DUMAGUETE City in Negros Oriental known as The City of Gentle People. In my several trips to this laid-back Visayan city, there has never been an incident that could refute this reputation.
People here are indeed friendly and helpful to tourists. First time visitors could end up being captivated by the charm of this small city and, more often than not, being enticed to visit the place again.
The city has many tourist attractions.For one, Dumaguete is known as the educational center in the region with old schools like the Silliman University, St. Paul University, Foundation University and the Negros Oriental State University at the forefront.
Silliman University, founded in 1901, is the oldest American Protestant school in Asia and the first university outside of Manila.
The St. Paul University here was the very first St. Paul school in the country, founded by the sisters of St. Paul de Chartres in 1904. There is a monument found along the city’s famous Rizal Boulevard by the sea depicting the arrival in Dumaguete of the sisters of St. Paul.
One of the more popular landmarks in the city is Rizal Boulevard, a 780-meter long walkway along the bay. Like in any other baywalks, there are restaurants and eating areas along the boulevard where tourists can enjoy local food and delicacies.
Across the street are hotels, coffee shops, bars and at the end of the strip lies Silliman University.
Dumaguete also serves as a jump off post to other places in Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor Island, Apo Island and even Dipolog City in Mindanao.
From Dumaguete City, take your family and friends for a whale and dolphin watching along Tanon Strait, the body of water separating Negros and Cebu.
You can also go to Manjuyod sandbar that is located in Bais Bay where you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive. For people whose heart lies with the mountains and lakes, you can go to the twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao in San Jose, and commune with nature.
Balanan Lake in Siaton is a perfect getaway to relax and commune with nature. Spelunkers, on the other hand, can try Mabinay, around 87 kilometers away from Dumaguete.
There is also the majestic 90-foot high Casaroro Falls in nearby Valencia. Casaroro Falls was named after a man named Roro who lived in the area a long time ago and used to bring friends from the city to this natural attraction.
People started calling the falls Casaroro, referring to Roro’s place. The trek to the falls was worth it as the sight of the gushing waters and the accompanying sound of the cascading waters while in the midst of nature is certainly a relaxing experience, never mind that once done with viewing the falls, you need to go up the 335 steps to reach the staging point for the trek.
In Valencia can be found a war museum that houses thousands and thousands of World War II memorabilia including weapons like Japanese rifles and machine guns, mortars, and defuses man-sized 1000 pound bombs.
If owner-collector Felix Cataal is there, he can tell you some interesting stories about his collection.When it comes to festivals, Dumaguete will not be left behind.
Buglasan Festival is actually the country’s first festival. It is being held in memory of the island’s (referred to in the past as Buglas) beginnings and culture.
The highlights of the event are booth presentations, indigenous culinary competitions, and the much-awaited street dances.
You may run out of time while in Dumaguete and the beautiful province of Negros Oriental but you will not run out of places to visit.
Sapatos Festival sa Marikina City
SA naging tagumpay ng Sapatos Festival ng Marikina noong 2011 at 2012, ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Marikina ay muling magdaraos ng nasabing pagdiriwang ngayong taon.
May temang “I Feel Good!”, ang Sapatos Festival 2013 na ipagdiriwang mula ika-16 ng Setyembre hanggang ika-30 ng Disyembre ay magtatampok sa iba’t ibang aktibidad bago ang festival week nito sa ika-11 hanggang ika-15 ng Nobyembre. Isa sa mga aktibidad ay ang pagbubukas ng unang bahagi ng Mega Shoe Sale sa Eastwood City Walk Plaza sa Sabado, ika-14 ng Setyembre sa ganap na ika-6 ng gabi.
Panauhing pandangal sa nasabing okasyon sina Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Department of Trade and Industry National Capital Region Director Ma. Grace Soller, at ang aktor na si Dennis Trillo.
Samantala, pangungunahan naman ni Mayor Del De Guzman ang seremonya ng pagpapasinaya kung saan inaanyayahan niya ang lahat na makibahagi at sumuporta sa lokal na industriya ng sapatos.
“Ang mga produktong sapatos ng Marikina kilala sa pagiging matibay, komportable, at de kalidad na istilo. Amin itong dadalhin sa iba’t ibang lungsod sa panahon ng pagdiriwang ng Sapatos Festival upang magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga lahat na makabili ng mga produktong ito na ibinebenta sa murang halaga,” wika ni De Guzman.
Ang Mega Shoe Sale ay magbubukas din sa Lucky Chinatown Mall (Sept 28-29), SM City Marikina (Oct. 19-20), at Sta. Lucia East Mall (Oct. 26-27). Ang Metro-wide Shoe Caravan ay magsisimula naman mula ika-30 ng Setyembre hanggang ika-8 ng Nobyembre.
Pormal na bubuksan ang Sapatos Festival sa Lunes, ika-16 ng Setyembre sa ganap na ika-8 ng umaga sa Patio Del Zapateros. Ang Patio Del Zapateros ay isang one-stop shop na matatagpuan sa loob ng cultural zone ng lungsod (sa kahabaan ng J.P. Rizal Street, sa tabi ng Shoe Museum at katapat ng Our Lady of the Abandoned Church). Makabibili rito ng Marikina-made shoes na 30% mas mababa ang presyo kumpara sa komersyal na pamilihan.