Tricycle fare is approximately Php 50 and private taxis have a fixed rate of Php 200. As we trailed down the road to downtown Dumaguete, we noticed that ancestral homes are still proudly established around the city. However the Sight Of Siliman University pictures the heritage of our culture and history with its classic Spanish- American campus buildings. The only Protestant university in the country, Siliman University was established during the American era by Dr. Horace B. Siliman.
Dumaguete, the capital city of Negros Oriental is probably one of the most pleasant cities in the Philippines. The friendly atmosphere brings you a more laid back but relaxed feeling, making you want to stay even more. The forth largest island in the Philippines, Negros is coined as the sugar land of the country as around 450,000 hectares of its land area is dedicated to sugar plantation and refineries. The island contributes 60% to the total sugar production of the country.
HERITAGE TRAIL
Contents
1 HERITAGE TRAIL
2 NATURE ADVENTURE
3 FOOD TRIP
4 LOCAL FINDS
5 BOARD AND LODGING
6 GETTING AROUND
Inter—island transfer from Cebu and Siquijor is usually carried by smaller but faster vessels which cost about Php 200 with around a couple of hours of travel. A wide range of shipping lines such as Super Ferry and Montenegro Lines also offers transfers to and from Manila and Mindanao. Sea transfer from Bacolod to Dumaguete takes around 14 hours. Bus rides from Bacolod via the town of Mabinay means a 5 1/2 hour travel to Dumaguete or a 7 1/2 hour bus trip via San Carlos City.
Bus trips are operated by Ceres Liner catering the island. The mixed scent of the sea breeze and dried oil from the ferries and tankers welcomed us as we arrived at the Dumaguete port. It took us around 4 hours to get to the port from Cebu. We crossed the Tanon Strait via a fast ferry craft. Since the port is quite near the city proper, getting to the nearest hotel and tourists spots in Dumaguete is easy. Tricycles and taxis are abundant in the area so getting to downtown from the port is stress-free.
The sight from outside the campus already astonished me, admiring its cultural facade. Making our way to the hotel, our cab driver let us appreciate the infamous Rizal Blvd. as it overviews the south of the harbour. In the morning, joggers were already scattered along the promenade lined—up with big acacia trees. We passed by the Monument of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartrers. It commemorates the landing of the seven missionary sisters who arrived in Dumaguete in 1904. The monument illustrates seven nuns in a boat representing America, China, Portugal and France.
NATURE ADVENTURE
Our first nature destination for this adventure is Lake Balanan. The lake is located in the southern town of Siaton. Vans and private cars are readily available in the city. Services are often offered just right outside our hotel. Vans for rent usually costs from Php 3,000 to Php 3,500. For a party of three, we opted to take the car rental which cost us Php 2,500.
Passing nine towns from Dumaguete, we arrived in Siaton after a two-hour drive. Another 30 minute- drive from the main highway crossing a mountain took us to Lake Balanan Resort. A Php 30 entrance fee was enough for us to use the common bath and toilet, two spring water pools and an access to Lake Balanan. The resort offers a ride on the raft with Php 100 per head fee letting you enjoy the serenity of the lake. Since the weather later that afternoon was not as sunny in the morning, we only took a dip at the pools, a fiVe—minute trek from the common area.
Getting to the swimming area was a bit tricky and adventurous. We needed to cross a small bridge with the water from the mountains flowing freely to supply water. Since it drizzled that afternoon, the water flow was a bit strong, we needed to carefully step on the stone path emerged in water. Ifwe weren’t too careful, we could’ve slipped and went straight off from the bridge. At 5:30 in the morning the next day, we were off to the city of Bais via car rental worth Php 2,000. As suggested by our local driver, we stopped by the local market in Tanjay City.
We bought fresh meat and seafood for our lunch and refreshments and snack for later that day. After an hour and halfitrip, we arrived at the port for dolphin and whale watching. The weather was great for the activity. The water was calm, which meant it was easier for us to catch an eye on the dolphins. The city government operates dolphin cruises for Php 4,000 good for 10-20 people in a boat. For smaller group like ours, pump boats owned by the locals range from Php 2,000 to Php 2,500 on rentals which can accommodate up to five persons for a whole—day activity.
In less than 30 minutes, we were already enjoying the sight of dolphins playmg around in the open sea. We were all thrilled chasing the dolphins in groups — jumping off from the water showing off their skills After ‘‘ Couple of hours of dolphin watching, We were off to Manjuyod Sand Bar. Our local boatman temporarily anchored our pump boat and cooked a hefty lunch from the fresh items we brought while we enjoyed swimming on the Sand Bar — a seven—kilometer stretch of white sand which “floats” in the middle of Bais Bay during low tide.
You may also bring your own snorkelling gear to enjoy the bay’s waterbed. There are also several cottages built on stilts which can be rented for a day or overnight stay. After taking an early lunch, we headed off to Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park, a 10-minute boat—ride from the Sand Bar. We walked through a narrow pathway appreciating the 400—hectare mangrove forest. On the way back to Dumaguete, we had a quick stop-over at the Central Azucarera de Bais (CAB). CAB is the first sugar mill in the Philippines established by Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas SA in 1918. Its establishment jump started the sugar industry of the province. Just across the road stands the remains of an old steamed train which had been used to transport the produced sugar to a nearby port area for national distribution. CAB remains operational up to this day.
FOOD TRIP
If you find yourself craving for European dishes, you may want to try Le Chalet offering a Various international cuisine — good steaks, fondue and a good selection on the salad bar — located along Rizal Boulevard. Along Siliman Ave, ]o’s lnato Chicken knows how to prepare and serve poultry meat deliciously. If you want to enjoy the fresh offers from the sea, Lab—as Seafood Restaurant lets you relax with a seaside View and generous servings of their seafood specialties.
LOCAL FINDS
Visiting Dumaguete is not complete unless you bring home at least a box of sans rival available at a cafe shop named after the popular dessert. Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries is located at San Jose Street near Rizal Boulevard. Locals and tourists patiently wait in line to get a share of this sweet treat. The Handumaran souvenir shop is also ideal for tourists who want to bring home memorabilia from Dumaguete.
BOARD AND LODGING
Overlooking the sea and Rizal Boulevard, Bethel Guesthouse (tel. no. 035-225-2000) has an accommodating and friendly staff. Their studio room already equipped with bath and toilet with air conditioning and cable TV only costs Php 750. Rooms good for two to four people range from Php 1,500 to Php 2,000. More expensive ones include refrigerator. However, the management doesn't allow alcohol and smoking within the hotel premises. For a more affordable accommodation, backpackers can try Harold’s Mansion (tel. no. 035-225-8000) located along Hibbard Avenue. Studio room with bath and toilet and fan starts at Php 330 while the air conditioned room costs Php 550 per night. More spacious rooms with - better facilities (TV and air conditioning) range from Php 660 to Php 1,150 a night including breakfast.
GETTING AROUND
Car and van rentals are available for hire. Madtadco (Metro Taxi-Vans Drivers Cooperative stationed at Harold’s Mansion along Hibbard Ave. offers such services in going around the city in Negros Oriental. A van may cost you Php 3,000 to Php 4,000 per day, depending on the destination. Motorcycles are also popular choices in getting around the city. Several places around the intersection of Sta. Rosa and Perdices Sts. have motorcycle rentals costing Php 300 per day or Php 20 per hour for a Honda 110 cc. while a Honda 200 cc rental costs Php 500 for a day. At Why Not Music Box along Rizal Boulevard, motorcycle (200 cc) rentals are offered for Php 700 per day. Tricycles are readily available in the city and the most popular means of transportation. These roomy tricycles only ask Php 8 per head when roaming the city.
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