At about this time of the year, Dumaguete, fondly called “The City of Gentle People” is celebrating the Sandurot Festival to showcase its innate hospitality and genteelity. But due to the pandemic, the annual festivity has been scaled down and transformed into smaller online events if only to keep the celebrative mood.
The provincial capital of Negros Oriental, is a hub of heritage as the local government has taken a lead role in preserving its colonial-era structures to retain its Old World charm. Its old city hall, built in 1937 by eminent architect Juan Arellano, was recently restored and is now a branch of the National Museum which will house archaeological finds, memorabilia, and historic relics of the province.
Its panoramic Rizal Boulevard is the show window of the city and center of public life and recreation. The 780-meter bayside road is dotted with American-era ancestral homes which have found a new lease on life as boutique hotels, cafes shops, restaurants, bars, and offices.
Standing proudly at the Boulevard is the Panilongon commemorative monument which was unveiled last May to mark the 500th anniversary of the Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation, which passed by its waters in 1521 after their debacle in Mactan.
Silliman University, a120-year old school which is recognized as among the best in southern Philippines, is an icon of heritage, nature, culture and faith, with its various elements tucked in its 62-hectare land area.
Because of its cozy location, Rizal Boulevard is the most sought-after dining colony, with the must-try restos Casablanca, Don Atilano Steakhouse, Chin Loong, and Sans Rival, makers of the famed silvanas. Other must-tries are Negrense which is known for its craft beer, and The Bricks Hotel, a boutique modern-industrial lodging noted for its Western favorites and bar chows. To the boulevard’s extension are Hayahay Treehouse Bar, Lab-as Seafood Restaurant, and Lantaw which serve Visayan delights.
The Henry Hotel beckons with its garden setting, and is home to Noelle’s Brunch Bar, Coffee Collective, Si, Señor, Negrense Craft Beers, and a Sans Rivalbranch. A stone’s throw away is Plaza Escano, an upscale restaurant and bar complex, and Northpoint, a budget al fresco foodcourt for short orders, barbecues, and an assortment of international fastfood.
At the end of the reclaimed road is Chiztix Country, a street food colony by the bay put up by the city government to promote micro-enterprise among locals.
In the flurry of this culinary diversity, you shouldn’t miss the budbud, the local version of the suman, danggit fried fish, kinilaw natanguige, lato (seaweeds) and other traditional Visayan dishes. Served at the public market and carinderias, these no-frills dining is as authentic as it can be when getting a bite of the grassroots way of life.
