Dumaguete City

The capital of Negros Oriental province, Dumaguete is a small university town built around the Protestant-run Silliman University. Locals have dubbed their hometown as "The City of Gentle People".

Visitors can't help but agree, as there's a quaint charm in Dumaguete not found in most cities, even the in the generally laid back South.

Dumaguete City is situated on the plains of southeastern coast of Negros Island. With a land area of only 34.26 square kilometers, it is the smallest city in terms of land area. As a coastal city, it is bounded on the east by the Mindanao Sea and the Tanon Strait, serving as a natural border to the neighboring provinces of Cebu and Siquijor.

The island-province of Negros was divided into two politico-military provinces: Occidental and Oriental. Dumaguete was included in Negros Oriental. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Sibulan; on the south by the municipality of Bacong, and on the west by the municipality of
Valencia.

The early recorded history of the province dates back to the pre-Colonial rule. Because of the frequent marauding attacks of the Muslim pirates on the coastal town, whose seasonal attempts at pillage gave Dumaguete its name--from Dumaguit, which means "to swoop down". Negros Oriental became a military district in 1734 and again in 1856. On May 1, 1901, the Americans established a civil government in the province, including Dumaguete. The city was also occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces on May 26, 1942 when World War II broke out, and was liberated on April 26, 1945. The city of Dumaguete was created by Republic Act no. 327 on June 15, 1948 and, later, on June 21, 1969, Republic Act no. 5797 was enacted, otherwise known as the revised charter of Dumaguete City.

At present, the economic activities of the province are mining, farming, and fishing. The mining industry of the province is substantiated by its rich mineral resources. Rich deposits of minerals like manganese, copper, phosphate, uranium, sulphur, chromite, limestone, gypsum, and mercury, are found in the province.

Farming is another economic activity of the province. The principal crop raised is corn, which is also the principal food of the people. Other agricultural products are rice, coconut, copra, cocoa, peanuts, fruits and vegetables. Copra is an important export of the province. Abaca and sugarcane are also exported.

Another economic activity is fishing. The fishing grounds of the province are rich in mackerel chub, herring, bonito, round scad, sardine, runner, tuna, flying fish and others.

In the tourism industry, Silliman University Anthropological Museum is housed in a period wooden structure with notable filigreed eaves. Among the items on display are instruments of sorcery from neighboring Siquijor island, including ritual candles and voodoo dolls.

Rizal Boulevard, an esplanade that stretches along the seawall from the wharf, is an ideal promenade area at all hours, especially at sunset. The Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park faces the centuries-old Dumaguete Cathedral, its vine-grown belfry was once used as a look-out for Muslim marauders. Southwest is the pretty garden town of Valencia, where suman budbod kabog (a steamed delicacy wrapped in banana leaves) and thick native chocolate make inexpensive treats at the market. A tricycle ride can take you up to Camp Look-Out in the foothills of Mt. Talinis, also known as Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros) for its twin peaks. Also accessible is the towering Casiporo Falls, which may be reached by riding up a dirt road, trekking down a gully and followig a boulder-strewn stream. Closer to town is the Banica River Resort, with fresh water pools, bathing streams, and picnic settings.

Aside from these natural tourist attractions in Dumaguete City, some of the notable places in the city include Fleur-de-Lis Hall (housed at St. Paul College), Luce Auditorium (Silliman University's Cultural Center for local and international performing artists), Sidlakang Neros Norea Showrooms (the arts and crafts hub of Negros Oriental), and Mariyah Gallery (a venue where inventory of books of Filipino authors are found).