Travel Off the Beaten Path
White beaches, commercialized theme parks, and vibrant festivals. These are some of the usual experiences you get from other known cities in the Philippines. But if one thinks that these are the only things a tourist could have, then he or she is wrong! There is a city located in the southeastern coast that will surely fascinate its visitors. This city is otherwise known as the City of Gentle People.
Dumaguete City is well-known for its hospitable, friendly and peace-loving residents. Thus, it was known as the “City of Gentle People”. The locale’s terms, dumaguet and daggit were the origin of the city’s name. They meant “to swoop” and “to snatch” respectively. Truly the city has a reputation of snatching the hearts of its visitors. So let us discover the beauty of this city!
The Philippines offers a road less traveled by for people searching for a getaway without tons of tourists.
Enjoy a walk beside the ocean
One of the highlights of this city is the Rizal Boulevard. A 700-meter seaside avenue where a national hero, Jose Rizal, was said to have strolled once before he was exiled in Dapitan City. Thus, it was named after him. It is a convenient place to walk around since hotels, restaurants and other amenities surrounding the area are within walking distance.
A popular landmark in the city of gentle people, the Campanario de Dumaguete, is a direct Spanish translation of Dumaguete’s Belfry. It is considered one of the oldest heritage landmarks in Central Visayas and was built in the 1760’s to discourage rebels from looting in the town.
Taste the renowned take-home delicacy
After relishing the architectural structures and breath-taking sceneries in downtown Dumaguete, a visitor might as well want to indulge himself or herself into the delightful, crunchy and creamy Silvanas. It is a Filipino dessert made from layers of buttercream, meringue and cashew. A Dumaguete escapade will never be complete without tasting these goodies made by Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries since 1977.
Adjacent captivating tourist destinations
Another reason to visit Dumaguete is its proximity and accessibility to other nearby incredible spots.
A passionate diver? Then the Apo Island is a must visit place. It is a marine reserve that is one of the most popular dive sites in the country. All it takes is a 45-minute road trip from Dumaguete to Zamboangita and then take an outrigger canoe or bangka to the island. Experience an exciting underwater adventure witnessing a collection of over 600 documented fish species, 400 varieties of corals, and other sea creatures like sea turtles, sea snakes and manta rays.
Forty minutes from Dumaguete City, a visitor arrives at Bais City. A visitor can find the very well-known Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park. It is a protected mangrove forest that serves as a nesting ground for many bird species and other wildlife.
If a visitor is not a diving fanatic, he or she can still enjoy the marine sanctuary and go Dolphin and Whale Watching in Tañon Strait, a 15-minute boat ride from the south bay of Bais City. There a visitor can spot up-close the different kinds of dolphins and whales. How cool!
After exploring the waters of Dumaguete, one might also want to discover the land? Just 20-kilometres away from the capital stands the municipality of Valencia. It is a home to two of the greatest destinations for tourists.
Be mesmerized by the majestic Mount Talinis, the highest peak in the province. For those who are fond of hiking, venture into a 4-hour climb to reach the summit. Aside from the challenging trail, visitors will be able to appreciate nature more. This is because along the way he or she will find a number of lakes, virgin forests, and stunning wildlife.
In Valencia, a visitor will also find the gorgeous Pulang Bato Falls. Something unique about this waterfall is that the river water is seemingly red in color as a result of the presence of natural reddish rocks found in the area. But, it quickly turns into crystal clear once out of the river so don’t worry. Pula is a native word for “red” and Bato means “rock” so it literally denotes “red rock falls”. So go ahead, enjoy the water!
A vacation or escapade does not need to be an expensive or extravagant one! Why endure the typical and congested places when you can enjoy heaven-given gifts with Dumaguete City, the fascinating city of gentle people!
