“The City of Gentle People” is the enduring nickname Dumaguete has been known for, because of its amiable people and genteel way of life which has endeared it to visitors.
For countless families in the south, it is a university town due to the prominent schools, most notably the 120-year-old Silliman University, and its eclectic charm which makes learning conducive.
For executives seeking a relaxing retirement place, Dumaguete is a preferred area with its perfect blend of countryside lifestyle, urban amenities, tree-lined roads, and pockets of greeneries. No less than the prestigious Forbes Magazine named it as the world’s fifth best place to retire a few years back.
The Philippine Retirement Authority also awarded the city as the top in their Retirement Area Deemed as Retiree-Friendly (RADAR) index which measures compliance to standards set by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and International Living.
Its laid-back ambiance, notwithstanding, its populace is surprisingly engaged in active recreation and competitive sports as evident in the gymnasiums, courts and open fields abuzz with games. Dumaguete’s active lifestyle, engaging crowd, and splendid facilities have lured event organizers to make it a hub for regional, national and Southeast Asian tournaments for students and professionals.
With its strategic location, Dumaguete is also the jump-off point to nature adventures in adjoining towns, such as kayaking at the Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes, trekking to Casaroro Falls, birdwatching in Balanan Lake, dolphin watching in Bais Bay, and scuba diving in Dauin, Siquijor, southern Cebu, and within the city’s marine sanctuaries.
On the cultural front, the local government has spearheaded the preservation of its heritage structures to retain its Old World feel. The circa-1930s Juan Arellano-designed city hall was recently restored and is now a branch of the National Museum, the first of its kind in Negros Oriental.
A new historic spot is the Panilongon marker which was unveiled earlier this year as part of the quincentennial commemoration of the Magellan-Elcano Expedition, which made a brief stop here in 1521.
Ancestral homes and decades-old buildings have found adaptive reuse as restaurants, hotels and tourist shops to give guests a feel of old-fashioned genteelity.
One establishment which exudes such allure is The Henry, a boutique seaside resort which takes pride in its heritage, as reflected in its landscaped gardens, furnishings, artwork and crafts curated from all over of the country.
But much like its urban counterparts, Dumaguete is marching into the future and is embracing the winds of change. Despite its small land area, it plans at taking a great leap forward by developing a 174-hectare global township, which will be a legacy project of the city.
To be built along the scenic Rizal Boulevard, the project will commence with a wastewater treatment plant to improve the bay’s water quality and protect it from the waves to make it more suited for aquasports and recreation.
A public-private partnership proposal, it will use earth-friendly building systems and modern information technologies suited for a modern master-planned community.
The sprawling satellite will house a new mixed-use central business district, recreational centers such as a marina esplanade and fish ports. As a new satellite to the city, it will also be home to public facilities for health, housing, education, sports, public transportation and government offices.
And just like the city’s positioning as a retirement haven, it will put up mid-rise resort-themed residences, tourism establishments, lifestyle and retail shops, greenbelts, and open spaces for foreigners and Filipinos who want to make it their new after-work hometown.
Once completed, the township will boost Dumaguete into the coveted class of highly urbanized Philippine cities and create a new center of commerce and tourism services in the Visayas.
The bold vision, while an exciting proposition, is a delicate balancing act which entails mitigating environmental impact, particularly on marine resources, and complying with rigid national government regulations.
And judging from Dumaguete’s intrinsic resilience, the genteel city and the gentle people can surely blend with the challenges of the changing times.
Image courtesy of Bernard L. Supetran