Every time I think of Dumaguete, what comes to mind is the famous Silliman University where numerous literary geniuses were honed to greatness. This was why when I got the opportunity to travel to the city, I grabbed it at once. The opportunity came when I received an invitation to attend the national convention of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners scheduled from November 3–7, 2025.
As early as 8 a.m. of November 3, I rode a tricycle to Allen and then at 9 a.m. boarded a van bound for Calbayog Airport. It was already Signal No. 2 because of Typhoon Tino, so I anticipated turbulence up in the air.
At past 11 a.m., I boarded a Cebu Pacific flight. Contrary to my apprehension, the trip was almost flawless and we arrived in Cebu minutes ahead of schedule. At the airport, I learned that the typhoon signal in Cebu had been raised to Signal No. 3. At once I had the feeling that I might be stranded there. Indeed, the connecting flight to Dumaguete was cancelled and the next available flight would only be on November 5, when the weather was expected to improve.
Since I was on a connecting flight to Dumaguete, the airline immediately arranged hotel accommodation at Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, located within the posh Mactan Newtown developed by Megaworld Corporation. Everything was provided for free. A van fetched me from the airport and brought me to the hotel. After checking in and settling into my room on the fifth floor, I had dinner and then retired early while Cebu was being battered by the raging typhoon, which by then had been raised to Signal No. 4. It felt like an unexpected staycation at Savoy for two days, granted by an act of nature.
The following day, November 4, I attended the seminar via Zoom from my hotel room. I spent the entire day listening to the sessions, taking only a brief break during lunchtime. By early evening, I went to SM City Cebu to meet my niece Bea for dinner. Unfortunately, the mall was about to close as it was still reeling from the effects of the typhoon, and most of the food stalls had already shut down. With no other option, we ended up having dinner at a small and rather decrepit eatery nearby, hoping that the food was safe to eat. We chatted for a short while. I did not take much of Bea’s time, knowing she needed to return to her dormitory while the streets were dark because of the power outage in the area.
By November 5, at past 11 a.m., I finally boarded a plane to Dumaguete. At past 1 p.m., I arrived at the airport of Dumaguete City. I rode a tricycle going to the venue at the provincial convention center. Along the way, I noticed a lot of tricycles and private cars along the roadsides. Tricycles, obviously, are the most popular mode of transport. I suddenly became nostalgic about the clay pots we used to have at home during my younger years when I saw many of them displayed along the streets. I had the feeling that Dumaguete is an old city now facing the challenges of urbanization, particularly the need to manage its transport system.
I arrived at the venue at around 1 p.m. I registered, received my convention kit, and proceeded to the plenary hall. After finding my seat, I took lunch and listened to the speakers, albeit with sleepy eyes from the long journey. By evening, dinner was served, sponsored by the city mayor, while a group of students serenaded the participants with old Filipino songs played on their instruments. Feeling tired, I later went to my hotel and retired for the night.
At past 8 a.m. of November 6, I returned to the venue only to find that the session had not yet started and participants were still arriving. Taking advantage of the time, I decided to visit the historic St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. As it happened, a students’ Mass was ongoing. I quietly took a seat near the entrance on the right side close to the altar. I joined the Mass and offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
After the Mass, I took some photos inside the church, at the cathedral’s façade, and at the old park across the street. I also visited the nearby Dumaguete Belfry, a century-old structure which was then undergoing renovation.
Since it was already past 9 a.m., I returned to the venue and listened to the remaining talks until about 3 in the afternoon. From there, I took a tricycle to my chosen destination—the famous Silliman University.
At the gate, the guard informed me that visitors must first secure a gate pass from another entrance. I walked several hundred meters to the opposite corner of the campus to obtain the pass. A pleasant young woman who introduced herself as one of the university’s ambassadresses assisted me in the process and even escorted me back to the main gate. Her American accent was striking and quite charming.
Soon I found myself walking along the tree-lined pathway leading to the iconic Silliman Hall, the first building of the university constructed in 1903. It was like stepping into a picture from a magazine. Standing before the old colonial structure felt surreal.
While taking photos around the building, I noticed Michael Ang and Corazon Cruz (chair and member respectively of Professional Regulation Commission's Board on Environmental Planning) having their photos taken in front of the statue of Horace Brinsmade Silliman. I approached them and introduced myself. We chatted briefly and even had some group photos taken. It was truly an honor to meet them up close.
From there, I proceeded to Rizal Avenue across the university and had a photo at the giant “I Love Dumaguete” marker. Afterwards, I visited the National Museum of the Philippines branch housed in the old Presidencia building—the term used during the Spanish period for the town hall. Inside the museum, I went through the exhibits and learned fascinating snippets of Negros history.
Just outside the building stood a romantic old fountain, and a few steps away was the bust of Eddie Romero. I learned that he was a native of Negros. I remembered his film Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon which I had watched many years ago.
Across the street was the wide plaza facing the cathedral. I also had my photo taken at the statue of Jose Rizal. I later learned that Rizal once stayed in Dumaguete for a few hours on his way to exile in Dapitan, even performing an eye operation on the town’s chief of police during that brief stop.
I ended my walking tour where I had started—at the cathedral—where I again expressed my profound thanksgiving to God for the wonderful opportunity and for keeping me safe throughout the journey.
At 7 in the evening, I boarded a flight back to Cebu. After staying there for the night, I finally arrived home by the afternoon of November 7, tired and sleepy.
The entire experience felt like being in a wonderful dream—yet fully awake.
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