Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 3

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:11 AM

Sunstar Manila
Sunday, May 21, 2006

LOCATED in the Central Visayas region and occupying the southeast half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the northwestern half, Negros Oriental is fast becoming one of the most promising tourist destination and business-oriented province in the south.

This year, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will kick off its annual Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) this June in Dumaguete City, capital of Negros Oriental. In line with the big business event, it is worth to mention the four booming business sectors of the province, namely, tourism, information and communications technology (ICT)-enabled services, agribusiness, and financing.

An important tourist attraction among both foreign and locals is the internationally known dive site, Apo Island. It is a spectacular and diverse fringing coral reef that surrounds a high volcanic island in the Visayas. Scientific researches are also conducted in the area on a relatively undisturbed marine environment. Traditional fishing is allowed in some parts of the island but non-ecological and exploitative activities are strictly prohibited and prevented in the area. These rare features are just some of the economic and tourist attractions of Apo Island. But more than these, Negros Oriental has more natural attractions to offer like the Sibulan Twin Lakes, the Bais-Manjuyod Sandbar, and the Mabinay Caves. With these alluring sites, investors will have a field day looking for business opportunities in tourist development and services.

Education and training are valued highly in society in Negros Oriental. In Dumaguete City, you can find the first American-Protestant University in Asia – Silliman University, which was founded in 1901. It is one of the largest universities in the province and distinguished as an institution of higher learning in the Visayas. Silliman University is just one of the schools in the province that produce highly-trained students in the province that are viable for business employment. With this kind of human resource development, investment priorities in the area include call centers, business process outsourcing, medical transcription, and even in animation.

Agriculture is the major industry in Negros Oriental. It has a wide variety of natural products nurtured from generation to generations. Agribusiness (including fishery) therefore remains a major engine of growth in the province. Prospective investors face a wide range of choices such as: industrial tree farming, palm oil production, virgin coconut oil production, producing bio-fuels from coconut and sugarcane, organic fertilizer production, and sea farming, among others.

These economic developments make it the best place for PCCI to inaugurate its first big business event of the year. In collaboration with the various business and professional groups in the province, the business conference will validate the emergence of a new business hubbub in the south. (PR/PCCI/Sunnex)

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:22 AM

http://www.energy.com.ph/images/PALIN3.JPG

The Southern Negros geothermal field is barely 30
hectares and is therefore noted as model for compact field development.

Also known as "Palinpinon" for the first exploration area, it is located in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Installed capacity to date is as follows:

Palinpinon-I 112.5 MW (1983)
Palinpinon-II 40 MW (1994)
Palinpinon-II 40 MW (1995)

Developed starting 1978, a crash drilling program was employed, resulting in the commissioning of Palinpinon-I by July 3, 1983, two days after Tongonan.

Due to the craggy mountainous terrain, the wells are only a few meters apart at the surface but are directionally drilled to different reservoir targets underground. The advantage though is that pipelines are short and well laid-out, with separator stations close together.

Next a submarine cable was laid out via Guimaras to Panay island to serve the requirements of five provinces. This increase in demand was met by the commissioning of the first 40 megawatts from Palinpinon-II.

Subsequently, a second submarine cable was laid out towards Cebu province. The additional power demand was similarly served by another 40 MW from Palinpinon-II.

Part of the power demand in the Cebu-Negros area is filled by the Leyte-Cebu power export of 200 MW since 1998.

The Leyte-Cebu-Negros-Guimaras-Panay interconnection links the major Visayan islands to the national electric highway.

http://www.energy.com.ph/images/PALIN1.JPG

Taken from PNOC-EDC's website (http://www.energy.com.ph).

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2006, 04:30 AM

DUMAGUETE CITY AND NEGROS ORIENTAL THREAD II

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/dumaguete-city/images/stories/belltower04.bmp THE CITY OF DUMAGUETE,

capital of Negros Oriental, is situated on the plains of the southeastern coast of the Island of Negros, near the mouth of the Banica River. It is bounded on the North by the town of Sibulan; on the East by Tañon Strait and Mindanao Sea, serving as a natural border to the neighboring provinces of Cebu and Siquijor; on the West by the town of Valencia; and on the South by the town of Bacong.

"Dumaguete" was coined from the Visayan word "daggit" which means "to snatch". Because of the frequent marauding attacks of the Muslim pirates on the coastal town, and the power to attract and keep her visitors for good, hence, the word "dumaguet", meaning "to swoop," was christened to the village of Dumaguete. However, Diego Lopez Povedano in 1572, indicated the place as "Dananguet." But in 1734, Murillo Velarde referred to it, using its present name, as Dumaguete.

In 1890, the island-province of Negros was divided into two politico-military provinces, Occidental and Oriental. As earlier constituted, in 1898, Dumaguete was included in Negros Oriental. After the Philippine-American War, on May 1, 1901, a civil government was established by the Americans in the Province of Negros Oriental, including Dumaguete. When World War II broke out, the city was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Forces on May 26, 1942. It was liberated on April 26, 1945 by the combined forces of the U.S. Army and the Filipino guerrillas. On June 15, 1948 or three years later, Republic Act No. 327, created the City of Dumaguete. Later, on June 21, 1969, Republic Act No. 5797 was enacted, otherwise known as the Revised Charter of Dumaguete City.

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2006, 04:31 AM

Thread II: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=356438

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:41 AM

Good Quality of Life
The rustic ambiance and virtually pristine environment of the province provide a welcome respite from the aggravation of big-city-living. It is an excellent location for recharging one’s mental and spiritual batteries while enjoying the cosmopolitan comforts at relatively low costs.

Business-Friendly Environment
A dynamic government-private sector partnership has produced a more investor friendly environment. This is reinforced by industrial harmony and a stable peace and order situation. The province also provides a haven from typhoons.

Wide Range of Business Opportunities
Pioneering investors will definetely enjoy first mover advantage. For resource-seeking investors, the province offers tourism sites for development, a highly trainable workfoce at competitive wage rates, vast tracts of fertile agricultural lands (including plantation), and mineral deposits. The strategic location of Oriental Negros provides greater access

Advance Infrastructure and Amenities
The fiber optic telecommunications backbone of the Philippines is located in Oriental Negros. As a result, the province boasts of state of the art telecommunications facilities. Its geothermal powerplants ensure stable supply of electricity.

Dumaguete city, the capital, hosts major financing institutions. It is also a “university town,” being the home of reputable academic institutions with proven track records in producing high quality human resources. Visitors to the province are also assured of good quality hotels, resorts, restaurants and other amenities such as internet access, shopping, etc.

This is taken from the official website of the Oriental Negros Investments Promotion Center (One-IPC). (http://www.investoriental.com)

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2006, 04:46 AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/Ph_locator_map_negros_oriental.pngNegros Oriental

(also called Oriental Negros) is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the southeast half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the northwestern half. It also includes Apo Island a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists. Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across the Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the southeast. The primary spoken language is Cebuano, and the predominant religion is Catholicism. Dumaguete City is the capital, seat of government, and most populous city.

A detailed map
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Ph_map_negros_oriental.png/553px-Ph_map_negros_oriental.png

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:48 AM

http://static.flickr.com/55/113645076_137beb9a4d.jpg?v=0
This is the question found at the mainpage of the Oriental Negros Investment and Promotions Center (OneIPC (http://www.investoriental.com)) Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC (http://www.vabc2006.buglas.com/)) 2006 page.

The next great business idea might be Dumaguete and Negros Oriental. Follow this thread and we will show you why. And feel free to add your comments and suggestions. They are most welcome! Have a good day! :)

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:49 AM

http://static.flickr.com/37/113644555_a35f6f3202.jpg?v=0

Oriental Negros, Pioneer in Quality Education (http://www.investoriental.com/ICT-pioneer.html)

"Dumaguete is the Only City of its size (100,000) with 4 Universities. There are around 2,000 faculty and staff, and one in every four people is a college student. College students number more than 25,000. The service and retail sectors get a third of their sales from education related spending. Education contributes P2B to the economy annually."

Silliman University (1901)
The first American investment when they arrived in Dumaguete City was a private school called Silliman Institute (now Silliman University).

Centers of Excellence/Development in Biodiversity Conservation, Nursing, Education, Coastal Resources Management, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Sciences, Business & Management Education and Biology.

National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith Tiempo - a graduate of Silliman, started the oldest Creative Writing Program in Asia, producing a majority of PEN and Palanca Awardees.

It is the only university that owns its fiber optic system; it is one of only two academic institutions in the Philippines that have extensive fiber optic backbones.Costing US $2.5 million in 1997, the fiber optic backbone connects all colleges and buildings in the University.

First school in the Philippines to deploy wireless Wi-Fi B2B LAN technology on its campus; WIFI and Fiber Optics are the main media used for data communication within the University

St. Paul University (1904)
First St. Paul school in the Philippines was established in Dumaguete City (At present, there are 42 schools and 23 hospitals managed by the St. Paul of Chartres sisters all over the country)

St. Paul University Dumaguete is the first ISO 9000 certified school in the Philippines.

Negros Oriental State University (1907)
The Beginnings of what is now the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) date back to 1907, from a single woodworking class at what was then the Negros Oriental Provincial School, the forerunner of the present Negros Oriental High School. As more industrial arts subjects were added, a separate arts and trade school on the secondary level called the Negros Oriental Trade School was established 1927.

This was the provincial trade school which became East Visayan School of Arts and Trade in 1956 and the Central Visayas Polytechnic College in 1983. In June 25, 2004, became Negros Oriental State University.

The newest State University in the country and a pioneer internet service provider in Oriental Negros. NORSU is the gateway for province-wide One Government Network and has the biggest student population in Oriental Negros

Foundation University (1947)
First non-profit, non-stock college in the Philippines was established in Dumaguete City named Foundation College (now Foundation University).

Operates a CISCO Networking Academy consistently having 100% certification rate.IT Center open 24/7 so students can work, do research, browse, chat, have lessons, or even play online games

Its Computer Science program focuses on working with open source programming.IT is applied to all disciplines. It also hosts several student-designed and built websites for local NGOs, including the website for the Oriental Negros Innovation Awards, a pioneering business plan competition aimed at generating more new businesses in the province.
_________________________________________________________________

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/suhall.jpg
The famous Silliman Hall.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/sumainlibrary.jpg
Silliman University Library, once tagged as Asia's largest, is probably among the best in Southeast Asia, according to some observers (http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/library.htm).

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/luce.jpg
Luce Auditorium, donated by Henry Luce of Time Warner, Inc., has a near perfect acoustics system. It is the best auditorium in the Philippines after the CCP.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/cba.jpg
The College of Business Administration Building.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/as.jpg
Arts and Sciences Building.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/newmens.jpg
New Men's Dorm.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/suchurch.jpg
SU Church

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/hsnew.jpg
New High School building.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/multimedia.jpg
Multimedia Center.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/scheide.jpg
Scheide Chapel.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/succ.jpg
Computer Center Building. Silliman is reputed to be among the very few universities in the world to own its fiber optic system.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/newsuesbldg.jpg
Elementary School building

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/amphi.jpg
The Silliman amphitheater.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/thewall.jpg
The Freedom Wall.

http://su.edu.ph/tour/bldgs/pics/bell.jpg
"The Bell."

According to PRC, Silliman University, #1 (or #2?, usually #1) in Nursing.
#1 in Accountancy.
Always in the top 3 in PT.
Center of Excellence in Coastal Resource Management.
Center of Excellence in Education, etc., etc.
The Tiempos organized Asia's first Writers' workshop hosted by Silliman University.
Dumaguete, the country's University Town, has the highest hiring rate among cities in the country for the callcenter industry.

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:50 AM

http://imageserver4.textamerica.com/user.images.x/40/IMG_519040/_0317/TZ200317000601142.jpg

Fiber-rich City
http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/images/pbmimgs6/CCtrain_NewClass.jpg
Dumaguete's telco infrastructure qualifies it to ride on the growth of global outsourcing industry

By Dominique Cimafranca

One secret that will serve Dumaguete well in its ambitions is the telecommunications infrastructure in the city. Unknown to many, Dumaguete actually has a robust high-capacity network already in place. This network consists of microwave links and a fiber-optic backbone which connect the city not only to Manila and Cebu City, but to Mindanao and other islands, as well.

The fiber optic links going into Dumaguete are among the best for a city outside of Metro Manila. The total capacity of these fiber links is a whopping 320 Gbps* which translates to 4.5 million high quality data and voice lines – a capacity which can accommodate five million call center agents. Bandwidth-hungry outsourcing businesses such as call centers, transcription services, and digital post-production will find ample room for growth for their telecommunication needs.

Redundancy is another key feature of Dumaguete’s telco infrastructure. Dumaguete is a landing site for the fiber optic backbone networks of Globe Telecommunications, as well as Telecphil – the national consortium of telco providers. In addition, microwave communications supplement the links, assuring that service businesses need not fear outages caused by a downed cable.

Investment promotion is going full-speed ahead for Dumaguete with the coordinated efforts of local government, national agencies, and non-government organizations. Already boasting of topnotch graduates, the city is well positioned for growth in the booming international services outsourcing industry.

*320 gbps and growing...
_________________________________________________________________
IT/ITES Firms

"In the past few years, several software development companies have emerged in the Philippines, as well as many other IT-related enterprises, like Medical Transcription Services and Call Centres, most of them however clustered in big cities like Manila and Cebu. Little did the world know that Dumaguete City, apart from its human resources, has access to the country’s most advanced telecom infrastructure right outside its doorstep, comprising a high speed fibre optic backbone network with a 320Gbps capacity!

This rarely promoted advantage this little city has over the rest of the country, combined with four well reputed universities and several other learning institutions, and added to that a considerably lower cost of operating businesses compared to the metro cities, makes Dumaguete City probably the most attractive place in the Philippines for ICT growth today. " - Nestwood Software Development Corporation (http://www.nestwood.com/default.aspx?tabid=47)

An investment location is known by the corporation/companies it keeps. These are the current ITES firms in Dumaguete:

http://static.flickr.com/53/114105612_6d24543eed.jpg?v=0 Teletech Holdings Corp. (http://www.teletech.com/global.asia.count.phil.html)

http://static.flickr.com/50/131723394_e6f0553357.jpg?v=0 SPI Technologies (http://www.spitech.com)

http://www.tri-edge.net/images/Logo.gif
Tri-Edge Resources GLP (http://www.tri-edge.net/)

http://static.flickr.com/39/114105609_f18e6534b2.jpg?v=0 Entheos IT Corp. (http://www.entheosit.com/)

http://static.flickr.com/56/114105610_7848021456.jpg?v=0 Nestwood Development Corporation (http://www.nestwood.com)

http://static.flickr.com/42/115574335_272b601583_m.jpg
IT Outlook (http://it-outlook.com)

Bayantel Communications (http://www.bayantel.com.ph/news/presscenter14.shtml)

Innove Communications (http://www.innove.com.ph/)

More vital facts about Dumaguete here (http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol11-2004/11-6/geographics.htm).
_________________________________________________________________
Philippine fiber optics network - "The fiber optic telecommunications backbone of the Philippines is located in Oriental Negros. As a result, the province boasts of state of the art telecommunications facilities. Its geothermal powerplants ensure stable supply of electricity." - OneIPC website (http://www.investoriental.com/tourism.html)

http://static.flickr.com/39/113644001_d7180c36a2.jpg?v=0

Visayas fiber optics network
http://static.flickr.com/53/113644003_4953a5a7e7.jpg?v=0

Negros fiber optics network
http://static.flickr.com/45/113644002_8ce0bb86b6.jpg?v=0

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:51 AM

http://static.flickr.com/43/113645078_10efeccc04.jpg?v=0

Dumaguete and Oriental Negros is also emerging to be a major tourist destination in the Visayas Region.

Follow this link (http://www.investoriental.com/tourism.html) and you'll know why.

For Oriental Negros' official tourism site, follow this link (http://www.touroriental.com).

The following are some of the tourism attractions of Dumaguete/Oriental Negros:

Antulang Beach Resort (http://www.antulang.com), Tambobo, Siaton, Oriental Negros

Bahura Resort and Spa (http://www.bahura.com), Dauin, Oriental Negros

Pura Vida Beach and Dive Resort (http://www.pura-vida.ph/whatsnew.html), Dauin, Oriental Negros

El Dorado Beach Resort (http://www.eldoradobeachresort.com/)

Why Not Music Box (http://www.eldoradobeachresort.com/whynot.htm)

Atlantis Dive Resort, Dumaguete (http://www.atlantishotel.com/dumaguete/resort/index.htm)

Scuba World, Dumaguete (http://www.scubaworld.com.ph/index.php?pid=87)

Apo Island (http://www.apoisland.com/)

Forest Camp (http://www.dgte.net/forest_con.htm), Valencia, Oriental Negros

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:52 AM

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/1024/article11.jpg

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:55 AM

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 04:57 AM

Miguel

May 31st, 2006, 07:31 AM

Congrats for the 2nd thread. Must have been very proactive and productive huh. 2 years ago there are only 3 of us from dumaguete and negros oriental (rmb, me, and romulus) and none of us were consistent enough to promote our place (except for the first colleges and universities thread). Keep on posting guys, may our tribe increase.

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 07:34 AM

Miguel

May 31st, 2006, 08:01 AM

Chronicles of a Passerby

- this will be my series of posts on the reviews and impressions of people who have visited and experienced the life in dumaguete and other parts of negros oriental. these are unbiased views from people who did not lived nor grew in these places.

*********************

Duamguete for five days

"yep.. went to dumaguete again for five days.. i love going there.. easy lazy life.. no worries.. friendly people.. a city within a city.. its so nice there.. i would definitely go back.. i miss my pangs so much.. im developing this phobia of going back to manila.. i cried and cried coz i really hate to leave.. id go back after 2 or 3 months.. its definitely worth it.. city by the sea.. 2hours away from cebu.. 45mins away from siquijor.. something minutes away from bohol and hours away from camiguin.. wish i could just stay there forever and be with panget.."

Thursday September 8, 2005 - 05:48am (PDT)

Taken from k8's Blog (http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-7WhJpgI7frQI7_8_uS8AsQ--?cq=1)

Miguel

May 31st, 2006, 08:09 AM

i haven't seen romulus posting now...where is he? i saw rmb post yesterday...

He's also here in Cebu. Must have find interest in other things. He's the webmaster by the way for www.sualumnicebu.com.

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 08:35 AM

He's also here in Cebu. Must have find interest in other things. He's the webmaster by the way for www.sualumnicebu.com.

Maybe you can invite him to post again, not just for cebu and dumaguete, so our number will increase...are you working in a callcenter?

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 08:47 AM

WorldView Pension Plaza
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/worldView.jpg

C&L Suites Inn
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/c&l.jpg

Bethel Guest House
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/bethel1.gif

Maria Luisa Suites Inn
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/mariaLuisa.jpg

Dumaguete Royal Suites Inn
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/dumagueteroyal.jpg

Gazebo Pension House
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/gazebo.jpg

OK Pension House
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/ok.jpg

Harold's Mansion
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/harolds.jpg

La Residencia Al Mar
http://www.touroriental.com/content/popups/hotels/gifs/laResidencia.jpg

nicko

May 31st, 2006, 09:06 AM

The oldest stone church in the whole of negros island.. built in the 16th century.. got burned in the 1800s.. was rebuilt in the early 1900s renovated last year.. St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish..

Its facade taken from quezon park
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9625/dgtecathedral1jo.jpg

This skylight in the Dumaguete Cathedral gives a green glow to the altar area. I was impressed by it's kaleidoscope-like shape.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8716/dgtecathedralglass0gs.jpg

The Dumaguete Cathedral is the oldest stone church in Negros. It was originally built in 1754, reconstructed in 1885 and extended in 1936. Since then, many modern touches have already been incorporated into the cathedral's interior and exterior. Despite the changes, the cathedral still remains a beautiful sight to behold.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7547/dgtecathedralinterior1wn.jpg

Blue Glass: This skylight is found directly above the center crucifix of the Dumaguete Cathedral. This glass, combined with the circular skylight (also found on this page) gives a distinct blue and green glow to the altar area.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5696/dgtecathedralblueglass5wh.jpg

The altar facade (pardon for the pic.. got this from istockphoto)
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4819/dgtecathedralaltar3dl.jpg

its BELFRY: Dumaguete City's Spanish belfry is one of the city's most memorable landmarks. It was built in 1811 to warn the citizens of attack.

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3081/dumaguete145vv.jpg
http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/7112/dgtebelfry9jr.jpg

This statue is an example of the various decorations that can be found in Quezon Park, which is in front of the cathedral.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6560/dgtequezonstatue6jg.jpg

-- photos by roytc

nicko

May 31st, 2006, 09:10 AM

dumaguete park theater during the japanese occupation
http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/583/dgteoldpark6ir.jpg

http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/8148/dgteoldpark024uf.jpg

dumaguete park theater at present (but now converted into a mall)
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1088/dgtenowpark0uv.jpg

provincial capitol during the japanese occupation
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3899/dgteoldcapitol2zb.jpg

provincial capitol at present
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7597/provcapitol8uh.jpg

a shot of silliman university taken from the old port during the japanese occupation
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7837/dgteoldsilliman7aq.jpg

same.. but many many years after.. 2006
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3455/boulevard2dy.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7564/dgtenowsilliman3yg.jpg

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 09:11 AM

KRIPOTKIN By Alfred A. Yuson
The Philippine STAR 05/30/2006

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/main/20060530/images/arts1.jpg

Last Friday, May 26, marked the final day of the three-week-long, 45th edition of the National Writers’ Workshop in Dumaguete. Over the weekend, the writing Fellows must have "broken up" rather bitter-sweetly, perchance lugubriously, no doubt with promises or threats of getting back together real soon.

They were a fine, tightly-knit bunch, too. Coming in on the middle week after Marj Evasco, Susan Lara, Danny Reyes and Tony Tan led off as visiting panelists for the first week, Jimmy Abad and I were told straightaway that the 11 fellows of Batch 2006 were an excellent lot in many ways.

No eccentric, loner, or malcontent, no problem diva in the making. They had bonded quickly, went around town together, became intimate with the same attractions offered by the City of Gentle People that previous batches of young writers had savored since 1962.

Well, fresh lures have certainly been added over the years, to replace the clip-cloppity, horse-drawn tartanilla that used to symbolize a once-sleepy town. A thousand other buzzing tricycles must have complemented the increasing legion over the past few years alone. For another, cyber sites have mushroomed all over town, assuring a diehard NBA Playoffs fan of live play-by-play website accounts in the event of a matinee game not enjoying a temporally faithful telecast.

As it turned out, however, we didn’t have to ask resident guru Sawi Aquino to show us the way to 24/7 Internet, as Jimmy and I caught all of the Cavs-Pistons games on cable TV over breakfast in the comfort of our poolside room at South Sea Resort, well before the workshop’s morning sessions.

Well, not exactly, at least in my case, since a couple of critical games had me rushing tardily (and feeling somewhat oxymoronic, if maybe without the oxygen) to catch up with late input on an already belabored poem. Thank the literary gods and muses however that nearly all the poems and stories taken up that week were already at a level of craft that only invited nitpicky evaluation.

Batch 2006 was well selected, I must say, and for this we have to thank the DULA Inc. (Dumaguete Literary Arts Service Group Inc.) president Ernesto Superal Yee, himself an accomplished poet-fictionist besides being a lawyer and a concert pianist; SEAWrite awardee Dr. Cesar Ruiz Aquino; and workshop director Dr. Edith L. Tiempo, our beloved National Artist for Literature and "Mom" to everyone.

Greatly appreciated as well was the funding support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), DULA’s numerous patrons, CAP College for the venue, and sponsors Dr. Jaime Laya, Senator Edgardo Angara and Senator Mar Roxas.

The 11 Fellows who enjoyed this Maytime’s blessings were Douglas "Doug" Candano, Dominique "Dom" Cimafranca of Dumaguete, Erica Jean "Erin" Cabanawan, Darwin Chiong, Patricia Evangelista, Antonio Adrian "Inno" Habana, Ana Escalante Neri from Cebu City, Noel "Doc" Pingoy from Gen. Santos City, Michelle "Mitch" Sarile, Larissa Mae Suarez, and Andrea "Drea" Teran.

One certain distinction for this summer’s batch of writer-initiates is that they must have been the most photographed lot thus far. Almost everyone carried a camera, with three or four of the group enjoying megapixel superiority and techie know-how. Thousands of shutter clicks and filed jpgs have all joined together in several caches that are to be kept private, indeed sacred.

It helped that they were also unarguably a most photogenic bunch. Maybe that’s why they liked to shoot themselves (never in the foot, while that foot was in anyone’s mouth). Frequently did they also get themselves into ideal shooting conditions, whether at a beach (like Bacong’s, where we took them for a picnic lunch of tuyok manok and puso or palm-sheathed rice), the inviting pool at South Sea over cocktails at magic hour, on the esplanade by Tañon Strait, at Hayahay for reggae nights on Wednesdays (where the Misses Congeniality introduced ledge dancing), or on a fabular/fabulous day trip to Siquijor one Sunday.

Frolicsome were the poses, languid the auto-models’ stare-backs, provocatively imaginative the stage-directed group shots, and raucous and rambunctious the general behavior of versifiers and storytellers out on a collegial lark. And yet these kids were a worthy lot, in character and talent. Formidable besides enjoyable, in fact.

Did I say kids? The "uncle" of the bunch was Dr. Noel Pingoy, whose creative non-fiction must be encouraged. I don’t recall ever raving as much as I did over a workshop entry as his "Of Babies, Bulbuls and Bonsai Trees." Here’s a laudable excerpt:

"Doctors dealt with the scientific and the epistemological, quacks concerned themselves with the mystical and the numinous. Evidence-based medicine was the order of the day. It was instilled in every trainee’s mind that each phenomenon should have an etiology, pathogenesis, pathology and therapeutics; otherwise, one must consider shifting to another specialty. Failure to abide by this mantra was like purchasing a ticket that books a guaranteed seat in the front row of the Science Hall, the surest place in this day and age to find gods congregating with mortals, dispensing sagacious truth in one breath and pronouncing a macabre affront in the next….

"As an oncologist who has just started practice, I sometimes forget that things may turn out differently despite one’s most fervent labors and best intentions. I sometimes wish oncologists had a moratorium on signing death certificates. But my father frequently tells me that dying is a doppelganger of living. That’s how the world renews itself, by ridding of the old and the diseased to make room for the healthy and the new. Even the wild flowers have destinies of their own and nobody can no more prevent them from withering in summer than one can cause them to bloom after the rains."

Dom’s speculative short fiction titled "Runeworld," Darwin’s poems "East of St. Louis" and "Tibak," Drea’s poems "Morning After" and "Yearning," the essays "Walang Katapat" and "The Scarlet Handkerchief" by Patricia and Michelle, respectively, and the stories "Sea Magic," "Black and White Squares" and "A Drawing of Hell" by Inno, Erin and Larissa, respectively, were all discussed with much enthusiasm on the part of both the panelists and the subject-fellows.

Doug’s wildly inventive, Rabelaisian/Tsinoy story "Dreaming Valhalla" establishes him as a potential rival to Sir Charlson Ong. It’s a wickedly funny story of an Ericsson Chua who inherits Pancitera Valhalla, introduces "baked quail on thin cellophane noodles, flame-toasted mutton on a spit, and liquidless turtle soup, which instantly became a bestseller, as much as a novelty…" as part of the menu, and eventually frames the chef in the poisoning by noodles of his own mother at her birthday party.

He then turns the family enterprise into the Valhalla Club that is patronized by Marcos-era cohorts who are "welcomed and entertained by the lovely, mysterious and eternally virginal blue-eyed Valkyries… Others even said that the Valkyries were Aetas that took an entirely different form inside the club because of drugs or witchcraft."

It is a marvelously imaginative tall tale, an endearing yarn that revolves around a memorable character whose "shoes appeared to have been made of fingernails" and who orchestrates "well-known incidents such as the Pussycat Orgy and the spread of cherub dust…" – all these before the Valhalla Club self-destructs and finally (or is it ever final?) morphs into the Church of the Nativity!

Ana’s poem "On a Night Boat to Dumaguete" may have captured the seductive essence of time/place invitations:

"I grasp none of your calculations/ nor the hours you said that would take me/ from a life rolled through a napkin ring/ to one loosened/ and unfurled/ like the pages in those bookshops/ you think the streets would reveal to us/ as easily as we would reveal ourselves to them/ and beneath, the sea is a map/ too creased to read/ I could be lost and not even know it/ just like I know little else apart from the motion/ sickness out of this slow/ but inescapable approach towards you."

And then of course there were the daily golden nuggets of grand mentor’s counsel from Mom Edith:

"Individual utterances apropos to what? It is the discerning reader who will penetrate the image that gave meaning, or something to refer to. What you can do is to inter-relate everything…"

At a dinner party at Mom Edith’s hillside place in Montemar, Sibulan, 20 minutes’ drive from the city, the kids had a special treat: a "loosening-up" session conducted by "Mom" herself, to help them prepare for their informal reading program. Sprawled on the sala’s marble floor, they were guided to respond vocally to a series of what sounded like kindergarten refrains.

Ana read the poem "Fly Me to the Moon" by her fellow Cebuano Gerard Pareja. Patricia read an excerpt about important measures from a story by Susan Lara, while Marj Evasco’s "Sagada" poem was read in appropriate, romantic-duo fashion by Mitch and Inno. And Jimmy Abad exhibited his prodigious memory by reciting poem after poem, as if he needed to further endear himself to all the young ladies as Sir Heartthrob.

After which, everyone moved up a notch for an increasingly boisterous sing-along, with Mom Edith, Dr. Sawi, and "Doc" Noel leading the way for the Irving Berlin and Cole Porter classics. Why, spontaneous dance numbers also capped the lovely evening.

Timeless has been the Tiempo workshop. Timeless will be the continuum of young writers taking that proverbial night boat to Dumaguete, and leaving unscathed but for the memory of morning sunlight and nocturnal camaraderie – as the latest revelers in and of a grand fellowship.

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 09:12 AM

Jose Wendell Capili

Located west of Cebu, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental is very much like an intricate plot. Twists and turns lead guests to the city. The city’s boulevard strip is marked with food establishments catering to people from all walks of life. Uniquely shaped trees along the coastline engage visitors to see manifestations of Zamboanga del Norte, Siquijor, Bohol and the Southern tip of Cebu on a clear day. Silliman University’s dynamic student population brings about an added fusion of fancy and imagination to the city’s unique landscape.

Silliman is Dumaguete’s foremost educational center and tourist attraction. The university’s towering portals are surrounded by roads lined with acacia trees. Founded in 1901 by American Presbyterian missionaries as an institute for boys, the small rented houses fronting the sea progressed into a 63-hectare campus of the oldest Protestant university in the Philippines. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recently proclaimed Silliman as a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education and Nursing Education, and Center of Development in Physics, Biology, Marine Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business and Management Education. Furthermore, Silliman is home to highly acclaimed artists and scientists. Silliman resident artists, the late Edilberto Tiempo and his wife, National Artist for Literature Edith Lopez Tiempo founded the longest running National Writers’ Workshop here in 1962. Many Palanca, Cultural Center of the Philippines and National Book awardwinning writers launched their respective bids for literary permanence in Silliman.

Outside Silliman, Dumaguete becomes a chameleon city. Aside from being so close to the sea, the richness and vibrancy of Dumaguete can also be seen, felt and tasted by visiting the city’s chill out places. Recently, poetry, art and music have infiltrated these business establishments. Consequently, these bars and cafes have served as alternative gateways to Dumaguete city life. Notable among these are Silliman Avenue Café (SACS), Chin Loong, El Camino Blanco, Gimmick, Chez Andre, Lab-as and Hayahay.

Silliman Avenue Café (SACS), owned by Woodrose and Silliman-educated Arlene Delloso-Uypitching, is the city’s version of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. SACS is situated near the boulevard on the left side of Silliman University. It certainly helped that Delloso-Uypitching was proclaimed Miss Silliman in 1993 (a title held previously by Palanca Awards Hall of Famer and prizewinning poet-fictionist-playwright Elsa Martinez Coscolluela in 1964). SACS is frequently visited by student leaders and artists, foreign students and local community leaders. Aside from devouring the usual coffee blends and light meals on the menu, campus writers scribble their initial attempts on their personal journals in SACS. By the window, young poets and fictionists read, dissect or reflect on each other’s early literary success (or failures). One afternoon, I caught Ian Casocot, 2002 Palanca prizewinner for the short story in English, discussing the aesthetics of contemporary literature with Chalk editor Romina Urra and Silliman alumni relations officer Moses Atega over house specialty crepe, panini and cappuccino frost.

Chin Loong, on the other hand is a family restaurant specializing in Filipino-Chinese cuisine. Because its proximity to the sea evokes that intangible quality that appeals to extra-sensory and sensory perception, it is a popular haunt for artists who visit Dumaguete for the first time. Among these artists are prizewinning writers Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, Gemino Abad, Joey Baquiran, Vim Nadera, Luna Sicat, DM Reyes, Felino Garcia, Jovita Zarate, J. Neil Garcia, Ronald Baytan, Ralph Semino Galan, Nerissa Guevara, Ramil Gulle, Carlomar Daoana and many others. For a modest price, these visiting writers often go for the restaurant’s Pata Tim, Crispy Pata, Miso Soup and Sizzling Tanguigue.

El Camino Blanco, without question, is the certified fun place for Dumaguete’s younger set. Almost nightly, the bar is surrounded by trails of cars, motorbikes and people. Many Manila-based bands and solo performers hold concerts here, much to the appreciation of an ecstatic, howling crowd in their tank tops, midriffs and rave party outfits. Frequent visitor Patrick Feliciano suggests that first-timers try the bar’s amazing Gambas and Chicken Liver Wrapped in Bacon. Lately, El Camino Blanco has become a training ground for musical performers who do stints here before they hit it big in Manila.

Gimmick, without question, is the most popular tambayan among the city’s college students. During weekends, the place offers chill-out music and sinfully served delicacies in their seafood bar. Hundreds of students also pass through this open-air restaurant to gobble the magnificence of Gimmick’s Chicken BBQ, Grilled Porkchops, Beef Tapa, Special Sisig and Grilled Isaw. Many heartbroken students are compelled to write poems, journal entries and letters upon seeing their crushes in the company of the city’s other eligibles. The place is a virtual beehive of food and music at very reasonable prices.

Sitting next to each other along Escaño Beach, Chez Andre, Lab-as, Hayahay are owned by young entrepreneurs Sandra, Sandy and Noelle Fuentes. Sandra, who took up Economics at UP Diliman, returned to her hometown with her sibling and sister-in-law to continue a long family tradition of good food, music and taste. Chez Andre is widely acknowledged for its gourmet pizza. Lab-as is known to be the place for delectable, home-cooked food. In fact, many poets, fictionists and playwrights attending the annual National Writers’ Workshop organize public readings in Lab-as before a delighted local audience. Hayahay serves Negros Oriental-style cuisine during dinner with great dance, rave, techno and alternative performances from Dumaguete’s rising young poets and musical artists who gorge on Lab-as and Hayahay’s baked talaba, sashimi, Bicol Express a la Dumaguete, various bangus dishes (their Lumpiang Bangus is to die for), Camiguin Express, Steamed Lapu-Lapu a la Negros Oriental, Prawns a la Lab-as, Kinilaw, Crispy Pata, Sizzling Gambas, and Lab-as’s venerable Grilled Blue Marlin. An added attraction is the presence of Dumaguete-based visual artists with who frequent the three establishments with their wares for a late nightcap.

Truly, the companionship of art in these chill out spaces accentuates Dumaguete's image as a city of culture.

You can find this article here (http://www.geocities.com/icasocot/capili_chillout.html) ...

nicko

May 31st, 2006, 09:15 AM

"these pictures does not even do justice to this heavenly place.."

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ritche

May 31st, 2006, 09:18 AM

Land of Bounty
By Christine S. Dayrit

The Philippine STAR 10/31/2004

There is a place where opportunities abound, where information and communications technology are the most advanced in the world, where call centers and cartoon animators are eyeing to transfer their operations, where education being a top priority is made affordable for everyone and where the English language is recognized as the "language of empowerment."

Here, eco-tourism is a way of life, where spinner dolphins and pilot whales incessantly perform stunts before tourists, knowing they are safe from harm. In this nirvana of white sandy beaches, glorious waterfalls and lush forests, fiestas don’t only occur every feast of a patron saint, but they exist in the heart and soul of its people.

All these and more await you in Oriental Negros.

It is recorded in the book Reminiscences and Travels of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal that on Aug. 1, 1896, he sailed from Dapitan to Dumaguete, capital of Oriental Negros, where he observed the penchant of the townsfolk to care for their environment by adorning their homes with plants and flowers. It is believed that Rizal coined the moniker "City of Gentle People" during his brief stay in Dumaguete.

Today, the Rizal Boulevard is an esplanade that stretches 800 meters along the seawall from the wharf to Colon St. It is home to cozy restaurants like Mamia’s owned by the family of Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices, Internet cafes and Sans Rival, the original bake-shop that makes that delightful buttery pastry.

The Protestant-run Silliman University, also known as The Campus by the Sea, sprawls over 56 hectares, its central quadrangle bordered by 307 centuries-old towering acacia trees planted by the American missionaries. The institution was a magnanimous gift of $10,000 from Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a philanthropist from Cohoes, New York, who founded Silliman barely five months after the end of the Fil-American War.

Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz was quick to share: "Education, which is our number one resource, brings about people empowerment." Today, an international community of foreign students from Korea, China, the Middle East, America, Europe, and the rest of the world learn in harmony and camaraderie.

According to Francel Martinez, head of the Oriental Negros Investment Promotion Center: "Since people in Dumaguete speak and write in English very proficiently, six out of 10 of their applicants to call centers and business process outsourcing jobs are actually hired. Only one out of 10 applicants to these ICT jobs from Manila and Luzon is hired."

Also at the College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences of Silliman University, the passing rate for the national licensure exams has been 100 percent since 1952. In fact, it has become a standing joke that if one were to fail the nursing board exam, a monument would be erected in his/her (dis)honor!

Engr. Alfredo Ang, dean of the College of Information Technology & Computer Science at Silliman University, showed us the impressive fiber optics technology that was a gift from Islacom through Deutsche Telecom. Here, blackboard and chalk are a thing of the past, and in their place are audio speakers and video monitors that flash the lessons on screen.

Among Dumaguete City’s 100,000 population – four out of 10 of whom are college graduates – three other universities offer high quality education at affordable rates: the country’s first St. Paul University which is celebrating its centennial this month, the new Negros Oriental State University, and Foundation University which is currently under the leadership of Dean Sinco, a University of Washington-trained architect, and Dr. Mira Dragon-Sinco who got her academic training in Michigan State University and at Harvard University.

Dean Sinco toured us around the 5.5-hectare property of Foundation University, planned by his grandfather Dr. Vicente G. Sinco, former UP president, to resemble the Greco-Roman styled UP Diliman. Dean noted: "In the past, there was no economic reason for college graduates to stay in Dumaguete. Our goal now is to produce graduates who can work here, allowing the city to be globally competitive."

Our media trip to Oriental Negros was brought about by a familiarization tour to the second annual Buglasan Festival of Festivals.

Gracious Governor Arnaiz who heads the Oriental Negros Investment Board explained: "The Buglasan is a one-stop shop for Oriental Negros’ tourism and recreational sites. Here, we highlight our investment potentials, our technical capability in information & telecommunications, agricultural products, our achievements in culture and the arts."

It was also the Yagyag Festival from the town of Sibulan last year that bested challengers from all over the country including winners in Bacolod’s Masskara, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, and Tacloban’s Pintados, judged the WOW Philippines street-dancing champion.

We were impressed by the 13 contingents from Oriental Negros and their spectacular showmanship during the street-dancing contest held at the jampacked 5,000-seat Cong. Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

Another major highlight was the dolphin- and whale-watching trip in Bais wherein we spotted about 30 spinner dolphins whose playful antics in the Tañon Strait were photographed by Michael Ocampo. Bais City Mayor Hector "Tata" Villanueva ensured we had a sumptuous lunch of kilawin, seashells, and grilled fish on board the huge bancas, while docked at the two-hectare sandbar (at least that day when the tide was so low). We learned that in August 1993, Silliman marine biologist Dr. Louela Dolar and Dr. William Perrin of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography of the University of California- San Diego led a group for a seven-day expedition of the Tañon Strait aboard the MV Aquastar. Their findings of over 20 species of dolphins and whales created an awareness of unprecedented value and gave birth to an organized eco-tourism industry in Bais.

A quick visit to the Oriental Negros Provincial Tourism Office made us all vow to explore all the natural scenic spots and glorious finds of the area. Consider these: Valencia town’s "Little Baguio" where sweet fruits and wild colorful flowers bloom in the cool mountain climate; the glorious Niludhan Falls of Bayawan City; the sea, sun and fun in Manjuyod; Amlan’s natural bounties; and Tayasan’s crispy lechon, freshest seafoods, and crunchy amargoso-pipino salad. We will not forget the export quality abaca-leather woven bags we brought home to Manila. Neither will we forget the budbod (suman) packed in native bags, from Tanjay City.

Most enlightening was the lecture of former Pepsi and Islacom president Fred Dael who said that our country should learn more about the rest of the country. He enthused "Dumaguete City in Oriental Negros has the most advanced telecommunications system in the world, comparable only to the ones in Germany."

From the time Deutsche Telecom infused $2.5 billion worth of fiber optics in the region five years ago, businessmen, investors and the rest of our countrymen have yet to maximize this wealth of technology for advancement and progress. Call centers, the "single largest social upheaval" in the Philippine economy, can set up anytime and anywhere in the province of Oriental Negros.

For job seekers in Oriental Negros, one can earn a higher take-home pay because of the lower cost of living. Or one can own a house by the mountain, or along the beachfront – which will probably be the amount of one’s rental in a cramped apartment in Manila, according to Engr. Greg Uymatiao Jr., president of the Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation.

Gone are the perceptions of the laid-back south. Their infectious passion for progress, for global competitiveness and their value of quality education is truly admirable. Experiencing the developments of Oriental Negros makes me very proud to be a Filipino. Imagine the great minds and leaders from Oriental Negros like Dr. Angel C. Alcala, the father of community-based coastal resources management or National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith Tiempo, National Artist for Film Eddie Romero and Architect Manny Almagro who was part of the team that did restoration work on the Statue of Liberty.

The ultimate goal of a traveler, who in many ways is like a wandering nomad, is to eventually find a place where he may reside, settle in, and grow old gracefully. Once he finds his place in the sun, having gone full circle, he is complete.

Let that place be Oriental Negros, on the right side of Negros Island, where the sun rises, blessing this favored land of progressive yet gentle and caring people with bountiful opportunities for a brighter future.
* * *
You can direct your inquiries about Oriental Negros to its Investment Promotion Center on www.investoriental.com or www.touroriental.com or tel. no. (35) 226-1036.

ritche

May 31st, 2006, 09:31 AM

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As envisioned, the College had a three-fold function-instruction, research, and civic action. The clarity of this vision was recognized 1963. Foundation College received international recognition when it was invited to be a member of the international Association of Universities. The College was the first institution in the Visayas and Mindanao to receive this honor and first institution of higher learning worldwide that was not a university to become a member of this world organization.

In January 28,1969, the Department of Education, on the strength of the College’s achievement and performance, superior instructional facilities, the quality of its graduates, and sincerity in purpose, granted the institution a university charter.

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THREE years after the founding of the Presbyterian Silliman Institute (later to become Silliman University) in 1901 and a dozen years after Jose Rizal dropped by Dumaguete on his way to exile in Dapitan in 1892, seven sisters of the St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) arrived in Dumaguete to establish the first SPC congregation in the Philippines on Oct. 29, 1904, and the first SPC school on Nov. 14.

In the Philippines, the SPC established its first mission and school in Dumaguete upon the invitation of the American Bishop Frederick Rooker of Jaro (Iloilo), Negros being part then of the See of Jaro. The sisters, who were French, American and Chinese, came to the Philippines from Saigon aboard the Spanish boat, Minas de Batan, which was loaded with rice bound for Manila. The sisters arrived in Dumaguete from Cebu escorted by Msgr. Rooker's grand-vicar.

Amid the ringing of bells, the playing of a brass band and the warm welcome of residents, the boat carrying the sisters dropped anchor 100 meters from the shore, forcing the sisters to transfer to a barge that docked 50 meters away from the shore. Male bearers carried them safely to shore. The sisters first settled in a convent run by the Augustinian Recollects at the Saint Catherine Cathedral. Because they arrived ahead of their luggage, the sisters had to make do with one chair; they slept on a mat and had two basins and-because they were particularly known for their music -a mandolin between them.

In the book "In the Philippine Islands" by Mother Marie Paul Bord, Msgr. Rooker was said to have asked how he could have sisters for his diocese from an SPC sister he chanced upon at a market in Hong Kong. The sister gave the bishop the address of the SPC's Saigon principal. She reportedly told Rooker that "many sisters did not want to be secularized in France." The rest is history. But many do not know that beneath this mission lay the simmering rivalry of the Catholics and Protestants over evangelization because of the coming of the mainly Protestant Americans at the turn of the 20th century.

Not without basis, it is said that the establishment of the SPC congregation here was made imperative because of the founding of Silliman, a Protestant school, as well as the growing influence of the Aglipayans, Baptists and Methodists in the Visayan islands. Two generations of Dumaguetenos witnessed the rivalry in evangelization and in education, a rivalry, of course, with historical roots. France's infamous War of Religions in the 16th century resulted in the Massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572. This rivalry between the two Christian groups in Dumaguete didn't reach horrific proportions, however.

In the 1960s, three factors led to the thawing of relations between the two factions: a fire that gutted the SPC convent and the commercial area of Dumaguete in 1938, in which volunteers from Silliman helped the SPC; the spirit of ecumenism after the Second Vatican Council; and the common love of music. The last was especially underscored by the Broadway musicals presented at the SPC's Fleur de Lis Hall, with sets and props brought from the Manila shows directed by Fr. James B. Reuter S.J.

The Dumaguete ecumenism was the first of its kind outside of Manila. The cooperation and friendship didn't surprise many because Dumaguete provided the atmosphere for bonding. In fact, one of the seven SPC pioneers, Sr. Ange-Marie, wrote in her diary: "The people of Dumaguete are good and instinctively bent toward the beautiful and good; they love fine ceremonies, music... they have much faith... and are all well disposed to receive the light [and] they are eager to be taught."

At present, the SPC congregation around the country runs 10 hospitals, 13 pastoral, formation and retirement houses in 29 dioceses; and 34 educational institutions from Aparri to Surigao (among these are the SPC campuses in Dumaguete, Manila, Pasig, Quezon City, Vigan, Iloilo and Surigao and the St. Paul University in Tuguegarao). It is easily the largest congregation of nuns in the Philippines.

nicko

May 31st, 2006, 09:47 AM

DUMZVILLE BAYWALK
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THE CAPITOL
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JOLLIBEE LEE PLAZA
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UP, UP AND AWAY
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DUMZVILLE'S SUNRISE
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EUROPE? NAHH.. ITS LA RESIDENCIA AL MAR
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SILLIMAN BY THE SEA
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ANNUAL NATIONAL PYROTECHNICS COMPETITION.. BANG!
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LARGEST TRICYCLES IN PINAS!
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ST CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA
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ATLANTIS BEACH RESORT
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SILLIMAN CHURCH FIREWORKS
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nicko

May 31st, 2006, 09:56 AM

CHED has made a list released last year of the best schools in the country...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus/Luzon);
2. University of the Philippines (Los Banos Campus/Luzon);
3. University of the Philippines (Manila Campus/Luzon);
4. Silliman University (Dumaguete City/Visayas);
5. Ateneo de Davao University (Davao/Mindanao);
6. Ateneo de Manila University (Manila/Luzon);
7. University of Sto. Tomas (Manila/Luzon);
8. Mindanao State University (Iligan Institute of Tech/Mindanao);
9. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila/Luzon);
10. Saint Louis University (Baguio City/Luzon);
11. University of San Carlos (Cebu City/Visayas);
12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro/Mindanao);
13. Mindanao State University (Main/Mindanao);
14. Urios College (Butuan City/Mindanao);
15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines(Manila/Luzon);
16. De La Salle University (Manila/Luzon);
17. Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila/Luzon);
18. Adamson University (Manila/Luzon);
19. Central Mindanao University ( Bukidnon/Mindanao);
20. University of Southern Philippines (Davao/Mindanao).

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY AT NUMBER FOUR!!

AND SOON, ST PAUL UNIVERSITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY, AND FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY WILL GET IN!!

Coffee

May 31st, 2006, 04:00 PM

Yey, second thread. I've been in Manila for the past week or so, but I'm back home now. :)

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 10:43 AM

keep posting guys!..;)

ritche

June 1st, 2006, 10:59 AM

Dumaguete boulevard at early evening.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1010019.JPG

The moon peeks through the sky.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1000023.JPG

Spanish Lamp Posts.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1000014.JPG

Boulevard in red.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1000004.JPG

Silliman Hall in Black and White.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1020002.JPG

Hunks and a beauty.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/visual_paradigm/f1070006.JPG
Photos courtesy of Donie Calsena.

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 11:54 AM

Boulevard in red.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/dumaguete_photos/f1000004.JPG

-- ahhh.. the old boulevard before.. round light posts.. classic!

Coffee

June 1st, 2006, 01:47 PM

I took this picture from aboard the SuperFerry on May 21:
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4917/dumagueteskyline9ow.jpg

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 02:08 PM

pic looks gud, coffee!

ritche

June 1st, 2006, 02:14 PM

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 02:15 PM

NEGROS ISLAND
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9723/negrosfromspace2jp.jpg

DUMZVILLE CITY
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7299/dumaguetefromspace1xf.jpg

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 02:20 PM

Teletech is almost done.

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 02:22 PM

These are just some of the nice Hotels / Inns / Resorts in Dumzville and neighboring cities / towns..

BSP GUEST HOUSE
Capitol Area,Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-2818

BETHEL GUEST HOUSE
Rizal Ave. Dgte City
Tel #: (035) 225-2000-2009

CITYWOODS
Ipil St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-2220

C & L SUITES INN
Perdices cor. Pinili St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-6219/422-9671

DIVE INN YUISHIN
Calindagan, Dumaguete City

EL ORIENTE BEACH RESORT
Mangnao, Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 255-5544 or 0668

GAZEBO PENSION HOUSE
Cervantes St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-0579/422-7807

GSP HEADQUARTERS DORMITORY
Capitol Area, Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-0087

COCO GRANDE HOTEL
Hibbard Ave. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-0833/422-4858

HAROLD'S MANSION GUEST HOUSE
Hibbard Ave. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-8000/422-4961

HOME GUEST LODGE
Hibbard Ave. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-3327

HONEYCOMB TOURIST INN
Rizal Blvd. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 255-1181

INSULAR HoTEL
Siliman Ave. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 422-4771

INTERNATIONAL GUEST HOUSE
Ma. Cristina St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 255-4771

LA RESIDENCIA AL MAR
Rizal Ave. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-7100, 7101/422-8449

NEGROS LODGING HOUSE
Dumaguete South Road, Calindagan Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-9622 0r 9623

OK PENSION HOUSE
Sta. Rosa St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-4636 or 5702

OPENIAS HOTEL
Katada St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-5214

DUMAGUETE ROYAL SUITES INN
Rovira, Rd Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-2195 or 2197

PLAZA MARIA LUISA SUITES INN
Legaspi St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-3267 or 7994

PHCCI RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Banilad Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 255-7984

SALESIAN RETREAT CENTER
St. Louis School - Don Bosco Compound
Calindagan Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 255-0442

STANFORD PENSION
San Jose St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-1577

SOUTH SEA RESORT HOTEL
Bantayan, Dumaguete City
Tel #: (0350 420-0801, 0903 or 0905

STA. MONICA BEACH RESORT
Banilad, Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-0704

VINTAGE INN
Ligaspi St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-1076 or 9106

LORENZO G. TEVES MEMORIAL AQUA CENTER
Capitol Area, Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-7817 or 3392

WORLDVIEW PENSION PLAZA
Perdices St. Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-4111 or 4112

YMCA GUEST HOUSE
North Road, National Highway Dumaguete City
Tel #: (035) 225-1519 or 3633

SJM LE' GRANT
Cangmating Sibulan Neg. Or.
Tel. (035) 419-8935/225-7994

ANTULANG BEACH RESORT
Antulang Siaton Neg. Or.
Dgte. Desk: (035) 225-0613, 0614, 0392

APO ISLAND BEACH RESORT
Kan-Upe, Apo Ialand, Dauin Neg. Or.
Dgte. Desk: (035) 225-5490

ATLANTIS BEACH RESORT
Lipayo, Dauin Neg. Or.
Tel #: 424-0578
e-mail add: genesis2@mozcom.com

BAHIA DE BAIS HOTEL
Dewey Island, Hilltop, Capiniahan Port, Bais City
Tel #: (035) 402-8850 or 8851

ELDORADO BEACH RESORT
Lipayo, Dauin Neg. Or.
Tel #: (035) 424-0238, 0098, 0094

ESCOSA'S BEACH RESORT
Tandayag Amlan Neg. Or.
Tel #: (035) 417-0676
FOREST CAMP
Apolong Valencia Neg. Or.
Tel #: 255-2991

HANSEATIC BEACH RESORT
Tamao, Tayasan Neg. Or.
Tel #: (035) 407-6010

LA BOCA BEACH RESORT
Amlan Neg. Or.
Tel #: (035) 527-0925/417-0560
Dgte. Desk: (035) 225-4800

WUTHERING HEIGHTS HOTEL and RESORT
San Jose Negros Oriental
Tel #: (035) 417-0300 or 0470
Dgte. Desk: 225-0300

ritche

June 1st, 2006, 02:36 PM

Teletech is almost done.

Can somebody post a pic of Teletech here?

Coffee

June 1st, 2006, 03:06 PM

nice pic coffee...kalami mosakay sa superferry usob...if I only have much time, i'd take it again...you can have the best view of the dumaguete boulevard aboard superferry...btw am planning to go home this month...

The ride on the SuperFerry itself was nice. I took business class, which puts me in an air conditioned room with 8 beds (4 double-deck bunk beds). It was only a few hundred pesos more than the cheapest accomodation, and very much worth it if you ask me.

But what I hated, and I mean really hated, was the experience at the ports, both in Dumaguete and in Manila. Hundreds of sweaty bodies carrying luggage and trying to get ahead of each other, pushy porters shoving their way through the crowds to get ahead, and the exodus of a thousand people trying to get a taxi in Manila... argh, what a mess.

nicko

June 1st, 2006, 05:55 PM

Can somebody post a pic of Teletech here?

the roofings are already installed.. it knda looks like a huge bodega or like hypermart being enlarged 3 or 6 times.. its awkward for a callcenter.. but its not really finished though.. maybe it will have its "true form" several weeks from now.. cementing of its road going further to the sea has already started.. i still dnt see any signs of a mall.. although another part of the area is being cleared already.. hopefully is gna be rob.. i dnt know..

shakuhachi724

June 2nd, 2006, 12:58 AM

may curfew pa rin ba ang nightlife sa dumaguete? kasi the last time we went there, the disco was closed during weekdays? but i like dumaguete kahit medyo toned down ang nightlife...

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 10:45 AM

mas maganda punta ka from thursday down towards the weekend...toned down ang nightlife dito from sunday to wednesday, although if you go to the bars such as coco amigo and why not, that would be another story...

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 10:50 AM

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1642/pict17487sx.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7012/pict17464qt.jpg

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 10:55 AM

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/7776/pict24964fk.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5682/pict25249yy.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4553/pict25016dq.jpg

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 10:57 AM

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4893/pict27741ff.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5193/pict27760pb.jpg

Probably one of the best provincial hospitals in the Philippines...

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 11:03 AM

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1528/pict28459sd.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/2452/pict28471gt.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/264/pict28736vr.jpg

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 11:06 AM

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9449/acsat0vo.jpg

ritche

June 2nd, 2006, 11:07 AM

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/714/pict22493do.jpg

Miguel

June 2nd, 2006, 06:07 PM

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/7776/pict24964fk.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5682/pict25249yy.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4553/pict25016dq.jpg

Hi Ritch, is Sea Forest located at San Jose? I think it is in Sibulan. The one beside Dreampark, or I might be wrong.

nicko

June 2nd, 2006, 07:28 PM

yep, sea forest is in sibulan.. and its meters away from dream park.. its a nice place.. i tried staying for an overnight and the accomodation was really good.. and staff service is excellent..

dream park is i think having a major renovation considering that its big rival (sea forest) is taking a bit of the scene in the area..

nicko

June 2nd, 2006, 07:43 PM

Probably one of the best provincial hospitals in the Philippines...

uhhh.. its pretty dismal but i have to say that our provincial hospital is not doing so good.. it has been featured in an article passed through emails which talks about its service, place, and condition relating to the lack of nurses and doctors.. it is not doing so good. the place is small but the number of patients is too large to be accomodated.. the hospital has only a bed capacity of 250, yet patients there can go as high as 350 each day.. most of the provincial doctors are studying nursing hoping for a better pay outside.. a state of the art cardio facility arrived for public service long time ago but until now, it has not been used.. why? the only cardio expert doctor left the hospital to study nursing and hope for a step in the US.. its very sad.. i really attest to this coz i had my duty there this summer.. seeing patients in hallways in dire need of medication, care, proper bed and environment, yet are deprived of it is frustrating.. i think our government needs to have a priority on this.. other provincial hospitals are multi-levels, but here.. wew.. i dnt have to tell.. i bet u guys have been there..
sorry, sometimes, it not just all about good news.. its also necessary to know some not-so-good conditions here in our province.. i just hope that sooner or later, the government will take action on this.. health is very important.. it can affect the country as a whole..

nicko

June 2nd, 2006, 07:53 PM

may curfew pa rin ba ang nightlife sa dumaguete? kasi the last time we went there, the disco was closed during weekdays? but i like dumaguete kahit medyo toned down ang nightlife...

thats not the case anymore these days.. i bet the time u came was the time when the curfew was first implemented, thus it was strictly followed.. i think the city made some adjustments on this because club owners think it was just too tight..

bars / clubs are always open, monday to sunday.. but they close 3am, some at 2am.. its very "active" from wednesdays to satudays.. mondays are the worse days.. wednesday, friday and saturday nights are the best nights to go out.. reggae wednesday is very popular here at hayahay..

as ritche said, why not disco is a different story.. it doesnt hav the "monday blues".. its always full.. so as elcamino blanco..

altec

June 3rd, 2006, 02:09 AM

Great start of Dumaguete's second thread! :applause: Thanks to Sinjin, Ritchie, Nicko and coffeee.... the thread is getting better, hope to see more developments in the city and the province.. and hope more forumers from dumaguete and negros oriental too. i finally hav my internet connection back! :applause:

altec

June 3rd, 2006, 02:18 AM

let the construction begin......the port terminal...robinsons mall, ethanol plant, and the boulevard expansion! :rofl:

nicko

June 3rd, 2006, 06:47 AM

the boulevard expansion has already started.. more details at thread 1..;)

ritche

June 3rd, 2006, 03:15 PM

we have a dumaguete thread in another forum here (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85987)...

Jimbu

June 3rd, 2006, 08:08 PM

Sunday, June 04, 2006
Chinese firm interested in Negros Oriental's buko market
By Adrian Sedillo

TALKS are ongoing between a China-based company and major Negros Oriental coconut planters in connection with the foreign firm's plan to buy millions of young coconuts and volumes of coconut coir, said the Philippine Coconut Administration (PCA) in the province.

PCA Provincial Manager Brendan Trasmonte said Tang Zhe Feng, owner of Hainan Econ Company in China, met with him recently for his plan to tap the province's buko and coco coir industries.

He said Tang was interested to buy an initial one million buko to open a buko juice outlet in China since its climate was not conducive to coconut growth.

The company proposed to buy three million young coconuts every month from Negros Oriental, Trasmonte said.

Of particular interest to the firm, he said, is the scheduled holding of the 2008 Olympics in China.

Trasmonte said Negros Oriental can supply up to 3 million young coconuts to meet the Chinese firm's demand.

But, he said he was worried about the effects of the harvest of young coconuts to the copra and other high-valued coconut product industries in Negros Oriental.

The province has an estimated 8,518 hectares planted to coconut.

Trasmonte said Hainan Econ and coconut planters were still negotiating on the cost since the firm wanted to buy in bulk.

He said coconut farmers want P5 to P7 for each buko while the firm was offering only P3.

In case the deal pushes through, Trasmonte said, a new harvesting system would have to be adopted by the farmers to avoid affecting the fruit-bearing capacity of the coconut.

He stressed the PCA was only helping to make the arrangement and would have nothing to do with pegging the price for each buko.

Coco coir

Aside from their interest in buko, Hainan Econ was also interested to buy 350 metric tons of coco coir per month from Negros Oriental.

Trasmonte said if realized, the import would be a major breakthrough for the coconut coir industry in the province.

The province has a coconut coir plant in Combado, Bacong and standby suppliers in Pamplona and Guihulngan.

China uses processed coir to prevent soil erosion.

He said the local industry could meet the high demand for coir, but at the moment it had yet to find a market.

Jefferyi

June 4th, 2006, 01:39 AM

I've never been to Dumaguete, but based on the pics taken Tommy Schulz in his website, I'd say the city has one of the most beautiful promenades in the country.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/sandwalker206/acacia-trees-sm.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/sandwalker206/carriage.jpg

Rizal Blvd pics: http://www.tommyschultz.com/dgte-rizal.html
Dumaguete pics:http://www.tommyschultz.com/phils_photos.html

nicko

June 4th, 2006, 05:46 AM

it sure has!!.. more pics on thread 1.. and previous pages..;)

surfsam

June 4th, 2006, 08:35 AM

I was born in Manila but brought up in 9 countries. I've been to almost 20. But I always consider Dumaguete as my 2nd home. Dumaguete is beautiful. Manilenos who look down on provinces should be ashamed of themselves. I miss Dumaguete. Will always drop by when I am in the Philippines.

rmb

June 4th, 2006, 01:30 PM

Robinsons Land Jan-Mar income up 17%
An article published in The BusinessMirror, May 15, 2006
By:Honey Madrilejos-Reyes, Reporter

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC), the property subsidiary of the Gokongwei-controlled JG Summit Holdings, posted a 17-percent growth in net profit from January to March this year to P411.3 million compared to P350.7 million in the same period 2005.

The amount represents the second-quarter profit of the company, which fiscal year ends in September.

Gross revenues, on the other hand, were higher at P1.63 billion compared to the previous level of P1.28 billion. Income from operations likewise rose 26 percent to P578.6 million compared to P459.3 million in 2005.

In a financial statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Robinsons Land said its largest revenue contributor remains to be the commercial centers division. Its flagship mall, Robinsons Place Manila, continues to enjoy excellent rental income, with newer malls such as Robinsons Place-Pioneer (Mandaluyong City) and Robinsons Place-Angeles (Pampanga) and the redeveloped Robinsons Place-Novaliches (Quezon City) also contributing to the rental growth.

The high-rise buildings division has also been a consistent income earner especially with projects like the One Gateway Place (Mandaluyong) and One Adriatico Place (Manila).

“Likewise, the division's office buildings including the newly opened Cybergate Center in Pioneer Complex, are enjoying almost full occupancy,” the company report stated.

The hotel division is also another contributor to RLC's recurring revenues due to the recently opened Crown Plaze Hotel (Ortigas, Pasig). Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, Cebu Midtown Hotel and Robinsons Apartelle were also plus points, the company said.

Robinsons Land earlier announced it was doubling its capital expenditure this year to P7 billion from P3.5 billion in 2005.

The capex will bankroll the company's three important projects, namely, increase in landbanking; building of four malls; and putting up of new office buildings to serve the growing markets for business process outsourcing and call centers.

At least P2 billion will go to landbanking while P1.5 to P2 billion will be spent for the new malls. The balance will be for the construction of office buildings.

RLC has programmed the building of seven new malls starting this year up to 2008. Go said the malls would be situated in Davao, Tagaytay, Sucat, Manila, Pangasinan, General Santos and Dumaguete.

At present, RLC operates 18 malls around the country with total gross floor area of 1.1 million square meters.

With respect to the construction of new office buildings, Go said the company wants to keep its mark of being the largest landlord for call centers and BPOs operating in the country.

ritche

June 4th, 2006, 02:48 PM

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 02:41 AM

The Supreme Court released May 9 statistics on the top performing schools in the country based on the performance of their 2005 graduates in the Bar Exams held last September 2005.

Silliman University was among the four provincial schools that made it to the Top 10, after it garnered a passing percentage of 64.71 against the national passing percentage of 27.22 in last year’s Bar Exams. It produced 18 new lawyers.

College of Law Dean Atty. Myles Nicholas Bejar said, “Again, credit for this achievement lies with our competent and dedicated faculty, and a strong and dynamic law program. Our program has been strengthened further by visiting professors from the United States and other top law schools in the country teaching in the College of Law.”

Among the other provincial schools that made it to the Top 10 were the University of San Carlos, Ateneo de Davao University and University of Perpetual Help.

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 02:46 AM

The Department of Trade and Industry and Innove Communications organized a one-day planning workshop Thursday on "IT in Negros Oriental: Beyond Call Centers" at Bethel Guest House in Dumaguete City. The main objective of the event was to provide a venue for an exchange of industry information and to craft an Information Technology Roadmap for the province, of which Dumaguete is considered as a show-window.

Vice Mayor William Ablong, speaking on behalf of Mayor Agustin Perdices, welcomed workshop participants and stressed that the activity will provide a venue for cooperation and coordination among IT players, both from the government and the private sector.

He said that information technology is not a choice, but a necessity.

It is an integral part of our strategy to survive and, hopefully, to prosper in a complicated world, he said.

Ablong added that technology is becoming more deeply integrated into every facet of work and life, home and business and at the same time, the core of solving some of our most vexing social problems, like peace and order, poverty, social injustice, or whether it is health care or inequity of opportunity.

He said that technology today is at the core of business and life.

Ablong also said that even though technology brings many benefits to mankind, there will also be new problems that will arise.

One major problem is the use of information technology and the Internet by criminals and fanatics since "the Internet is a force for both good and evil."

He said, "Criminals and terrorists will exploit the web for their own purposes."*RG

Visayan Daily Star, June 3, 2006

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 04:36 AM

is SM really be having a mall here??..

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 04:52 AM

no official announcements that they already purchased a lot in dumaguete...until then all of these discussions are still rumors. let's stick and get excited on robinsons usa because this is more definite as of this point in time...once we get bored with robinsons maybe that would be the time we will be thinking of sm...but if there'll be official announcements about an sm mall in dumaguete, or even just an official announcement of a landbank in dumaguete, well and good. there are already feelers though, but as I said, no official or definite announcements yet.

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 05:03 AM

i c.. coz if it was true and official, it wud be quite a big hit for dumaguete.. 2 malls in 3 years??.. thats something..

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 05:07 AM

actually there were already scouting done in dumaguete. there were already smoke, there must be fire...one possibility: there's already a lot purchased but they are still keeping silent. but as I said it's better to keep quiet until official announcements are made.

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 07:36 AM

by Vanessa Velasco
A small text survey greeted me this morning and prompted me to write this blogck -- It was from Ate Irma: "Metropost Vox Populi: What is Negros Oriental's edge as tourist destination?" Immediately, images of the radiant white sandbar and the magnificent twinlakes came to mind. Since I've already written about my sandbar experience, it's time to tell you about the twinlakes.

My visit to the Twin Lakes of Sibulan was short but sweet. Through rough terrain, and on top of the mountain, we found the lakes -- their waters were emerald green; the surrounding forests, a deep jade; and the sky above, a light sapphire with brushstrokes of flowing white clouds. The only sounds you hear are the soft splash of paddles on the water and the faint chirp of birds and crickets in the trees of the mountain.

The picture above, taken by Norman, shows us boating across the first lake, Balinsasayao, and beholding every sight and sound that our senses could take. Upon reaching the other side of the lake, we had to climb up a narrow ridge to see its twin, Danao lake. That is when the adventure began.

The uphill climb was relatively easy -- that is, for the ones who do not lack enough exercise -- since the slope never even reached a 75-degree angle. It was the downhill trod that posed as the harder challenge. Most members of our group stopped upon reaching the pinnacle, but the more adventurous ones dared go down the other side of the ridge towards Danao, despite the fact that it was all muddy and slippery, and there was not much you can hold on to but small twigs and leaves.

Only five of us were able to complete the quest and see the second lake -- Dennis, me and Oliver (in picture above, posing for a photo-op at Danao Lake), Noni (not in picture, for he was the one behind the camera) and Norman (also not in picture, for he was already underwater). I felt an unusual sense of fulfillment when I was able to hurdle the slippery slopes of the mountain, and of pride for being the only woman among four men who did so -- and beating the other men who can't even finish the trek, haha! (Thanks to Noni who helped me down the ridge and taught me how to climb down muddy mountains).

For a few minutes, we five "survivors" celebrated our victory at Danao by taking a few shots of the lake, then soon joined our companions who opted to stay behind. On our way back to the cottage, we were all on our bancas except the over-adventurous Norman, who, unsatisfied with his first dip at Danao, decided to swim the whole 1.5 kilometer stretch of Balinsasayao. So happy was he that he became poetic when he got back to Manila -- and in his feature article in BusinessWorld, compared the lakes to Walden Pond that Henry David Thoreau spoke of when he went into the woods.

Maybe someday, when I'm feeling a bit more adventurous, I'll try what he did...

I mean Thoreau, not Norman.

This is posted in this blog (http://awritersblogck.blogspot.com/)...

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 07:39 AM

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/1024/article11.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/1024/article21.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/1024/article31.jpg

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 07:43 AM

Vanessa Velasco

I found myself in a Rivendell-like place in Dumaguete during a campus tour. Foundation University is the loveliest campus I have ever visited. It is small compared to the other more prestigious universities I've visited, but the place is reminscient of elven lore that has fascinated me in the movie Lord of the Rings.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC01211.jpg

In the middle of the campus is a garden. A fish pond covered with lilies is the centerpiece, surrounded by study nooks shaded by bright-colored bouganvillas. At the far end of the garden is a statue of Dr. Jose Rizal as a writer. Seeing places like these, I now know why they call Dumaguete a writer's haven.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC01212.jpg

Underneath bougainvilla trees, Foundation University students study, conduct group meetings or simply enjoy a relaxing time with friends. Such is the work of their BOT Chairman, Dean Sinco, a US-educated architect, who gave each corner of the university a daub of his creativity.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC01215.jpg

Foundation University is non-sectarian and non-profit, yet it instills a strong sense of values among its students. Its president, Dr. Mira Sinco, is one lady with a passion for values and ethics formation. She is also like a strict mother. There are times when she catches a male student wearing earrings, she would tell him "I think those earrings look better on me." She then borrows the earrings for the whole day, and returns it when the student is ready to leave the campus. This lady can also be seen around campus carrying a pair of scissors, offering a free haircut to male students caught with long hair.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC01224.jpg

Beneath the classic look of the university grounds, are advanced facilities that can support a medical transcription business. Entheos IT, a ICT company that has set up operations inside the university, employs graduates of medical courses who are trained to transcribe audio clips of doctors from abroad. This is one of the job opportunities that await the university graduates. Now they don't have to go to the overpopulated and overpolluted Manila just to get a job. They can enjoy their Rivendell while working inside high-tech facilities.

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 09:04 AM

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 10:21 AM

certainly very nice articles.. thnks ritch!

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 10:27 AM

just came from Silliman Medical Center for my duty.. construction of the medical arts building, which is a four storey building for doctor's clinics, medical classrooms, and addtional private rooms in the 3rd and 4th level.. its walls will be made of glass and it will have a bridge in the 4th level which will be connected to the 4th level of the main hospital building.. furthermore, the medimall, which is ofcourse, a mall will also be constructed beside the main hospital building..

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 10:49 AM

took these pictures last time i went there with my friends.. its very, very beautiful place!!.. it was so serene and it makes u calm.. we also had the chance to rent a small boat and we went to the other side of the lake.. wew.. the views were awesome and jawdropping!

lake balinsasayao (taken while we were hiking on our way to lake danao)
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3141/deanbsayao872nf.jpg

lake balinsasayao (taken while we were on the banca)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7527/deanbsayao030tg.jpg

lake danao
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7641/deanbsayao914by.jpg

more....

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8196/deanbsayao90vo.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7724/deanbsayao085qo.jpg

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3578/deanbsayao094yo.jpg

the lakes will soon have their boats similar to delta cat (somewhat like a fastcraft) which will take visitors on the other side of the lake!
---
watch out for lake balanan!!.. it is surely as beautiful as lakes balinsasayao and danao!.. it has hotels, restaurants, and walk bridges which will take you around the the lake..

ritche

June 5th, 2006, 10:51 AM

nicko, can you provide us with pictures or renderings of these under construction buildings. it would be very useful here.

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 10:55 AM

btw, these lakes are situated thousands of feet above sea level.. its on top of a mountain and before getting there, you will also have a chance to see several other small lakes and magnifecent view of the tanon strait and cebu island as well as the moutain slopes of negros oriental.. there is one small lake there wherein there are very tall trees growing in the middle of the waters.. very beautiful indeed!!!

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 10:59 AM

nicko, can you provide us with pictures or renderings of these under construction buildings. it would be very useful here.

i hope i can.. there are models of these buildings in the hospital lobby.. hope i can take some shots..

nicko

June 5th, 2006, 11:01 AM

a nice view of both lakes.. balinsasayao and danao..

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9605/balinsasayao6mm.jpg

Jimbu

June 5th, 2006, 08:40 PM

Dumaguete to showcase ICT competency in biz gathering
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman 06/06/2006

Over 200 businessmen from all over the country, mostly from the Visayas will converge in Dumaguete City this coming June 16 to 17, for the Visayas Area Business Conference.

According to Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) president Ernesto C. Quiamco, the two-day event will carry the theme "One Visayas. One Vision. One Vibrant Economy."

Through the hosting of Dumaguete City of this one of the largest businessmen conference in the Visayas, Dumaguete will have the opportunity to showcase its ability to accommodate Information and Communication Technology, as well as tourism related investments, Quiamco said.

Like Cebu, Negros Oriental is also pushing the ICT and Tourism as their emerging economic drivers, including the agri-business.

Quiamco said the holding of this event, which will be held at Silliman University, will give investors opportunity to see the capabilities of Dumaguete City, and the entire province of Negros Oriental in terms of ICT, tourism, and agri-business investments.

The province, he said has now started to gain interest from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investors, because of its ample supply of highly skilled human resource.

"We have the best university here. Establishments of IT Parks are now on the pipeline," said Quiamco in an interview.

There are now four BPO companies operating in Dumaguete City, these are the SPI Technology, TeleTech call center, Eutheos Medical Transcription, and a software development company.

The Visayas Area Business Conference, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), is an annual meeting of businessmen not only from the Visayas, but also from other areas in the country, to update the business and economic developments in the Visayas area.

According to PCCI governor for the Visayas Jose Ng, over a dozen businessmen from Cebu will be joining the two-day event, which will also hold trade fair, franchising exposition and business matching.

Joey Salceda, Albay representative, and Presidential adviser for economic affairs will be the keynote speaker, and is expected to talk on topic entitled "Visayas and Philippine Financial and Economic Outlook in the next Three Years."

Break out sessions will tackle tourism, food packaging, eServices and franchising opportunities in the Visayas, Quiamco said.

altec

June 6th, 2006, 02:57 AM

Hunks and a beauty.
http://ramkewrites.blogs.friendster.com/photos/visual_paradigm/f1070006.JPG
Photos courtesy of Donie Calsena.

is that a surf board she's holding? i believe this shot was taken at the tip of dumaguete airport runway 09... runway "piano lines" are visible in the bckground...

altec

June 6th, 2006, 03:12 AM

thats not the case anymore these days.. i bet the time u came was the time when the curfew was first implemented, thus it was strictly followed.. i think the city made some adjustments on this because club owners think it was just too tight..

bars / clubs are always open, monday to sunday.. but they close 3am, some at 2am.. its very "active" from wednesdays to satudays.. mondays are the worse days.. wednesday, friday and saturday nights are the best nights to go out.. reggae wednesday is very popular here at hayahay..

as ritche said, why not disco is a different story.. it doesnt hav the "monday blues".. its always full.. so as elcamino blanco..

i think more bars/clubs will open in the flores avenue area once the boulevard expansion finishes... it would be nice to see more spectacular bar/club lights in the area. a sight to see in the future..

altec

June 6th, 2006, 03:19 AM

A great view of the famous rock formation at APO ISLAND...

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g29/alteclint/apoIsland.jpg

from dgte.net

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 03:21 AM

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 03:30 AM

ZOETROPE By Juaniyo Arcellana
The Philippine STAR 06/06/2006

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/main/20060606/images/arts2.jpg

The road to Balanan is somewhat uneven, but that’s alright, that’s alright. A steady incline going up to the mountains of Siaton, more than 40 kilometers south of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. From Siaton town proper, the drive uphill takes around 30 minutes, as Balanan itself, a hideaway resort with a mountain lake and some freeflowing pools carved out of the mountainside, is 10 kilometers away. After alternate stretches of cement and dirt road, with an ambient view of southern Negros and the Mindanao Sea, we do some math in our heads: if Balanan is 10 kilometers away from Siaton and it takes us 30 minutes to get there, how fast does our vehicle travel?

The place is as yet underdeveloped, or shall we say, is in the process of being developed. We’ve heard that Congressman Dodo Macias is bent on promoting Balanan as a certified tourist spot, and by golly it is. I guess we were just lucky that we got there and enjoyed the hike and swim before the tourists. Would that it remain a bit underdeveloped, if only to keep the slick businessmen away. The atmosphere is still unspoiled, and people running the place rely merely on heartfelt donations, no forced revolutionary levies or taxes. No gigantic makeshift giraffes spouting water from their cute mouths.

On the way to Balanan there are trees by the roadside, duhat and siniguelas, branches heavy with their late summertime fruit. Village folk going about their daily chores are momentarily stirred from their tasks, what with the hubbub of an engine negotiating the upland curves. Hardly anyone else going to the same destination, except for a motorcycle bearing three local adventurers, possibly college students or young professionals.

Once there we espy what seems to be some construction or maybe "improvements" underway, with a big truck by a mountain stream having to move a bit to the side so that our vehicle could make a final pass to an imaginary parking area, actually just a shady side of the mudpacked road. The hike itself is a pleasant one through a mountain trail weaving between large balete trees with roots sticking out and vines hanging down from their canopy that would inspire latent Tarzans.

If one is to relieve oneself behind some bush or shrub the recitation of the tabi-tabi is mandatory lest a nuno is disturbed from an age-old sleep. Then the swim in the mountain lake is bereft of any adjective. The lake though suddenly becomes deep and we cannot touch bottom, and after some cool minutes leisurely trying to evade the diwata in our minds, it was on to the natural pools for us, hidden away deeper into the mountain. But the lake itself and the swim in it defy the element of time, and fear is a twin of beauty as long as the feet cannot touch the ground underwater.

Not to forget either the exercise and fitness inspired ferry-by-pulley between stations that reminded us a bit of Bohol’s Loboc, but sans the tarsiers. The pull on the rope takes less than five minutes to get across, and gives a good a workout to the arm muscles to the amusement of around 11 passengers of varying shapes and sizes.

The pools by the mountainside have free-flowing springs, and are not deeper than six feet. They are located underneath tall shade-giving trees and near impromptu benches that make the area an ideal place for a picnic, a luxury in the rat race world.

Nearby sari-sari stores run by the locals offer basic provisions, such as snacks and beer, as well as viands for the hungry ranging from munggo to pansit. On one table there were left empty bottles of Tanduay and Beer Grande, midmorning evidence that some people had an early start to their serious drinking. And neither did we see any bathhouses or changing rooms, we just used nature’s available camouflage or the good old-fashioned drape of towel. Indeed the absence of any other holidaymaker made the visit to Balanan special, and for which we thank the mountain lake gods for reminding us that vistas like this still exist.

Coming from the lake we were followed by a mutt a ways down the trail, which only stopped when it sensed we were crossing over by the hand-pulled ferry. It was like the owner of the secret resort – or the resort owner’s dog – who escorted us on our way out telling us to come back sometime in the future, balik-balik.

The drive back downhill took just as long, the distance the same, and we stopped for some souvenir pictures with the backdrop of the sea and the sloping view of the town down below, all blue and green and chirp of wild bird.

Around us there was the scent of siniguelas and duhat and the hottest summer within living memory breaking into its first rains, as we cruised at 20 kilometers per hour downhill away from the best kept secret of Siaton town. But maybe not for long, not for long.

altec

June 6th, 2006, 03:35 AM

these guys and girl are actually my friends...my, that girl is one of the cutest i've seen. spanish blood that you think you could only see in telenovelas...her name is trina. maybe nicko has seen this girl around silliman. yes this was taken at the dumaguete airport.

when i was still in my college days, we used to sneak in the airport at night time and sleep there with some barkadas, bringing along bottles of beer. but we had to get out very early in the morning before the sun rises...hay, cheap thrills...

a dumaguitnon spanish cutie :)

we also sneak the runway before during my high school in silliman, that was after the JS prom... and did you know dumaguete airport runway is full of cows by night? the runway is also attrative to "dates" :)

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 03:55 AM

hahaha...we have plenty of good memories at the dumaguete airport...but i think the authorities there now are more strict..

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 05:16 AM

bluejay03

June 6th, 2006, 05:40 AM

Hi guys... am from DGT and from S.U. Really glad to have come across this forum and get some updates on DGT and NegOr.

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 05:42 AM

keep on posting bluejay...where are you now?

ritche

June 6th, 2006, 08:03 AM

BY JUANCHO GALLARDE
Visayan Daily Star, June 5, 2006

The Philippine Ports Authority in Manila has approved the proposed pier expansion program in Dumaguete City for this year costing more than P150 million, including the construction of a passenger terminal building.

Engr. Raul Merecido of the local PPA office said the program includes the reclamation of a 2,200 square meter area at the north side of Pier 1 with an estimated cost of P55,817,055; paving of the open storage worth P15,900,042; construction of a roll on-roll off ramp and reinforced concrete platform at the junction of piers 2 and 3; and the fendering system costing P13,233,944.23 or a total of P101,120,114.34.

However, the request of the PPA for a favorable resolution from the city council to support their application of an environmental compliance certificate was initially blocked during Thursday's regular session, and was deferred until the next regular session.

Councilor Myrish Antonio said he wanted to make sure the reclamation project goes through proper procedures.

Vice Mayor William Ablong, the presiding officer said he understands the concern raised by council members and he is inviting port manager Noeme Calderon to appear in the next regular session.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building of the Dumaguete port has been included in the Annual Procurement Plan of the PPA and would cost about P50 million.

In the last three years, the construction of the port facility hit a snag due to vehement objection of environmental groups, prompting the PPA to realign the funds to other provinces.

This time, PPA Dumaguete is hoping it will be realized without having to reclaim any area.

The preparation of the design is being made by the local chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines through the Entheos Devt. Co. In., and endorsed by the city and provincial governments, and the PPA.

Statistics show that a big volume of passengers is passing through the port of Dumaguete at 550,000 yearly.

It indicates that this number requires a passenger terminal building with a capacity of 1,500 people. At present, the port has a very small passenger shed with a seating capacity of only 184 passengers.

The implementation of strict security measures could not be adequately addressed due to the very limited capacity of the present terminal shed, according to PPA officials.

nicko

June 6th, 2006, 11:37 AM

welcome bluejay!!! keep posting!!..;)

bluejay03

June 6th, 2006, 11:58 AM

thanks..rich and nicko...

it's nice to know that DGt and NegOr are apparently on the rise. I've always thought that the city and the province have what it takes to be at par with the more prosperous places.

Am based in Makati since graduating from SU. But someday, I look forward to going back. I do go home once or twice a year. Every year, there's always something new. I checked out the Jollibee at S.U. and I would say the design is nice and not a typical Jollibee.

I've met many here who when I mention that I'm from DGT would react and say "That's a beautiful place". And I would say it really is. One friend of mine recorded an entire feature of Negros Oriental which was shown in the Living Asia channel. She was really impressed.

nicko

June 6th, 2006, 12:21 PM

there are lots and lots of things coming up for our city.. check out our 1st thread..

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 03:59 AM

-edit-

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 04:02 AM

Vanessa Velasco (http://aphotoblogck.blogspot.com/)
Monday, March 8, 2005

A day after holy week, I found myself in Dumaguete accompanynig two media friends who want to write about the city. I've been in and out of Negros Oriental the past five months, but I have yet to discover more of the province's abundant natural resources and the richness of its culture. In this blogck entry, let me share with you my most recent discoveries...

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC00873.jpg

5:45 am. I usually take photos of the sunrise with clouds above me. Today, I shot the sunrise with clouds below me. Our plane left Manila at 5:45 am -- the sky was still dark and the city streets still empty of busy vehicles. Halfway into the hour-long flight, the sun rays started to peek through the cumulus clouds. With only ten people on the plane, I was able to move from one seat to the other, to get a good angle of the sunrise. Here is the scene from my airplane window: the sunrise at around 20,000 feet above sea level.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC00886.jpg

Our work began the minute the plane touched down on Dumaguete's airport. Soon, we found ourselves in a series of meetings, briefings and tours that I did not have enough time to savor the refreshing landscape. Relief came after a hearty lunch at Rizal Boulevard when they took us back to South Seas Resort for an hour of relaxation. Lacking in sleep and overloaded with too much information in just half a day, I went straight to my room to grab a few winks and recharge my batteries. One hour was enough to refresh me. I even had enough time to enjoy the scenery outside my window where white boats sailed across the sea. I found the image to be so refreshing that I simply had to preserve it on my digicam.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC00906.jpg

A tour of Silliman University was next on our itinerary. It is a very impressive school -- next to the University of the Philippines, of course (love your own! hehe). An extensive fiber-optic network runs through the whole campus alongside century-old acacia trees. It was a perfect blend of the old and the new. We were in the campus' oldest buildings when I saw a familiar scene -- and took this photo with memories of my own school.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/640/DSC00936.jpg

At day's end, we proceeded to Bacong town to visit a small stonecraft factory called Noah. The owner was a sweet old lady who shared with us how God led her to start their stonecraft business, and, because of her faithfulness, her work prospered. Hearing her stories, I was inspired to wander around her factory, and see for myself the once small business that blossomed into an enterprise that employs over 200 workers. I soon discovered that the factory was situated near the seashore. I took out my camera to take a picture of the sunset, but then I remembered... I was in Negros Oriental! It is that part of the island where the sun rises. Even without an image of the sunset, I took this picture, smiling at the thought that each time the sun shows itself on this part of the Negros island, it is always rising.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/179/2893/1024/moonrise.jpg

I never expected to have an enjoyable dinner with the governor and Dumaguete's big businessmen. I thought I'd be too tired to even appreciate the food, but these people are such a jovial bunch that I found myself amused by their stories and ideas. While chatting with them about kayaks and sharks and lakes and fishes, a scene has caught my eye: out in the open sea was a lone fishing boat, its tiny silhouette visible only through the faint moonlight's reflection on the waters. I sneaked out of the group for a while to capture its image on my camera.

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 04:29 AM

Bayawan City is the penultimate Local Government Unit situated in the southwestern boundary of Negros Oriental. It can be traversed through a 100 kilometers well paved concrete and asphalted roads from Dumaguete City, the capital of the Province. The City can be reached by non-stop luxury air conditioned or non-air conditioned Ceres buses that ply Dumaguete City-Bayawan City route at 15 minutes interval from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Ceres bus has its own terminal strategically located south of Dumaguete City. Another means of transportation is the public utility van (PUV) that transports passengers on a "door to door" basis. One can easily go to the terminals of these facilities by way of the numerous pedicabs--the mood of short distance transport Dumaguete City is noted for.

Ever since its emergence as a City last December 23, 2000, developmental efforts focused on infrastructure, social services and food security. At this point, development is geared towards making Bayawan City as a hub for business activity through sustained economic growth. Naturally, with a vast land resource of almost 70, 000 hectares, agriculture is the centerpiece for development for its more than 101, 000 inhabitants.

The City Government was duly recognized for its innovativeness along this line when it became a recipient of th prestigious League of Cities in the Philippines Best Practice Award for the year 2004, for its Food Security Program. Gauging from the foresight of the City's leaders, the time will surely come when Bayawan City will have her own avenues for mass transport by air and sea.

http://www.bayawancity.gov.ph/images/tourism/boulevard.jpg
http://www.bayawancity.gov.ph/images/tourism/sunset_a.jpg

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 04:43 AM

Sunset
http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3668088/Sunset.jpg

http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3668139/Sunset.jpg

Mantapi Falls
http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3663626/Mantapi-falls.jpg

http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3663630/Mantapi-falls.jpg

http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3678195/Mantapi-falls.jpg

http://2.srv.fotopages.com/2/3678669/Mantapi-falls.jpg
Photos courtesy of Caryl Riconalla

Coffee

June 7th, 2006, 07:44 AM

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 07:50 AM

Oh thank God.

By the way, they've started more work on re-concreting another big section of the road going to Valencia. I hope they finish the work faster than they did last year with the section of road fronting Hypermart... that seemed to go on for months and months. Longer than the time it took to construct and open Jollibee North Road.

any pics of valencia? ur house, hehehe :). how 'bout the almost-finished teletech building?

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:18 AM

i saw the model of our soon to be passenger terminal. its not so big, but its ok. at least, we will have one.. the original plan for it was way much better where there is supposed to be a marina and a mall.. well.. maybe it was just not meant to be for dumaguete.. *sigh*

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:20 AM

any pics of valencia? ur house, hehehe :). how 'bout the almost-finished teletech building?

sum1 plz take shots plz!.. hehe.. i feel i wont be able to do that.. wew.. the form is starting to show up.. it really looks good!..

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:23 AM

is it glassy? or just the steel and concrete thing?

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:23 AM

silliman university portal buildings: already under construction!

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:24 AM

wow! so soon we will have our first national bookstore? any information what other stores will occupy silliman's glass-facade mini-mall?

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:29 AM

is it glassy? or just the steel and concrete thing?

its more of concrete.. as ive said, it looks like an oversized hypermart but more with the details and form.. its not boxy.. it has these tall rectangular structures on its four sides.. (sorry, im lousy at this.. describing things.. hehe..) but thats as far as the builidng's construction status.. and u cant have the luxury of time checking it out coz ur in a very busy street and its far from the highway.. i think its a 3 or 4 storey building.

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:32 AM

wow! so soon we will have our first national bookstore? any information what other stores will occupy silliman's glass-facade mini-mall?

all i know is that theres going to be national bookstore, a coffee shop (dnt know wat.. hope its starbucks! woo! hehe..) and some offices.. how dya know its having a glass facade?

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:36 AM

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:37 AM

how dya know its having a glass facade? i saw the scale model...it really looks good!

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:37 AM

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:39 AM

will it be a minimall or a department store? who's the owner, and does it look good? can u describe it?

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:45 AM

i hope figaro (mas mura), but seriously, i heard somewhere starbucks might be comng to dumaguete...what am thinking is can they survive here? maybe with the boom of callcenters? but there's no starbucks in bacolod or iloilo yet, so maybe it will take sometime...

yeah.. im having that same question in mind.. and i think i also have the answer on my mind. NOT. hehe.. but coffee culture here is unfolding so fast.. there are so many coffee shops now and more and more people are into coffee, especially the students.. but still, kinda late lang gypon.. other places are done with the so-called coffee culture.. they are now on tea culture.. asa nmn ta ani oi.. hehe..

if its not goin to be starbucks, at least figaro or bo's, ok na.. tagbilaran has bo's.. y cant we have one??

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 11:49 AM

will it be a minimall or a department store? who's the owner, and does it look good? can u describe it?

i dnt think its going to be a mall.. the banner says, "soon to open! UNIMART, Gen Merchandise, Inc. Co. ahayz.. wen will dumaguete have a real mall??!! (well ofcourse, aside from robinsons.. Ever mall is super a trying hard mall.. we call it here, everSMALL!!)

ritche

June 7th, 2006, 11:54 AM

soon, soon...is unimart going to be just one story?

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 12:06 PM

nope.. i think its going to be 2 or 3..

the old hassaram's building is also almost done.. it will soon be a hotel (accdng to some sources) in the middle of the business disrict..

Coffee

June 7th, 2006, 01:31 PM

Here are my replies to a bunch of posts:

- I have a few pics of Valencia, but nothing too interesting. Maybe I'll post a few later.

- I've seen the Teletech building from afar a couple of days ago... seems weird, like a big gymnasium. But I didn't really get that good of a look of it. I'll try to take a picture if ever I pass by there again.

- A few days ago I was thinking to myself that it would be nice if there was a good coffee shop like Starbucks in Dumaguete, somewhere near Silliman. It seems to me that the hordes of students would like a good place to hang out at night, somewhere that's cool and friendly and fitting for a city of gentle people. Seems that Dunkin Donuts is fulfilling that role right now... it's always full of students whenever I pass by late at night (like around midnight). A Starbucks would be nice, but something with more affordable coffee and similar ambience would be better. :p

- Nicko: Where did you hear that it would be called Unimart? I think (and hope) that Unimart is going to be just one of the stores in the Park mall building. My friend said she saw a Unimart store in Cebu and it sucks. She said it's like one of those stores that sells a mismash of cheap electronics, toys, and whatever other random stuff they feel like putting on their shelves.

- According to a Visayan Daily Star article, the old Hassaram's building will become a pension house.

surfsam

June 7th, 2006, 02:31 PM

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:07 PM

- I've seen the Teletech building from afar a couple of days ago... seems weird, like a big gymnasium. But I didn't really get that good of a look of it. I'll try to take a picture if ever I pass by there again.

- A few days ago I was thinking to myself that it would be nice if there was a good coffee shop like Starbucks in Dumaguete, somewhere near Silliman. It seems to me that the hordes of students would like a good place to hang out at night, somewhere that's cool and friendly and fitting for a city of gentle people. Seems that Dunkin Donuts is fulfilling that role right now... it's always full of students whenever I pass by late at night (like around midnight). A Starbucks would be nice, but something with more affordable coffee and similar ambience would be better. :p

- Nicko: Where did you hear that it would be called Unimart? I think (and hope) that Unimart is going to be just one of the stores in the Park mall building. My friend said she saw a Unimart store in Cebu and it sucks. She said it's like one of those stores that sells a mismash of cheap electronics, toys, and whatever other random stuff they feel like putting on their shelves.

- According to a Visayan Daily Star article, the old Hassaram's building will become a pension house.

- teletech does look like one hell huge gymnasium but it really isnt that bad.. wer still not seeing the whole package.. so lets wait.. hu knows?.. maybe it will look good with its paint and other detail furnishings.. besides, its not yet done.. i think it is still 60% complete.. -

- im a coffee addict.. daily grind, lee cimbali, cafe memento and cafe antonio is more than enuf for the moment for dumzville.. besides, theyr really good coffee shops, right coffee? more coffee shops are very welcomed but people here are very practical.. starbucks will not survive here.. people here are not the type who wud spend more than a hundred bucks just for a cup of coffee..
dunkin donuts?.. hah.. i luv their coffee.. hmm brewed!.. no gourmets, though.. lots of students stay there (like me..) to study and do some school stuff.. where else wud they go? its open 24 hours.. -

- uhh, coffee, y dnt u check it for urself.. there are two banners hanging on the building.. it says its going to be UNIMART General Merchandise, Inc. Co.
im quite sure about that.. i pass there day by day..
well, lets just wait and see what will it really be.. -

- good! more hotels and pension houses for dumaguete.. one of the complains of toursists both local and international about dumaguete is that dumaguete does not have lots of hotels to cater them.. more and more tourists are coming.. there is an increase of total tourist arrivals according to the city tourism office.. soon, the hotel in perdices coliseum will open. it can cater to a great number of toursits.. -

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:16 PM

main campus..
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1600/fu17om.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7626/fu20yq.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3259/fu39ov.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8296/fu49oj.jpg

its flames and pillars..
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/4849/fu55bo.jpg

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:22 PM

great shots.. doesnt look like that its in pinas.. it knda looks more foreign to me especially the first two picz..;)

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:35 PM

the persian palate in the spanish heritage (?).. shawarma, anyone???..;)
http://img418.imageshack.us/img418/151/spanishheritage22jz.jpg

a european salon and a persian restaurant.. both establishments in a spanish building in the philippines.. multi-national?? hmmm.. astig!!..;)
http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/394/spanishheritage0oj.jpg

boybleauXx

June 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM

hmmmm...that second picture looks like the ones in Europe......that David Salon billboard though ruins it a bit.

asa mani dapit?...nindot lagi pagka preserved na building :)

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:42 PM

silliman's administration building by the sea with the mighty cuernos de negros as background.. picture perfect.
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/8606/sillimansea4ju.jpg

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 04:55 PM

hmmmm...that second picture looks like the ones in Europe......that David Salon billboard though ruins it a bit.

asa mani dapit?...nindot lagi pagka preserved na building :)

its just at the back of la residencia al mar.. also a european inspired hotel.. probably the city's most expensive.. another weird thing is that inside the hotel, there is a japanese restaurant.. wakagi.. wew.. hehe.. mix nuts..

try to get inside that spanish heritage building.. its jaw-dropping!!!.. so spanish to its every detail.. its actually a bit spacious insides with 5-6 function rooms.. its airconditonig system is centralized.. and one function room is open air.. naa say gallery inside.. d mailhan sa?? hehe.. it also has a coffee shop inside.. cafe antonio..

nicko

June 7th, 2006, 05:11 PM

Negros, the Island that Sugar Built

The fourth largest island in the Philippines, approximately 200 kilometers at its greatest length, and about 90 at its greatest breadth, the boot-shaped Negros is located south of Panay and Guimaras, north of Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao. The relatively short distances between these islands make island hopping feasible. Panay and Negros are between 13 and 70 kilometers distant; from Negros to the nearest point of Mindanao is a mere 45 kilometers and Cebu across the deep Tañon Strait is only 4 kilometers distant. Located in the center of the Visayas region, Negros shares the same topographic characteristic of neighboring Panay, a volcanic island with a mountainous spine, set more toward the eastern coast. Tall volcanoes dominate the cordilleras: Mt. Kanlaon (2465 meters) Mandalagan (1879), Sicaba Diutay (1536), Sicaba Daku (1379), Silay (1534) and Lantawan (1049). All these peaks are volcanoes, Kanlaon being the most active. Kanlaon releases a steady stream of steam tapped for geothermal electricity, which is distributed throughout the island, to Panay and Cebu.
Negros' volcanic origin has made the island fertile and fit for large scale agriculture, but the eastward and southward siting of the cordilleras leaves little room for plains to the east and south, except for a small pocket at Tanjay and Bais. For this reason, the large sugar plantations or hacienda, the backbone of Negros' economy are found to the west and north.

Buglas, according to Fray Martinez de Zuñiga is the ancient name of the island. This is also the name found in the Povedano manuscript, said to be an history of Negros according to the encomendero of Himamaylan Povedano. Historians doubt the authenticity of the manuscript discovered in a demolished casa real. So goes the story. The Spanish called the island Negros after the Aytas (locally called Ati) who lived in the hinterland, although they recognized the presence of Malay groups. Antonio de Morga's 1607 manuscript mentions them. Negros archaeological history is still insufficiently documented. Although evidence of trade goods and gold ornaments have been discovered since the 1970s, many of the finds came about by accident and unsystematic "pot hunting" has disturbed many sites. Nonetheless, whatever had been found—Neolithic tools, pottery, porcelain, gold ornaments, etc.—relate Negros to other islands like Luzon, Mindoro and Cebu. But systematic and extensive archaeological studies done by Junkers at the Tanjay River basin indicate the presences of numerous settlements coexisting as trading partners. Could we safely say that similar such settlements existed throughout the island? Or was Tanjay exceptional? How do you square this with the marginal status of Negros, basically left alone until the opening of sugar plantations in the 19th century?

Negros is first mentioned in Spanish documents by Magellan's chronicler Antonio de Pigafetta who writes of an island west of Cebu inhabited by Negritos. An exploratory expedition of sixteen, sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and headed by Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa to explore Cebu island, was driven by currents to Negros. The group reported the presence of Negroes in the hinterland and natives of Malay ancestry who tattooed their bodies. By 1571, Negros had been divided into encomiendas among 17 encomenderos, reduced to ten in 1576.

For more than two centuries, the Spanish were somewhat dismissive of the island, daunted by the thick forests that blanketed the island up to the shore. They concentrated their attention on Panay and Cebu.

The spiritual administration of Negros was less stable than other islands where a specific religious order was assigned as permanent missionaries. Although the Augustinians had established a foothold at Ilog as early as 1571 or 75, at Binalbagan in 1572, and at Tanjay in 1580, they turned over administration of the island to the secular clergy of the Cebu diocese. Later, Jesuits succeeded to the missions of the seculars: in 1628 or 32 at Ilog, around 1627 in Binalbagan, in 1640 at Kabangkalan. The missions, never became full parishes, were all dependencies of the Jesuit college at lloilo. The Augustinian Recollects administered Binalbagan and Bago from 1625-38, when they left Negros to begin their mission in Romblon.

A 1757 letter of the bishop-elect of Cebu to the King stated that Ilog, Tanjay, Dumaguete, Binalbagan and Tacqauan were about to be made parishes under the secular clergy; however, despite their parish status, many places in Negros could not afford a stone church. So indicated a report in 1785 which states that except for Dumaguete, the churches in Negros were all of wood and thatch.

On the western coast, Bacolod (present capital of Negros Occidental) was not established as a town until 1755 or 56, after the inhabitants of the coastal settlement called Magsungay, were attacked by forces under Datu Bantilan of Sulu (14 July 1755) and the townspeople transferred from the coast to a hilly area called Bacolod. The town was constituted a parish in 1788 under the secular clergy, but did not have a resident priest until 1802, as the town was served by the priest from Bago, and later Binalbagan.

By the 19th century, Negros' fortunes began to turn. Three factors contributed to its economic transformation. First, the end of slave raids. Riding on the winds of the habagat or southwest monsoon, raiding parties from the south attacked the coastal settlements destroying not only villages and livelihood but also decimating the population. By 1790, slave raids on Bacolod had ceased, although the whole archipelago was not free from raiders until the 1840s when Gov. Gen. Narcisco Claveria launched a massive campaign against the stronghold of the raiders in Tungkil and had established an effective blockade of the Sulu and Visayan Seas, by using an armada of steam-powered iron boats. Peace descended on the island. Second, a change in Spanish policy regarding the Philippines. Where the economic importance of the Philippines lay in being the transshipment point for Oriental goods, the termination of the galleon trade in 1815 shifted Spanish interest in the Philippines from being a trading station to being an agricultural colony that produced goods needed in the mother land. Third, a change in status of sugar from being a luxury in Europe to being a necessity. The demand for the produce increased unexpectedly.

The mid-19th century saw the growth and expansion of the sugar industry in Negros. Here the fortunes of Negros are intimately tied with neighboring Iloilo where an international port was opened in 1855. A year later, Nicolas Loney was appointed as British vice-consul at Iloilo. Looney introduced steam-driven sugar presses, extended loans to sugarcane planters and established Looney and Co., the first international company in Iloilo. Looney's technological innovation was an improvement over the traditional method of sugar extraction, learned from the Chinese, where a wooden mill run by a carabao expressed the sugarcane juice. The juice was then heated in a large open pan, until it thickened to molasses and was finally reduced to raw sugar. Looney's machines were exported to the neighboring island, and as demand for sugar production increased more lands were cleared to make plantations.

Lured to western Negros were not only Ilongos seeking for larger tracts of land but also foreigners. In 1843, Yves Leopold Germaine Gaston from Normandy, France, installed the first sugar mill (horno economico) at Buen Retiro. He settled in Silay and became a dominant figure in the industry. In 1860 Luis de Luzurriaga, a Spaniard, introduced steam engines and modern equipment for sugar milling. Machines were made in England. Among the Ilongo families that opened haciendas in Negros were the Locsin, Lacson, and Claparols.

A decree of 20 June 1848 by Governor Claveria ordered the restructuring of Negros politically and religiously. The capital was transferred from Himamaylan to Bacolod and the Recollects were asked to assume spiritual administration of Negros, which they did that same year. Transfer of Bacolod to Recollects, however, took place only in 1871.

In 1889, the island was divided politically into east and west: Dumaguete became the capital of Negros Oriental while Bacolod remained the capital of Negros Occidental. For a brief moment, the two provinces were reunited under the cantonal government of the Negrense revolutionaries, from 6 November 1898 to the end of February 1899, when the American placed Col. James Smith military governor, followed by Melecio Severino (June 1900) until the civil government was established in 1901.

West Negros speaks Hiligaynon and is decidedly turned toward Iloilo, from which many of the settlers came; the east speaks Cebuano and is oriented toward Cebu from which its is separated by the narrow but deep Tañon Strait. While sugar was not as much cultivated in the east as in the west, nonetheless, one of Negros largest plantation and sugar mill is the Central Azucarera de Tanjay, which extends to neighboring town of Bais.

Dumaguete, Negros Oriental’s capital, is known for Siliman University, founded as Silliman Institute on August 28, 1901 by American Presbyterian missionaries. Intended to be an industrial school, it grew to be an academic university.

Despite the ups and downs of the sugar industry, Negros continued to dominate the market, bringing affluence to the island, especially to the western side. The 1930s saw the peak of Negros affluence when many stately homes were built.

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 02:35 AM

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 03:13 AM

Dumaguete had a very very good coffee shop a la Starbucks---SACS owned by former Miss Silliman Arlene Delloso-Uypitching.

But it didn't work out. It closed after some time.

Sayang. SACS was a very good enterprise. But students do not like atmosphere. They go for the cheapest.

SACS was early for its time. Maybe the Uypitchings can revive it again.

In place of SACS is now a massage parlor, Body and Sole...SACS wasn't really expensive as a coffee shop. Figaro's is even more expensive than them, but yes, it was early for its time. But it ushered in the coffee culture in Dumaguete. And right now am very optimistic that Dumaguete can already support a national coffee brand, and that in the long run, an international brand such as Starbucks or Seattle's Best would be viable in Dumaguete. Culture and coffee or tea, in my opinion, go hand in hand...

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 03:38 AM

and yeah.. the former park theater renovation is almost done.. maybe 4-5 months from now and its donea and business will start.. its goin to be called UNIMART (dang! i so hate the name! sounds so baduy.. hehe)

unimart, as far as i know, is a national chain of supermarkets. they have branches in greenhills and batangas.

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 06:05 AM

@nicko, edited ur pic to make it brighter...the first pic is too dark.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1522/sillimanbythesea1xm.jpg

The Cebuano Exultor

June 8th, 2006, 07:44 AM

The release of "The Da Vinci Code" in Dumaguete's theaters was cancelled yesterday due to the ban the mayor's office issued! What's up with that? Is it really only the mayor who decided this...or was it also supported by the majority of the public?

I mean, back in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and, probably, all other cities in the Philippines have it shown as an R-18 film.

I sure hope that Dumaguete and it's inhabitants would have a more reasonable stance in freedom of media preferences. This curtailment of the release of this movie is somehow similar to Chinese media censorship.

I think there is no harm in showing it with a R-18 rating. It is up to the viewers to decide (whether to believe what they saw or not) and not just an outright ban by the mayor! This is just going to fuel more curiousity on the part of the public?

Being open-minded does more good than harm, in my opinion.

What do you think? :)

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 07:54 AM

maybe you can just rent a vcd instead, @cebuano...the mayor is just too conservative. i watched it sa market!market and it was good...that is if you have good religious fundamentals. sm even banned that film, so ayala malls and robinsons are making big money out of that film.

or maybe you can go home one weekend to watch it in ayala cebu...whew, i hope robinsons would soon be up as i see that it must be having at least 3 movie theaters...

The Cebuano Exultor

June 8th, 2006, 08:10 AM

Robinson's Place Dumaguete would have a 3-screen cinema? I think that would be overkill for a market of only 100,000+ inhabitants within Dumaguete City. Park Theater is the first one to close. Then Ever Theater is rumored to close. I think that the 2-screen Ultravision Complex is what the Dumaguete Market can support. I even doubt that they could churn out a profit from their operations. Even given the current situation where there are only 3 screens in Dumaguete, the market is still soft with many vacant seats in both Ultravision Cinemas and Ever Theater, not to mention that during the summer months and the semestral break periods, the population of Dumaguete shrinks, which would make the market even more saturated with movie-screens.

I mean, adding a Robinson's Movieworld with 3-screens would make it 5-screens for Dumaguete. Let's say that the average seating capacity for a Robinson's Movieworld screen is 80-100. That would be overkill (over-capacity). That is what, I think, is going to happen, given that the Ultravision Complex remains open.

By the way, how big is Metro Dumaguete in terms of population? What are the towns that compose Metro Dumaguete aside from Dumaguete its self?

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 08:16 AM

according to studies, the daytime population of dumaguete (that is, including people from outside dumaguete, visitors from neighboring provinces, etc.) is 400,000. aside from robinsons, dumaguete can support actually another big mall such as sm. in fact, am thinking robinsons dumaguete may have 4 screens.

ever is too old, as well as the other cinemas in dumaguete. i guess it's time they are replaced with a newer one (i wish imax, hehehe :) .

The Cebuano Exultor

June 8th, 2006, 08:20 AM

I'm not worried whether the "The Da Vinci Code" movie would have an effect on my beliefs/faith or not because, in the first place, I am an Agnostic.

Terminology:
Agnostic - (according to my principled stance in life) a person that believes in a God. But not a personal one.
Agnostic - (according to the dictionary) one who is skeptical of the existence of God but does not profess true Atheism.

Cheers :)

ritche

June 8th, 2006, 08:51 AM

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2150/a9vl.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7213/b6ei.jpg

Cheers too... :cheers: I just want to see this overpass...tsk, tsk, when i'll be there next month, am sure will be hanging out here. hehehe :)

Dinho

June 8th, 2006, 11:10 AM

Robinson's Place Dumaguete would have a 3-screen cinema? I think that would be overkill for a market of only 100,000+ inhabitants within Dumaguete City. Park Theater is the first one to close. Then Ever Theater is rumored to close. I think that the 2-screen Ultravision Complex is what the Dumaguete Market can support. I even doubt that they churn out a profit from their operations. Even given the current situation where there are only 3 screens in Dumaguete, the market is still soft with many vacant seats in both Ultravision Cinemas and Ever Theater, not to mention that during the summer months and the semestral break periods, the population of Dumaguete shrinks, which would make the market even more saturated with movie-screens.

I mean, adding a Robinson's Movieworld with 3-screens would make it 5-screens for Dumaguete. Let's say the an average seating capacity for a Robinson's Movieworld screen is 80-100. That would be overkill (over-capacity). That is given that the Ultravision Complex remains open.

By the way, how big is Metro Dumaguete in terms of population? What are the towns that compose Metro Dumaguete aside from Dumaguete as well?

I think that the reason why Dumaguete's cinemas are dying is because they don't have much else to offer in its vicinity plus the fact that they don't have enough parking spaces. Dumaguete's daytime and metropolitan population is 400,000 which is about the population of Bacolod city by itself. If Iloilo and Bacolod could support several large malls and cinemas with a metropolitan population of 800,000 to almost a million, then I am sure Dumaguete is big enough to support both Robinson's and an SM Mall in addition to the present Lee Plaza and Hypermart.

nicko

June 8th, 2006, 11:39 AM

i'd go for figaro o bo's usa, but in the long run dumaguete will have a starbucks...yes, the former park will be a mini-mall, and unimart is just going to be one of the occupants, according to the news.

i just had my coffee break at cafe antonio.. its an open-air coffee shop on the 2nd level of spanish heritage.. i sure want to go back there.. the place is very spanish to its every small details.. very well furnished. its atmosphere is very relaxing.. i think it has the most expensive coffee menu here thats why it doesnt have too many cusomers.. in fact, there wer only 4 people there.. all luvbirds.. wew.. the place is romantic, especially at night with its open patio.. its not bad.. but nothing can beat lee cimbali and daily grind.. i just luv everything in there..

anyhoots, i hope dumaguete will have bo's.. i think it wud have a very good chance here..

btw, i hope the old park will sure be a mall.. coz i have doubts that the whole place will really be unimart.. i just hope it will not. it will never give justice to the building! the building was built during the japanese occupation and i cant just allow some cheap store to occupy it!!.. park theater's loss is a big loss in dumaguete.. its the first theater in negros.. i just had hoped i was not closed.. ok ra kung ever, but not park.. wew..

nicko

June 8th, 2006, 11:42 AM

I think that the reason why Dumaguete's cinemas are dying is because they don't have much else to offer in its vicinity plus the fact that they don't have enough parking spaces. Dumaguete's daytime and metropolitan population is 400,000 which is about the population of Bacolod city by itself. If Iloilo and Bacolod could support several large malls and cinemas with a metropolitan population of 800,000 to almost a million, then I am sure Dumaguete is big enough to support both Robinson's and an SM Mall in addition to the present Lee Plaza and Hypermart.

another big reason is that dumaguete has soo many pirated vcds, dvds on sale.. thats one of the biggest factors cinemas are closing coz people here wud rather purchase pirated and cheap vcds, dvds than see a movie in a cinema where they wud have to pay a lot and not have to see it all over again..

guys, how do u know robinsons will have 3 or 4 cinemas??.. gamay ra lagi.. hehe..

nicko

June 8th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Cheers too... :cheers: I just want to see this overpass...tsk, tsk, when i'll be there next month, am sure will be hanging out here. hehehe :)

me and my buddies go tambay there most of the time at night.. its a good place wer u and ur friends can do anything u want.. its clean and very spacious.. no one wud kick ur butts off the place..

nicko

June 8th, 2006, 05:57 PM

by night...

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/4936/dumaguete0ir.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5307/dgteposter5nx.jpg

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/9281/boulevard028oo.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8703/boulevard1mg.jpg

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/3238/dgtedusk3xj.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7165/blvrdlampposts2qi.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9822/dgteboulevardsunrise8sa.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/51/dgtemoon7cj.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6274/blvrdinred1rs.jpg

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/9682/dumaguete046vz.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7306/donatilanodumaguete8pn.jpg

nicko

June 8th, 2006, 05:59 PM

and by day...

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7474/dumaguete181ar.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/4715/dumaguete014ex.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/4142/boulevard20vn.jpg

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/8810/dumaguete021jf.jpg

Drews50

June 9th, 2006, 01:55 AM

Hi my name is Eric Drews. I'm planning retirement in either Cebu City or Dumaguete. You can find a lot of information on Cebu City. Now, I found this site for Dumaguete. I visited in March of 2005. I really like the size of the town, the clean air, the friendly people, the college town atmoshere (I live in Norman Oklahoma, home to the University of Oklahoma), and the seaside boulevard. I stayed at the Bethel Guest House during my stay.

I really appreciate all of the pictures posted here. Now I need to start reading the posts to learn more about Dumaguete. BTW my retirement is targeted for either May or November of 2008. I would be looking for a good rental property here or in Valencia, if this is the direction I go (75-80% sure Dumaguete gets the nod). I am single now but I may have my Pinoy nephew with me if he decides to go to Silliman.

bluejay03

June 9th, 2006, 03:52 AM

The mall in Dumaguete was described as a community shopping mall. (from the 2005 Annual Report of Robinson's Land Corporation)

Unfortunately, I could not find other details, such as its size.

ritche

June 9th, 2006, 04:02 AM

robinsons bought a 6-hectare lot inside a 25-hectare soon-to-rise business district south of the city which will also be an IT park...

boybleauXx

June 9th, 2006, 05:32 AM

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 05:47 AM

nicko

thanks a lot for those nice pictures....I just love seeing that calesa parked along Rizal Blvd. ...hopefully the government will close this entire road strip to noisy tricycles and motorcycles and just allow the calesa as its transport for this tourist's strip.

Are those buses from Bayawan still passing this thoroughfare until now?

wats sad is that calesas here are very very rare.. one time, me and my friends felt like hopping into one to just go around the city.. so we went out and look for one.. and unfortunately, we found nothing.. i dnt know wer these calesas are now.. i cud still remember before there wer so many of them.. and now.. wa njud kaau..

buses and big trucks stil pass by there..

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 05:52 AM

robinsons bought a 6-hectare lot inside a 25-hectare soon-to-rise business district south of the city which will also be an IT park...

i once again passed by the lot where the soon IT park will be placed.. i decided to stop over for a short check.. teletech is looking good day after day.. its not bad.. its not looking like a gymnasium anymore..;)

and yeah, i asked a worker about robinsons.. he doesnt have any idea when will construction start.. all he knows is that it will be built somewhere near the intersection.. a bit far from the callcenter..

altec

June 9th, 2006, 06:20 AM

I'm really in doubt about the UNIMART, especially it is a General Merchandising store/mall....

One main reason of the closure of park theater is video piracy... i think PARK realize now that most people in the city and the province go for cheap items sacrificing its quality. I think coffee is right, UNIMART might sell cheap electronics and even pirated video discs!

altec

June 9th, 2006, 06:27 AM

its more of concrete.. as ive said, it looks like an oversized hypermart but more with the details and form.. its not boxy.. it has these tall rectangular structures on its four sides.. (sorry, im lousy at this.. describing things.. hehe..) but thats as far as the builidng's construction status.. and u cant have the luxury of time checking it out coz ur in a very busy street and its far from the highway.. i think its a 3 or 4 storey building.

Ive seen the construction too, im wondering what those rectangular structures on its 4 sides....a guard house? :) It would look like a prison building. hehehe

anyways Teletech construction gets better everyday, but is it really a 3 to 4 story building nicko?

its good dumaguete will have an IT park.

altec

June 9th, 2006, 06:32 AM

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 07:01 AM

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 07:15 AM

so can anyone tell me the difference between a regular mall and a community mall???..

ritche

June 9th, 2006, 11:53 AM

i see no definition of "community mall" in google search. what we have in los banos is a town mall, which is very small. in fact lee plaza is bigger than the los banos robinsons town mall. i think a "community mall" is just like your regular mall with a department store/hypermarket and boutiques. i wonder if national bookstore will also locate at the soon-to-rise robinsons since they will also be opening at the portal west building. but am quite sure that if sm will open in dumaguete, they will also be there. so am actually seeing at least two national bookstore branches in dumaguete in 2-5 years time.

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 01:06 PM

sooner or later we will be able to find it out..

Drews50

June 9th, 2006, 03:56 PM

I'm very happy that I found this site. I plan on retiring to Cebu City or Dumaguete. Dumaguete is my first pick as it is a smaller, cleaner and I think a friendlier city. Certainly less expensive than Cebu City. My target date for retirement is either May or November of 2008.

Attracting retirees to Dumaguete can be very good for all parties concerned. The average retiree has a 50,000 peso monthly budget. This money goes right into the local economy. 100 retirees would represent 5 million pesos a month, 60 million pesos a year.

Hearing that Robinsons and or SM are planning a mall is certainly a plus for the city. I had planned monthly trips to Cebu for my shopping. Now that won't be necessary.

Four universities, great. I plan on taking some college courses just to keep myself in the learning mode. I just celebrated my 30th year as an adult education teacher. My nephew from Manila may come to live with me if he decides on a university in Dumaguete. Four good schools are there for his consideration.

Keep the pictures coming. Everyone is plain old fashioned eye candy, providing more and more reasons for tourists and retirees to come see the beauty of Negros first hand.

As a retiree, I would be looking for a gym or fitness center for my daily exercise. I have not heard of one in Dumaguete. Do you know of any??

Again guys, keep up the good work. Keep eveyone informed on the latest news concerning the movie theatres, malls, National Bookstore, coffee houses, latest eateries, business expansions, city improvements like the Rizal Boulevard project and the port expansion, etc.

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 05:13 PM

there are a lot of health / fitness centers here.. from spas to gym.. u can find it anywhere.. dnt worry..;)

nicko

June 9th, 2006, 06:39 PM

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3290/donatilanodumaguete0qc.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1518/laresidenciaalmar9nr.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4048/laresidenciaalmar27wm.jpg

http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4653/laresidenciaalmar39sx.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/3628/laresidenciaalmar45wj.jpg

http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/3223/laresidenciaalmar57id.jpg

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/9757/laresidenciaalmar63zl.jpg

looks very elegant..

Miguel

June 9th, 2006, 07:37 PM

another big reason is that dumaguete has soo many pirated vcds, dvds on sale.. thats one of the biggest factors cinemas are closing coz people here wud rather purchase pirated and cheap vcds, dvds than see a movie in a cinema where they wud have to pay a lot and not have to see it all over again..

guys, how do u know robinsons will have 3 or 4 cinemas??.. gamay ra lagi.. hehe..

If I may add, the reason why the cinemas closed down way back in 2001 (or was it 2002) was because of high taxes imposed by the city for cinemas. A city with no theaters then, so a new tax scheme was implemented which made them decide to reopen. The closure of Park Theater was attributed to the proliferation of pirated cds and dvds as what was disclosed by its management. Unlike its sister theater, Ever, which mostly featured Tagalog movies, Park movies are mostly in English. There were less pirated movies in Tagalog compared to English.

I don't think population is the issue as for some years 5 cinemas existed (including the defunct V-Cinema which mostly featured bold movies). Given the situation that the population has increased significantly and with now an improved purchasing capability, I don't think there's no reason why not to add more cinemas.

ritche

June 10th, 2006, 03:02 AM

there are a lot of gyms, from airconditioned ala gold's or fitness first gym, only local brand, to rickety gyms with almost rusting equipment...hehehe. pick your choice...dumaguete is the only small city with plenty of gyms. i should know. i myself is a gym enthusiast. and when it comes to sports facilities, dumaguete is also not far behind. in fact lamberto macias sports complex is a regular venue of the pba...can somebody post a pic of the lamberto sports complex here?

Drews50

June 10th, 2006, 03:15 AM

It has been mentioned that the city will build a seaport passenger terminal. They just had a covered area the last time I was there. A nice building, befitting the cities progressive new image, would be a great plus. Many passenger ships stop at Dumaguete.

ritche

June 10th, 2006, 03:31 AM

i have seen the blueprint of the soon-to-rise port terminal, and it is good. designed by a US-trained architect, the new port terminal is sure to be unique in the Philippines.

ritche

June 10th, 2006, 07:00 AM

ritche

June 10th, 2006, 07:08 AM

wats sad is that calesas here are very very rare.. one time, me and my friends felt like hopping into one to just go around the city.. so we went out and look for one.. and unfortunately, we found nothing.. i dnt know wer these calesas are now.. i cud still remember before there wer so many of them.. and now.. wa njud kaau..

buses and big trucks stil pass by there..

i guess coco amigos has a few "tourism calesas". when i was still there two years ago they used to make rounds in the boulevard...i seldom see them along perdices st., more so along real street.

btw, rizal blvd., perdices st., and real st. are dumaguete's main thoroughfares by now. and in a year's time, calindagan road going to valencia, and the area along st. louis-don bosco will be added as one of the main thorughfares, as well as the real street area going to st. paul's because plenty of commercial establishments are sprouting in the area.

nicko

June 10th, 2006, 08:46 AM

and dumaguete will be the host to next year's palarong pambansa. right nicko?

you bet!

dust_n_d_wind

June 10th, 2006, 03:44 PM

The mall in Dumaguete was described as a community shopping mall. (from the 2005 Annual Report of Robinson's Land Corporation)

Unfortunately, I could not find other details, such as its size.

bluejay, are you a trader at wall street, este, makati?

ritche

June 10th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Visayan Daily Star, June 10, 2006

A native of Dumaguete City who married a Canadian national came home to establish community kitchens in her barangay where smoke emissions and toxins from the neighborhood have been noted for years now.

Environmentalist Rebecca Arrieta Bermeer, of Melrose, Mangnao in Dumaguete, said she had surfed the internet to look for stove designs that are non-polluting, energy-efficient and cost-saving.

Bermeer stumbled into what is called as the Justa stove, which she modified and enhanced into the so-called "Eco Kalan" and "Eco Stove," that use the rocket elbow system with internal combustion chamber.

The design improves the combustion to 95 percent of solid wood and emits less pollutants and toxins, therefore, saves a lot of money. Arrieta stressed it is not her intention to destroy the "kalan" and pottery industry in Oriental Negros, but she is merely enhancing and modifying it to improve the plight of the users.

Aside from being energy-efficient, her design is also ecologically-sound and environmentally-friendly, she said.

Arrieta cited studies in Central America of women and children who have been exposed to smoke, by inhaling the toxins, equivalent of two packs of cigarets a day due to open fire burning.

In Melrose, Mangnao, Bermeer had spent for two community kitchens using the eco-kalan and eco stove with a chimney.

At least 12 families benefited from the project and Arrieta is looking forward for more community kitchens.

Arrieta also clarified that she doesn't want to contribute to the global problem of climate change.

Vice Gov. Jose Baldado, Dumaguete Vice Mayor William Ablong and city environment office chief Rolly Clamonte are strongly endorsing the project to other communities, encouraging them to replicate the initiative being spearheaded by Bermeer.

Baldado said this will not only address massive cutting of trees for firewood and address high cost of the liquefied petroleum gas, but it is also good for the environment.

The kalan is made of quality clay from Zamboanguita through a local potter identified as Romulo Pijares and wife Nicomedes.

Bermeer has a BS Chemistry degree from Silliman University magna cum laude.

She is the second Sillimanian to have been chosen among the Top Ten Students of the Year in the country. The first was Oswaldo Esperat.

She also has a master's degree in Herbalism.

A social activist, Arrieta had served as adviser of the Canadian Prime Minister in the field of energy.

In the mid-1980s, Arrieta was the first Filipino and Dumagueteña to be elected as councilor in a Canadian district. She even topped the election and served for two terms of eight years.

With clean air, clean environment and community, Arrieta said she would like to see a home for the elderly and for Filipino balikbayans, as well as foreigners, where local inhabitants will serve as cooks, janitors, laundry women, nurses and caregivers, among others.*JG

nicko

June 10th, 2006, 04:54 PM

the article is long.. wats it all about? hehehe..;)

ritche

June 11th, 2006, 02:43 PM

it's about a dumaguetena and a sillimanian inventing an eco-friendly stove...

nicko

June 11th, 2006, 03:57 PM

interesting..

nicko

June 11th, 2006, 04:05 PM

by the way ritch, looks like kita lang lagi cge naa dri.. now where are the others??.. hmmm..

Coffee

June 11th, 2006, 04:27 PM

by the way ritch, looks like kita lang lagi cge naa dri.. now where are the others??.. hmmm..

Silently reading from the sidelines. :)

Here's another panorama taken from the SuperFerry, just from a different part of the boat this time. This one shows more of the port.

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/8813/dumagueteboulevardskyline5rb.jpg

nicko

June 11th, 2006, 05:23 PM

niceeeeeeeeeeee...;)

altec

June 12th, 2006, 12:16 AM

Silently reading from the sidelines. :)

Here's another panorama taken from the SuperFerry, just from a different part of the boat this time. This one shows more of the port.

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/8813/dumagueteboulevardskyline5rb.jpg

so which part of the port would they put the terminal?

altec

June 12th, 2006, 12:38 AM

If I may add, the reason why the cinemas closed down way back in 2001 (or was it 2002) was because of high taxes imposed by the city for cinemas. A city with no theaters then, so a new tax scheme was implemented which made them decide to reopen. The closure of Park Theater was attributed to the proliferation of pirated cds and dvds as what was disclosed by its management. Unlike its sister theater, Ever, which mostly featured Tagalog movies, Park movies are mostly in English. There were less pirated movies in Tagalog compared to English.

I don't think population is the issue as for some years 5 cinemas existed (including the defunct V-Cinema which mostly featured bold movies). Given the situation that the population has increased significantly and with now an improved purchasing capability, I don't think there's no reason why not to add more cinemas.

piracy is what really kills cinemas in the city. even record bars lost to piracy! i remember tops and buttoms department store even selling pirated cd's and vcd's, i hope not now. but they still have cheap electronics, even other department stores are selling too.

having a state of the art home theater from cheap electronics plus pirated DVD's is easier now, most people can have them.

i rather go for cinemas still, i hope robinsons installs dolby digital/dts on its theaters but it would be a bit pricey...

nicko

June 12th, 2006, 05:04 AM

i cud still rememer mr speaker record bar.. we have two branches of it before.. at rizal boulevard and at the former V-cinema 2nd level.. but now?.. not 1 is existing.. i think the SM (sa muslim) dvd/vcd pirated sales should be blamed fot their closure which is just in front of the store before (they are in north road now)

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 05:13 AM

Hi to all. my first post here. - same with your city, iligan has also lots of SMs offering pirated CDs/VCDs/DVDs for a very low price. It's really hard to look for original CDs and DVDs here. We have to go to CDO just to buy orig at record bars.

Coffee

June 12th, 2006, 07:37 AM

I read something ironic in the local paper today (I forgot which one... it's the one they have in Scooby's). It was an article about how Mayor Perdices got The Da Vinci Code banned from theaters here (yeah, he did)... at one point Perdices says that the challenge now is to also stop pirated copies of the movies that are being sold on sidewalks and stuff. He said they can be confiscated by the "Anti-Indecency Taskforce". WTF... shouldn't they be confiscated because piracy is illegal?

rmb

June 12th, 2006, 11:10 AM

And I just find it ironic too, that many people have become paranoid with the Da Vinci Code even though the movie sucks... IMO. It's not that convincing. You better watch Superman and its coming late this month and it will be shown at IMAX in Mall of Asia. :)

ritche

June 12th, 2006, 11:41 AM

just passing by...@alingatong you are very welcome here...i've been to your city, iligan, twice.

ritche

June 12th, 2006, 11:43 AM

yeah, imax is superb...there's nothing quite like it. i see that in a few years, it will be the standard of cinemas. by then, the 2D theaters will become very boring and obsolete once people are exposed to imax.

ritche

June 12th, 2006, 11:45 AM

i hope that makers of video movies will abe able to replicate the imax experience in video form so that it wil become portable, and can be brought home...by then there will be a lot of piracy on imax movies...hehehe

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 02:10 PM

just passing by...@alingatong you are very welcome here...i've been to your city, iligan, twice.

Thanks Ritche. BTW, I'm a constant visitor to this thread. I learned a lot and beginning to familiarize your progressive city. No wonder more Iliganons send their children to Dumaguete's SU. How I wish to visit Dumaguete one of these days. :)

nicko

June 12th, 2006, 03:16 PM

cge alingatong, bisita nya dri.. paandaman tka og welcome band! hehehe..

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 03:26 PM

He he he! Pwede!? Believe na gyud kos taga Dumaguete. :jk:

nicko

June 12th, 2006, 03:39 PM

kung gusto pa nimo dugangan nato street dancers, ok sad.. just tell us..;)

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 03:43 PM

With matching streamers pa gyud! Bitaw, ok na sa ako makita ang inyo lugar. Walay pinakanindot nga welcome kungdili ang inyong baywalk nga mutagbo sa akong panan-aw. :)

nicko

June 12th, 2006, 04:28 PM

Thanks Ritche. BTW, I'm a constant visitor to this thread. I learned a lot and beginning to familiarize your progressive city. No wonder more Iliganons send their children to Dumaguete's SU. How I wish to visit Dumaguete one of these days. :)

dghan jud kaau ko kaila from iligan.. esp who are enrolled in nursing.. i cant name them coz they are too many.. hehe.. i think the have an organization there.. one thing jud nabantayn nko is most iligan girls are soo prettyy.. wew..

nicko

June 12th, 2006, 04:33 PM

kamikazee will be in SU tomorow!! wew.. first day high ng rexona concert.. it'll be the soccer field infront of the main library! guys, lets watch.. hehe.. 4pm tmrow..

btw, dumaguete outdoors club and cafe has once again opened their doors! they had their street party sa noblefranca street with lots and lots of bands and booze! hehe

and oh! guys, plz support ENCHI sa MYX.. they have their music video there.. Lab Stori.. its our own homegrown local reggae band!! vote for them!!.. hehe.. (madato smart og globe nato ani.. hehe)

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Mao diay gamay na lang nahibilin mga gwapa diri. Naa na diay sila diha?! :jk: Kidding aside. Mao gyud siguro na ang trend kay halos mga Iliganon nga bag-ong graduate, sa ubang cities mag-college ug ang taga ubang dapit sad, ngari man sad sa Iligan eskwela.

Alingatong

June 12th, 2006, 04:38 PM

BTW, thanks again sa inyong pag abi-abi.

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 02:16 AM

BTW, thanks again sa inyong pag abi-abi.

send my regards to bakekang...hehehe.

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 03:01 AM

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/4648/portterminal8fl.jpg

@altec, these are the answers to your questions...

Alingatong

June 13th, 2006, 03:11 AM

send my regards to bakekang...hehehe.

He he he... Naremember ko tuloy yong "intellectual intercourse" doon sa university thread. :) Anyways, maganda naman yong kinahinatnan. We learned a lot. Sana lang i-avoid na yong personalan. Dami nyo kasing matatalino dito...he he he (again)

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 03:18 AM

hehehe...he's very welcome to post here...

Alingatong

June 13th, 2006, 03:23 AM

Double post

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 03:37 AM

i admit i made mistakes there...

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 04:04 AM

Luce Auditorium in Silliman University. And some cool statue thingys beside it:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p1405f4de69598f0debcca2700e5cfb80/f4080ac9.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p517b955778fd8d55b2b871257429b891/f4080ace.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pe9b6c650fe2ade576d15355310d5477f/f4080acb.jpg

Silliman Hall in Silliman University:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pb0c94cff9a7449a8de2f71429bb5cb73/f403ca2e.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pe8e2804135e2f0644b13e05f59c2d7db/f403ca30.jpg

A cluster of art deco in downtown. That's a movie theater at the right:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p4914696d387e165c91f674b0fa0940f2/f40319d4.jpg

Rizal Boulevard at night:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pb4fa6d46c415ee8fb50c164ee3911ee0/f403ca2d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p049391580adc723c50958480eddbebf5/f40319dd.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p09a55534c8abbbb334e477fd08a7ed88/f403ca32.jpg

just love these pics...

Coffee

June 13th, 2006, 06:04 AM

Took this picture of the Uymatiao thing this morning:
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5383/matiao27rk.jpg

The construction barriers have been taken down, adding 24 parking spaces to the downtown area. :) Now, does anyone know what this building thing is going to be used for?

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 06:17 AM

d pics posted here make me miss dumaguete all the more...

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 07:51 AM

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2995/mssu5wf.jpg

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 07:53 AM

http://www.su.edu.ph/sucn/eafons/pict.jpg

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 07:56 AM

College of Information Technology and Computer Sciences (CITCS) Acting Dean Engr. Alfredo T. Ang was among the participants in the study tour of Silicon Valley from April 14 to 22.

The project was organized by the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT). Silliman University is an institutional member of CEDF-IT.

The study tour was designed to look at the model being used at the “birthplace of IT innovation” and the culture of entrepreneurship in the academic institutions in the area. It was aimed to duplicate it and bring it to Region VII and make the region the ICT hub of the Philippines.

Together with Engr. Ang in the tour were presidents and owners of IT schools in Region VII, CEO and presidents of Business Processing Outsourcing companies, some members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce, and ICT Realty brokers.

Engr. Ang said he got interested in how the various academic institutions in the area interact with the ICT companies in Silicon Valley.

“It reinforced my earlier stand that academic institutions should encourage the culture of entrepreneurship within the university. A university should have one unit in its organization to manage and commercialize its equipment, assets, and other intellectual property resources,” he said.

Sillicon Valley, Engr. Ang said, rose from barren fields and from apple orchards to become the ICT capital of the world, because of the presence of academic institutions in the area like Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University, among others.

“These universities have been sources of researches, innovations and new graduates that supplied the critical mass of quality professionals and practitioners that are needed by the ICT industries,” he added.

Engr. Ang said Stanford graduate students founded SUN (Stanford University Networks) Microsystems, a successful IT company that initially used to sell semiconductor and market software. Stanford students were also developers of the popular search engine GOOGLE, in 1998.

With the experience in Silicon Valley, Engr. Ang hopes the University to consider opening a separate unit to manage its resources, market its equipment, secure copy rights on its IP assets, and facilitate outsourcing jobs for firms overseas.

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Uhmmm...also love these pictures very much.
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6433/jollibee3oh.jpg

http://www.negroschronicle.com/final/march_12/jollibee.jpg

Alingatong

June 13th, 2006, 11:42 AM

boybleauXx

June 13th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Can we start an electronic signature manifesto of calling on the policy making body of this country to IMPOSE a LAW that obliges service company to bury the wires in all of our cities? Any moderators please, if its possible for SSC members to make a unified stand against this public safety problem plaguing our cities....

ritche

June 13th, 2006, 12:12 PM

i would support that...i would be one of the staunchest supporters of that move. but builders and engineers have to find a way that the wires buried underground will not get grounded, and they would be easy to repair once broken. maybe engineers in this forum have a solution?

nicko

June 13th, 2006, 02:58 PM

http://www.su.edu.ph/sucn/eafons/pict.jpg

postcard quality!! luv it!

nicko

June 13th, 2006, 03:10 PM

university snapshots..

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1277/sulib6tc.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9954/suluce8ob.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9586/suchurch8bi.jpg

------------------
today is first day of school!! and what could be more exciting than having Kamikazee as band for the first day high university concert!!..

nicko

June 13th, 2006, 03:21 PM

Park Theater: Present
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p4914696d387e165c91f674b0fa0940f2/f40319d4.jpg

Park Theater: Early Japanese Occupation
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/9089/dgteoldpark027nd.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/6749/dgteoldpark5nh.jpg

-- compare and contrast (?).. hehe

nicko

June 13th, 2006, 03:33 PM

more..
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5562/leesuperplaza2qe.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9468/laresidenciaalmar0wq.jpg

(turtle traffic: the city has about 3000 tricycles..)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6830/dumaguete093bh.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4932/dumaguete109yt.jpg

those wires make my eyes itch so bad! something must be done to it.. u guys are right, burry it!!.. it does not only give u a serious eye itch but i could also cause some terrible accidents.. and if left unkept, sooner or later i bet we wont be able to see the dumaguete sky bcoz of those in-your-face wires!!

nicko

June 13th, 2006, 03:40 PM

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p4914696d387e165c91f674b0fa0940f2/f40319d4.jpg

soon to be UNIMART.. (wat a name?!.. lol..)

altec

June 14th, 2006, 12:52 AM

those wires make my eyes itch so bad! something must be done to it.. u guys are right, burry it!!.. it does not only give u a serious eye itch but i could also cause some terrible accidents.. and if left unkept, sooner or later i bet we wont be able to see the dumaguete sky bcoz of those in-your-face wires!!

it really looks like those wires will start a fire... many unused wires are left hanging and is overloading the posts. and i hope the IT park in calindagan will bury wires and not those eye itching hanging ones. i hate to see when that happens...

altec

June 14th, 2006, 12:58 AM

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/4648/portterminal8fl.jpg

@altec, these are the answers to your questions...

thanks for this ritch, so the coast guard office will be transferred to make way for the terminal?

nicko

June 14th, 2006, 05:46 AM

i c that the the terminal is going placed where the coast guard office is currently located.. i thought they wud still have to reclaim the area near silliman (somthing like from the delta floating terminal straight towards the administration building) and from which, the terminal will be placed..

nicko

June 14th, 2006, 05:48 AM

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2406/boulevardtempura0ec.jpg

nicko

June 14th, 2006, 05:50 AM

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6166/skyline3cm.jpg

-- pic by Coffee..

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 06:21 AM

By Ana Escalante Neri
Last updated 11:42pm (Mla time) 06/11/2006

Published on page E4 of the June 12, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

IT IS OVER, ALL THREE WEEKS OF THE 45th National Writer’s Workshop held in Dumaguete last May 8-26, yet these ears can still hear the soft voice of Dr. Edith L. Tiempo, National Artist for Literature, telling us 11 writing fellows that “with literature, we become more human.” We could all only nod then, stricken mute by the pronouncement of the word-lover’s fate, for how much more of being human—reckless, stupid, sad, fragile, happy—could one really take?

At 9 a.m.-12 noon and 3-5 p.m. every day, Monday-Friday, we fellows—Ino Habana, Douglas Candano, Erin Cabanawan, Larissa Suarez, Dominique Cimafranca, Darwin Chiong, Michellan Sarile, Andrea Tan, Patricia Evangelist and Dr. Noel Pingoy, and myself—sat in a room overlooking the Rizal Boulevard, our avocado-green softbound workshop manuscripts pared open into a page of poetry, or fiction, or essay. For those of us given to daydreaming, sighing at a window full of sea, quotables from Dr. Tiempo, our “Mom,” were quick to reel us back to the urgent task of the moment—that of apprehending the errant sentence, of making taut the flabby line, of, in the end, discerning good from bad literature.

As for our weekly panel of critics, they awed us beyond our abilities to verbalize our gratitude. Professor Marjorie Evasco always gave astute interpretations of even our most poorly executed poems. So did professor Sawi Aquino, poets Anthony Tan and DM Reyes, and fictionist Susan Lara, who gave as much encouragement as they did wake-up calls to the careless writer. And no matter how harsh the criticism from the panelists, we learned to take them without flinching. Even Mom Edith herself said: “It takes a destruction to make something new.”

Flaming trunks

Taking their place at the critics’ table during the second week were Dr. Jimmy Abad, whose passion for the well-written story had him jumping off his seat crying out “Masterful!” and “You’ve got it, son-of-a-gun,” and Krip Yuson, who endeared himself to the fellows with the wholesome charm of the rare, true gentleman, together with his pair of flaming swimming trunks.

Finally, the kindest of the panelists, ushered in on the third week, was Bobby Villasis, who must have given his best critique outside the conference room, over free bottles of vodka, rum and beer.

Through the weeks, we did our job as well as we could turn away momentarily from the seduction of the city’s streets, “pedie-wedies,” cafés and local fare while sessions were in progress. Within the conference room, we pored over each other’s works, nit-picked on embarrassing grammatical lapses, praised certain sensibilities. Then, freed under the Dumaguete skies, we shared vitamins, ziggies and hangovers.

Somewhere in between, we told each other the stories and poems we dared not write just yet, all the while feeling vulnerable in our happiness, aware of each moment’s impermanence. Usually accustomed to solitude, we found pleasure in the company of kindred souls, clinging to each other (for balance after a round of whiskey, or not to fall again in the gutter when dancing in the rain) on Wednesday reggae nights at Hayahay.

After reading Stephen Dunn, we spent our hearts, ignoring warnings of sentimentalism and a lesson on Ruskin’s pathetic fallacy: we still liked to believe, and believe with a petulance, that the sky shed tears for us, at least while we felt a keen collective ache from the dwindling summer days we weren’t yet prepared for…

The panelists had spoken to us of the poet Cirilio Bautista’s “three sovereignties” in poetry—the sovereignty of the author, the reader and the poem, each with its own dominion, its own power. Clearly, the 45th National Writer’s Workshop has its three sovereignties, too—literature, the fellowship and the city of Dumaguete.

Each sovereignty a force upon us, as sweet and sharp as we could humanly bear.

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 09:51 AM

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/dumaguete-city/images/zoom/BLSSCR/st._paul_ground.jpg
St Paul University ladies

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/dumaguete-city/images/zoom/BLSSCR/st._paul_facade.jpg
St Paul U facade

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/dumaguete-city/images/zoom/RMOANQ/viewsize/boulevard_by_night.jpg
Boulevard by night

http://elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/dumaguete-city/images/zoom/RMOANQ/boulevard21.jpg
Boulevard lamp post

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:00 AM

Apo Island corrals, of Dauin Negros Oriental and four other dive sites in the country were jointly recipient of the Dive and Travels Award 2006 in Japan for being the third best among the best dive sites in the world.

Among the internationally recognized best dive spots in the Philippines are the Tubbataha Reef; Malapascua Island in Cebu; Balicasag Island in Bohol; Anilao, Batangas; and Puerto Galera in Mindoro.
Also well known among divers are Apo Island of Oriental Negros and the surrounding islands of Palawan.
The country defeated Thailand, Hawaii, and other South Pacific and Caribbean countries, which are internationally known dives sites. The best dive site awardees were determined through a survey conducted by the Marine Diving Fair (MDF), now considered as Asia’s largest scuba diving and beach resort exhibition that attracts over 50,000 travelers.

Philippine Tourism Authority chairman Robert Barbers said with the distinction earned by the country, he expects more foreigners to visit the Philippines. Barbers said the diving industry “is very big” thus tourism stakeholders must intensify their efforts to develop dive resorts around the country in order to attract more tourists.
“We have more than 7,000 islands and exploring even a third of these as a potential dive sites would surely be a welcome development in our tourism industry. Hopefully, in the succeeding years, the Philippines would be named as the best dive site in the world,” Barbers said.

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:23 AM

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7268/martone2zr.jpg
Mart One Center, a medium-sized mall

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/472/131247729810aa24e709tu.jpg
Silliman Museum
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/2109/131247730f428fceab31ve.jpg
CENTROP, Silliman's Forest Park

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8471/13124910822aef01bb19zo.jpg
Buglasan 2005

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2263/1312491094fc7e86bf55hy.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/4096/131249355bc75f5943c0ti.jpg

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:29 AM

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9274/i00a62adc949b4c1aa4bd8b7d0ba01.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6953/ia60174d7ace94f0d8d34d37cb1c66.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5788/uymatiao3zs7sf.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7894/pict27838ab.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8836/pict27826bc.jpg

ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:34 AM

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8498/pict17281ad.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4691/solymar11cz2ct.jpg

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ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:36 AM

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ritche

June 14th, 2006, 10:39 AM

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ritche

June 14th, 2006, 11:10 AM

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Foreigners don't seem to mind the passing of time at Why Not...

Drews50

June 14th, 2006, 06:51 PM

Thanks for posting your picture of the Why Not. When I was visiting Dumaguete I would rely on the Why Not for internet services. It has a real estate agent that took time to explain the housing market to me.

The bakery has nice snacks and good coffee. You can sit at the tables along the boulevard and watch the world go by. Plus, you can visit with other foreigners and learn about the city and the Philippines. The food was good too.

I never went to the club so can't comment. They do have an interesting bulletin board listing houses for rent, cars and motor bikes for sale, etc.

Keep the pictures coming.

ritche

June 15th, 2006, 02:48 AM

Text by Jonas Gruet
Photographs by Gabriel D. Dela Cruz

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The name Dumaguete was derived from the Visayan word daguit which means ‘to snatch’ or ‘kidnap’. In history, Moro pirates recurrently looted the city and kidnapped its beautiful native maidens. Today, it is the capital city of Negros Oriental and its gateway, with its airport and pier on its southeast coast. It is a prosperous city of at least 100,000 ‘gentle people,’ known for their unassuming and hospitable ways. A typical Dumagueteño can communicate in Cebuano and Ilonggo, besides Pilipino and English.

Dumaguete is bordered on the east by the Mindanao Sea. A lovely view of this is captured along the 780 meter long Rizal Boulevard. A favorite hangout for picnics, recreation and watching, the boulevard used to be a stretch of beach, where Jose Rizal was said to have strolled and idled during a stopover on his way to Manila from Dapitan. With over 150 buildings and an area of 65 hectares, the prestigious Silliman University is the biggest university outside Manila. Its library is known as Asia’s largest library complex. It is the only Protestant university in the Philippines, and is the fi rst, and thus the oldest, private American protestant university in Asia, founded in 1901 by the protestant missionaries under the sponsorship of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. $10,000 was funded by Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a businessman and philanthropist from New York. The whole campus is declared a bird sanctuary and is an environment-friendly, non-smoking campus.

Silliman University is bordered on the west by Veterans road. This was where General Diego de la Viña led his revolutionary forces to enter Dumaguete, passing through the road on November 24, 1898. St. Paul’s University, another of Dumaguete’s sprawling campuses, was founded in 1904 by the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartes of France. It is Asia’s first St. Paul institution with Mother Dominic Maire as its first superior.

General Diego de la Viña’s bust is found in Quezon Park, so named as a tribute to commonwealth president Manuel L. Quezon. The rebellion of the locals against the Spanish rule took place in this area on November 1898, during which, bells in the nearby bell-tower were rung. At present, the bell-tower, Dumaguete’s landmark, still stands and is close to the renovated Dumaguete Cathedral Church.

Marked with well-manicured lawns, aged acacia trees, and an imposing fountain, is the Benigno Aquino Freedom Park, built by the Philippine Tourism Authority. It gives a pleasant foreground to the Capitol.

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Fruits, vegetables and flowers are plentiful all year round. Mangoes here are called tu-od. Other Dumaguete delicacies include the budbud kabog, lumpiang ubud, chicharon, danguet hayob (dried fish), bocayo, banana chips, dried fruits, peanut brittle, and sugar-coated peanuts.

The Sandurot festival is the city’s largest festival held every November. It is Dumaguete’s traditional festival, celebrating the foreign influences that have come to affect its people and culture. Two such foreigners are Mr. Mike Butler, an Australian, and his Austrian wife. They had left their previous work in an Australian furnishing company, and have graciously opened their doors to us in their restaurant, Coco Amigos; hotel, the Coco Grande and resort in Apo Island.

Coco Amigos restaurant is a fun place quirkily furnished with zany pieces. It mimics the Mexican fiesta, ornamented with authentic and colorful sombreros, theatre masks, comical figurines, even traditional Mexican wall fountains. Both Mexican and non-Mexican food are served for more variety. At night, live music adds to the festive ambiance and ferries studded with lights drift by along Dumaguete Bay as the restaurant is located in front of Rizal Boulevard. Also slightly Mexican-inspired is the Coco Grande Hotel. It has 25 cozy rooms furnished with TVs, a coffee shop that serves tempting cakes, a charming restaurant, and an elegant piano bar & lounge. The hotel opened about a year ago and is currently developing its KTV lounge, convention rooms, beauty & massage clinic, and health & fitness gym. Located south of Dumaguete City is Apo Island Beach Resort on a 74-hectare volcanic molehill in the middle of Mindanao Sea, that reveals breathtaking underwater gardens budding with exotic marine flora and fauna for tourists and scuba-diving enthusiasts alike.

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This article is published here (http://www.pilmap.com.ph/vis-snatchedbydumaguete.php).