Discovering Dumaguete - Part 3 - Cityscapes

As soon as we finished breakfast, we headed out to tour the city on foot and via short tricycle rides. Armed with nothing but a list of must-sees, we bravely ventured out to explore the city of Dumaguete.

Our first stop was the Siliman University, which is famed as the oldest American University in the Philippines. Aside from being called the "City of Gentle People", Dumaguete is also touted as a University town, with the Siliman University as the most famous educational institution.

campus map by the entrance

the Katipunan Hall

the Siliman Cathedral

Siliman Museum

And then we found ourselves at the Rizal Boulevard, close to the port.

the port of Dumaguete

the Rizal Boulevard

This is the famed Rizal Boulevard, named after our country's national hero who walked this path on his way to Dapitan for his exile.

We continued to stroll down the boulevard and saw this landmark which marks the landing of the seven Sisters of the Congregation of  the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. These sisters founded the first St. Paul University in the country in 1904.

And then we walked further down and turned right near the other end of the boulevard and found ourselves in the vicinity of the Dumaguete Cathedral.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral

HB and I took some time to go inside to marvel at the interior and say a few words of praise and thanks.

a historical fact about the cathedral

details above the altar

The belfry, also called the Campanerio de Dumaguete, was found a few meters off the church. It is considered to be the one of the city's  popular architectural landmark which was originally built in the 18th century and served as a watchtower to warn the people of Dumaguete against the attack of Muslim pirates. At present, an Our Lady of Lourdes  Grotto is found below the belfry and we lit some candles for love, peace and prosperity.

the Dumaguete Belfry

Belfry historical marker

After discovering these historical and religious sites, we ventured to the "commercial side" of the province and found out that this quaint city of Dumaguete is not unfamiliar with "malls". The oldest shopping center is the Lee Super Plaza which was located a couple of blocks from the Cathedral.

Dumaguete's local "mall"

While the newest addition to the city is a Robinson's Place.

Robinson's Place Dumaguete

In a nutshell, these were the highlights of our city tour. There was little and there was much to see. We have toured the city in half a day. And from what we saw, there is indeed much reason for the people to be gentle in this town.