[The following is the winning essay in the contest sponsored by Cebu Pacific, Summit Circle Hotel, Magic 95.1 FM, and the MetroPost. The winner is a student of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. — Editors.]
After an entire semester in college of hard-bound books, endless mind-wracking exams, and insanely-tenacious professors, a three-month getaway from it all is an absolute essential.
So what better way to unwind and spend the summer vacation than in my very own Negros Oriental.
Having been to other parts of the country, I still give Negros Oriental a two-thumbs-up. To the posh-living Filipinos, I highly recommend they visit the count. It’s the perfect substitute to a luxurious trip abroad, without having to spend hundreds of grands.
Number one in a vacationer’s to-do list is transportation. I have always been an optimistic student, joining school organizations since high school. Attendance in various conferences, seminars, and trainings were a must.
With Cebu Pacific Air, I assure anyone that getting whenever, wherever, won’t be a problem. Their fares are affordable that fits into any Filipino’s budget; the staff and crew’s welcoming personality creates a comfortable aura and excellent service to all; and most importantly, the entire travel is safe, fuss-free, and on the dot.
The best part of it all is the great number of promos offered, which can be availed booking online.
Of course, another point that a tourist must be aware of is his destination’s crime rate. It wouldn’t be fun if there were pickpockets or swindlers everywhere to worry about. According to the Visayan Daily Star (Jan. 3, 2013), Negros Oriental’s crime volume has dropped a nearly whopping 19 percent. Amazing, right?
This low-key Province is located in the Visayas region of the country, perfect for either a relaxing, adventurous, or fun escapade because of its numerous beach resorts, historical landmarks, and rustic zones.
The capital and my hometown, Dumaguete, is labeled as “The City of Gentle People”. Without any parti pris at all, I believe that the Dumaguetenos are living up to the name.
Oriental Negrenses are the most cheerful, hospitable, and friendly people that anyone could meet. Although Bisaya or Cebuano is the native language, in Dumaguete, locals are very fluent in speaking American English. This makes it easier and comfortable for foreigners to interact with them.
What I commend them the most is their great devotion to religion. This can be proven during Sunday masses when the churches are filled with mass-goers, and the annual celebration of town fiestas in honor of their patron saints.
Buglasan, dubbed as the Festival of Festivals, is a grand event every second week of October wherein the different cities and municipalities of Negros Oriental get together at Sidlakang Village to beautify their booths.
The weeklong merry-making and fellowship is filled with beauty pageants, dance competitions, and fireworks display, exciting every sightseer alike. The purpose of the festival is not to spark any rivalry amongst the cities and towns — no. Rather, simply to teach the Negrenses to love their own land.
For the spontaneous people who love town-hopping, getting around Negros Oriental won’t be any trouble at all. Public buses and jeepneys are available with pocket-friendly fare rates. But if it’s an intimate and private trip that the barkada and/or family are after, it is possible to rent a van for a reasonable price. The plus side on this option is that the local driver can also serve as tour guide and travel “consultant.” How cool is that?
Once in the destination, the tour is not complete without being able to ride the popular pedicab. It is a public three-wheeled, motorcycle-powered vehicle that can accommodate up to five passengers all at once. What makes the pedicabs here different from the rest is its size. Unlike the others, the Dumaguete pedicab is more spacious and more comfortable to ride in.
The quaint Negros Oriental is divided into three Districts, with a total of 25 cities and towns.
The 1st District is composed of Canlaon City, perfect for a daring trek with friends and family at the Canlaon Volcano; Vallehermoso, Spanish for “beautiful valley”; Guihulngan, which celebrates the Cara-Bell Festival and is ideal for spontaneous food-tripping barkadas; La Libertad, home of the plush La Li Mar which draws honeymooners with its romantic ambience; Jimalalud, attracting visitors with their festive Sinulog de Jimalalud; Tayasan, a place of tranquility that is an opportunity to escape from the busy urban life; Ayungon, where the historical Spanish fortress can be found holds an intriguing story; Bindoy, famous for its exports of the bulod flatstone; and Manjuyod, known for the Himampangon Cave, which is always on a hiker’s list.
The 2nd District is composed of Amlan, renowned for its relaxing Amlan Paradise Beach Resort; Bais City, where people can have whale watching and get a tan at the Sandbar; Mabinay, known as the country’s cave capital; Pamplona, popular for its breathtaking Palaypay Falls; San Jose, the region’s pineapple capital and which lures tourists to its Twin Lakes; Sibulan, where the great San Antonio Church and marine protected areas can be found; Tanjay City, acknowledged for its paaway sa kabayo, the yummy budbud, and its boardwalk; and Dumaguete City, home of the mouth-watering silvanas at Sans Rival, Silliman University, and the Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Cathedral.
The 3rd District is composed of Bacong, recognized for the grand Church of Saint Augustine of hippo and the pipe organ; Basay, great for a visit at Balatong Point; Bayawan, where couples and families can have a romantic walk at the boulevard while enjoying some fresh baye-baye; Dauin, packed with a great number of beach resorts; Sta.Catalina, the photographers’ perfect place for scenic schots of farms and fields; Siaton, home to Balanan Lake; Valencia, where the cool weather is so calming that anyone could just hike for a swim at the Casaroro Falls; and Zamboanguita, just right for a family outing at Thalatta Resort.
This is Negros Oriental — the land that any true-blooded Negrense could be proud of. So I suggest that for the next summer vacation, Filipinos fly Cebu Pacific Air and discover the true beauty of what the Province holds.
