DUMAGUETE & NEGROS ORIENTAL | Travel Guide + Itinerary + Budget + Map
[TRAVELGUIDE] Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Negros Oriental is one of the two provinces that make up Negros Island. It is bounded by Negros Occidental on the west, the island of Cebu on the east and island province of Siquijor on the southeast. It has a total of 25 towns including Dumaguete City (the City of Gentle People), its capital.
Most tourists who visit the province usually enter—both by ferry and plane—via Dumaguete City. With that in mind, I would be basing this travel guide with Dumaguete as the base of operation. This actually makes sense as not only are there numerous hotels and restaurants in the city, but it is also centrally located when it comes to the tourist spots within the province. And indeed, the province has a lot to offer (including the nearby Siquijor Island, which is usually part of the tours in Dumaguete); gushing waterfalls, pristine lakes, historic buildings, breezy boulevards, beaches, sandbars, good food and yes, the gentlest of people.
Sta. Monica is nestled between nipa plantations and an authentic fishing village. It overlooks the Dumaguete City Bay, which brings in the cool sea breeze the whole year round. There are no car noises and no motorcycle throttles here; it’s simply us, the trees and the beach.
I’ve always loved Silliman University’s laid back atmosphere; it’s tree-lined boulevards, its grassy fields and its very American architecture. I’ve actually written about 
What used to be a small affair of a café just a few meters from the mansion has now extended to a full blown restaurant. From the cramped dining area of the original café, the new Sans Rival Bistro has now a spread of posh tables and chairs on a spacious area. Decorated tastefully in classic and modern motif; the floral designs and fancy chandeliers compliment nicely with its grainy wooden floors and blank white walls.
I T I N E R A R Y 
“You’re going off to Dumaguete? Don’t forget to try their sans rival and bring home some silvanas too!” That seems to be the tag line for someone off to see the Land of the Gentle People and we’re not exempted. I’m really not a lover of sweets but the fervor for this certain Sans Rival in Dumaguete was such that I was wont to try it, well, at least just once.
Opened in 1977 by Trinidad Teves Sagarbarria, Sans Rival has always been one of the most popular places to eat out in Dumaguete City. I cannot get past a forum discussing the city without its name getting mentioned. 
The city of Dumaguete has its own share of historic structures and one of these is the St. Catherine of Alexandria Church or more popularly known as the Dumaguete Cathedral.
Located far on the church’s left side is its old bell tower, the Campanario de Dumaguete, one of the four watchtowers that once dotted the city. It was once used as a warning device against marauding Moro invaders in the 1700’s. The circular tower is made of coral stones with a pentagonal bell house topped with a red dome. 
We got lost in Dumaguete looking for an oddly named food place. Qyosko which I gather is a play on the word kiosk is not the easiest thing to ask a tricycle driver to locate and we got dropped twice on the wrong restaurant. I guess third try’s a charm and we finally found the 24-hour diner tucked in one of the less busier part of the city.
There weren’t much people eating inside as we entered its yellow portal. We secured a colorful table near the entrance and proceeded towards the counter for our orders. This place is more of an eatery than a fancy restaurant so customers are expected to pay as they go.
I tried to peek out from our hotel window and the sky was frowning. It was drizzling and the heavens was painted in a dark shade of grey. Taking my chances, as I really have no other to catch a sunrise in Dumaguete City, I packed my cameras and went down the desolate streets. 
Named after the country’s National Hero, it was said that Jose Rizal briefly visited the shoreline of Dumaguete before proceeding to his exile in Dapitan. The stretch has now become a favorite hang-out of locals, especially since its proximity to the food places in the city. At night, a portion of the boulevard transforms into a streetfood mecca of sorts complete with chairs and tables.
Our base of operation in the City of Gentle People is a tall glitzy hotel building a few blocks away from the city’s endless Rizal Boulevard. 
I was actually surprised after seeing the photos of their quarters; it doesn’t look like a budget hotel at all. The design was modern and chic; clean cream walls punctuated with naturally finished cabinets and drawers, geometric dark trims, red fabric highlights on their soft bed and a fantastic looking toilet and bath. 
Dumaguete City has always been tagged as a campus town; they say the atmosphere is laid back and very relaxed. My mind was already picturing long rows of trees, blankets of grass, lots of benches, pavilions, arcades and hardly any motorized traffic. 
