Good news Dumaguete! No Tuition Fee Increase!!!

Author: rhardo 

Dumaguete City is back to its usual population interface… into a (not surprising) student-dominated town once again! The students are back, people! And there’s no stopping them from awakening and recharging Dumaguete’s hibernated energy, vibrance and “youthfulness” for yet another new and exciting School Year.

Oh yes, it’s June and obviously, Dumagueteños are very busy… getting ready for school. Hey students, I think we have had enough vacation already and it’s about time we lubricate those summer-rusted brain wheels of yours. LOL!

The good news is, all major universities here in Dumaguete City have agreed to choose a non-parallel path against the insane increase of inlation rates of the country. In other words, NO TUITION FREE INCREASE this School Year! That’s really good news for everyone. This noble decision will encourage more parents from all walks of life  to send their chidren to school without ever worrying another major change in budgeting.

See, if we help each other, we can win over national crisis… it’s possible! This is one inspiring step, and if we keep this going, we’re off to a right path.

New Dumaguete Website Affiliate

A new Dumaguete-related website has just been launched. Introducing our new affiliate: http://tyahbiz.mycom.ph/
 
Description of their site:

TYAHBIZ is the perfect tambayan for your friends to chat; express thoughts; share chikas, news and chismis with your barkada; or simply shouting out anything. Free to join, no registration required. Visit us now!

Tyahbiz has agreed to share the information posted on their website with us by becoming the mode of submitting articles for My Dumaguete Website. Yes, you don’t need to open your e-mail account to send your articles to us. But you can directly post your articles (still sticking with our requirement) on tyahbiz.mycom.ph and we will automatically display it to our website.

That’s it. So what are you waiting for? Post now!!!

Dumaguete City’s Kabulakan Festival 2008

 Once again, Dumaguete City is celebrating its 2nd Kabulakan Festival from May 16 to 25, 2008. Check out the list of activities below:

• May 16 - Container Gardening Competition - Tourism Office, Quezon park
• May 16 - Opening of Garden Show - Quezon Park
• May 16 - Landscaping Competition - Quezon Park
• May 16 to 25 - Food Fair and Bazaar and Garden Show of Tropical and Exotic Plants at the Quezon Park
• May 17 - Ballroom Dancing - Quezon park Kiosk
• May 19 - Flower Arrangement Competition, Dish Garden Competition - Tourism Office, Quezon park
• May 21 - Bonsai Making Demonstration - Tourism Office, Quezon park
• May 23 - Fashion Show - El Camino Blanco Bar and Restaurant
• May 24
  Parade of the Stars (3 p.m.)
  Street dancing (4 p.m.)
  Showdown at the City Hall quadrangle (5 p.m.)

  Guest stars are:
  - Boys.com
  - Polo Ravales
  - Joseph Bitangcol
  - Gabb Drilon
  - Alwyn Uytingco
  - Frank Gracia
  - Bangs Garcia

• May 25 - Fireworks display and ballroom dancing - Quezon Park grounds

Be there and enjoy the festivities!!!

MILO marathon back in Dumaguete

Author: Negros Chronicle 
Website: www.negroschronicle.com  

The 32nd National Milo Marathon Provincial Elimination will be held here in Dumaguete City this coming June 22, 2008. The much anticipated events to be contested are the 3-K kiddie run which is open for boys and girls 12 years old and below, 5-K fun run open for men and women and the 21-K Provincial Elimination Race intended for men and women of 18 years and above.

There are also side events expected in the activity which include the Biggest School Delegation, the Inter-School Running Competition and the Cheer Dance Contest. Cash prizes, trophies, plaques and medals await for the winners. Interested participants can now register at the City Sports Office which is located at the Dumaguete City High School Campus, Calindagan, Dumaguete City. The registration fee for the 3K Kiddie run is P30 plus one empty 300 grams of Milo pack or box, for the 5K fun run is P40 plus one empty 300 grams Milo pack or box and for the 21K Elimination Race is P100 plus one empty 300 grams Milo pack or box. Every registrant will receive a free T-shirt. For more information, call or visit the City Sports Office or contact telephone # 225-5709 or 422-8109.

Dumaguete Delicacies

It has always been a “default” inquiry of a typical visitor to ask about the local delicacies of a certain place. We Filipinos, particulary those who frequently travel, are very fond of including PASALUBONG on their baggages or simply just wanna do a taste-test.

Here in Dumaguete City, infux of visitors are very evident and there are a lot of food choices to point at. Now, I have a million-dollar question for you. What is our famous delicacy? Hmmm… can’t think of one? Having a hard time there? That’s natural for a Dumagueteño.

You see, Dumaguete City has lots to offer, actually. Everywhere you look, there are restaurants and food outlets. But where can you find a delicacy that is distinctly Dumaguete? Why don’t you check out the list and see if these can help:

Silvanas
Jam squares
Tempura
Bod-bod Kabog
Energy food (combination of ampaw and dehydrated fruits)

What… you haven’t heard any of the mentioned food items above? Again, that’s natural.  Now that I have given out the answers, you may spread the word. Hehehe!!!

PGMA visits Dumguete City… really?

President Gloria Arroyo will be coming over to Dumaguete City on Friday, April 25, 2008 to attend the 88th birthday of the former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative, Herminio Teves. City officials are now preparing for her arrival. But concern arises with regards to solving  the problems evident on the port area…

Oh well, can’t go on further. Sorry… that’s all I know as far as news is concerned… hehehe!!! And I’m really not good in straight news. So there, now you know… hehehe!!!

Anyways, I was a bit shocked about this. The thought bogs me. Just goes to show how ignorant I am with politics. But how close really is Teves and PGMA? Do they have that very strong political bond that going down here to Dumaguete City for a birthday celebration seems easy and "grand" for a President? Or am I just missing more than half of what is really the purpose of her coming?

I hope the presence of President Arroyo here in the City of Gentle People will bring good news to everyone.

Dumaguete dusts plus the summer heat

Yeah, I call it Dumaguete dusts and this is just a quick rant from a bored Dumagueteño.

Summer is really here and I’m not totally happy about it. Why? Simply because I have no time with its purpose of coming… you know… vacation and all that stuff. Yay! I want to take a long break, but I can’t!!! Work… work… work… and WORK!!! And did I mention dust? Yes, this is the very reason why I hate roaming around Dumaguete during summertime. Why can’t the concerned people get rid of those dusts? Oh well, that’s another story to tell.

Meantime, I may have to deal with the situation or else… hmmm…

Dumaguete City’s famous brown-outs!!!

Oh, I just hate brown-outs! Yeah… "brown-out." A term popularly used by Dumagueteños instead of black-out. Why? I honestly have no idea. All I know is that when the scope of power disruption is city-wide, then we call it blackout. Weird huh? Maybe it has something to do with the dark shades… you know… brown to black… you get what I mean? LOL!

Anyways, last week and early this week, series of brownouts or blackouts have been occurring. And I hope I would still be able to post before another brownout "comes back" again. At first, it didn’t have an effect on me since I’m used to this already, but having no power for almost 7 straight hours? That’s a complete disaster especially for someone like me whose 50% of the daily routine is entirely glued online!

Reports state that there was a problem installing a transformer somewhere in Amlan. I don’t even know what it looks like hehehe! Another source says that a replacement is on the way from Manila, and it would take several days to transport it since according to the person I talked to, it is as big as a jeepney. WOW, I just hope once this is repaired, it would not only solve the current problem, but minimizes, if not, eliminates, the frequent week-end brownouts here in Dumaguete City.

Dumaguete band: Enchi - Istambay

Link

Author: Not-so-Enchi-Fan

Here’s a song I love to hear when I get bored. Bytheway, do you recognize this local band? Of course you do, they’re ENCHI… the premier reggae band in Dumaguete City. That’s right, the pioner in the local reggae scene in Dumaguete City!!!

Enchi is an 8-man band composed of frontman Bembem on lead vocals and guitar, Paul on guitar, Kim on bass, Gerard on drums, Edwin on keyboards, Raul on the saxophone, and, brothers, Mark and Dave on the trumpet and trombone.

Check them out every “Reggae Wednesday” at Hayahay Treehouse Bar, Dumaguete City.

East meets West in Dumaguete

Author: Civic Circle Article 
Website: www.negroschronicle.com 

A yearly visitor that is very welcome in Dumaguete City is the City’s adopted son, Prof. Nobu Imaizumi. He has visited this city almost twenty times, each time bringing with him Japanese University students who come to Dumaguete City purposely to partner with the Dumaguete Habitat for Humanity in building houses for needy recipients. From the land of the rising sun, this year, 24 students from Kuansei Gakuin University joined Prof. Nobu for this noble cause. The Team leader this year is Mr. Kazataka Ishido with Asst. Team leader Ms. Yuko Matsunaga who have both been here three times before. Through the years, Prof. Nobu regularly brings with him donation from his home church and students to support the scholarship program for the Habitat homepartners.

From far away Netherlands in Europe, famous for windmills and tulips, a group of young Dutch professionals who chose to mix their holiday with a good cause, has once again come to Dumaguete City to build yet another house for Dumaguete Habitat for Humanity.

They come to the Philippines for their winter holiday and take a week off from their holiday to build a house with the Dumaguete Habitat. The Netherlands team call themselves "Beter Wonen Dumaguete" meaning "Better Living in Dumaguete" representing their advocacy for housing for the poor in Dumaguete. Early this month, the Netherlands team and the Japanese group came within days of each other, the Dutch volunteers came to build one Habitat house while the Japanese students came to build two houses; and for one day, the two teams worked together. Even rain drenched, the volunteers happily worked side by side, the east and west met in a common ground for the Dumaguete Habitat housing project whose beneficiaries are the City’s poor.

These two groups of volunteers were hosted by the City of Dumaguete with a welcome dinner on March 5. It was an interesting night of three cultures interacting beautifully in the language of friendship, translations flew with smiles bridging the language barriers.
Two groups from different sides of the world come together to our beautiful city for one purpose: to build houses for our brothers/sisters who are as yet homeless, to fulfill the dream of every Filipino for decent housing. The City and the Dumaguete Habitat Community cannot thank you all enough.

Dumaguete Chicken Ati-Atihan

The true story how Chicken Ati-Atihan came to be

The late Julio F. Bejar Jr. was a well known restaurateur in Dumaguete City way back in the 50’s. He managed and owned Bejar’s Dinerrette which was located at the Dumaguete market place area. They were known for their best selling recipe, the specialty of the house: Pancit Guisado. Bejar’s Dinerrette was a specialty restaurant enjoyed by the Dumaguetenos.

The skill of cooking and the art of making the best recipe were handed down to his sons and daughters in the late 80’s and they opened a family restaurant business. One of his daughters, Brenda, was born with that skill and penchant for cooking. Because Brenda chose not to join the family business, her expertise in cooking was not discovered by the public but everyone in the family and those close to her knew she was a good cook and the top choice to handle the menu for every party.

In 2001 his only son Aries Christopher Bejar Alvarez, a 10 years veteran in sales and marketing of Abbott Laboratories Philippines (a multinational pharmaceutical company with head office base in Chicago, Illinois), joined the family business restaurant and was assigned to manage one of their outlets in Roxas City, Capiz. During his stint in Roxas City, Capiz in 2002, Aries was elected as the 1st President of newly organized CAHRRA or known as Capiz Hotels Resorts and Restaurants Association organized by the Provincial Tourism and Local Government supported & headed by Alfonso Bediones Jr. Provincial Tourism Officer and Honorable Vic Bermejo Governor of Capiz. During his term as President of CAHRRA he was able to initiate series of festival projects in Roxas City that boomed the tourism industry, launched under his production concept JAKE ARIES PRODUCTION and entertainment partner media which he reformatted being as a program director and later was known as CAP Rhythms 88.9 FM All Day Drive! The FM station became his marketing arm. He was then invited to become the Marketing Director of DTI Capiz for their SME projects and became a valued guest speaker on tourism and culinary arts from various schools and Universities in the region. 

In November 2003, Aries became controversial to his family business because of his dedication and commitment to help boost the tourism industry of Capiz. He was then fired by her aunt without explanation and was accused of mismanagement of the restaurant business and was left all alone in Capiz. In order to survive the pain and the false accusations Aries decided to move on and venture his own carenderia business with the help and support of his wife and mother in law Alicia.

On January 2004, he was invited by a friend to visit Kalibo, Aklan and there he was able to witness the amazing Ati-Atihan Festival. It is a feast in honor of Sto. Nino celebrated by the Aklanons with much fun fare and merrymaking. In that instant, being the innovative person that he is, he was able to conceptualize what his new business will be. He wanted a business that will bring the feisty spirit of the Ati-Atihan Festival wherever they open doors, thus, Chicken Ati-Atihan came to be.

He then added a specialty product from his existing carenderia business the specialty of the house: Chicken Ati-Atihan. On February 2004 his old time friend from Dumaguete Mr. Louie Tijing a well respected businessman and contractor paid him a visit in Roxas City before going to Boracay. When Mr. Tijing tasted the Chicken Barbecue he stood up and dance with the spirit of appreciation. He invited Aries immediately to go to Bayawan City his home town and try to see if it is already suitable to have a restaurant business there. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. No second thoughts the following week Aries was already in Bayawan City. Because of Louies vision, his friends & relatives from Bayawan City Mr. Jack Raymond and now Congressman Henry Pryde Teves also became interested with the business. And since it was feasible to put up Chicken Ati-Atihan from where they wanted it to be, it was a phenomenal chain reaction in Negros Oriental.

With hard work and perseverance and with luck on his side, Aries was able to open more than 30 outlets nationwide, and still growing. Today there is no stopping Chicken Ati-Atihan from opening more outlets. It has captured the hearts of every Filipino across the nation. Wherever there is Chicken Ati-Atihan outlet there is always something to look forward to, something to celebrate!

Chicken Ati-Atihan is open for franchise. Because of its low cost and high viability in investment and the fastest R.O.I, it already has an amazing chain of investors. The line up of interested would be investors had been steadily growing. Soon Chicken Ati-Atihan will be in all parts of the country —in small cities and growing municipalities and who knows? Around the World!

Chicken Ati-Atihan will be there soon to serve you and with pride they say:
“WE DIDN’T INVENT CHICKEN BARBECUE, WE PERFECTED IT!”

Chicken Ati-Atihan is proud to be a Dumagueteno! And proud to be a Sillimanian!
Sasayaw ka sa Sarap!

“In memory of my Grandfather the late Julio F. Bejar Jr.”
September 18, 1919 – October 14, 1964

Dumaguete City: What’s up?

Through the years, Dumaguete has maintained her distinct simple and peaceful nature. Yes, it is clear and vivid that changes are right in front of us. But SOMEHOW, the good name that she has held on to for a very very long time is still anchored in. Tarnished… yet managed to discreetly give out a shine.

Our city has faced many bumps and bruises nowadays. We hear more bad news than good ones or are we just not giving more attention to the latter? Nevertheless, incidents like rape, robbery, homicide, illegal gamblings, corruption are still throwing an added weight to Dumaguete, gradually detering her from reaching the ultimate goal of progressing.

Is Dumaguete really getting worse? It may seem that it is, but not entirely true.

Actually, Dumaguete has lots to offer. We just don’t know it because we have the tendency to overlook our city’s potentials to grow and develop.

The coming in and out of foreigners here in our city is one indication that Dumaguete is a great choice of place to stay in. With highly competitive schools and universities, excellence in any aspect can be easily achieved. And big companies are slowly being established here, thus, more employment opportunities.

See? Our city is still standing, vibrant and alive!!!

But despite all these, Dumaguete is still Dumaguete… SIMPLE. That’s why I’m proud to be a Dumagueteño.

Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort and Apartments

Author: Egon Jastrzemski
Website: www.dumaguetesprings.com

Bungalows and Amenities
With our eight comfortable european-style bungalows we can ensure an individual service that will make you feel at home, right away. The resort offers all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. All in all, it’s the perfect place to unwind, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the tropical environment. Coconut trees and a tropical lushness surround our resort, which is an ideal refuge for the family featuring a beautiful free-form swimming pool, jacuzzi, verdant garden, pool table, darts and an own private beach, private jetty and coral reef. We now also have high speed internet access at the resort!

The resort is just a short drive away from Dumaguete City, with an active night life, restaurants, ferries and plenty of shopping malls. We are happy to organise you a motorbike or car to rent.
For further information about our resort location and distances to/from Dumaguete, please click here.

Bungalow Facilities
4 bungalows boast pool view and sea view, 2 double bungalows are facing the sea and have an unobstructed view to the outlying islands of Siquior and Apo Island.
Each air-con bungalow features the following creature comforts: a fully equipped kitchen with gas stove, refrigerator, Satellite TV, king sized double bed, hot and cold shower and a private covered terrace where you can relax, unwind and chill-out with cold drinks from our pool bar after a hot day in the tropical sun.
Intimate and relaxed, the bungalow’s interior is decorated in a European style, but with a unique twist: the customized, "raw" bamboo furnishings offer superb comfort and luxury, combining the elements of form and function.

Apartments in Dumaguete
Our modern built apartments are all conveniently located at the best living area in Dumaguete City, just a few minutes away from the nice, picturesque beach promenade, the fancy international restaurants and the unique night-life.

Even with the proximity to the city center, we can assure you a high secure, comfortable, very quiet and private atmosphere, where you will feel at home right away.

Just across of the road of our apartments you will find the biggest, most famous supermarket in Dumaguete (called Hypermart), where you you will find a wide range of Filipino and international products, which is definitely a plus for self-caterers.

Next the apartment you will also find genuine local cuisine in the nearby Filipino restaurant as well as a first class Chinese restaurant just 10 meters away.

The apartment-complex is currently extended with an authentic Austrian restaurant (currently under construction) under Austrian management for a fine dining experience within the apartment-building (Open Soon!!!).