more bars and clubs.. id luv to hav an area for those.. more like the fiesta strip of sm cebu.

...i wish robinsons would never be like unitop or bacolod jt marketing which sells cheap china goods, clothes and electronics. i wish it would be even better(and better) than lee plaza and mart1. i wish it would hav dolby digital or dts ready movie theaters, nice landscape just like ayala malls, coffee shops(whatever world class coffee shops). and simple but elegant design of the mall.

a lot of botiques and specialty shops and not those too expensive brands like what lee plaza is having so that people will have more choice. i want a very good supermarket..

Sunday, December 31, 2006
'2007 is progressive year for Dumaguete City'
By Maricar O. Aranas

DUMAGUETE City Mayor Agustin Perdices is looking forward of a more progressive business friendly environment in 2007.

He said TeleTech Building will be formally inaugurated on February and also anytime next year is the Robinsons Mall, which is located right beside TeleTech in Barangay Calindagan.

Perdices said franchise owner Engineer Nilo Tam during the groundbreaking of the proposed site for McDonald's branch in Dumaguete told him that its tentative schedule of operation will be on March in time for the graduation.

The mayor said he is delighted with the coming in of investors in Dumaguete since this will bring in more jobs for the Dumagueteños and Oriental Negrenses.

Most of all, it will add more to the local tax collection of the city coffers, he said.

Perdices is hoping that by the coming in of investors port facilities in the city will also improved.

The mayor expressed his frustrations on the delayed construction of the passenger terminal.

He said a passenger terminal is an added facility for tourism development so that investors will come in to Dumaguete.

Earlier, Philippines Port Authority (PPA) manager Noami Calderon vowed to fast tract the implementation of the project as soon as the design plan will be approved in the PPA national office.

Perdices is hoping that the project will be implemented before the elections in May.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR
SSC-Dumaguete FORUMERS!!!

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A new building under construction.

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There is an airconditioned bus every 15-30 minutes plying the Dumaguete-Bayawan route. Trip is about 1 hour and 45 minutes for non-stop airconditioned trip to around 2 hours and 30 minutes for non-airconditioned trips. V-hires are even faster. Fares range from Php50 for non-airconditioned buses to Php80 for airconditioned rides. Terminals of V-hires are located near the Ceres terminal in Calindagan.

Departure interval for non-airconditioned buses is around 15 minutes between trips.

Guys, my last pictures are a little dark. I'll edit them as soon as I have time to do so.

Don't worry, I also have some pictures of Christmas in Bais. I'll post them soon.

Let's do Dumaguete!
By Dorothy Bangayan
The Unlonely Planet

(Conclusion)

APO Island is a marine sanctuary where we can actually find true to life Filipinos disciplined enough to ban mass fishing and keep the sea cities alive and going for marine biologists, scuba divers and tourists.

Except, of course for a few areas open for traditional bancas and old-fashioned fisherfolk, the whole of Apo is guarded round the clock by locals protecting the sea from money loving anti environmental capitalists. Snorkeling in Apo Island can be included in my folder as one of the seven wonderful activities in life (the six others are another story).

Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch

In fact, it is used as the model for the 50 million dollar Aquarium in Chicago and listed as the 3rd best Dive Spot in the Philippines. A plethora of corals, all of different shapes and sizes lie below making it like a mini city bustling with cone shaped, mushroom-shaped and web-like buildings of corals.

Imagine Atlantis inside a bubble. Also known as Clownfish City, the hundreds of little blighters around us may look cute, but they sure can fight.

A wide array of unnamed exotic fishes complete the whole menagerie. A striped black and orange water eel even wriggled right by my feet and a school of eenie weenie fishes passed me by.

In the silence, I could hear the faint "crick cricking" of parrotfish teeth biting against coral bits. I was disappointed not to catch any sea turtles though, as Annabelle Lee-Adriano, GM of Antulang Beach Resort, had once seen them at the very same snorkeling sight we docked in.

The media group I was with was a fun and noisy bunch! Christine Dayrit of Philippine Star literally lost herself snorkeling and we had to get a search and rescue banca to find her.

We also went kayaking to the island itself. Two of our guests got a little seasick on the boat ride home but not sick enough to stop them from rappelling when we got back.

Since it was a press tour hosted by Antulang Beach Resort and my travel agency, Skyteam Travel and Tours, we wanted to show activities available in the resort. One activity, I bet you cannot find in any other resort is rappelling. The coral cliffs where the resort rooms are perched on can double as a 50 feet rappelling wall. If you feel like chickening out, just think "Fifty feet won't kill you. Just a leg or two and after all, it is honest to goodness beach sand at the bottom."

Babbu Wenceslao, our adventure tours aficionado briefed us on the safety mechanism and taught us the all around mantra of the day- Trust the system. It sounded easy. It looked scary. And the photo opportunity was one in a million. I had to keep reminding myself -- left hand for stabilizing, right hand releasing, lean back at 90 degrees, not to mention the constant shouting from both sides of "Dot, Look here and SMILE!!" The adrenalin rush was such a high that I wonder why people still do drugs. We were supposed to do white water kayaking at nearby Siaton right after, but we decided to rest our heavenly bodies in this ultra chi chi resort. And rest we did!

Of course, a pinoy vacay is not a pinoy vacay without "pasalubong." We dropped by The Sans Rival where Silvanas was born and made. The place was jampacked. As we checked out the delicacies and nudged elbows to get through, Karen, our companion commented "kung masungit yun tindera, ibig sabihin masarap nga dito." True enough, she asked if there were bananas in the Queen Elizabeth cake. "Ang banana cake banana cake. Iba ang queen Elizabeth!" Manang Annie in checkered apron on white frou frou uniform replied tartly giving us the "irritated mayordoma of a buena de pamilya" look. It is said, Manang Annie, an institution herself, has never smiled. But scrap that legend because we made her smile for a photo op. What a glorious adventure packed weekend I had, the sort of chi chi vacation that can be bragged to chi chi friends with proof of pictures. If only I can get past this stupid craving for Halang Halang soup!

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DUMAGUETE CITY AND NEGROS ORIENTAL THREAD V


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.

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
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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)

congratulations to dumaguete! 5th thread na ta..
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

duMzViLLE from ABoVE


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Foundation University
- founded by former University of the Philippines president Vicente Cinco
- the region's first non sectarian, non stock and non profit educational institution
- excell in sports, IT, education, and agricultural courses
- within the school is an outsourcing industry for medical transcription, animation, and architecture design and also a training center for Teletech, a call center company.
- their campus radio, Greyhound101, is the hottest youth oriented radio station in Dumaguete which also caters indie music of local artists
- their Kasadyaan Festival is the oldest established mardi gras festival in Negros Oriental and became as one of the province's anticipated annual event, celebrating more than 50 years of street dancing and colorful merry making

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Silliman University
- oldest American founded university in Asia and the first school outside Manila being given a university status.
- 65-hectare campus (excluding other assets) and is a self-sufficient community. It has its own church, beach, hospital, zoo, farm, powerhouse, drilled water station, fire station, auditorium, village, and soon to rise its own commercial complex. It used to own a radio station (first campus radio of the country). The campus is interconnected by a fiber optic cable and it is the first school in the country to become a WiFi hotspot.
- declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute by being the oldest American founded school in the country and with the presence old American architecture that has withstood the test of time.

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St. Paul University Dumaguete
founded 1904[/B]
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- the mother school of all St. Paul universities and colleges in the country
- founded by 7 French, American, and Chinese nuns from the congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, who were on board on a small boat, they were originally from France
- granted Full Autonomy by CHED
- PAASCU Accredited Level III
- component of the first university system recognized by CHED (this includes SPU- Manila, Tuguegarao, Quezon City, Iloilo, and Surigao City)
- one of the best nursing schools in country as recognized by PRC
- first ISO 9000-2001 certified school in the country (as part of the St. Paul University system)
- a marker was also declared as National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in recognition of the congregation's contribution to this country.
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Negros Oriental State University
- the state university of Negros Oriental
- excell in engineering and criminilogy courses and consistent producer of topnotchers in engineering board exams
- largest population of students with largest area having 9 satellite campuses all over the province
- first internet service provider of Negros Oriental

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somE of mY mosT FavoreD DUmZviLLE PArtY HotspoTS

Tranquil and generally quiet during the day, Dumaguete unfolds into a throbbing party district come sundown. There are a number of certified party places where one can drink, dance, eat and be merry - even until the wee hours of morning

Coco Amigos
Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City
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friendly staff
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Bar and restaurant with a genuine Mexican flair! From the façade down to the interiors and furniture, Coco Amigo is a showcase of everything Mexican – rich and colorful details, quirky Aztec figures painted on walls, Mexican sombreros, and festive South American music. It serves authentic Mexican cuisine and has an ample supply of the favorite Tequila. If you feel like looking out into the horizon or the boulevard strip, you can choose to be seated at their front patio under huge white umbrellas.

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El Camino Blanco
EJ Blanco Drive, Dumaguete City

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A bar, restaurant and dance club rolled into one, it is the ever popular night destination where the young and the trendy converge. Constantly booming with irresistible dance music, thanks to the in house DJ, El Camino is definitely a must go for all party lovers. It has a well stocked bar, state of the art sound system and lighting, is fully air conditioned and serves great Filipino food such as the crispy pata and beef tapa. On some occasions, it features live band concerts and fashion shows.

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Barefoot Bistro
EJ Blanco Drive, Dumaguete City

Adjacent to El Camino Bar is Barefoot Bistro, an outdoor informal bar and restaurant where many love to hang out because of its casual and rugged flair – no dress codes here. It has a serviceable bar and a menu of popular outdoor dishes like the grilled pork belly and sisig. One can play billiards or throw some darts, catch a couple of TV shows near the bar while sipping ice cold beer, or simply just lounge around with friends in one of their pretty native huts.

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Hayahay Treehouse Bar and ViewDeck
Escaño Beach, Dumaguete City

gawgeous ladies enjoying a night out @ hayahay
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enchi!
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Every Wednesday of the week, people would flock to this bay side bar to hear their famous reggae band. Its proximity to the sea lends this place an idyllic atmosphere of the beach during a hot tropical summer night. Perhaps its most unique attractions are the native tree houses facing the ocean. With a 15-seat capacity and its own bar, each tree house is perfect for a small group of friends. On clear nights, one can see the distant lights of the Cebu Island or the blinking gas lanterns of local fishermen’s boats. You should sample Hayahay’s specialty, baked or grilled oysters fresh from their aquarium.

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Why Not Music Box
Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City

@ the club..
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shake that thing!.. ledge dancers!
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LE CHALET
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Le Chalet is a swiss restaurant and a new addition to Why Not Music Box. It is a restobar, salad bar and coffee shop all rolled into one. Le Chalet also serves a wide variety of Filipino and international dishes and is the only dining place in the city that serves the famous Fondue.


CHICCO'S BAR AND TROPINI
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It is the most popular hangout for tourists because of its location and its amenities. It has evolved from once being the city’s trendiest hotel and restaurant circa 1970 to today’s modern hot spot featuring a discotheque, several bars, a game room, a karaoke bar, an internet café. It also houses a deli with a wide selection of freshly baked pastries and bread, imported wine, cheese and cold cuts. Why Not Music Box is your one stop shop for your fine dining and entertainment needs. Right across it is the well-loved boulevard where one can take a stroll or sit on the benches to enjoy the sea at anytime of the day.

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The Lounge Compuesto
Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City

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The newest addition to the city’s nightlife vista, this bar and restaurant is the classic urban hub. It is a relatively small place but boasts of cozy little nooks complete with small throw pillows in stark solid colors. White washed walls are bathed in neon lights which give a modern dramatic take on the atmosphere. The beverage list is quite impressive from the regular beer to flavored coffee and metropolitan drinks. The Compuesto Lounge is a taste of avant-garde living in a provincial setting.

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Payag sa Likod
North National Highway
Bring the beach inside the city!

a BoraCaY InspiReD Bar & ResTauRant wIth ReaL WhiTE sanD, FiRe DanCeRS, BiG PiLLoWs To HuG On, CoCkTaiLS, DriNKS, AcoUstiCS, CaribbEan BeatS, ReGGae, NAtiVe GooDieS, suRf Boards, SaiL BoatS, MurALs, CanDLes, SizzLeS, anD MOrE rigHt in thE MiddLE of the CiTY!

If Boracay has Coco Mangas, Dumaguete has Payag sa Likod. ALmost the same ambiance and 'style' as that of coco mangas, less the beach. it's purely for dancing, hanging out, pigging out and drinking 5pm-9pm away every tuesdays and thursdays with their Drink all you can for P99.

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DUMAGUETE: A PLACE TO BE.



Have you been looking for a place where you can spend your vacation away from the gray and frenzied hurly burly of the city life? Or go for a ride down the country side surrounded with scenic views that will captivate your heart?

Well, look no more because Dumaguete is the place to be. It is a city whose beauty is as precious as a pearl in the seas, a land blest by sunshine, and a paradise on earth accessible to men.

Many foreigners and Filipinos have already marveled at its beauty. Anyone who will set their feet on the grounds of the city will surely fall in love with its majestic and heart warming beauty where nature is at its best.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack-up those bags, clothes, get your ticket and journey with us to the land of the gentle people, to Dumaguete City.


Heaven in the Midst of the City

Arriving in Dumaguete City will leave no place for missing one’s home because of the welcoming and warm atmosphere brought about by the native people of the place. Nothing will compare to the pleasant feeling visitors will feel.

Highlighting the tour of the city is the opportunity to discover the promises of nature comprising of marine reserves which are world-class, magnificent lakes, alluring sites for divers, highlands for individuals who love adventures, lush countryside, caves that will capture one’s breath, and the infamous haven where dolphins and whales play.

Added to these are the scenic beaches for those who love the sun and the water. But before one can get to the place of relaxation, there are times wherein the roads are just too foggy to be seen and it seems like walking and traversing the path of heaven where clouds lay still. It is indeed a heaven in the midst of the city.


And the Journey Continues…

Excitement arises to the highest level as the exhilarating journey continues to Apo Island, an internationally acclaimed dive site, the Marine Conservation Park of the Negros Oriental and the infamous Balwarte Rocks where tourists should never miss to visit.

The haven of the dolphins and the pygmy sperm whales can be visited directly at the Tañon Strait where tourists are being given the chance to play with those playful and funny creatures of the sea.

The journey would not be complete without a visit to the birds and wildlife located in the 400-hectare Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park. Exotic birds and wildlife creatures can be seen as the exploration in the forest is conducted.

Also a visit to the Canlaon Volcano is another crowd drawer to Dumaguete as it is stand with so much elegance and authority which towers over any other volcano in the Visayan region.

To the Final Destination…

Communing with nature is what Dumaguete is all about. If you love the beaches, the sun, the flowers, the wildlife and the dolphins, there is no other place to be but in Dumaguete. It provides the tourists with undisturbed nature blessed with a bountiful nature that comes along with the charm of the Philippines.

Dumaguete is a place to be for vacation and relaxation as it is a paradise in the heart of the Philippines where nature is at its freshest and where communing with it is as its very best. A haven and a paradise to enjoy with someone you love.

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A new building under construction

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There is an airconditioned bus every 15-30 minutes plying the Dumaguete-Bayawan route. Trip is about 1 hour and 45 minutes for non-stop airconditioned trip to around 2 hours and 30 minutes for non-airconditioned trips. V-hires are even faster. Fares range from Php50 for non-airconditioned buses to Php80 for airconditioned rides. Terminals of V-hires are located near the Ceres terminal in Calindagan.

Departure interval for non-airconditioned buses is around 15 minutes between trips.

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Bayawan City Hall

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Bayawan City's own speedboat

Bayawan is looking really great :)

With its huge budgetary allocation and great infrastructure, such as its coastal boulevard which will soon be the longest of its kind in the Philippines at around 7-8 kms., Bayawan will soon be one of the booming centers of Southern Negros, in terms of tourism and agro industries. More so if they realize putting up an airport and harbors in and around the area.

According to a source, Engr. Tam, the franchise owner of McDonalds Dumaguete, is also planning to put up a McDo branch in Bayawan and Tanjay.

This will be a welcome development for both Bayawan and Tanjay City if this plan materialize.

That would be cool. I guess both Bayawan and Tanjay can now support a fastfood business. Tanjay already has a Scoobys branch while Bayawan already has Jo's Chicken Inato and Chicken Ati Atihan. I don't know why Jollibee hasn't opened in Bayawan yet when they have already tested the market there by sending one of their vans for quite some time there.

THE 61ST National Students Basketball Championship regional elimination will start early next month.

This was announced by the Basketball Association of the Philippines which added that the National Finals will be held from Feb. 27 to Mar. 5, 2007 and will be hosted by Gov. George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental at Lamberto Macias Stadium in Dumaguete City.

Gov. Arnaiz is expecting more than 600 students and officials to the longest-running students’ cagefest of the country.

Complete story here (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/12/31/SPRT2006123183495.html).

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA

Bayantel chose Dumaguete for the initial rollout of its triple play service because the city is a major destination of business process outsourcing companies (BPOs) like call centers in the Visayas.


Bayan Telecommunications Inc. (Bayantel) has rolled out its triple play service to deliver Voice Over Internet (VOIP), broadband Internet and Sky Cable TV channels to households using a single line in Dumaguete City.


The service will start commercial operations next month, after the monthly fees and other commercial issues are finalized, announced Bayantel chief executive consultant Tunde Fafunwa.

"We will soon complete the upgrade of our network to deliver ultra fast bandwidth into homes founded on our 10 Gigabits per second National Digital Transmission Network (NDTN) network," he explained.

Complete story here (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/11/07/BSNS2005110748562.html).

OrNeg prepares for the Second International Rondalla Festival


To promote international friendship and contribute to world peace through music, the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros is 'head over heels' in its preparation for the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa or Strings of Unity, the Second International Rondalla Festival which will be held at the Convention Center on February 19-25, 2007 here in Dumaguete City.

Oriental Negros Governor George P. Arnaiz said the province is tripling its efforts to finish the Convention Center on the third week of February in time of the opening of the Rondalla Festival.
"We will make sure that everything will be in place to make the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa a success in our province," the provincial chief executive stressed.

The Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa-Second International Rondalla Festival is the flagship project of the National Music Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It's implementation is being carried out by the Musicological Society of the Philippines, Inc. in partnership with the province of Oriental Negros and the UP College of Music.

"Interminably pursuing its vision to contribute to world harmony and understanding through a hitherto unheralded musical patrimony, the Second International Rondalla continues to affiliate itself from UNESCO program on Cultural Diversity and the ManyMusics Action Programme of the International Musical Council," the NCCA said.

To date, the rondalla festival has spawned new and renewed interest from its first participants and other artists from different parts of the world. The NCCA said the initial listing of countries who will participate in the festival include Spain, Hawaii, Israel, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar, Russia and Australia.
Meanwhile, the launching of the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa-Second International Rondalla Festival coincides with the National Arts Month, exactly three years after the sterling debut of the first Cuerdas Nin Kagabsan: the First International Rondalla Festival held in Legaspi City.

The Convention Center, the first of its kind in Central Visayas, is being built at an estimated cost of P137 Million with a seating capacity of 1,000 and ultra- modern facilities to make it at par with international standard.
(Oliver M. Lemence, PIO-I)

news flashes..;)

the construction of McDo is going full blast 24/7.. target opening date will be on March..

dumaguete business park has finally placed some walls around the the construction site of robinsons..

the city government has finally started the installation of bricks all throughout the walkway of the boulevard stretch. its looking great.. hope someone can take some shots..

the portal west building is finally taking shape.. it has been also working double time..

the su medical arts buiding, a glassy 4-level hospital/office has finally taken shape as well.. it will be connected to the su medical center by a suspended bridge which will be installed on both buildings' 3rd level. i bet it will be finished way ahead of the portal west building even though its much larger.. its working double time.

another construction will take place infront of emcor.

the commercial building just behind MartOne has also started. i heard it will be huge.

the convention center is huge.. wow..

check in pension plaza looks very classy.. (i so hate the name though.. pheew..) its going to be done by the end of the month. it will have 45 rooms.

teletech II is almost done..

the international rondalla festival at the convention center will definitely add huge points for our tourism industry..

what else?? hmm.. guys, add up!

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Kyungsung U-FU ink MOU
Korean students to learn English at Foundation U

By: Katie Johnson
ESL coordinator


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Foundation University President Dr. Mira D. Sinco traveled to Busan, South Korea last week to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Kyungsung University that would allow at least 30 Korean students to come to FU to learn English in an intensive five-week course.

In addition, the two Presidents negotiated agreements for faculty exchange, and student exchange programs between the two Universities.

The signing ceremony took place Nov. 7 at Kyungsung University, where several KU deans, and myself as director of the English as a Second Language program at FU were present.

That was the beginning of a program that is to last at least five years.

By January 2007, 30 Korean students will be coming to Foundation University twice a year during their semester holidays to learn conversational English.

The first group of students will arrive in late January.

It is expected that cultural exchange would be a large part of the experience for both the Koreans and the Filipinos at the FU campus.

The Korean students will experience Filipino education through their classes, Filipino and international cuisine, and Filipino dormitory life in the new Smeets Hall that will open by December.

The Korean students will be paired with Filipino students who will be daily English tutors, reinforcing the skills learned in class.

In addition, activities, intramural sports, the arts, and campus events will be introduced and encouraged to the Korean students.

Three Korean students will be linked with two FU students each afternoon to partake in these activities, giving the Koreans ample opportunity to speak English.

At least two field trips within Negros Oriental are planned for the Koreans and FU students on weekends, as part of the cultural exchange.

Dr. Taechul Jung, dean of External Affairs at Kyungsung University, was instrumental in negotiating the exchange programs between the two Universities. He had visited the FU campus in August this year, and expressed interest in having his Kyungsung students come to Foundation to learn English.

Although there are many English language programs in the Philippines, few are conducted in university campuses where Language students can be a part of the student life.

President Sinco said she was impressed with the tour of the campus facilities at Kyungsung University which has 14,000 students, and the capabilities and program strengths of the University.

The tour included their new library, PE facilities, student dormitories, and "Digital University" which houses the latest technology for media and design research.

The Kyungsung University personnel were also noted to be very gracious hosts during the four-day visit of President Sinco, sharing the many tourist sites in and around Busan like the APEC 2006 Conference Center, Buddhist temples, and the UN Memorial Cemetery where President Sinco laid flowers at the base of the Philippine flag in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives in peace-keeping efforts during the Korean War.

"We look forward to our alliance with Kyungsung University. It is a welcome opportunity for Foundation University to participate in international programs, and to be part of the globalization that is taking place around the world," President Sinco said.

www.foundationu.com

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oh wow..looks more like a train station than a bus station.

Then?? We tend to focused on infrastructure which is only for enjoyment.
What I imphasize as a priority should be FACTORIES!!! Yes, we need jobs. Jobs for everybody to earn. Infrastracture such as mall, movie houses should come later. People must think that it's not good to go to a mall without money. You must think of your pocket first so that you can enjoy. So???? FACTORY MORE FACTORY PLEASE...INVEST!!! LATER THE MALL!!!!

How can an investment enter a particular place having a poor infrastructure? Im not saying that Dumaguete's infra is poor, of course not, but for it to attract investments even more, the government has to do spending for infra projects. Just take a look at the yearly national budget, infrastructure is among the biggest pie recepient. Why do you think so?

^^ why do you confuse infrastructure with malls and hotels? they are talking about public infrastructures, such as roads, infrastructure also covers power utilities, water distribution facilities and telecoms etc, not malls, hotels and restaurants for pete's sake!

and the Hotels, malls, restos that he is saying also generate jobs...right Boysilip.com?

Who would not want a new hotel, mall or resto, to be built in his city?:ohno:

and in the first place, these hotels, malls and restaurants will not come to the city if there is no viable market. :lol:

Hey guys, please be practical.. I noted most of the deal we get for the City is such a waste of money..
You know, we must prioritized JOB GENERATED INVESTMENT IN A LONG TERM!! You know what I mean? We have overflowing UNIVERSITIES in your place but!!! What will be the benifits if we face blank wall after they graduate? Nothing!!! Go abroad until the end of the world. We are so ambitious to put up infrastructure such as HOTEL, MALL, Flushy RESTAURANT, anything that imagined as a RICH FOLKS HANG OUT!!! Oh my gush, an intelligent person if everybody will THINK!!! COME FIRST INCOME!! INCOME to everybody not just FOR the investor!! We are producing salesman? Service crews? Is that what we need for development!! Oh my gush again!!! WE NEED TO PRIORITIZED LONG TERM JOBS!!!! FACTORIES MORE FACTORIES FIRST BEFORE LUXURY!!!! We want to earn hardcore currencies before going to that next plan...BE WISE NAMAN AMIGO... NAUNSA NAMAN MO UY?? Puro lingaw-lingaw wala diay kwarta.. VOTE WISELY NOT AS A DREAMER!!

Here are some job generating projects.

PNOC-EDC to start Negros plant next month
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200701080703.htm

...Aside from the North Negros project, Aquino said PNOC-EDC is also expecting another project – the 20-MW Nasulo geothermal in Negros Oriental to start commissioning by 2009....

...A 40-MW Dauin geothermal project, which cost $143.57 million in Negros Oriental, will be commissioned in 2012. The drilling of first exploration well was done last year....

^^ and that is what you call infrastructure!

boysilip, i failed to welcome you to SSC, anyway, welcome to SSC, now i suggest you scan the threads in transport and infrastucture thread, you can get a good overview of what infrastructure is all about.

enjoy!

wohh.. thread 5 na ang dumaguete.. kusog kay mo dokdok ang mga people from dgte dah..

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Great to hear Bayawan is improving and growing... Seems a lot has changed since the last time I visited that place. With the dynamism of the local government, I wouldn't be surprised if someday, it will outgrow Dumaguete in terms of population, even compete for investments, and maybe match if not exceed its economy. If Bayawan can attract light industries, it will grow in leaps. This is just my personal opinion. Will check if there are available statistics to back this up.

Dumaguete has the smallest land area in the province. I thought all the while that it was San Jose. DGT has an area of only 33.62 sq. km.. Which is why, I am of the opinion that it needs to be merged with neighboring towns, for better planning and coordination of developmental plans. With a bigger area, it can possibly be reclassified into a medium size city. Consider this, if DGT and its 3 adjacent towns are merged, it will have an area 60% that of Metro Manila and a population of about 187K. Although, DGT's present area is a little smaller than the city of Manila which stands at 38.55 sq. km. Under the Revised Charter of Dumaguete (1969), the President of the Philippines may, by executive order, increase the territory of the City of Dumaguete by adding thereto such contiguous barrios and towns as may be necessary and desirable in the public interest.

Bayawan, on the other hand, has a very big land area at 699.08 sq. km., which is actually even bigger than Metro Manila at 636 sq. km. If I remember correctly, Basay, with an area of 162 sq. km. even used to be part of Bayawan.

For all the good things that are happening to our dear province, Cheers!!!

Hey guys, please be practical.. I noted most of the deal we get for the City is such a waste of money..
You know, we must prioritized JOB GENERATED INVESTMENT IN A LONG TERM!! You know what I mean? We have overflowing UNIVERSITIES in your place but!!! What will be the benifits if we face blank wall after they graduate? Nothing!!! Go abroad until the end of the world. We are so ambitious to put up infrastructure such as HOTEL, MALL, Flushy RESTAURANT, anything that imagined as a RICH FOLKS HANG OUT!!! Oh my gush, an intelligent person if everybody will THINK!!! COME FIRST INCOME!! INCOME to everybody not just FOR the investor!! We are producing salesman? Service crews? Is that what we need for development!! Oh my gush again!!! WE NEED TO PRIORITIZED LONG TERM JOBS!!!! FACTORIES MORE FACTORIES FIRST BEFORE LUXURY!!!! We want to earn hardcore currencies before going to that next plan...BE WISE NAMAN AMIGO... NAUNSA NAMAN MO UY?? Puro lingaw-lingaw wala diay kwarta.. VOTE WISELY NOT AS A DREAMER!!

I fully agree that industries like manufacturing are the primary engines of the economy (along with agriculture, tourism and some service sectors). Retail (like malls) are just "reactions" to the economic conditions of a locality, or to the buying power of the local people. Retail stores earn from local money (so even if they do provide jobs, they still pay them with local earnings).

On the other hand, for industries and tourism facilities to come in, the localities must provide the proper environment for them to prosper, like good and consistent business policies, less corrupt government, peace and security, quality labor, perhaps tax incentives, and certainly (very important) strong infrastructure (like power supply, water supply, telecommunications, airports and seaports and roads and bridges).

Factories (and even ICT or tourism facilities) do not just spring up without these conditions first. Businessmen and investors are hard-nosed decision makers.

Portal West is shaping up really fast. In the whole of Dumaguete, there are plenty of constructions going on.

There are already lamp posts put in the center island in the four-lane main road at the Dumaguete Business Park. The design of the lamp posts are unique.

Hey guys, please be practical.. I noted most of the deal we get for the City is such a waste of money..
You know, we must prioritized JOB GENERATED INVESTMENT IN A LONG TERM!! You know what I mean? We have overflowing UNIVERSITIES in your place but!!! What will be the benifits if we face blank wall after they graduate? Nothing!!! Go abroad until the end of the world. We are so ambitious to put up infrastructure such as HOTEL, MALL, Flushy RESTAURANT, anything that imagined as a RICH FOLKS HANG OUT!!! Oh my gush, an intelligent person if everybody will THINK!!! COME FIRST INCOME!! INCOME to everybody not just FOR the investor!! We are producing salesman? Service crews? Is that what we need for development!! Oh my gush again!!! WE NEED TO PRIORITIZED LONG TERM JOBS!!!! FACTORIES MORE FACTORIES FIRST BEFORE LUXURY!!!! We want to earn hardcore currencies before going to that next plan...BE WISE NAMAN AMIGO... NAUNSA NAMAN MO UY?? Puro lingaw-lingaw wala diay kwarta.. VOTE WISELY NOT AS A DREAMER!!

What is the bottomline here? Generation of jobs so that people will have excess money to buy goods in the malls and to hang out in nice places. In the past, job generation means constructing factories and other establishments. But that usually pollutes the environment, and it requires a lot money to put up a factory, and the number of jobs generated are limited. Which is why Dumaguete didn't go into that direction.

Nowadays, to generate a good job with a relatively good salary doesn't require a lot of capital anymore as we are in the information age. Dumaguete is profiting from its readiness for such a kind of industry which does not pollute the environment and has human resources as the main raw material. People here invested in the right things and the right infrastructures, maintaining a lifestyle that is higher than in other cities, although the city is smaller than other well-budgeted and much older cities. Now you can see the effects. As most people in Dumaguete and Oriental Negros know, the economy here is booming.

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I think what BoySilip.com said is very true.

Having industries (i.e. factories) doesn't necessarilly mean more pollution!

There were three econonomic revolutions that happened in history. They are namely: the 'Agricultural Revolution', the 'Industrial Revolution', and 'the Service/I.T. Explosion'.

The Philippines wasn't able to ride on the former two. And, it is still struggling to keep up with rising giants India and China with the latter.

With that said, a Philippines solely dependent on riding the wave of the 'i.t. exlosion' would be a very, very risky move because, if the service and i.t. industry begins to be saturated we'll have no where no hang on to. That's precisely why we need to develop our industrial sector as well (And, don't worry about our commercial sector because its development will follow after we have already highly developed our industrial and service sectors. Btw, our country's commercial sector is already well-developed in the sense that there is relatively well-defined competition and service-quality widely available and/or provided for by our country's myriad of retailers and wholesalers).

As long as industrial production in factories, assembly plants, and laboratories will be constructed, operated, managed, and maintained in such a way that it will not be detremental and/or a 'polluting factor' in the community and/or ecology there is nothing to be worried about.

Of coarse, the DENR should also do their part as a responsible monitoring agency.

One must note that our country's economic growth has for the most part of the past three decades have been solely dependent on consumer and/or commercial activity because we have a very undeveloped industrial sector. Even our currently 'booming' service sector wasn't as booming as it is for the better part of three decades. It has the recent trend of outsourcing by 'Western' countries to thank.

So yeah...I do agree that, instead of oversupplying the populous with commercial establishments [whose survival depend mainly on the purchasing power of the relatively small number of middle-class Filipinos for their earnings], why don't we further develop our industrial and service sector so that our exports can have, at least, a chance to compete head-on-head with our Asian neighbors in the world market. By then, we'll have provided a significant amount of low-to-semi-high-skilled labor/jobs to our surplus workforce. If this process continues, the Philippine middle-class will likely expand significantly because these newly hired low-to-semi-high-skilled workers [who were once unemployed or underemployed] would join the ranks of the midle-class.

A larger middle-class would mean a larger purchasing power of the Filipinos in 'absolute terms' which would, in turn, be a boon to our commercial extablishments. At this point, expansion of commercial establishments would already be very viable.

:cheer2:

So we can now conclude that our universities in Dumaguete must change their curiculum focusing on call centers, service crews, or any job related to non polutant work as you said.


Ouch! You make it sound that call center jobs and the others you have mentioned are menial and non income generating.

I agree, there aren't a lot of opportunities for engineers in Dumaguete. However, the same goes for other cities, more so for Manila. I am an Electronics and Communications Engineer graduate from Mapua. I guess the College name rings a bell. I assure you that even I, a true blue Manileña Engineer, am having a difficult time securing good paying Engineer related jobs in her own city. Most of my college friends are experiencing the same.

It's really a matter of choice as to which direction would one proceed after graduation. I respect your choice to pursue working in an industry related to your course. I am just disappointed how you are reacting though to the jobs aforementioned.

The bottomline here is that our country must catch up its pace. We have to develope the industry that our country has an edge, like the services sector. We may not be very competitive on the manufacturing sector but at least we have other sector to develope.

I'm an engineer too, and I work in the services industry. And it's in my work that I had been to a lot of places, enjoying the fruits of my labor. You don't have to work outside the country to enjoy life.

For the record, the services sector is the main driver of our GDP.

Scanned copy of a portion of the 2007 PNOC Calendar.

Featured 3 places in Negros Oriental, Hinakpan Hills (Guihulngan), Lake Balinsasayao, and Baho Cave.

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I'm arriving in Dumaguete next monday -- woohoo! I cant wait. Quick question: what's the normal tricycle fare from the airport into town (Rizal Boulevard area? is it more for 2 or 4 people?

Ouch! You make it sound that call center jobs and the others you have mentioned are menial and non income generating.

I agree, there aren't a lot of opportunities for engineers in Dumaguete. However, the same goes for other cities, more so for Manila. I am an Electronics and Communications Engineer graduate from Mapua. I guess the College name rings a bell. I assure you that even I, a true blue Manileña Engineer, am having a difficult time securing good paying Engineer related jobs in her own city. Most of my college friends are experiencing the same.

It's really a matter of choice as to which direction would one proceed after graduation. I respect your choice to pursue working in an industry related to your course. I am just disappointed how you are reacting though to the jobs aforementioned.


You may or may not agree with me, but I really believe that unless we open up our economy to investors, especially big foreign investors, we can never create enough jobs for our millions of unemployed and underemployed. And these jobs should transcend all kinds, from highly skilled and technical to unskilled "sweatshop" types. Call centers and BPOs are good. They give relatively good salaries and do not pollute. But how many of the unemployed are qualified to work in there? (not to mention how many has the endurance to last in such kind of work). Very, very few. What we need are jobs that majority of the workers can qualify. Those that require less skills, or those that can be easily trained for. In this sense I agree that we need factories, not necessarily the polluting ones.

That's how china, vietnam and thailand are able to move forward economically(and how most of our richer neighbors started). The investors are all there. Microsoft and Dell and manufacturing companies have set up huge factories and R and D facilities in these countries. So they provide employment to thousands of unskilled and semiskilled workers. Then the countries gradually graduate into high end products and jobs, as workers become more skilled, and more people have more incomes.

We must provide the necessary incentives and environment to lure these companies to us. For what good are our numerous universities that only produce thusands of graduates who could not find decent jobs.

If people have jobs, they have money. Malls, starbucks, whatever. they will follow, kahit ilan pa gusto nyo.

FYI, there are plans to put up an export processing zone (if they will call it like that) in Valencia which will have semiconductors as main products. It was even mentioned in the latest SONA of President Arroyo.

FYI, the world has undergone three revolutions already since the dawn of history. There was the agricultural age. Then the Industrial Revolution. In the early 1950s, we entered the Information Age.

Now you can argue with me, and still these ages can be subdivided. In a book written by John Negroponte of the MIT Bell Labs, he mentioned that we are already in the post information age. And the main driver of the economy is the serivces sector.

Look at the factories. The factories will sooner or later be mechanized and everything will be controlled by computers. Those routine jobs will soon be a thing of the past as they will be handled by computers and robots.

I don't have prejudices against factory workers, but most of them are lowly paid, except the engineers and the managers.

The services sector is one of the main advantages that the Filipinos have against people of other countries because we speak English well and are more accustomed to western customs and culture.

Services sector nowadays means the callcenter, BPO and its subbranches, and tourism. Now you can also include medical tourism and the retirement industry.

If Dumaguete will focus on these sectors, then this would be more than enough to provide jobs to its populace.

Agro-industries can be put up in the Cities of Bayawan and Bais as there are already sugar mills in these areas. A major ethanol plant will soon rise near Bayawan. An industrial zone is also existing in Bacong where there is already a multinational corporation in the area (Orica, the former Dyno Nobel), and the DUCOMI.

With regards to cement plants, there were proposals to put up two here in the province, in Bayawan and in Guihulngan. Both were already approved by the BOI but was opposed during their final stages because the plant in Bayawan was supposed to use an old technology and machineries from China. I don't know what went wrong with the proposed plant in Guihulngan, but I guess it was affected by the Asian crisis.

You are criticizing about putting up of malls and other amenities here, but they will also provide jobs to thousands of people from Dumaguete and outside the province. And they are not only targeting people from Dumaguete, but also people from outside the province such as western Mindanao, southern Cebu and other parts of Negros.

In one of the articles published in major newspapers, it was mentioned that the main drivers of the rise of the retail sector are the OFWs and the IT sector, both of which Dumaguete has in abundance. It is, therefore, not surprising that Dumaguete will see a lot of these services in the coming months and years.

Maxino College to open

The city of Dumaguete has lived up to its name as a university town, with the sprouting of educational institutions, the last of which is set to open in June 2007.

Founded and put up by the Maxino family, the Maxino College, located in Barangay Bagacay, Dumaguete City is the latest addition to the colleges and universities in the city.

Courses offered include Bachelor of Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Physics, and Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science. cont'd (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/January/12/negor6.htm)

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parang university school or mall arcade.

hows the Robs Place Dumaguete construction?

Kamusta ang Dumaguete? Naa ko diha sakay sa akon motorcycle from Kabankalan to Dumaguete via Mabinay, tsada kaayo ang dalan paadto sa Gentle City.

Robinsons Place construction site is now fenced. You could appreciate its size if you see the area being fenced. It's just huge! In my opinion it could fit two Lee Plazas and two Lee Hypermarts put together.

@sasieboy, I like you NegrosOnline website. Welcome to Dumaguete. Hmmm, I hope we could meet....

By the way, can you also include Bayawan City in your posts? You have permission to use the pictures I posted here.

I'm arriving in Dumaguete next monday -- woohoo! I cant wait. Quick question: what's the normal tricycle fare from the airport into town (Rizal Boulevard area? is it more for 2 or 4 people?

Sorry it took so long for us to reply. The driver would be happy with 30 pesos. But if you get the tricycle in the airport, the driver might overprice, charging as much as 200 pesos. Better get the tricycle outside the airport terminal, or you could negotiate with the tricycle drivers in the terminal, telling them that you know the normal fare is around 10 pesos for one person going downtown.

The fare is for one person, so you pay more if you have more passengers.

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That's a four lane road in what will be the longest coastal boulevard in the Philippines, longer than Roxas Blvd. in Metro Manila when completed. Hmmmm, long, long-term planning from one of the newest cities in the Philippines.

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Bayawan City Hall
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dumaguete last year.. (repost)

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^^ dont mind those ugly looking in-your-face wires..:nuts:

I have noticed that the convention center and hotel just by the sports arena is taking shape really really fast. i guess the government is tripling its efforts to get it done by february for the international rondalla festival despite its size.. i took a shot yesterday but its not so good since it was rainy..


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OrNeg prepares for the Second International Rondalla Festival
Capitol, Dumaguete City - - To promote international friendship and contribute to world peace through music, the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros is “head over heels” in its preparation for the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa or Strings of Unity, the Second International Rondalla Festival which will be held at the Convention Center on February 19-25, 2007 here in Dumaguete City.


Oriental Negros Governor George P. Arnaiz said the province is tripling its efforts to finish the Convention Center on the third week of February in time of the opening of the Rondalla Festival.


“We will make sure that everything will be in place to make the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa a success in our province,” the provincial chief executive stressed.


The Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa-Second International Rondalla Festival is the flagship project of the National Music Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It’s implementation is being carried out by the Musicological Society of the Philippines, Inc. in partnership with the province of Oriental Negros and the UP College of Music.


“Interminably pursuing its vision to contribute to world harmony and understanding through a hitherto unheralded musical patrimony, the Second International Rondalla continues to affiliate itself from UNESCO program on Cultural Diversity and the ManyMusics Action Programme of the International Musical Council,” the NCCA said.


To date, the rondalla festival has spawned new and renewed interest from its first participants and other artists from different parts of the world. The NCCA said the initial listing of countries who will participate in the festival include Spain, Hawaii, Israel, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar, Russia and Australia.


Meanwhile, the launching of the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa-Second International Rondalla Festival coincides with the National Arts Month, exactly three years after the sterling debut of the first Cuerdas Nin Kagabsan: the First International Rondalla Festival held in Legaspi City.



The Convention Center & Hotel, the second of its kind in Central Visayas, is being built at an estimated cost of P137 Million with a seating capacity of 1,000 and ultra-modern facilities to make it at par with international standard. (Oliver M. Lemence, PIO-I)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. and the installation of the bricks at the boulevard pathways will soon be done probably by next month.. its covering almost halfway of the whole strech..

I am really looking forward to the new mall opening, it has been increasingly difficult to buy groceries in Lee Plaza and Hypermart - it seems like they are running out of stock for just about everything.

The supermarket in the new mall will be a great improvement.

news flashes..;)

the construction of McDo is going full blast 24/7.. target opening date will be on March..

what else?? hmm.. guys, add up!

March, that is soon :) good news for sure. We are doing a poll on the subject of McD in Dumaguete and most seem to be positive about the addition to this fine place.

news flashes..;)

the city government has finally started the installation of bricks all throughout the walkway of the boulevard stretch. its looking great.. hope someone can take some shots..

what else?? hmm.. guys, add up!

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/images/bricks.jpg

The guys were working on it last week when we walked by, so I snapped a few shots :) this is when they just started in the pier end of the walkway.

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/2820/316sb0.jpg
That's a four lane road in what will be the longest coastal boulevard in the Philippines, longer than Roxas Blvd. in Metro Manila when completed. Hmmmm, long, long-term planning from one of the newest cities in the Philippines.


i like this 1. maganda cguro kung maraming matataas na building dito kasi maganda ang scenic view ng Boulevard lalo na kung gabi. hope they will have a vision to put here of some highrise buildings.

ilan na ba yong McDo jan sa Dumaguete @ saka yong Jollibee? hope na maraming ang McDo jan?

[B]OrNeg prepares for the Second International Rondalla Festival
Capitol, Dumaguete City - - To promote international friendship and contribute to world peace through music, the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros is “head over heels” in its preparation for the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa or Strings of Unity, the Second International Rondalla Festival which will be held at the Convention Center on February 19-25, 2007 here in Dumaguete City.
Meanwhile, the launching of the Cuerdas sa Panaghiusa-Second International Rondalla Festival coincides with the National Arts Month, exactly three years after the sterling debut of the first Cuerdas Nin Kagabsan: the First International Rondalla Festival held in Legaspi City.

the first one was actually held in Naga City. Legaspi was a secondary venue where the closing programs were held.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/January/16/negor1.htm

Ouch, another big fire last night around the corner of Perdices Street and Silliman Avenue. Apparently it destroyed Rosante, Body and Soul, Marjorie's, and a few apartments, though nobody was hurt.

yeah, a really big OUCH.. :bash: sayang and Body & Sole, i love their spa services! and now that it is gone, i will not be able to avail my free spa next month since iv had already avail 5 services from them. :ohno:

sayang sad ang Rosante's, i just love their pizzas and siopao.. whew.. sayang sad ang Marjorie's botique.. but its ok.. my girl friends now would not have to drag me in and get stuck inside for a couple of hours. whew.. :ohno:

and there is supposed to be a bar beside the botique yet to open but unfortunately, they would not be able to do that. so sad. :ohno:
appartments.. sayang!:ohno:

whew.. what could have been its cause????..:ohno:

Valencia Produces Organic Strawberry

ASIDE from sweet lanzones, rambutan, and durian, the town of Valencia has a new addition to its growing crop of agricultural produce that it is widely known for -- organic strawberry.

The Valencia local government unit (LGU) has begun producing organic strawberry, one of the high value crops in the country grown only in Baguio in Luzon and Bukidnon in Mindanao.

The establishment of the strawberry farm in Valencia was made possible through the support of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) with its volunteer Allu Kim who introduces modern farming methods of growing the fruit.

The local government of Valencia supported the project as its local officials are convinced this could be another major source of livelihood for Valencianons.

Strawberry is sold at farm price of P200 and P250 at the market. The strawberry farm in Valencia has an area of 1,000 sq.m. and is located in the barangays of Pulangbato, Caidiocan, and Bongbong.

The Korean volunteer Kim said he introduced strawberry farming in Valencia considering that no such fruit is grown in the Visayas region and Valencia has suitable sites for this kind of fruit.

He further said farmers don't need to spend a lot of money to buy seeds since they can produce seedling with ease from its mother plant, which is used as planting materials.

"The best characteristic of our harvest is that they are grown organically using the natural farming system (NFS). NFS is one of the most famous organic farming techniques in the Philippines now”, Kim said.

Growing strawberry organically is known to be quite difficult among agriculturist and farmers that is why most of the strawberries in other parts of the country are grown chemically.

December 17, 2006 issue – Sun Star Dumaguete
(knda late. hehe..)

iilan na ba yong McDo jan sa Dumaguete @ saka yong Jollibee? hope na maraming ang McDo jan?

surprisingly, this soon to be finished McDo will be Dumaguete's first. But i know Robinsons will have one (im crossing my fingers).. so by November, we will have two McDonalds..

We still have two Jollibees.. One right in the downtown area, in front of Lee Plaza and the other one is a drive-thru right at Silliman U campus.. its Dumaguete's favorite since it resembles Silliman Hall. by Novermber, we will have another one right at the business park..

We also have Pizza Hut at MartOne Center. It has also a two kiosks at Lee Plaza at the Food Street (basement) and Food Avenue (5th level)

Chowking, which when it had opened before, it was the biggest in VisMin area.. It has two levels with 2 function halls.. i dont know if it is still keeping that status.

Shakey's right at the Rizal Boulevard. Its also big. It has one function hall and an outside patio.

Greenwich at Ever Mall.

Goldilocks near MartOne Center.

Dunkin' Donuts at MartOne Center.

mao pa lang tawon ni...

International Rondalla Fest At New Convention Center



The 140 million convention center is slated to fire its opening salvo by hosting the 2nd International Rondalla Festival on February 2007, Governor George Arnaiz is prodding the Provincial Engineer’s Office to speed up the completion of Oriental Negros’ own convention center to serve as the venue of the said event.

If successful, the dream to make Dumaguete City the next convention city in the Visayas surpassing Cebu will become a reality. The reason being already had the facility plus our reputation of being an international university town. We could host more international events like debates, concerts, sports and other intellectual extravaganza.

The facility has been under construction for more than a year now, it started September 2006 and was originally projected to be completed this year.

However, Engineer Susano Ruperto Jr. attributed the delay to the failure of the planners to anticipate the time required in importing accessories like the elevators and cooling system and the bureaucratic red tape which is all to common in the pubic sector. He maintained that the release of funds was always in schedule, thus never contributed to the slow down in the construction.

Governor Arnaiz sought to allay fears that the festival to be attended by about 24 contingents from different countries will be postponed or suffer hitches saying that the various committees formed by the Provincial Tourism Office are very much capable to handle the event owing to their vast experience derived from the numerous staging of the Buglasan Festival.

Provincial Tourism Office expects some 450 performers, delegates and probably diplomats to grace the event. The one week festival will not only feature performances to be shown among the different campuses and cities but also seminars, conferences and workshops for the latest in rondalla music and techniques.

And to keep the ideal number and quality in check every contingent underwent auditions before the committee chaired by Ramon Santos President of the Musicological Society of the Philippines. He judged this year’s Buglasan Rondalla competitions and assured that La Libertad, being the grand champion is automatically assured of a slot sans any auditions.

This early, Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Ramon Melvin Buenafe promised to tighten security so that the foreign delegates will “feel safe while visiting or staying here” that would leave a good impression on the province’s peace and order situation.

Apparently, Buenafe like the rest of the local officialdom believes that this event can boost the tourism potential of the province. And also to show that the traditions of playing pluck string instruments is a worldwide exercise.

December 24, 2006 issue -The Negros Chronicle
(late napod.. hehe)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1283/teletech1lg1.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1298/teletech2gk0.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9891/teletech3st1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4082/teletech4og5.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1231/teletech5rj8.jpg
I was given a tour this morning at the Teletech site, and what could I say? The site is really world class. It is even better if you go there yourself and see the site because it is definitely better than these renderings/pictures. I went inside the CR and I could say that it is even better than the CR at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, the best CR I have been into among malls/business establishments in the country.

i like this 1. maganda cguro kung maraming matataas na building dito kasi maganda ang scenic view ng Boulevard lalo na kung gabi. hope they will have a vision to put here of some highrise buildings.


That's what I would like to suggest to the City Government of Bayawan, to put up retirement facilities in the area. They can put up five-storey condominiums and hotels, medical facilities, and other urban amenities. anyway this area is very long and maybe these things would be put up in this area sooner or later.

Regarding the fire, I was there very early in the morning and saw the firemen putting out the fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt. And what do we expect? As we can see of all the buildings that got burned here, they were replaced with bigger and better edifices. So watch out folks for nicer buildings, maybe bigger, out of the ashes of those two buildings, and part of another building, that were burnt.

I wish it was an uglier building that was burned down though. Like that fruit place across the street from Cang's.

There are now plenty of fire hazard buildings in the downtown area. I hope the City Fire Department will now tell owners of those fire hazard edifices in the downtown area to replace these buildings with fire-safe buildings.

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/2820/316sb0.jpg
That's a four lane road in what will be the longest coastal boulevard in the Philippines, longer than Roxas Blvd. in Metro Manila when completed. Hmmmm, long, long-term planning from one of the newest cities in the Philippines.


The improvement of road infrastructure of the city especially the provincial road that connects the City Proper, Kalumboyan and Manduao to the City of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental is deemed to open up a new dimension in the economic and social activity of the city. Likewise, the improvement of the citys transport route to Mabinay and towards the Cities of Tanjay and Bais shall also bring about immense benefits for the city. source from www.bayawancity.gov.ph
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/banner.jpg

There are now plenty of fire hazard buildings in the downtown area. I hope the City Fire Department will now tell owners of those fire hazard edifices in the downtown area to replace these buildings with fire-safe buildings.

well if they don't i just wish all their buildings get burned asap so all of it will be replaced with new structures,, hehehe.. kdding.

McDonald's: on its way to third level..

TOP OF THE WEEK
The Sunday Negros Chronicle
January 14, 2007

SY SCIONS ENVISION SUPER BUSINESS PARK
by: Dems Demecillo


The scions of the Julio Sy family are envisioning a modern super business park in their sprawling 21 hectare complex in Calindagan after the grand opening of Robinsons Super Mall whose construction is ongoing. The Teletech call center is now there.

The future amenities of the business park include among other: retirement homes, 4 star hotel, concert park, a display center for export products, 3 star movie houses, etc.

Palafox Architectural Firm, ranked 96 in the top 200 companies worldwide in the field of architecture is commissioned to develop the said prime property.

City Administrator Dominador Dumalag Jr. said that the structure should not be a cause of concern to businessmen in the city since the projects are not supposed to pose serious competition on their respective establishments. In fact, they will complement them and will cause more job oppotunities for the people of the province.

Currently, Robinsons is building a 2 storey mall and is intended to be finished by October this year.

McDonald's: on its way to third level..

Whoa, what? When I was in Dumaguete three weeks ago construction didn't even start yet. :|

Silliman U garnered 99% on the recently concluded Nursing Exam. It is ranked second on schools having more than 100 examinees, after Xavier U of Cagayan.

The university also has a topnotcher on the exam.

....If successful, the dream to make Dumaguete City the next convention city in the Visayas surpassing Cebu will become a reality....





Oriental Negros Convention Center
Opening Event: International Rondalla Fest
Guests: 450 Performers, probably diplomats
Cost: P140 M
Construction Period: More than a year



Cebu International Convention Center
Opening Event: 12th ASEAN Summit, 2nd East Asia Summit
Guests: almost 4000 Delegates and Media, 17 Heads of State
Cost: P515 M
Construction Period: Less than 8 months



It would have sounded better if he said that NegOr's Convention Center will complement that of Cebu's. :)





http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png (http://imageshack.us)

International Rondalla Fest At New Convention Center

If successful, the dream to make Dumaguete City the next convention city in the Visayas surpassing Cebu will become a reality. The reason being already had the facility plus our reputation of being an international university town. We could host more international events like debates, concerts, sports and other intellectual extravaganza.

What can I say? Bamboo, Noypi! Orange and Lemons, Pinoy Ako!

1 whew:ohno: trademark of being a pinoy that whew:ohno:

Should I laugh?

We should compliment each other man because we're neighbors, unless we're being a bad neighbor.

But if you really insist on what are you saying. Then check the figures for the reality might not bite you.

Ow, no need to be picking fights where there's nothing to fight about. We all know that Cebu and Dumaguete have distinct roles in Central Visayas and the Philippines. In fact, comparing the two cities should be seen as a compliment since Cebu's success is something to emulate and strive for.


Anyway, anyone have pics of that McDonalds? I'm curious to see how the construction is looking lately. :)

yeah, no fights... we're just sad... It's not about the competition but the intention...:(

http://img275.imageshack.us/img275/2820/316sb0.jpg
That's a four lane road in what will be the longest coastal boulevard in the Philippines, longer than Roxas Blvd. in Metro Manila when completed. Hmmmm, long, long-term planning from one of the newest cities in the Philippines.

here's to the San Jose, NegOr. ganda ng mga highways sa Negros.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/sanjosenegrosoriental.jpg

One of the major projects of the city government of Dumaguete to be started this year is the P360 M diversion road project that will connect the southern portion of Dumaguete and Bacong and the northern portion of Dumaguete to Sibulan. This is purposefully made to help decongest the worsening traffic congestion in the downtown area and to widen-up the business opportunity in the three localities. Furthermore, the concreting of the roads in all of the city’s thoroughfares will also be done by this year, which will be instantly followed by the concreting of main roads in all baranggays.

at the back of MartOne Center, which was once to be SM ("Sa Muslim"), will rise another 3-4 level hotel.. i thot it was going to be a commercial building. the design is great. i hope sum1 can take shots on it and on the billboard. so many hotel openings in less than a year..

One of the major projects of the city government of Dumaguete to be started this year is the P360 M diversion road project that will connect the southern portion of Dumaguete and Bacong and the northern portion of Dumaguete to Sibulan. This is purposefully made to help decongest the worsening traffic congestion in the downtown area and to widen-up the business opportunity in the three localities. Furthermore, the concreting of the roads in all of the city’s thoroughfares will also be done by this year, which will be instantly followed by the concreting of main roads in all baranggays.

I doubt this will really get started in any visible way in 2007. It sounds like a huge project, and these things always run into big delays and controversies, especially regarding right of way.

@coffee: i dnt know but im confident enough that the city will be able to do this. all papers, things-to-dos, and money are in fact ready. just read negros news, coffee. the budget already includes the lot purchase and demolishon plans. the city is not alone in financing this huge project but also the province. mayor perdices as well is confident that this will push through within the year as he is trying to accomplish this as his major project in his term. as for me, i am, too.. but im still crossing my fingers.. hu knows? maybe ur right at some point. we still dont know the things that may happen. the lo-oc bypass road created a big controversy back then. i just hope that this one will not stir anything alike.

I'll get some pictures when I have the time.

Yeah, there's another hotel rising at the back of Mart One Center owned by the Ramas Uypitchings. They were encouraged by the succes of Hotel Palwa. One owner of a small inn along the coast of Dumaguete also wants to put up another hotel. Whew, plenty of things going on. To start with, we have the Dumaguete Business Park which will have Robinsons "supermall", a 4-star hotel, concert venue, another bus terminal, retirement homes, more BPO companies and callcenters, etc., etc. Adjacent to the Dumaguete Business Park is another building construction, at least three storeys high. Then there's another three-storey building under construction at the Upper Lukewright.

McDonalds (3-storey), hotel at the former "SM", Check Inn Hotel, Portal West, Convention Center, Sports Stadium, three storey building at the top of Yamaha in Orchids, Silliman Medical Arts Building, expansion of the Silliman Medical School Building, College of Nursing Building, four (or five storey) building at the Hibbard Avenue, permanent Kia showroom near San Antonio Village. What else?

Expansion of the pier and the coming construction of the port terminal (Did you notice that the terminal at the port is already airconditioned and high tech with those xray machines and other equipment. Maybe one of the reasons the PPA didn't agree that we will have a two-storey port terminal because the existing terminal is already nice and good? But I think we need a bigger port terminal.)

Whew just plenty of constructions going on! Maybe Dumaguete is one of the fastest growing cities in the country nowadays?

I'll get some pictures when I have the time.

Yeah, there's another hotel rising at the back of Mart One Center owned by the Ramas Uypitchings. They were encouraged by the succes of Hotel Palwa. One owner of a small inn along the coast of Dumaguete also wants to put up another hotel. Whew, plenty of things going on. To start with, we have the Dumaguete Business Park which will have Robinsons "supermall", a 4-star hotel, concert venue, another bus terminal, retirement homes, more BPO companies and callcenters, etc., etc. Adjacent to the Dumaguete Business Park is another building construction, at least three storeys high. Then there's another three-storey building under construction at the Upper Lukewright.

McDonalds (3-storey), hotel at the former "SM", Check Inn Hotel, Portal West, Convention Center, Sports Stadium, three storey building at the top of Yamaha in Orchids, Silliman Medical Arts Building, expansion of the Silliman Medical School Building, College of Nursing Building, four (or five storey) building at the Hibbard Avenue, permanent Kia showroom near San Antonio Village. What else?

Expansion of the pier and the coming construction of the port terminal (Did you notice that the terminal at the port is already airconditioned and high tech with those xray machines and other equipment. Maybe one of the reasons the PPA didn't agree that we will have a two-storey port terminal because the existing terminal is already nice and good? But I think we need a bigger port terminal.)

Whew just plenty of constructions going on! Maybe Dumaguete is one of the fastest growing cities in the country nowadays?

for me not a maybe but that's a true that one of the fastest growing cities for nowadays. bcoz since 2006 more of construction have been constructed there. right? :lol:

^^ huh?..

http://k47.pbase.com/g6/53/614553/3/69925839.xavC9B7j.jpg

One of the most expensive and exclusive subdivisions in Dumaguete.

http://i5.pbase.com/o5/53/614553/1/69925875.AFbuEg1L.IMG_1017_Proof_Web.jpg

century old acacia trees @ Rizal Blvrd.

here's to the San Jose, NegOr. ganda ng mga highways sa Negros.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/sanjosenegrosoriental.jpg

sarap siguro mag muni muni dito...:D

^^ kuyaw mag muni2x dnha oi... that road is one of the drag racers' haven here at night since its very long (two lanes nga lang nuon).. gudluck sa pag muni2x..:)

mao ba? dili man siguro sila musipyat..hehe..diha ra man pud kos sea wall..hehe

^^ sigurado love life ang topic sa mind ng mga nagmumuni don...mga tanong na napakahirap sagutin hehe...katulad ni hmmmmm....ako..heheh..:lol:

http://k47.pbase.com/g6/53/614553/3/69925839.xavC9B7j.jpg

One of the most expensive and exclusive subdivisions in Dumaguete.

You can't build a house here if it's not at least 10M. But there are still other exclusive villages in Dumaguete. An article at the Philippine Daily Inquirer stated that Dumaguete is one of the places in the Visayas where old and new rich love to settle, and it's because of the good environment the city has.

Meanwhile, the laying of brick tiles at the Boulevard is now going full blast and is now almost half way done.

Guys, have you seen the latest documentary on Dumaguete titled "A Weekend Love Affair" at the Living Asia Channel. I like how Dumaguete is being presented in that documentary.

^^ really? nope, i havnt.. hows it presented??? i already saw 3-4 travel documentaries about dumaguete in that channel..

http://tws.bigsplashmultimedia.com/templates/ilovenature/images/header.jpg

SUCN's rank slides to 2nd
Written by Marianne Catherine F. Tapales
Thursday, 18 January 2007

"Excellence is elusive," said SU College of Nursing (SUCN) Dean Maria Teresita Sy-Sinda.

"You think you are excellent, and then you find out that you still have to really work for it," Sinda added.

In Category A (100 or more examinees), SUCN ranks as the second-best performing school in the country, down from no.1 last year. This was after acquiring a 99% passing rate in the nursing board examinations held last December 2006.

SUCN alumnae Karla Susan Valenzuela placed 10th among 19,712 board passers in the Philippines. The national passing rate is 49%.

"We're proud to have carried on our tradition of excellence. SUCN's bragging rights as one of the nation's top nursing schools is safe for this year," Valenzuela said.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission, SUCN was second only to Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University), which acquired a 100% passing rate on its first try.

"We have the highest number of board passers in the country," Sinda said. "Although, we are only the second-best performing school, we produced a lot more board passers than Xavier University."

255 of 258 Sillimanians passed the national board exam last December 2006. Xavier University had 147 board passers.

The newly-registered SU nurses would have their pinning and oath-taking some time in February.

"[The board results] give us the message to really push for excellence, even if we are already a center of excellence in the Philippines and Asia. We must be able to look at our academic admission parameters and standards again while the students are here in SUCN," Sinda said.

She added that they would have more work to do since around 400 SUCN students will take the board next year.


www.weeklysillimanian.net

http://tws.bigsplashmultimedia.com/templates/ilovenature/images/header.jpg

SU-UP Dual Meet revived
Written by Marianne Catherine F. Tapales
Thursday, 18 January 2007


It’s back!

Silliman University will host the 32nd Silliman University-University of the Philippines (SU-UP) Dual Meet on Feb 22-24.

The first Dual Meet was hosted by SU on December 1922. The last time the meet was held was on December 1976 in Dumaguete, in time for SU’s Diamond Jubillee Year.

University Athletic Director Meriam Ramacho said that the UP Los Baños delegation will come and compete with Silliman athletes in the following sporting events: archery (M&W), swimming (M&W), table tennis (W), badminton (M), lawn tennis (M), basketball (M), and dancesport.

"The revival of the SU-UP Dual Meet was initiated by President Ben Malayang," Ramacho said. "We hope to achieve camaraderie between the UPLB delegation and SU."

She added, "SU aims to develop our students physically, mentally, socially and emotionally, and the SU-UP Dual Meet will do just that. We have to instill in our athletes that in a competition, it is not winning that counts most. It is how we play it."


www.weeklysillimanian.net

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DYSR proposes SU radio time
by John Steve A. Lancin


The Ecumenical Broadcasting System Foundation Inc. (EBFSI), which manages the DYSR (Killer Bee) Radio Station, is offering a 2-hour blocked airtime slot to Silliman University this year.

According to the initial proposal, the EBFSI will provide two hours (6-8am) daily and three hours (time to be determined) for Saturdays and Sundays.

As of press time, the SU Board of Trustees (BOT) is negotiating the airtime's monthly payments.

Broadcast Committee Chair and College of Mass Communication Dean Rosario Baseleres said, "The launching date will be announced after the program coordinator and the rest of the station staff are named."

Since the station will be tentatively located at the Henry Mack Studio in Guy Hall, she added that it will also be the venue for mass communication students’ broadcasting sessions.

"SU President Ben Malayang really wants our college to have a multimedia capability. But we also have to involve other departments to reach out to the interested stakeholders of the university," Baseleres added.

"[Malayang] wants the Silliman Radio’s advocacy back," said Bishop Erme Camba, the Divinity School representative in the committee.

DYSR was established in 1950 by the Radio and Audio Visual Mission Committee of the National Council of Churches in the USA.

www.weeklysillimanian.net

The evolution of the new Po's Marketing building. :)

April 9, 2006:
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3659/posmarketing200604090uo.jpg

July 13, 2006:
http://img344.imageshack.us/img344/6423/smarketing200607135yw.jpg

August 11, 2006:
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6681/posmarketing200609110gl.jpg

November 26, 2006:
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2395/posmarketing200611261vx.jpg

December 29, 2006:
http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/9025/smarketing200612299ke.jpg

January 21, 2006 (today):
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1968/posmarketing200701213kx.jpg

^^ amazing.. almost every burned building here in the city is almost always get replaced by a newer, bigger one.. like when the the Uy Matiao Buidling got burned, it was immediately replaced with MartOne Center. The former Rickey's Grocery was also replaced by a much, much bigger and very modern looking Uy Matiao Construction Supply and Offices building.

and look at that now.. ^^ Ugly looking POS building --- replaced by a much bigger, much modern POS building and a 45 room hotel when it got burned.. hmm.. i just wish Rostantes will be replaced asap with a much bigger, much modern looking building..

cge rtag recycle ani..

so let's set fire on those ugly buildings there...:lol: :jk:


anyway, the transformation of that building is really exceptional..

In that case we could look on the bright side with our latest disaster...

Body and Sole, in utter ruins!
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5347/bodyandsoul4yn.jpg

Rosante and Marjories... the facade seems to have survived...
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/492/rosante9se.jpg

...but, stick the camera through a crack in the doors, and you see there's hardly anything left. :(
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1963/marjories2wy.jpg

I got to check out the new bricks at the boulevard today. They look great. I can't wait to see the whole finished product. This should have been done much earlier.

Took this pic today. Even though the path is still dusty because of the construction, this is one of my favorite pics I've taken of Dumaguete.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8747/boulevard5lv.jpg

so let's set fire on those ugly buildings there...:lol: :jk:
..

im ready and willing to help u with that!!..;) im serious.. hehe. coz i know, sooner or later, masunog rman ghpon ang mge fire prone buildings here.. well, theyr getting few nmn pod nuon.

I got to check out the new bricks at the boulevard today. They look great. I can't wait to see the whole finished product. This should have been done much earlier.

Took this pic today. Even though the path is still dusty because of the construction, this is one of my favorite pics I've taken of Dumaguete.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8747/boulevard5lv.jpg

wow.. nice shot!!.. i love it!

i wish part of the renovation plan wud be putting up stylish, spanish style fence with lighting accents along that elevated cemented pathway at the extreme side near the sea.. it looks very boring if it wud just be left that way..

im ready and willing to help u with that!!..;) im serious.. hehe. coz i know, sooner or later, masunog rman ghpon ang mge fire prone buildings here.. well, theyr getting few nmn pod nuon.

your city government should initiate in tearing those buildings down.. especially those structurally unsafe. That was done here years ago.. But many are still standing proud.. Oh well, at least they were repainted..

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8747/boulevard5lv.jpg

I love this shot. Whew! Been to the new location of Country Bakers today near the SU Ballfield. The place is cool.

I was told by a Teletech agent last night that a national chain coffee shop (maybe Figaro's or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf) will open in front of Teletech near the highway, and another restaurant chain will also rise in the area.

The restaruant of Check Inn Pension arcade (is it Imay's?) is already open. Check Inn is a chain of hotels in Negros (they have one in Bacolod), and the one here in Dumaguete is bigger.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5503/portalwest33th.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2191/portalwest14ju.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/4320/portalwest23dw.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/506/portalwest44qv.jpg

I was told by a Teletech agent last night that a national chain coffee shop (maybe Figaro's or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf) will open in front of Teletech near the highway, and another restaurant chain will also rise in the area.

That would be Figaro, I guess. I heard from a friend that Mr. Eddie of Joebon will be the franchisee.

The Portal West Building is rising fast indeed. I guess it was delayed for the better part of late-last year because they changed the building's structural location. Its initial location was closer to Hibbard Hall but it was moved closer to the sidewalk. Even the first four erected pillars were removed from their former former position. Moreover, I really speculate that lots of changes were made to the excavation works. (Note: These excavation works were not only pertaining the building's foundations but also the plumbing system. SO guess it was quite a complicated task for the construction workers, engineers, and plumbers alike so move the building closer to the street.

But...look at it now. It's really rising fast! Furthermore, I can assume that construction work is probably 24-hours, with 2 shifts, since construction work seems to continue way past 10:00 p.m.

Some Construction Updates:

1. There is building underconstruction where a congregation of muslim stores [selling fake "Made in China" DvD-VCD-and-Apparel] once was (it was moved to an area beside Good Shepherd Funeral Parlor).

2. There is a construction going on in a lot on the same side of the National Highway as the Aquino Freedom Park. It is a couple of meters northwards from the Aquino Freedom Park.

3. There are a couple of road repair works accross Dumaguete.

4. The Rizal Boulevard's seawall boardwalk has been repaved with clay bricks.

5. McDonald's Dumaguete outlet is under-construction in front of Uni-Top Dumaguete. (Btw, a Jollibee crew member told me this morning that the Perdices St. branch will be operating 24-hours starting April 1, 2007.)

6. Robinson's Place Dumaguete is already starting excavation works.

7. Po's Marketing and/or Check-Inn Pension is undergoing finishing touches. Imay's (Check-Inn's in-house restaurant) is already open.

8. Mr. D (the one beside The Lounge...something...) is already open (It opened last Monday, January 15, 2007). It's an eat-all-you food outlet with prices ranging from P88-per-head to P98-per-head.

Some Construction Updates:

1. There is building underconstruction where a congregation of muslim stores [selling fake "Made in China" DvD-VCD-and-Apparel] once was (it was moved to an area beside Good Shepherd Funeral Parlor).

2. There is a construction going on in a lot on the same side of the National Highway as the Aquino Freedom Park. It is a couple of meters northwards from the Aquino Freedom Park.

3. There are a couple of road repair works accross Dumaguete.

4. The Rizal Boulevard's seawall boardwalk has been repaved with clay bricks.

5. McDonald's Dumaguete outlet is under-construction in front of Uni-Top Dumaguete. (Btw, a Jollibee crew member told me this morning that the Perdices St. branch will be operating 24-hours starting April 1, 2007.)

6. Robinson's Place Dumaguete is already starting excavation works.

7. Po's Marketing and/or Check-Inn Pension is undergoing finishing touches. Imay's (Check-Inn's in-house restaurant) is already open.

8. Mr. D (the one beside The Lounge...something...) is already open (It opened last Monday, January 15, 2007). It's an eat-all-you food outlet with prices ranging from P88-per-head to P98-per-head.


-------------


1. That building underconstruction will be a hotel.. Judging on the design they posted, i think it will be 4 levels.

5. I knew that would happen. Chowking's initiative to operate 24 hours has been a success. Its never unoccupied 24/7 especially that students love to burn their midnight candles there. Dunkin' Donuts was the one who made the first initiative. I hope McDonald's will follow the trend. More and more 24 hour fastfood stores are opening here.

6. The reason why it took them sooo long to put up the main foundations was that the area they are on used to be a swamp and a rice plantation field. And a civil engineer shared in dumagueteinfo.com that they also encountered a natural spring in the area causing them to just drain all the water out taking so much time and effort. The mall will have three levels.

7. Check Inn Hotel is not that bad after all. It looks so upbeat. It will have 45 rooms.

ritch, can u also take some shots on the ongoing construction of the medical arts building right at the su medical center compound? its looking great. im excited to see and pass through the suspension bridge that will be connected to the main hospital. and yeah, the convention center, too. id love to see it posted here..

anyhoots, i had finally been to bandera building. it was my first time there. so without hesitation, i went up but unfortunately, i wasnt allowed to. i was only allowed to be at the 5th level. i saw dumzville in bird's eyeview.
i had some bad cam phone shots which i got through a tinted glass window. (tinted glass window + dusk x lousy camphone = very BAD shot) hope u guys wont mind.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2538/lee17iy.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3007/lee27jj.jpg

Lee Super Plaza still dominating the skyline..


http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8166/jb2kj.jpg

The all time favorite bee pointing at his North Road branch (Silliman Campus)..
The left side is NORSU campus

Scanned copy of a portion of the 2007 PNOC Calendar.

Featured 3 places in Negros Oriental, Hinakpan Hills (Guihulngan), Lake Balinsasayao, and Baho Cave.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/83/hinakpansp5.jpg

http://i5.pbase.com/o5/53/614553/1/69925875.AFbuEg1L.IMG_1017_Proof_Web.jpg

century old acacia trees @ Rizal Blvrd.

I got to check out the new bricks at the boulevard today. They look great. I can't wait to see the whole finished product. This should have been done much earlier.

Took this pic today. Even though the path is still dusty because of the construction, this is one of my favorite pics I've taken of Dumaguete.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8747/boulevard5lv.jpg

nice places u got there..
any pics of DAUIN pls?

That would be Figaro, I guess. I heard from a friend that Mr. Eddie of Joebon will be the franchisee.

That would be cool and neat. Between Starbucks and Figaro, I'd choose the latter: Filipino brand, classy and less expensive than Starbucks.

at last, something new and classy. but Lee Cimbali, Daily Grind, and Cafe Antonio will always remain a favorite.

http://static.flickr.com/97/257015317_51181e8136.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/35/114184314_9ad412ed6b.jpg?v=0


The Silliman University Main Library System began its services with only two bookcases and one small room in Silliman Hall. From this humble beginning, the library collection grew steadily. Today, with its present magnificent edifice, some observers have been heard to remark that it could well be among the best in Southeast Asia. The library aims to equip itself with updated materials, facilities, and equipment in support of the University's quest for excellence in all its academic programs.

The full air conditioned Library now holds more than 100,000 volumes of books on various subjects. It subscribes to local and foreign serials and maintains special pamphlet collections, namely, Filipiniana, Southeast Asia, and United Nations.

It also has a Sillimaniana collection which is housed in an air-conditioned room located at the southern portion of the first floor of the library building. Materials in the collection include the Weekly Sillimanian, Sillimanian Magazine, Portal, Faculty and Staff publications, and others. Various plaques and trophies awarded to the University, as well as, portraits of present and past presidents of Silliman University are also on display.

In terms of facilities, the Library provides individual study carrels for its users. In addition, there are also faculty study rooms for the use of faculty/staff members who are undertaking research work for the University, or writing their theses or dissertations. These faculty rooms are available upon application at the University Librarian's Office. For group discussions, there are two discussion rooms available at the second floor of the library building, on a first come, first served basis.

For the duplicating needs of the library users, photocopying services are provided.

In line with the current awareness program, the Library puts out the Silliman University Library Bulletin (SULB). This publication generally carries bits of information about the library and its operations, and a listing of newly-acquired books and other materials.

The staff members, assisted by student assistants, carry out the library's day-to-day functions and operations.


exhibit area (first level, lobby)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/exhibitarea.jpg

CyberLib (first level, northwest side)
http://su.edu.ph/asrc/asrc3.jpg

study rooms and discussion rooms (second level, south side)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/studyroom.jpg

individual study carrels (second & third levels around the indoor garden)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/studycar.jpg

American Studies Resource Center (first level, west side)
http://su.edu.ph/asrc/asrc2.jpg

http://su.edu.ph/asrc/asrc4.jpg


Filipiniana Section (first level, east end)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/filisec.jpg

Sillimaniana Section (first level, southern portion as one enters the building)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/sillsec.jpg

Circulation Section (second level, right as on goes up)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/circsec.jpg

Periodicals Section (third level, west end)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/persec.jpg

Reference and Infromation Services Section (first level, southwest adjacent to the Sillimaniana Collection)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/refsec.jpg

Reserve Section and Graduate Collection (first level, left side as on enters the building)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/ressec.jpg

Acquisition Section (south end)
http://su.edu.ph/nonacadunits/library/sections/acquisec.jpg


DEPARTMENTS:

I. READERS SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Circulation Section Stacks
Control Section
Evening-Weekend
Filipiniana Section
Periodicals Section
Sillimaniana Collection
Reference & Information Services Section
Reserve Section & Graduate Collection

II. TECHNICAL SERVICES

Acquisition Section
Cataloging Section
Indexing


III. SPECIAL LIBRARY SERVICES

Cyberlibrary
Knowledge for Development Center (KDC)
American Studies Resource Center (ASRC)

from: www.su.edu.ph

^^ old pics.. (3-4 years ago)..
some of those departments have already been re-arranged and renovated with more airconditioning systems (such as the american studies resource center, it is already enclosed with glass and there is an area for after-school playground for kids)

the indoor garden has also been beautified.

Okay, I see already that there are more infos on this page than commonly known in Dumaguete. The building itself will really only be 18,500 sqm with two floors for the mall. At the back of the building there will be an open area, which by definition is not part of the building itself, but an open area, which will locate some restaurants. By this, the whole construction will be more than the 18,500 sqm. There will be ample parking around the building, whereas there are still some open discussions on some additional building to be constructed on the rest of the property. So I can’t say for sure how much parking space will be constructed there later. I will also be building another type of foundation for the streets and parking area around the mall, coming to a size of 26,000 sqm. But as we all know, that’s not going to be for parking only, but that is also the entrance and driveway up front, as well as the streets around the mall. In the moment we are looking at a complete area of 44,500 where I will improve the soil so that your new mall in town doesn’t sink into this marsh land. Let’s all hope I’m doing a good job at it, hehe!

-from Palatia of www.DumagueteInfo.com

Robinsons Place Dumaguete's rendering is featured in today's issue of Philippine Star. Very nice mall

So there you are. As far as the Robinsons main building is concerned, it will only be 18,500 sqms, three storey building, with two floors for the mall. The third floor will be for offices and machineries.
-The back portion of the building will have an open area in which restaurants will locate
-There will be ample parking around the building
-There are still some open discussions on some additional building to be constructed on the rest of the property.
-It is not clear how much parking space will be constructed later.
-Another type of foundation for the streets and parking area are being constructed around the mall, coming to a size of 26,000 sqm. This is not going to be for parking only, but that is also the entrance and driveway up front, as well as the streets around the mall.
-In the moment the complete area for the mall would be about 44,500 sqms.

Robinsons Place Dumaguete's rendering is featured in today's issue of Philippine Star. Very nice mall

I've seen that article, and the design is cool. Unfortunately, I couldn't locate that article, as well as the renderings of the Robinsons Place Dumaguete on the internet. Robinsons Place Dumaguete will just be like any other Robinsons Place, and its design is not really that distinct from other Robinsons Place as I said before, but it is complete in that it will have Toys R Us, Robinsons Movieworld, fastfood, apparel, and other store chains, bookstore (will we have two branches of National Bookstore here?), Robinsons Handyman, Robinsons Supermarket, etc. I hope somebody could do the locating of the pictures and renderings of Robinsons Place Dumaguete.

What could I say? I like the circular glass facade: it is like the circular glass facade at the Mall of Asia.

Hmmm, I hope we'll have some pictures and renderings here. I am definitely excited!

i wanna get hold of that copy of the philippine star!.. i hope it will still be available..

Islandwide Organic Farmers Festival set

Oriental Negros will host the 2nd Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival on the theme, "Save the Earth - Negros, Go Organic," Feb. 8 to 10 in Dumaguete City.

Information Officer of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Nitz Bangay said the event is aimed at promoting awareness among farmers and agriculturists on the importance of adopting natural farming methods, and discouraging the use of pesticide and chemical fertilizers.

Both the Oriental Negros and Negros Occidental governments have pushed for organic farming technology or natural farming systems to stop the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, in order to protect the people's health. Organically-grown farm products of local government units all over Negros Island will be exhibited in booths to be set up at the Freedom Park, Capitol Area, Dumaguete.

A symposium will be conducted at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex. cont'd (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/January/25/negor2.htm)

i wanna get hold of that copy of the philippine star!.. i hope it will still be available..

In their office in manila perhaps.. why dont you drop by your school's library..For sure they got one.. and then just scan it..:)

oh yeah.. hehe.. nice idea.. never thought of that.. ahehehehe..;)

hmm.. i just hope sooner or later, SM will follow.. coz i think whenever there is a RObinsons, there will always be SM.. right??.. hmm.. im definitley crossing my fingers!..;)

and yeah.. pahabol.. McD's is getting almost done with the foundations and they are on the construction of the third level.. pretty fast.. and its really tall..

i did exactly as what fx said.. seen the rendering and its not bad.. the circular facade, as what ritche said, kinda resembles that of mall of asia's facade. it does have an area for al fresco. i love how they designed it is upbeat with some tropical touches mixed with modernity. palm trees and bricked pathways... just the way i like it. very relaxing.. its not too big and not too small.. its ok. afterall, there is still a huge area for expansion if tito lance gokongwei wud want our mall to go bigger..;)

three thumbs up for the new mall.. i find the area very strategic.. three schools (don bosco, catherina cittadini, and city high school) are just a stones throw away from the mall.. plus call centers, medical transcription center (soon) a bus terminal, jeepney terminal, hotels, subdivisions, and busy intersections surround the mall. im sure it will always be crowded.

sorry fx, i cudnt scan it since the copy in the paper is b&w.. maybe soon, a colored one will be published then thats the time i may decide to scan it.. or perhaps if i can locate a rendering here in the net, then much better..;)

anytime bai.. :okay:

3 agri-tourism events slated in province

The Oriental Negros government will host three big events aimed at gaining world spotlight, boost organic agriculture, bamboo production, and promote culture-based tourism and attract investors next month, Gov. George Arnaiz said.

The first event is the 5th National Bamboo Conference to be held Feb. 7-9 at the Bamboo Multi-Purpose Hall, St. Paul's University, Dumaguete City. cont'd (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/January/26/negor3.htm)

Bro, Bandera Building diay ang pangalan anang 7-storey building.

I think it is Dumaguete's tallest. Btw, it seems to be taller than Bacolod's tallest (referring to the PNB - Bacolod Building).

^^ yip.. umm.. but i dnt know about it being taller than bcd's PNB since i rarely go to bcd.. but yeah, maybe it is.. bandera has high ceilings..

The official name of Robinsons Dumaguete is Robinsons Place Dumaguete, as published in the national dailies. I wonder when Robinsons would release a colored rendering of its mall here. There's no tarpaulin or signage about the mall yet at the construction area. All you could see there are huge fences.

http://k47.pbase.com/g6/53/614553/3/69925839.xavC9B7j.jpg

One of the most expensive and exclusive subdivisions in Dumaguete.

Wow, this is nice. What part of town is this? It is kind of sad that you have such affluence in one area, while people are starving a few streets away. Of course, that uneven distribution of wealth is present everywhere in the world, unfortunately.

Anyway, who lives in places such as this in Dumaguete? PHP 10M is about $200,000 USD, which can get you a nice home here in the U.S....but probably nothing close to the homes in this subdivision.

^^ Hey Kuya from dumagueteinfo.com! Welcome to Dumaguete Thread of SSC!.. :banana: :banana: enjoy ur stay here!

http://k47.pbase.com/g6/53/614553/3/69925839.xavC9B7j.jpg
El Pueblo Genovivo

Wow, this is nice. What part of town is this? It is kind of sad that you have such affluence in one area, while people are starving a few streets away. Of course, that uneven distribution of wealth is present everywhere in the world, unfortunately.

Anyway, who lives in places such as this in Dumaguete? PHP 10M is about $200,000 USD, which can get you a nice home here in the U.S....but probably nothing close to the homes in this subdivision.


Thats somewhere in Batinguel. Yep, most of the houses there are mansions owned mostly by businessmen and the some if the socialites here and they are of caribbean-mediteranean architecture / motif.. Very beautiful. And as what ritche said, it should at least cost 10M. The lots are expensive, too.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9595/jollibeenorthroadsx9.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9517/copy5ofsukobface5da7.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7610/copy2ofsukobface8ww5.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7379/copy3ofsukobface9yz8.jpg

instead of filling up their glass windows with jollibee ad posters, jollibee north road displays huge tarps with pictures of the most famous landmarks here in the city (it also acts as sun blinds).

huge b&w pictures of famous dumaguete landmarks are also displayed inside taking you to the wonderful days of old dumaguete.

SU New Men's Dormitory
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1944/newmensgk2.jpg

-- I would have loved to stay here but this is the most expensive dormitory in SU. It has hotel-like amenities.

Other SU Dormitories:

Women:
Edith Carson Hall
Ethel Chapman Hall
Larena Hall
Woodward Hall
Azucena Cottage
Rosal Cottage
Sampaguita Cottage

Men:
Doltz Hall
Occidantal Hall
Ipil Cottage
Molave Cottage
Narra Cottage

It's only now, after watching the documentary about Petronas Twin Towers, that I realize that the engineering firm that is doing the foundations of Robinsons Place Dumaguete, Bauer AG, is the same firm that built the foundations of Petronas Twin Towers, itself quite an engineering feat.

Wow, this is nice. What part of town is this? It is kind of sad that you have such affluence in one area, while people are starving a few streets away. Of course, that uneven distribution of wealth is present everywhere in the world, unfortunately.

Anyway, who lives in places such as this in Dumaguete? PHP 10M is about $200,000 USD, which can get you a nice home here in the U.S....but probably nothing close to the homes in this subdivision.


Many of the residents in this subdivision are foreigners.

It's only now, after watching the documentary about Petronas Twin Towers, that I realize that the engineering firm that is doing the foundations of Robinsons Place Dumaguete, Bauer AG, is the same firm that built the foundations of Petronas Twin Towers, itself quite an engineering feat.

well, having a mall being built on a swampy area, i do think they would need some expert engineering..:)

Many of the residents in this subdivision are foreigners.

Try visiting also St. Louis Village.... where most of Dumaguete's elite lives.

^^ yeah.. ur right.. our neighbor subdivision.. i learned my driving lessons there while admiring very beautiful houses.. the manager of cebu pacific has a house there as well as the owner of nijosa (or tops and bottoms?).. u may think the houses there are hotels..

I saw some very nice homes along the national highway south of Dumaguete. Because it was my first trip to the Philippines I really had no idea what to expect. These beautiful homes would just pop up out of nowhere, even alongside a row of dilapidated shacks. What's more, they were encased in these fortress-like gates and had bars on every window. We don't generally see that here, so I wondered how important were the people that lived in these places.

I couldn't tell from the photo of that subdivision above if the homes have such heavy security.

hi... kinsa naay picture sa twin lakes diri?

i really miss that place. went there last year and I was totally blown away. please.... post ninyo. hehehe =)

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8826/10jg4.jpg

I saw some very nice homes along the national highway south of Dumaguete. Because it was my first trip to the Philippines I really had no idea what to expect. These beautiful homes would just pop up out of nowhere, even alongside a row of dilapidated shacks. What's more, they were encased in these fortress-like gates and had bars on every window. We don't generally see that here, so I wondered how important were the people that lived in these places.

I couldn't tell from the photo of that subdivision above if the homes have such heavy security.

Either these homes are owned by the area's old rich (read: landowners), suddenly rich businessmen, or most likely OFWs and locals who marry foreigners. The goal of every Filipino who strives to make money (especially abroad) is usually to build big houses (more than enteprenuership or leisure or travel). I don't know if it's good or bad.

Dumaguete's really improving.. Vastly improving with all new buildings, establishments and the rest.. Miss the old place! But I'll be dropping by during our quick weekend getaway for Apo Island. Yey! I wanna eat Sans Rival and baye-baye..

Any news how's Dgte SciHi doing?

Dumaguete's really improving.. Vastly improving with all new buildings, establishments and the rest.. Miss the old place! But I'll be dropping by during our quick weekend getaway for Apo Island. Yey! I wanna eat Sans Rival and baye-baye..

yeah!!!

siKat yong APO ISLAND...:lol: :lol:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1944/newmensgk2.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3484/microtelbanner6do7.jpg
Microtel Suites Inn in Baguio, near the terminal of Victory Liner

^^ obviously, there is.. ;) i like it! makes me wanna stay at new men's dorm.. huhuhu..

^^ ^^ San Franciscan designs.:lol: :lol:

just came down from valencia to check on their strawberry farms.. some good city officials gave me two boxes sample of their organic strawberries, and boy, it was goood.. and they sell it really cheap.. just 50 pesos per box! each box may contain 35-50 pieces! real cheap, huh? and lee plaza's supermarket has a good stock of valencia's strawberries.. and soon, if harvest is great, the market will go national.. pretty good thng some koreans came and did this for valencia.. valencia is the only place in visayas growing strawberries.. sweet strawberries!

Wow...USD $1 for 35-50 strawberries? At those prices, I'm sure I'd be eating a LOT more fruit than I do now. In fact, I filled up on mango when I was there. I had never tasted it before and thought it was just fabulous. We stopped off at a market in Bacong where there was a young man selling mango. I could not believe we got a few bags of it for about the same price that I can get one large grapefruit here. You're lucky to have fresh fruit readily available in so many places. Where I live we don't grow our own fruit, so it's all shipped in to the grocery stores from Florida and California. I'd rather have it fresh off the tree :)

Silliman wins Ched nat'l award

THE program on marine protected areas undertaken by Silliman University in Dumaguete City was adjudged the Best Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Research Program in the country by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) during an awarding ceremony last January 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila. cont'd (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dum/2007/02/02/feat/silliman.wins.ched.nat.l.award.html)

Finally.. Nakalaag na jud ko sa Dumaguete after 3 years..

And of course.. some pics to share..

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21351.jpg
St. Louis Don Bosco Retreat House
Thanks to Father Ray for the mangoes and for letting us stay.


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21345.jpg
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21349.jpg
Jo's Chicken Inato
Had lunch here but we were so disappointed with their Sinigang.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21368.jpg
Ukay-ukay Stop in front of near our house at Villa Amada.
Hmm.. I thought they relocated.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21377.jpg
Jollibee at night.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21396.jpg
Jollibee - early in the morning.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21395.jpg
Good old reliable Lee Plaza.
Nothing's really changed on this part of town since I left.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21385.jpg
Steds
This was the only 24 hour convenient store back then.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21382.jpg
Well.. I guess you all know where this is..

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21363.jpg
St. Louis Don Bosco
Was their Founder's Day.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21390.jpg
The beach behind the retreat center.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21357.jpg
I'm not quite sure if someone still lives here.


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21340.jpg
Daro
Quick shot, car was moving.


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21419.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21417.jpg
Apo Island Beach Resort


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21425.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21424.jpg
Apo Island's Marine Sanctuary


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21427.jpg
Rock formations at the marine sanctuary.


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21423.jpg
The locals of the island. They thrive on selling souvenirs to the tourists.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21443.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21441.jpg
Rock formations in Apo Island.


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21447.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21448.jpg
Apo Island view from the boat.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/phobic_247/Apo%20Island%20and%20Dumaguete%20GA/SSL21456.jpg

Dinner at Le Chalet. Eat-all-you-can worth 290 bucks for Swiss cuisine.

GoodmorningDUMAGUETE

When was that photo of Lee Super Plaza taken? It's hard for me to recognize without a large crowd in front of the doors. This must have been early in the morning before it opened. I guess I assumed downtown Dumaguete was always packed with people and pedi-cabs. At least, that is how it was when I was there 2 years ago...and Dumaguete is growing quickly these days with all of the new development. I hope they will build some new roads for you there. I don't think the current infrastructure can handle much more.

However, I think that's the same problem everywhere. Even here, we have just gotten a huge Wal-Mart nearby, and there's a new multi-screen movie theater, new condos and a new business park going up. My question is...when will they make the roads wide enough to handle all of the traffic these developments will bring?

I guess we should be glad there is positive development going on. It's good for the economy, even if some headaches come with it :)

Photo of LP was taken at around 8AM. Yeah, the city really is packed once the the stores open up. It'd be quite difficult to do the road, the downtown area is just so jammed up.

Thanks for sharing all of the photos. One thing I often notice in these photos of friends from the Philippines is that there are often very large groups. The only times I was able to be part of such a large gathering of friends was in college...but that was years ago. This is something I miss dearly, but is not really part of the American social fabric once you get past the college years. I am always envious when I see such photos. You are blessed to be able to spend time with many friends.

Maybe I just need to move over there :)

Thanks for the photos phobic!..

@Kuya.. yeah, u should probably move here!... ;)
i hope u can also invite some friends and forumers from dumagueteinfo.com to participate and post here since we are just few..

(pertaining to the area of construction site..)

"Well, the area here was a former rice field, and by that very swampy. In addition there is also a small natural well springing out of the construction site, making the whole are even worse for any kind of construction. The mall will be 18,500 sqm big, surrounded by a parking lot and other facility buildings, which have not been clearly defined up tp now. The superstructure will have three stories, whereas only two will be for the mall itself and the topmost floor will be used for generators and the administration offices. There will be three movie theaters integrated into the building. The official date of completion is set for October. I will hopefully be done with the construction of the foundations in April, but knowing this country this can easily be posponed, right?

I hope to have given some details, you know where to reach me for any further questions. But bare in mind that I am nly doing foundations, so I will not know all the details of the mall itself! Hehe"

(pertaining to the mall itself..)

"Okay, I see already that there are more infos on this page than commonly known in Dumaguete. The building itself will really only be 18,500 sqm with two floors for the mall. At the back of the building there will be an open area, which by definition is not part of the building itself, but an open area, which will locate some restaurants. By this, the whole construction will be more than the 18,500 sqm. There will be ample parking around the building, whereas there are still some open discussions on some additional building to be constructed on the rest of the property. So I can’t say for sure how much parking space will be constructed there later. I will also be building another type of foundation for the streets and parking area around the mall, coming to a size of 26,000 sqm. But as we all know, that’s not going to be for parking only, but that is also the entrance and driveway up front, as well as the streets around the mall. In the moment we are looking at a complete area of 44,500 where I will improve the soil so that your new mall in town doesn’t sink into this marsh land. Let’s all hope I’m doing a good job at it, hehe!"

(pertaining to his job and the progress of the mall..)

"Your right Echir, we also did the foundations of the Petronas Towers in KL. As you can see, they are still standing, . I’m quite confident that we will do a similar good job here, and as my landlords have invited me already for another visit I will be sure to prove it by walking through the mall once it’s finished.

Nead, that’s the thing with my job. We are constantly working, but no one can see the progress. All my work is buried beneath the soil, and only later on, when they start excavating my piles to build their foundation heads on them, will you see the result. And after that, they will construct the slab over it, and my work is buried once more. Be sure that they are underneath and doing their job properly!!

We have tested 21 piles this far, and all have turned out to be really good! So I think it’ll be safe later on.
I have started inquiries on the future tenants and restaurants to be situated in the mall, but I am still waiting for a reply. As soon as I know something I will let everyone know…"

(pertaining to something that made him excited..;) )

"Now everybody should hold on to their Knickers. You won’t believe what I found out. This is a dream come true for a lot of people here, specially the expats I got to now in this area. I don’t know how to say it, but I found out that there is a shop opening, everyone has been waiting for in Dumaguete since…… I don’t know how long. It’s incredible that this should finally happen, and you guys are the lucky ones to be able to enjoy this for years to come. And what is it? I just found out today, that there will be a shop with not 100, not 200 but 300 sqm area as a BINGO venue! Isn’t that just what everyone has been waiting for in the new and stylish mall??"

btw, Palatia is a regular forumer of www.dumagueteinfo.com who constantly updates his fellow forumers on the progress of the mall..
i felt i had to post his postings here since he is most reliable in regards to getting some information about the mall.. he is an international civil engineer who works for Robinsons Place Dumaguete..

McDs Update as of Feb 3 '06

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/4695/mcdzt3.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/310/mcd2fz9.jpg


construction is currently on the third level.. expected grand opening is towards the end of March as what the banners say..

i hope when this opens, it will go round the clock just like chowking, dunkin donuts and other 24-hour establishments are doing in the downtown area. i heard jollibee-perdices will do the same this month.. and with that, the downtown area will go buzzling even at night.. it will be good since students are up all night studying and consuming a lot of their products..

its good that we will hav a big McDs.. Even Chowking was the biggest branch in VisMin area when it opened years ago. i dont know though if it s still keeping that status..

McDs Update as of Feb 3 '06

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/4695/mcdzt3.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/310/mcd2fz9.jpg


construction is currently on the third level.. expected grand opening is towards the end of March as what the banners say..

The Dumaguete McDonald's is big... three storeys? It seems likely that Negros Island will have two of the biggest McDonald's in the Philippine Islands...

The Dumaguete McDonald's is big... three storeys? It seems likely that Negros Island will have two of the biggest McDonald's in the Philippine Islands...

Maybe even one of the biggest in the world. I'm not even sure I've seen one with two stories, let alone three. You're sure that entire building is for McDonald's?

Then again, maybe the plan is to just have one for the entire town, in which case it would probably make sense to build a huge one. The town where I grew up is slightly larger than Dumaguete, but has 22 McDonald's within 12 miles (20km) of downtown...and 60 McDonald's within 40 miles (64km).

Gee...I wonder why we are overweight as a country. Just don't eat every meal there. :ohno: (

Been out of Dumaguete for quite some time.

Am still hoping Robinsons Place Dumaguete could breach the 50,000 sqms floor area. But just the same, the 44,500 sqms area is good enough. It is even bigger than SM Cagayan de Oro when the latter opened.

But all in all, when the development of the 6-hectare lot of Robinsons is completed, Am quite sure that it would be more than 55,000 sqms as the ideal parking space: building size ratio is, I think, 1:1, meaning three hectares for building area and 3 hectares for parking space in the case of Robinsons Dumaguete, and for a two or three storey building with a 30,000 sqms footprint area that 55,000 sqms is chicken feed.

By the way Robinsons Place Dumaguete will have something like this, just to give you an idea of how it will look like. I hope we have the colored renderings now.

http://www.robinsonsland.com/images/commercialpic.jpg

Been out of Dumaguete for quite some time.

Am still hoping Robinsons Place Dumaguete could breach the 50,000 sqms floor area. But just the same, the 44,500 sqms area is good enough. It is even bigger than SM Cagayan de Oro when the latter opened.

But all in all, when the development of the 6-hectare lot of Robinsons is completed, Am quite sure that it would be more than 55,000 sqms as the ideal parking space: building size ratio is, I think, 1:1, meaning three hectares for building area and 3 hectares for parking space in the case of Robinsons Dumaguete, and for a two or three storey building with a 30,000 sqms footprint area that 55,000 sqms is chicken feed.

By the way Robinsons Place Dumaguete will have something like this, just to give you an idea of how it will look like. I hope we have the colored renderings now.

http://www.robinsonsland.com/images/commercialpic.jpg

When SM Cagayan de Oro opened, it was alredy 56,000sqm..(and were talking about the gross floor area of the building here)
when Robinsons dumaguete opens (and were talking gross area of the building only) at 2 levels with the 3rd level as spaces for offices only, it will have a 37,000 sqm floor area plus maybe a a thousand more for the 3rd floor offices

BTW where did you get that 1:1 ideal building to parking size ratio?

yup.. plus the 34000sqm (based on my measurements:D) parking building of SM CDO.. that would bring up the total floor area to 90000sqm++..

;11629442']When SM Cagayan de Oro opened, it was alredy 56,000sqm..(and were talking about the gross floor area of the building here)
when Robinsons dumaguete opens (and were talking gross area of the building only) at 2 levels with the 3rd level as spaces for offices only, it will have a 37,000 sqm floor area plus maybe a a thousand more for the 3rd floor offices

BTW where did you get that 1:1 ideal building to parking size ratio?

Are you and Francis forgetting something here? Dumaguete is a city of 100,000 people only, unlike CDO which has almost 500,000 residents... Why so upset if Dumaguete is progressing?

Are you and Francis forgetting something here? Dumaguete is a city of 100,000 people only, unlike CDO which has almost 500,000 residents... Why so upset if Dumaguete is progressing?

who's upset? waway just corrected the wrong fact delivered by ritche...:ohno:

Are you and Francis forgetting something here? Dumaguete is a city of 100,000 people only, unlike CDO which has almost 500,000 residents... Why so upset if Dumaguete is progressing?

did you forget to take your "happy pill" @ dinho?

who said i wasnt happy about dumaguete's progress? i just corrected the figures that riche posted..whats wrong with that?

well, he's just back to his true attitude..

Mag apil-apil ko ha regarding the building size - parking space ratio. :D

Here in Cebu City, the City Zoning Ordinance requires that:

1. Restaurants need to provide at least one parking space for every 20-square-meter floor area on the ground floor, and one for every 60 square meters on the second floor.

2. Offices need to provide one parking space for every 50-square-meter floor area on the ground floor and one for every 100-square-meter area on the second floor.

I'm not sure though if this is being applied to stand-alone offices/restaurants only or if they are being applied to malls also.

Peace out!




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

@Waway, FrancisXavier: Yes, I got the facts wrong. I was confused between total footprint area and total gross floor area. SM CDO will be bigger than Robinsons Dumaguete when the latter will open. But even then for a small city with only 130,000 population it is big enough. And we are happy it will be complete with the amenities that bigger malls will be having, and those doing the construction are world class firms.

Mag apil-apil ko ha regarding the building size - parking space ratio. :D

Here in Cebu City, the City Zoning Ordinance requires that:

1. Restaurants need to provide at least one parking space for every 20-square-meter floor area on the ground floor, and one for every 60 square meters on the second floor.

2. Offices need to provide one parking space for every 50-square-meter floor area on the ground floor and one for every 100-square-meter area on the second floor.

I'm not sure though if this is being applied to stand-alone offices/restaurants only or if they are being applied to malls also.

Peace out!




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Well... I think that the requirements for offices are a bit outdated... Each workstation at an office should have one parking space to go with it. Most office staff can afford to buy one car... err a used car at least.

I guess that the guys here were not too far off the mark though... one car will occupy at least a 15 square meter area without driveways. Add in a driveway, and it could easily be 22 sq.m.

well, he's just back to his true attitude..

Who's back to what attitude Francis?

ask your self...:)

Well... I think that the requirements for offices are a bit outdated... Each workstation at an office should have one parking space to go with it. Most office staff can afford to buy one car... err a used car at least.

I guess that the guys here were not too far off the mark though... one car will occupy at least a 15 square meter area without driveways. Add in a driveway, and it could easily be 22 sq.m.

:rofl:

a dinho classic

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/February/05//negor5.htm

Summary of interesting stuff in the article:
President Arroyo will be visiting Dumaguete on February 19. She'll attend the International Rondalla Festival, the inauguration of the TeleTech, the grounbreaking rites for Robinsons, the inauguration of bridges in Tinago and Camanjac, and a passenger terminal.

Anyone have information about these bridges? Or this passenger terminal?

^^ here's part of that news article:

Arroyo visit in
Dumaguete slated Feb. 19
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will attend the 2nd International Rondalla Festival Feb. 19, to be hosted by Oriental Negros, and will inaugurate and break ground for major infrastructure projects in Dumaguete City.

She will attend the inauguration of the TeleTech call center, the first in the province, and the grounbreaking rites for the construction of Robinsons in Brgy. Calindagan.

President Arroyo will also inaugurate the President's Bridge Program in Tinago and Camanjac, and the construction of the city's passenger terminal.

These projects need the support and backing of the President, Mayor Agustin Perdices pointed out. Perdices said it would be better for the Macias-Arnaiz-Perdices alliance to maximize and strengthen the trio for the benefit of Dumagueteños and Negrenses as Arroyo's term ends in 2010.

continued.. (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/February/05//negor5.htm)



that passenger terminal is i think the very long awaited passenger seaport terminal.. i dont have any idea about those briges..

Check Inn Hotel (now on its finishing touches..:banana: :banana: )


http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/3616/chkinno9.jpg


http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3956/intrsctioncn0.jpg

i think it has 45 rooms.. their restaurant looks nice and classy.. i hope i can drop by soon..

The good old Lee Super Plaza.. lets take a peek on some of its parts..

food avenue (5th level)
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/222/fudcrtfn7.jpg

looking down from the foodcourt..
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4525/spiraltz9.jpg

looking up the sky from the main lobby..
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1451/skybg8.jpg

lee cimbali coffee (basement supermarket)
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7029/coffeeky1.jpg


u guys think that Lee Super Plaza would still be bigger than Robs?

It is indeed the good old Lee Super Plaza. I had a mango shake in the food court and remember looking out the window and seeing the Dunkin Donuts down below.

I can't remember how many of the levels we actually visited, but I do recall seeing clothes, toothpaste, and furniture in various areas. The furniture area was nice and quiet...no crowds at all there.

Oh, and we stopped off at a beauty parlor on one of the levels. I'm not sure if the Robinsons mall will also be on levels, or if it will be spread out. The malls we have in the U.S. tend to be spread out on one level. Or, in the case of "strip malls", you walk outside to get from store to store. We have a nice one near my apartment, though you wouldn't catch anyone out shopping in this weather. It was a cool -19 Celsius this morning. Tomorrow is supposed to warm all the way up to -6 C. :banana:

i'll drop by Dumaguete Valentine's day... mag.vacation ko sa Bayawan City mga 3 days...

pila byad sa RoRo dha Bato-Tampi ug magdala car?...

Check Inn Hotel (now on its finishing touches..:banana: :banana: )


http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/3616/chkinno9.jpg


http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3956/intrsctioncn0.jpg

i think it has 45 rooms.. their restaurant looks nice and classy.. i hope i can drop by soon..


What a Name! 'Check inn Hotel' is the real name? sayang naman yung ganda ng Building ahehe.opinion lang po...

What a Name! 'Check inn Hotel' is the real name? sayang naman yung ganda ng Building ahehe.opinion lang po...

Haha... I agree, the name is cheesy.

^^ :lol: :hahaha: :lol:

parang yung "we r inn" hotel dito sa amin :D

WOW its nice to see Dumaguete progressing at such a rapid pace, Hows the internet cafe/gaming market doing there? is it stable and doing good? im thinkin of opening a gaming cafe somewhere near or in ROB dumaguete, plus my aunt is trying to decide wether or not to open her third branch of KAMISETA in the soon to open ROB dumaguete, i guess it will all depend if the economical situation in dumaguete is stable and suitable for her establishment, only time will tell

P.S. cud use some updates on ROB dumaguete

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6008/28695235ul4.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2277/93635773cp5.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8434/31208260xx9.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8633/65843281zj2.jpg

hindi masyadong malaki yung 2nd pic....di ko makita eh...:D

WOW its nice to see Dumaguete progressing at such a rapid pace, Hows the internet cafe/gaming market doing there? is it stable and doing good? im thinkin of opening a gaming cafe somewhere near or in ROB dumaguete, plus my aunt is trying to decide wether or not to open her third branch of KAMISETA in the soon to open ROB dumaguete, i guess it will all depend if the economical situation in dumaguete is stable and suitable for her establishment, only time will tell

P.S. cud use some updates on ROB dumaguete

Internet and gaming business is doing very very well in Dumaguete. It's better if you put it at Robinsins, downtown area or near Silliman. The internet cafes at the latter are usually frequented by Koreans (Mcybernet) who usually play games until dawn.

Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) expects to complete the construction of its fourth mall in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental by the last quarter of the year, bringing the number of its shopping malls to 20.

In a statement, RLC said its commercial centers division is strengthening its presence in the Visayas Region.

“Robinsons Dumaguete is much anticipated by the business community who has taken keen interest in this
shopping development. This two-level shopping mall development is centrally located along Dumaguete South Road, a busy intersection where commercial establishments are presently proliferating,”
it added.

Schools, public transport terminals, call centers among others are situated nearby, while travel time is a five- to 10-minute drive from popular city landmarks Rizal Boulevard, Silliman University, St. Paul’s University, the provincial hospital among others.
Source: Business World 1/23/07

Developments:

-President Arroyo will be here two weeks from now to inaugurate Teletech Building I, The Oriental Negros Convention Center, as well as break ground for new projects such as Robinsons Place Dumaguete, the PPA passenger terminal. What else?

-Whew, Perdices Street is now closed to traffic as the road is undergoing renovation

-The Medical Arts Building, as well as the Portal West Building is rising up really fast...Mcdonalds too!

-Silliman will soon have a new computer center building?

i'll drop by Dumaguete Valentine's day... mag.vacation ko sa Bayawan City mga 3 days...

pila byad sa RoRo dha Bato-Tampi ug magdala car?...

It should be at least a thousand pesos.

-Whew, Perdices Street is now closed to traffic as the road is undergoing renovation

Ooh... are they cementing the road? Or just giving it a new layer of asphalt?

Cementing the road...I hoope they will also do that soon on the Dumaguete-Valencia road.

Mingaw :ohno:

pila byad sa RoRo dha Bato-Tampi ug magdala car?...

Bro, actually Php 600.00 ra (as long as it isn't bigger than an SUV). ;)

WOW its nice to see Dumaguete progressing at such a rapid pace, Hows the internet cafe/gaming market doing there? is it stable and doing good? im thinkin of opening a gaming cafe somewhere near or in ROB dumaguete, plus my aunt is trying to decide wether or not to open her third branch of KAMISETA in the soon to open ROB dumaguete, i guess it will all depend if the economical situation in dumaguete is stable and suitable for her establishment, only time will tell

Sorry to break your optimism about your plan to open an internet/gaming cafe in Dumaguete City, bro, but I'm afraid the market is already a bit saturated.

There are already too many internet cafes in the city. The situation, however, isn't as simple as just plain out saturation. The Dumaguete Market is a very time-conscious bunch. What I mean by this is that when it is lunchtime...it really is lunchtime in that even major department stores and offices close for lunch breaks. Usually, lunch time means dismal costumers for internet/gaming cafes since most are eating.

The city also sleeps early (I mean this in a metaphorical sort-of-way.). By around 7;30-8:00 p.m. pedestrian traffic thins and by 9:00 p.m. the buzzing and vibrant Dumaguete Downtown becomes rather quiet. Even Lee Super Plaza (Dumaguete's largest department store) closes at around 7:00 p.m. So, you might expect few customers by this time.

However, internet/gaming cafes near schools and universities would be busting-through-the-seems every after class dismissals. This is the time when cafes reap much of their day's revenue. There is also a small window/interval wherein cafes get crowded every after lunch. This would normally last about 30 minutes. Customers during this time are usually highschool students who want to play short games of Counter-Strike, Quake III, Half-Life, and/or DoTA with their peeps just minutes before classes. resume.

Business also happens to be seasonal in Dumaguete. Despite having diversified in some fields such as outsourcing in the service sector (think: call centers), Dumaguete has yet to fully diversify its economic source-line on non-student related businesses/industries. A large chunk of businesses directly or indirectly cater to the needs of the cities university students. Without them, the place tends to stand still. Businesses such as internet cafes and food outlets depend much on the daily consumption/demand of univerisity students. So, when regular semesters end, businesses, especially those directly depend on the consumption of students see a drastic decline in daily revenues. Since university students are a large demographic chunk of the customer-pie for businesses such as internet cafes, business would be rather abyssmal during the Summer and Christmas Breaks.

According to a source, the spaces at the Robinsons Place Dumaguete are already fully reserved as of this time, 8 months before target opening date (October 2007).

People would always say: Sillimanians and people from Dumaguete to work in callcenters? Well, we are not saying that callcenters are bad, and it is proven that Sillimanians are some of the best callcenter agents there are. In fact, in the whole Philippines, Silliman is one of the top providers of human resources to the callcenter industry.

But a BPO business such as publishing, editing or accounting uses more knowledge and skills than just talking to a customer, so it is more preferred than a callcenter as of this time.

8 countries to join international rondalla
BY: DEMS REY T. DEMECILLO

http://www.negroschronicle.com/final/current/rondalla.jpg

Unlike the ASEAN meet which was postponed because of a typhoon, the 2nd International Festival will push through here in Dumaguete regardless of the weather from Feb. 19 to 25 at the plush P85-million convention center.

There will be eight foreign countries that will be joining the festival: Australia, Israel, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Myanmar, Mexico and Thailand. Local rondalla performers include those coming from Rizal, Las Pi��City, Manila, Silay City, Camarines Sur, Bulacan, Zamboanga Del Norte, La Libertad and Dumaguete City.

Governor George Arnaiz assured the people and the media that the convention center will not only be ready when the festival is scheduled to start but it is a facility that is sturdy enough to withstand nature's wrath.
However, should fortuitous events delay the completion of the same, the festival will be held at the Silliman Luce Auditorium which is considered the cultural center of the South.

For his part, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices appealed to the media and local residents to refrain from embellishing negative reports or from "washing our dirty linens" in public so as not to put the host city and province in the bad light.

A Souvenirs Committee was established to make certain the strict implementation of exclusivity in the use of the Rondalla Festival name and the quality of the souvenirs.

As a result, the production and sale of souvenir items will be closely monitored so that only accredited producers can display such products inside the convention center and in the venues were Rondalla groups are expected to perform.

Earlier, the Oriental Negros Provincial Police Office has assured the Capitol that it will implement stringent security measures to secure the local and foreign delegates including the expected influx of tourists.

Board Member Mariant Esca Villegas provided the most telling reason on the perceptible frenzy of the preparations when she said that this is simply an opportunity that Negros Oriental cannot afford to miss.

Perimeter fence to keep airport secured


Besides protection from terrorists, the perimeter of the Dumaguete airport is now fenced with concrete to keep the 1.9 kilometer runway free from night drinking sprees, indiscriminate livestock grazing, and human traffic.
The runway tip, adjacent to the Silliman Beach is where students, fishermen, and strollers freely crisscross it being the shortest route from Dumaguete to Agan-an Sibulan.

Local Air Transportation Office head Veronica Chuang said that such measure is needed and ideal since failing to do so may compromise the lives of air passengers. Blue guards are also deployed to keep the runway free from human and other physical obstructions.

Earlier, the Department of Transportation and Communication set aside some 10 million pesos for the concreting of the domestic access road from the fire station to the passenger terminal and runway. The rest has been earmarked to build a concrete fence now almost 70 percent complete.

With the hosting of the province of some national and international events this month, Chuang assured the public that the air facility is more than ready to accommodate the influx of participants and tourists.

For three consecutive years in a row, the Dumaguete airport under Chuang, who rose from the ranks to become its head, marked a niche in the transportation industry after being cited as the Best Airport in the Visayas Region in 2004; country's Best Airport and Airport of the Year in 2005 and 2006, respectively, under trunkline category.

It handles four daily flights by Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.

Asian Nursing forum comes to SU
Written by Aiken Emmanuel G. Quipot
Thursday, 08 February 2007

The 10th East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars (EAFONS) with the theme "The Last Decade of Doctoral Nursing Education in Asia: Generating Knowledge and Advancing Nursing Science” will be held here in Silliman from February 22 to 23.

The SU College of Nursing (SUCN) will be hosting the event.

EAFONS aims to strengthen and promote high quality doctoral education in nursing as well as create an academic environment and socialization for East Asian Scholars through international collaboration and cooperation.

SUCN Dean Maria Teresita Sy-Sinda said, "In this seminar, we will look back in the last 10 years and question what have we accomplished. We will also discuss what we have improved on in terms of nursing PhD education is concerned."

Participants from member countries include Hong Kong (China), South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan will be attending the seminar. The forum meets annually rotating among these six countries since its founding on 1997.

100 foreign participants and 150 local participants are expected to attend the conference.

According to Sy-Sinda, the Philippines, specifically Silliman University, was chosen to host the 2007 conference since SU is a pioneer member of the organization.

"One of the speakers for the seminar will be Int'l Council of Nurses President Dr. Hiroko Minami," Sy-Sinda added.

The objectives of the conference will be to 1)track developments of doctoral nursing education in Asia in the last 10 years; 2)create a common vision for the future of doctoral education in Asia for the next 10 years; 3)enhance the generation of nursing knowledge through collaboration and sharing of nursing research findings; 4)facilitate in creative ways the advancement of Nursing Science through the exchange of research findings among a cross-cultural, qualitative & quantitative perspective; and, 5)promote a regional forum among Nursing Scholars.

Besides protection from terrorists, the perimeter of the Dumaguete airport is now fenced with concrete to keep the 1.9 kilometer runway free from night drinking sprees, indiscriminate livestock grazing, and human traffic.

Is this concrete wall put all around the entire airport? Meaning we can't see the runway from the highway anymore, or from that road leading to Agan-an? That would be unfortunate, because it's such a nice view. A taller chain-link fence would have been enough.

^^ most probably.. but its for the greater good.. its ok..:) :) :)

maayong adlaw mga negrense!

katulo na ko kaanha sa dumaguete ug kas-a sa bais. chada kaayo. mingaw lang sya kung di na tingklase. sa bais nanan-aw mi ug mga dolphin ug naligo sa tanyon strait. chada kaayo didto.

Bro, actually Php 600.00 ra (as long as it isn't bigger than an SUV). ;)

2007 brand new nga Mitsubishi Strada... magprepare nlng ko ug 1,000...

salamat au bai!

how much is that? hindi ko gusto yung style nya sa may likuran.. malayong malayo sa hilux2005..IMO

how much is that? hindi ko gusto yung style nya sa may likuran.. malayong malayo sa hilux2005..IMO

almost 2M bai... cool nga yung design sa likod... medjo curvy...

marami na ksi bagong hilux sa daan... as of now there are only 4 brand new stradas running metro cebu....

digital pa mga counters... meron din GPS... hi.tech talaga... head turner, lalu na sa chix....

pano mo naman nalaman na 4 lang? :lol: e dito sa amin nga ang dami ko na nakikita...puro blue at red..

anyway

2M yun? ang mahal! ang hilux 1.06 lang eh.. yun ngang curvey design ang ayaw ko sa strada.. parang laruan...:lol:

su cba
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1520/sucbakd2.jpg

su amphitheatre & north quadrangle
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/336/suamphibenches01ji0.jpg

su portals by the sea
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2175/suportalsbysears6.jpg

su hall
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/2711/suhall2fc7.jpg

a typical day at cafe antonio @ the spanish heritage..

awaken...
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4565/cafeantonio01tb0.jpg

quench...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1240/cafeantonioquenchjz2.jpg

indulge...
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4317/cafeantoniokarayp7.jpg

laugh...
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9710/cafeantoniohappycustomexf8.jpg

smile...
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2460/cafeantonioladiesfh5.jpg

the girl in green (second from left) is cute..:) reminds me of my grade school days puppy love...:D

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9710/cafeantoniohappycustomexf8.jpg

^^ oh yeah? u think so? well, check this out.. this is her sister.. (the one wearing back and blue) i think shes gorgeous..

http://images.calciumbhahebak.multiply.com/image/5/photos/29/600x600/32/IMG_2275.jpg?et=psLDp4QYdrMzUWLVNv8vGQ

http://images.calciumbhahebak.multiply.com/image/5/photos/29/600x600/39/IMG_2285.jpg?et=nc5KAaHmLKaNnDeafrGO4w
(@ payag sa likod)

they are all my batchmates back in HS.. darn, i miss them..

Asa dapita ng payag sa likod?

^^ oh yeah? u think so? well, check this out.. this is her sister.. (the one wearing back and blue) i think shes gorgeous..


reminds nga eh...kamukha lang...:D

Cheers to S.U.!

As classified by the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

http://www.grad.umn.edu/faculty-staff/international/country_sheets/Philippines.html

RECOMMENDATION


On the 1-5 system, an overall average of 2.0 or lower is very good. In some fields, a student with a 2.5 average may be considered admissible, if other information is positive. On the percentage system, 85 should be considered an adequate grade.


GRADING SYSTEMS

Institutions of higher education in the Philippines utilize one of four grading systems. Note the following equivalents:

U.S. % Letter Numerical Descriptive

Grade Equivalent Grade* Equivalent** Equivalent

A 97 - 100 A 1.00 Excellent
A-/B 94 - 96 A- 1.5 Very Good
B 91 - 93 B+ 1.75 Good
B 88 - 90 B 2.00 Above Average
B 85 - 87 B- 2.25 Average
C 80 - 84 C+ 2.5 Below Average
C/D 75 - 79 C or D 3.00 or 3.5 Barely Passing
F Failed D 4.00 or 5.00 Failure

*A grade of D may be a failing grade in some schools but barely passing for others.


**For some schools the number equivalent is transposed using 4 or 5 as the


highest grade. For example, De la Salle University -- Highest grade is 4.




OTHER INFORMATION

Philippine colleges and universities may be grouped in three categories:
public and private sectarian and private non-sectarian. All programs in public institutions are "approved" since the schools are operated under the authority of the government. No private colleges or universities are approved or accredited, but programs are approved by the Department of Education -- on
a program basis. (Approximately 90% of post secondary students in the Philippines are enrolled in private colleges.)

See the following list of universities. Group I are of the highest quality.

Group II includes those offering programs which would meet at least minimum accreditation standards in the U.S.

GROUP I
Ateneo de Manila (Manila) 1
De la Salle University (Manila) 1
Silliman University (Dumaguete) 2
University of the Philippines (Quezon City) 3

GROUP II

Adamson University (Manila)
Ateneo de Davao (Davao)
Centro Excolar University (Manila)
Central Philippine University (Iloilo) 4
Far Eastern University (Manila) 5
FEATI (Manila) 6
Holy Ghost College (Manila) 1
Mapua Inst. of Technology (Manila) 6
Maryknoll College (Manila) 1
Manuel L. Quezon College (Manila) 7
National Teachers College (Manila) 8
National University (Manila)
Philippine Christian College (Manila) 4
Philippine Normal College (Manila) 8
Philippine Women's University (Manila) 8
St. Joseph College (Manila) 1
St. Louis University (Baguio)
St. Paul College (Dumaguete) 1
St. Paul College (Manila) 1
St. Paul College (Tuguegarao) 1
St. Scholastica College (Manila) 1
St. Theresa's College (Cebu City) 1
St. Theresa's College (Manila) 1
San Beda College (Manila) 1
University of San Agustin (Iloilo)
University of San Carlos (Cebu City) 1
University of Santo Tomas (Manila)
University of Southern Philippines (Cebu City)
University of the East (Manila) 5 & 9
Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro)

1 Accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges,
and Universities (PAASCU). [For Catholic Institutions]
2 Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools and Colleges (ACSC).
[For Protestant and Evangelical Institutions]
3 Largest Public Institution
4 Accreditation under consideration by ACSC
5 A private, non-sectarian stock-issuing institution
6 Engineering and Technology
7 Law
8 Major emphasis on teacher education
9 Acknowledged as having superior programs in business and medicine


Source: The Evolution of Asian Credentials: A Workshop Report (NAFSA)

There was a fire in Valencia yesterday. A building with 3 classrooms of the Valencia Central School burned down, right beside the public market. :( Fire trucks from Dumaguete came to help, and the fire was contained before spreading any further.

^^ That sucks. Well, the senate or the house of representative (I'm not sure which) has just approved a Php 2 trillion + budget for the year 2007. I'm sure that'll get fixed in no time. ;)

GROUP I
Ateneo de Manila (Manila) 1
De la Salle University (Manila) 1
Silliman University (Dumaguete) 2
University of the Philippines (Quezon City) 3

GROUP II

Adamson University (Manila)
Ateneo de Davao (Davao)
Centro Excolar University (Manila)
Central Philippine University (Iloilo) 4
Far Eastern University (Manila) 5
FEATI (Manila) 6
Holy Ghost College (Manila) 1
Mapua Inst. of Technology (Manila) 6
Maryknoll College (Manila) 1
Manuel L. Quezon College (Manila) 7
National Teachers College (Manila) 8
National University (Manila)
Philippine Christian College (Manila) 4
Philippine Normal College (Manila) 8
Philippine Women's University (Manila) 8
St. Joseph College (Manila) 1
St. Louis University (Baguio)
St. Paul College (Dumaguete) 1
St. Paul College (Manila) 1
St. Paul College (Tuguegarao) 1
St. Scholastica College (Manila) 1
St. Theresa's College (Cebu City) 1
St. Theresa's College (Manila) 1
San Beda College (Manila) 1
University of San Agustin (Iloilo)
University of San Carlos (Cebu City) 1
University of Santo Tomas (Manila)
University of Southern Philippines (Cebu City)
University of the East (Manila) 5 & 9
Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro)


Shouldn't this be the basis of what they call the "Big 4" in the Philippines.