yourself around the city. 

Unfortunately, I don’t know how to drive motorcycles, so the next means of transportation is riding tricyles. Every town and cities in the Philippines have different shapes, sizes and the number of passengers carried. In Dumaguete, tricycles can accommodate as much as 3 passengers. Some drivers are really difficult to negotiate, when I asked some of them, to take me to somewhere, they just leave without any words, so I guess they don’t know the place. Example, most drivers dont know where is the bellfry or the Siliman Marine Lab. 

DUMAGUETE BELLFRY, ST. CATHERINE CHURCH, QUEZON PARK

The Bellfry is now the Dumaguete’s most popular landmark, it was built to protect the citizens againts pirate attacks or intruders. It also holds a small grotto beneath the tower where devotees can pray and offer candles. Beside the tower is St Catherine Cathedral, the city’s largest church and a popular historical site. It was also built along with the tower. The city is dominantly catholic because of Spain’s influence in the city. Meanwhile, fronting St Catherine Church is Quezon Park. 

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

Right after, I proceeded to Negros Oriental’s Provincial Capitol located along the long North Road. Beside the capitol is Negros Oriental State College (NOrSU). Other schools towards the north is St Paul College of Dumaguete. 

SILIMAN UNIVERSITY

But the most popular destination of Dumaguete is Siliman University noted to be the best university and has the most international recognition among any other universities in the Philippines. It does not only attract local students but as well as foreign students. It has a very humble beginning and presently holds upto 5000 students with complete facilities from libraries to football fields to a marine laboratories thus making it Center of Exellence. 

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