We got the report of a fire at Ultra Vision downtown Dumaguete. Several buildings are damaged but no lifes threatened. Here the report of the fire at Ultra Vision in Dumaguete.

Fire of still unknown origin gutted a multi-level commercial building in a busy section of Dumaguete on Tuesday, leaving millions of pesos worth of property damages and at least one person still reported missing. The Dumaguete fire station received a callout around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday that fire broke out at the Ultra Vision Cinema 1-2 building owned by a certain Eduardo Tan.

Initial investigation disclosed that smoke was seen coming out from the back portion of Cinema 1, one of two movie theatres in that building that were closed last November for renovation.

SFO2 Lyndon Patrocinio, chief fire investigator of the Dumaguete fire department, said fire probers still had to determine the cause of the blaze, which apparently could have been set off by an air tank or the motherboard of the building’s electrical wiring system.

Fire trucks and firemen from various towns and cities in Negros Oriental, to include Valencia, Sibulan, Amlan, Tanjay, Bais, and Silliman University, and the Filipino-Chinese fire brigade volunteers, plus at least two large water tankers from private companies assisted in putting out the blaze.

A boom truck from a local hotel was also deployed to lift firemen and their water hoses to reach the top level of the four-story building.

Traffic was closed to the public as a large crowd milled around the fire scene, while classes were suspended at the West City Elementary School, located just around the block from the burning building.

The building housed several concessionaires to include a cellphone shop, a dental clinic, a beauty salon, a travel agency, a massage parlor, a courier service and an engineering consultancy.

A firewall had prevented the flames, fanned by mild winds, to spread out to nearby houses and commercial establishments even as firemen sprayed water on these structures to protect them from being engulfed by the blaze.

A laborer, identified as a certain Ronald Toquero, could not be located as of press time.

His co-worker, Sonny Batus-batusan, told the security guard and caretaker of the building that he saw Toquero went inside Cinema 1 at the height of the fire.

The fire was placed under control around 3 p.m. and firefighters declared a fire out by 3:20 p.m.

However, firefighting teams returned to the scene after sundown following reports that the fourth floor of the building was ablaze again.

Fire investigators said they still have to determine the total cost of damage by the fire at Ultra Vison, the first big one to hit Dumaguete this New Year.

Tags: Filipino, Negros, Bacolod, Bais, , Traveling, Visayan, Filipina, Philippine Islands, Visayas

After some years of delay (first announced opening was late 2007) Robinsons Place opened it’ gates yesterday in Dumaguete. Some of the shops are still closed but won’t miss the Christmas business.

Whole Dumaguete was on their feet to see what is going on at Robinsons Palce in Dumaguete. The mall provide thousands of Jobs for the area and is for sure an importand step into the right direction.

Find some Pictures of the Grand opening of Robinsons Place - Dumaguete here :Robinsons Mall Dumaguete

Here is what Judy Partlow writes for the PNA:

Mayor Agustin Perdices on Monday lauded the opening of Robinsons Place, the first full-service shopping mall in Dumaguete, as he expressed hope it will not just boost the local economy but also provide more jobs for locals.

Robinsons Place Dumaguete is the 27th addition to a string of Robinsons shopping malls throughout the country and is the sixth in the Visayas region.

The two-level mall is located at the Dumaguete Business Park in Barangay Calindagan along the south national highway and spans a total gross floor area of over 40,000 square meters.

It offers a wide range of services from a variety of name-brand and local fashion and specialty shops, dining, leisure, a dynamic activity and entertainment area, a health and beauty zone, service and IT zone, among others.

Mayor Perdices expressed his gratitude to the Gokongwei family for their huge investments in setting up Robinsons Place in Dumaguete.

He lamented that it is sad to see young people of the city leave home to seek jobs overseas or in other areas outside of Dumaguete.

Perdices said he is looking forward to seeing more investors come to Dumaguete now that Robinsons has set the ball rolling.

Lance Gokongwei, president and chief executive officer of Robinsons Land Corporation said they are happy that Robinsons Mall in Dumaguete was finally inaugurated.

He said they are thankful to local government officials in Dumaguete who helped them in completing the requirements for the construction of the building.

Gokongwei said they are now studying the possibility of expanding the mall in the near future.

He added they have been considering the offer of putting up a hotel that would complement the demand for tourist accommodation following the rise in the number of visitors to Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

Gokongwei said they noticed such increase through based on the daily Cebu Pacific flights to Dumaguete.

He is optimistic that through Robinsons mall they can help improve the economic activity in the province and provide employment opportunities as well.

Gracing yesterday’s inauguration were key officials of Robinsons and Gokongwei family members, Governor Emilio Macias II, Rep. George Arnaiz of the second district and Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the first district, Mayor Perdices, city and provincial officials, and representatives from the business sectors.

Highlighting the opening were the presence of movie stars Dawn Zulueta, Dingdong Dantes and Bianca Gonzales. (PNA)

Tags: , Visayas, Tourism, News, Philippine Islands, Philippines, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Dumaguete City

 The City of Gentle People will be in total Party mood for the Dumaguete Fiesta 2009 and 61st Charter Day. Here the Schedule of Events:

November 8
Fiesta Kick Off and Fun Run

November 11 - 13:
Trade Fair sa Quezon Park (by Provincial Agriculture Office)

November 20 - 25:
Local Produce and Production Fair

November 20-21 and 27 - 29:
Boulevard Kumbria Al Fresco (in cooperation with Restaurants and Hotels along the Boulevard)

November 20:
Opening Food Fair, Opening Garden Show, Miss Dumaguete and Miss Teen Dumaguete Talent Night

November 21:
Sandurot Festival (4pm Streetdancing, 6 pm Showdown)

November 21 - 22:
Veriety Show

November 22:
Dumaguete Marathon:
Start Rizal Boulevard 5am

November 23:
Miss Dumaguete & Miss Teen Dumaguete Pageant Night

November 24:
Charter Day Thanksgiving Mass, City Fiesta Parade (1pm), Camins Festival, Fireworks Display, Pop Fiesta

November 25:
Social Welfare Day, Globe Night

November 26 - 27:
All Breed Nat’l Championship Dog Show

November 26:
DYGB Variety Night

November 28 - December 06:
Fiesta Open Volleyball Tournament (Men/Women)

Some of the Life Performing Acte on the Mainstage in Quezon Park:

November 23 :
After Session, Akustring

November 24 :
Dejavu, Lloyd 6k, Rhythm Avenue

November 25 :
Koofellas (With a DI Member on the Lead Guitar)

November 26 :
Boyan’s Law, LFF, Rhythm Avenue

November 28 :
Ground Zero, Koofelas, Jason

November 29 :
Front Page, P7 Party

November 30 :
Downtroden, LFF, Rhythm Avenue

Tags: Bacolod, News, Dumaguete, Visayan, Negros, Philippine Islands, , Bais, Philippines, Filipina

Respect from our side to the Mayor of Dauin,  Rodrigo Alanano, who denies mining activities in Dauin, 15 Kilometer south of Dumaguete. The following article was published on pna.gov.ph.

As we think this is a very positive signal into the right direction we want to publish it in our news section here:

Mayor of Dauin, Rodrigo Alanano has denied all applications for any type of mining activities in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

A Manila-based company identified as Daytona Mining and Development Corporation submitted its mining application to the office of the mayor Thursday.

According to the representative of the said company, they are applying for magnetite sand mining along the shorelines of the municipalities of Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita and Santa Catalina in southern Negros Oriental.

Mayor Alanano explained magnetite sand is a magnetic metal found in the shorelines but it is only present in some areas in the province.

Magnetite sand is used for steel manufacturing in other countries. He said it is expected that the market value of magnetite sand is very high especially with the present development of advanced technology.

Mayor Alanano, a licensed mining engineer by profession, clarified that there is no such thing as responsible mining because all kinds of mining will somehow destroy the environment.

Besides, allowing mining in his town will contradict with the local government’s environmental conservation campaign, he added.

The mayor said he will never be attracted to huge revenues from mining in exchange for the destruction of the environment.

Last year, the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Negros Oriental denied all applications for magnetite mining along the shorelines of Vallehermoso to Basay, Negros Oriental.

PMRB chairman and provincial legal counsel Erwin Vergara consulted with environmental experts of the Silliman University Marine Laboratory for opinion on the effects of magnetite mining.

Dr. Janet Estacion explained the sand serves as buffer zone of the shoreline to break the current of strong waves.

Dr. Hiconida Calumpong, meanwhile, said the extraction of sand will result in erosion and endanger properties along the beach.

One concrete example is the port reclamation project of the Philippine Ports Authority which she said has resulted in the damage of the seawall along Piapi and the beach area of Silliman University Marine Laboratory.

Let’s hope this environmental thinking continues after the next election when another Mayor will be in that position.

Tags: Tourism, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Dumaguete, Traveling, Visayas, Dumaguete City, Bais, Visayan

The Festival of the Festivals, the Buglasan 2009 is this year scheduled from 17. October - 26 October. The Buglasan 2009 will be the Festival Highlight of Negros Oriental. The Festival is in memory of the Islands beginning, when it’s cultural character began to take shape.

The City of Dumaguete and the Provinces of Negros Oriental present them self in the Sidlakan Negros Village in Piapi. Cultural and culinary highlights will be presented in the lovely decorated booths around the Sidlakan Village.  Each evening are different events and competitions held on the Buglasan main-stage next to the Village.

The Buglasan 2009 is of course not restricted to the Sidlakan Village. The whole City of Dumaguete is the stage for countless event including Street Parades, Fireworks and Dance Competitions. We will post the Schedule of Events here on Dumagueteinfo.com as soon it is finalized.

If you visit Dumaguete during that time you will find out that the whole Province of Negros Oriental is in Buglasan fever.  You better plan in advanced and book your Hotel Rooms as soon as possible. (some suggested Hotels and Resorts. Guests from all over the world coming to Dumaguete to celebrate Negros Oriental’s Festival of the Festivals, the Buglasan 2009.

Tags: Filipino, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Negros, Filipina, Bais, Visayan, Visayas, Bacolod, Dumaguete

Here we go with some Fiestas and Festivals in our area for the next view month

July

4  Founders Day, Foundation University - Dumaguete

24 Sinulog De Tanjay - Tanjay City

25 Fiesta (Santiago Matamoro) - Tanjay City

August

Last week Founders Week Hibalag Festival - Silliman University, Dumaguete

25 Fiesta (San Augustin de Hippo) - Bacong

September

7 Sipong Festival - Bais City

10 Kinaiyahan Festival - Dauin

10 Fiesta (San Nicolas de Tolentino) - Dauin

10 Fiesta (San Nicolas de Tolentino) -Bais City

So a lot to celebrate, until mid of October; when we all will enjoy the Festival of Festivals, our very own and very special….

Buglasan - Festival 2009 

The 2009 Buglasan in Dumaguete will be from 16 - 26 of October.  Parades, performances, fireworks and a lot of fun all around the city of Dumaguete.

So if you come from other Island and Provinces make sure you book your accommodations in time, If you have any question, just register and ask it on our

DumagueteInfo Forum.

The final schedule of the Buglasan Festival 2009 will be published soon and of course our readers here will be some of the first who will have it in their hands.

Tags: Negros Oriental, Negros, Visayas, Dumaguete, Visayan, Filipino, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands,

The provincial government of Negros Oriental has allocated P2 million for the construction of a conference and restaurant facility near the watch tower at Mantalip Reef in municipality of Bindoy.

Governor Emilio Macias II said he wanted to continue the rehabilitation and improvement of Mantalip Reef as another potential area for scuba diving, next to Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

The municipal government of Bindoy and the provincial government are now completing the rehabilitation of Mantalip Reef.

Rehabilitation started during the term of former governor and now 2nd district Rep. George Arnaiz, who first saw the potential of Mantalip Reef as another tourist destination in the province.

Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo said the reef was destroyed due to illegal and dynamite fishing that had caused the destruction of corals.

At present the reef has been partially rehabilitated.

Sedillo said Mantalip Reef had similar corals that could be found in Apo Island that should closely be monitored and guarded against illegal fishing.

At present, Apo Island in Dauin is the only favorite diving destination in the province that has attracted several foreign tourists.

Recently, Macias ordered the seeding of Avalon fish in Mantalip Reef to recapture its rich marine resources and help improve the food security program of the province, which is in line with the 12-point agenda of the governor.

Tags: Visayas, Philippine Islands, Tourism, Filipino, Filipina, Philippines, Negros, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Traveling

Silliman University hosts a three day scientific meeting with international participants. The topic is Climate Change. The annual meeting brings together the network composed of 50 Universities and Colleges throughout the Philippine archipelago. Some 130 delegates are expected to join the meeting

Dr. Ben Malayang, the president of Silliman University stated that this years annual meeting is the first with international character. Environmental Specialists from five countries around the globe are expected to help and give their input on climate exchange.

 The new created Negros Oriental Advisory Council on Climate Change (NOACC) works with different government units to develops simple steps to encourage everybody in the fight against global warming.

The “everybody’s effort” goes from planting trees to organic farming. The province task is to educate the farmers to organic farming to get rid of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which also contributes to global warming.

Jose Baladao, the Vice Governor of Negros Oriental, lauded Silliman University for their Effort in taking the initiative to educate the province-leaders on the problem of climate change and show steps how to mitigate its effects.

Tags: Visayas, Philippines, Tourism, Visayan, Filipina, Philippine Islands, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Bacolod,

Some Headlines about violence in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental were creating some active discussion about the safety in Dumaguete and Negros.  That kind of violence is most of the time based on political views and history of the victims.

Dumaguetenios, Expats and foreigners who live a normal life are not effected by that. The following is part of an article published on www.pna.gov.ph  by Judy Flores-Partlow (JFP) , a Journalist who lives and works in Dumaguete.

(PNA) – A ranking leader of the breakaway Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) in Negros Oriental was shot dead in broad daylight Wednesday along Legaspi Street in Dumaguete City….

… Initial police investigation showed that he was riding his red Honda XLR motorcycle around 4:30 p.m. when unidentified suspects sprayed automatic gunfire at him.

Responding policemen brought him to the Holy Child Hospital, about 400 meters from the crime scene, where doctors and medical staff tried to revive him.
He succumbed shortly thereafter to at least 10 fatal wounds to the front and back of his body.

Investigators recovered more than 20 expended 9-mm shells from the crime scene.

The window on the driver’s side of a car that was parked alongside the road near where Rosales lay sprawled was shattered as a single round penetrated the vehicle, while the walls of a building nearby were also grazed apparently by stray bullets, the police said.

City deputy police chief Rosalinda Abellon said they are still investigating the motive of the killing as there are no witnesses yet.

…. linked his death to the man’s being a former rebel…

The wife pointed to the New People’s Army (NPA) as possibly behind the death …

the full article of  Judy Flores-Partlow (JFP) can be foundon the PNA-website

This a typical and very sad example, but also shows the background of most violent acts in the region.Dumaguete is not more dangerous or safe than any other growing City in the world if residents and expats walk through life with common sense.

Tags: Dumaguete, Negros Occidental, Filipino, Traveling, Bacolod, , Filipina, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Tourism

 A long brownout hit Dumaguete and the whole Visayas on the Saturday February  25 which lasted until lunchtime Sunday. While speculations went wild and even local radio-stations reported about a bomb, the extended Brownout of the Negros Oriental Region was caused by a leaking transformer at the sub-station in Pondol, Amlan, Negros Oriental.

The following report is from the Judy Flores Partlow (JFP) and was published on the website of the Philippines News Agency

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 27 (PNA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), formerly the National Transmission Corporation or TransCo, has reverted to using an old transformer at the sub-station in Pondol, Amlan, Negros Oriental after a newly installed unit was found to have a leak.

Quiamco said they are now contacting Xian Electric, the contractor for the newly installed transformer, which leaked, for the repair of the leaking unit, which is still under warranty. (PNA)
LAP/JFP

As the region is running now on an older transformer there can be more Brownouts expected in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental for the next few month until the new transformer will be repaired.

Tags: Dumaguete, Bacolod, , News, Visayas, Negros Occidental, Bais, Negros, Philippines, Negros Oriental