[This essay was one of the entries to the contest held last year in the MetroPost, in cooperation with Magic 95.1 FM and sponsored by Cebu Pacific Airlines and Summit Circle Hotel in Cebu. The winner, Lauannah E. Maningo, received a round trip ticket to Cebu for three, courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air and an overnight stay at the Summit Circle Hotel. — Editors]
“It’s more fun in the Philippines,” that’s what we Filipinos proudly spread to the world.
Negros Oriental, a province in Central Visayas, proves to be an interesting and fun place to go to. What makes it so? Beautiful sceneries and tourist spots such as the Kanlaon Volcano in Canlaon City; whale watching in Bais City; the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete where a variety of street foods and sumptuous but affordable meals are just daily servings, non-stop music, parties and drinks ‘til the wee hours; the scenic Tierra Alta where the zip-line adventure ride is a must-try; Casaroro Falls and the historic Japanese Shrine in the town of Valencia; the Twin Lakes in the hinterlands of San Jose; the Sandbar in Manjuyod; the unexplored caves in Mabinay; beautiful dive spots in Apo Island; and high-class resorts and summer hide-aways in the municipalities of Dauin and Zambuaguita.
Negros Oriental also celebrates festivals like the week-long Buglasan Festival which is an annual provincial celebration, the Sandurot Festival and the Santacruzan of Dumaguete City, Sinulog de Tanjay, and the Tawo-Tawo Festival of Bayawan City.
Negros Oriental also has historical sites to visit like the Dumaguete Cathedral found in the capital city and is Negros Oriental’s oldest stone church built in the 17th century. It is the seat of the Dumaguete Diocese. A mass celebrating the liberation of the Province from the Spanish colonizers was held on its grounds.
The Campanario de Dumaguete is also found in Dumaguete and is one of Negros Oriental’s most popular landmarks, built as a lookout tower to warn of seafaring raids centuries ago.
The Central Azucarera de Bais was established in 1918 by the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas (Tabacalera) as its first sugar mill in the Philippines.
Silliman University in Dumaguete City is the first American school in the Philippines, and has a prestigious reputation all over the world. Dumaguete is likewise widely known as a University Town, with colleges and universities sprawling all over the City. The first Paulinian school in the country is also located here in the City, now called the St. Paul University of Dumaguete.
Negros Oriental has its finest products to offer to tourists like bodbod sa Tanjay which is a local variation of the Philippine suman, best served with thick tsokolate and ripe mango. A local product, Panda fried ice cream, is made of luscious vanilla, ube, pandan or chocolate ice cream, wrapped in dough, and deep-fried. The mouth-watering silvanas is a blend of meringue, nuts, and other choice ingredients wrapped in rich butter cream. It has become a favorite pasalubong.
Of course, what the Province could offer to our visitors comes in a complete package with the presence of affordable hotels and pension houses here in the City of Gentle People.
Transportation is hardly a hindrance as there are varied choices like the ever-dependable Ceres Liner/Vallacar Transit plying all over, in and out of the Province; boats and fastcrafts in all the ports in Amlan, Guihulngan, Sibulan, and Dumaguete ferrying passengers to Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Mindanao islands; and the presence of Cebu Pacific Air lording over the skies of Negros on a daily basis, with the Manila and Cebu flight destinations a top choice of the local and foreign travelers alike because of their reasonable plane ticket fares and promos, and their very accommodating and friendly crews.
Then there is the motorcycle ride, the most economical and practical means of transportation here in the City, thus earning the title Motorcycle Capital in the Philippines.
Shopping or looking for souvenir items? We have locally-produced souvenir item shops aplenty all over the City. Robinson’s Place, Lee Super Plaza, and Cang’s Shopping Complex are good places to shop. Cinemas provide entertainment on the latest movies simultaneously showing in Manila theaters. Fastfood outlets are easy to find and are usually just a ride away from any point in the City.
In need of cash for your next dates and trips? Never a problem. Dumaguete has countless commercial banks all with ATM machines, operating 24/7, off-sites and mall-sites included. There are also several pawnshops all over the City and the Province that also cater to pera padala and cash remittance services.
And of course, a vacationer will never feel home-sick as he could always keep in touch with his friends or relatives back home via the Internet. He may use his personal gadgets on various free wi-fi spots.
An added attraction of the Province is the vibrant political landscape. A very affable Gov. Roel Degamo is spearheading thrust towards economic and tourism prominence. We do not have a protégé of long-time political clans and dynasties sitting at the Capitol, but we have a workaholic, energetic and young Governor who is a big revelation in terms of bringing economic gains to the Province as evidenced in the staging and hosting of various national events such as the Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy Games, the SK National Convention, and the Philippine National Games.
In Negros Oriental, you can see lots of unique historical sites, natural wonders, delicious delicacies, and more! These prove that it’s more fun in the Philippines and that fun starts here in Negros Oriental. Dayon kamo sa Negros Oriental! (Sarah Francine Olendo)
