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

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

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

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

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

The Dumaguete Coconut Mills Inc. will renovate “The Pier” or “Ducomi” as it is known in the diving world. The underwater world of DUCOMI is very unique for several factors. The macro-life is in the variety and density well known all over the world. Also divers who are not into the small stuff experienced an atmosphere which is hard to top.  

At present are several meetings with dive-operators and environmental experts discussing options and possibilities to conserve or rescue even a part of this underwater wonder at the Ducomi Pier.

Here is the letter as sent out by the corporation on November 26, 2008.

Gentlemen:

                Just recently, the Board of Directors of DUCOM approved the budget for the repair of the steel piles and concrete slabs and beams of our pier. This project was supposed to be scheduled early this year but we held it in abeyance the approval of the owners.

                We deeply regret to say that this project necessitates the scraping of the nudibranches and other living things which consider the pillars as their home but we have to undertake such costly move in order to avoid further damage to our installation. If we don’t do this now, we would be incurring much greater cost in the future, which we can’t afford.

                The project is scheduled to start this coming month and the contractor will be mobilizing this weekend. As we have no idea yet on the details of their repair methology, we remain hanging on our decision whether or not to continue allowing diving on the early stages while creatures still exist for the nature lovers to see.

                What a waste, but we have no choice. We hope to preserve, conserve, retrieve or replace those marine beauties for them to still be visible after the repair works. Frankly we need them as a living proof that our industrial effluent is not polluted. It took years for them to build up on the pillars; we don’t want to loose them in a wink of an eye.

                If you have any suggestions or comment about their conservation, please feel free to communicate with us. We need environmentalists like you.

                                                                                                                Sincerely yours,               

                                                                                                                Romunaldo S. Domingo

                                                                                                                Plant Manager

We will report the next weeks about the development and the achievment of all involved parties.

Rhoody

Tags: Bais, Dumaguete City, Philippines, Dumaguete, News, Philippine Islands, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Traveling, Visayan

The Buglasan Festival 2008 will be held from October 16 - 26 2008 with activities all over the City of Gentle people with Parades through the City, Fireworks at the Rizal Boulevard and Boatracing in Siaton. The evening events are mainly around the Sidlakang Negros Stage.
Buglasan 2008 kicks of on October 16th with the Buglasan Farm Family Congress at the Provincial Agriculture Office.
The program of the following days is:
Oct 17:
Opening Buglasan Booths
Duett and Quartett Competitions
Negros Oriental Performs

Oct 18:
Lutong Garbo sa Sidlakang Negros
6th Buglasan Chess Festival
Bulilit Minus-One Singing
Children’s Choir
Rondalla Junior & Senior (Kumparsa) Division
Balak and Balitw Competitions

Oct 19:
Chess Festival Day 2
Marching Band Competition
Marching Band Parade
Minus-One Senior Division

Oct 20:
Chess Festival Awards Program
Live Band Competition

Oct 21:
Buglasan Rap
Pop Dance Competition

Oct 22:
Global Peace Festival
International Students Night

Oct 23:
Folk Dance Competition
Sponsors Night

Oct 24:
Festival of Festivals Show Down
Festival of Festivals Streetdance
Buglasan King and Queen Selection

Oct 25:
Buglasan Bangga sa Balanan Kayaking & Canoe Competitions
Cheerdance Compeditions
Pakwela Sa Air Philippines
Dancesport Competitions
Fireworks Competitions Part 1

Oct 26:
Thanksgiving Mass
Outstanding Oriental Negrense Awards
Buglasan Booth Awards
Fireworks Competition Part 2
Chinese Pyrotechnics Exhibition

 I think there is something for everybody.

cheers
Rhoody

Tags: Negros Occidental, Dumaguete, Filipina, Traveling, News, Dumaguete City, Bais, Negros Oriental, Philippine Islands,

Rogelio “Rolly” Clamonte

In our “Who is Who in Dumaguete?”-Column we entered in this edition the holy grounds of the City Hall to meet “Rolly” Clamonte. He is a busy guy and in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) here in Dumaguete. Dumaguete City and some of his projects serve as role-model for many environmental solutions.
One of his projects even won the National Galing Pook Award. “Rolly” hosts ENRO-meetings with delegations from all over the country.
Mr. Clamonte talked with us about environmental problems and solutions as well as his visions for the future. We will publish that later on in a separate article. Here are our famous 10 questions to Mr. Rogelio “Rolly” Clamonte:

What is your full Name ?
Rogelio “Rolly” Clamonte

Are you married /Kids (if yes how many, boy/girl, age)?
No, I am single.

What is your occupation?
Government Employee

How long and why are you in Dumaguete?
since 40 years and I feel Safe in the City

What do you like about Dumaguete ?
Dumaguete is a peaceful and progressive City

What was the best experience in your life?
When my Project won the National Galing Pook contest

What are your plans for the future ?
to gather more environmental Awards for Dumaguete

If you can say 2 sentences daily to 1.700 people from all over the world, WHAT would you tell them ?
Try to settle at Dumaguete and feel the difference

Tags: Negros, Dumaguete, , Negros Oriental, Traveling, Dumaguete City, Bais, Tourism, Visayas, Philippine Islands

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered for all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations, to adopt electricity and fuel savings measures as soon as possible. The Department of Science and Technology and the Siquijor State College try the best to advocate energy conservation in Siquijor province following President GMA’s order for all.

An awareness training was conducted by the DOST, co-sponsored by the Siquijor State College and the provincial government of Siquijor. The primary goal is to develop the knowledge, awareness and capability of the staff involved in the energy management.  “Savings in Electricity” is the bottom line. This seminar should help to generate substantial saving of electricity in a short and long term. 

Dr. Cabanganan (the SSC President) stated, that energy is one of the problems in the province but many have not realized it and a lot of energy is not properly used and wasted. He cited some such as solar, wind, sea, ocean or tidal current of which combination of the principles of these energy resources can very well work in the province. “Wind in it self can be utilized to pump water instead of electricity,” he cited.

Giving his all-out support to the campaign, SSC President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan said past and present efforts of the school has been in line with the energy conservation program of the government as he cited its proposal for the establishment of an Energy R & D Center in Siquijor which will cost some five million pesos, among their other undertakings.

As if echoing President Arroyo’s call, the College President also encouraged his staff to conserve by doing away with those unnecessary electrical appliances and do the same to encourage other officials and employees to conserve electricity and fuel. By next month, the President wants all government offices to implement plans to replace all incandescent lamps and by September, all agencies shall convert 20 percent of their vehicles in major cities to liquid petroleum.

“Agencies shall install and/ or adopt other energy saving technology, with the help of the Department of Energy and/or the Department of Science and Technology,” the AO stated.

“Developing our local capabilities is very timely and will keep us abreast with the current trends in energy management.”

“Considering our present situation of soaring energy costs particularly in the province of Siquijor and the climate change which we are experiencing, I am pretty sure that this training is both timely and relevant“ Engr. de la Peña said

“I hope that what you will learn in this training will benefit your respective offices in our quest for energy conservation measures” he said.

Conserving Energy is one of the biggest challenges of our time.. Let’s face this challenge and start doing something now. Siquijor is on the right way…

Tags: Visayan, Bais, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Filipina, Bacolod, Dumaguete City, News, Philippine Islands, Negros Oriental

The waters around Dumaguete are famous for their marine life. Apo Island is mentioned as one of the world’s top-dive sites and not only in South East Asia. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (a leader in the zoo and aquarium profession for more than three-quarters of a century) used the reefs of Apo as a model and rebuild some parts of it for their own “Clownfish-City” in Illinois. Professional Underwater Photographers flock to Dumaguete to take their shots of the famous Mandarin fishes and all the other Critters in the Bohol Sea which is the official name of the ocean here in the Central Visayas.

Specifically in the area around the municipality of Dauin (15 km south of Dumaguete) are many well known beach and diving resorts who host international guests from all over the world to show them the best Scuba-diving around Negros Oriental. Dauin has 8 marine sanctuaries and is also the departure point for dive-trips to the surrounding islands like Apo, Sumilon, Siquijor and Balicasag Island.

Most of the Instructors and Dive-Master in this region are Dumaguetenios, some with thousands of dives under their belts, and know the reefs here like the back of their hand. They are one of the main-reasons why most of the guests leave Dumaguete with the promise to return.

On March 27th, 2008 many of them met at the Waterfront Café at the Boulevard in Dumaguete to found a new Association: The NEGROS ORIENTAL DIVE PROFESSIONAL The members are all diving and tourism related and work in different resorts and positions. Diveshop owners, tour operators, freelancing dive-masters and instructors as well as employees of dive resorts founded this association to work together for the benefit of the local diving-tourism.

The goal of the NDP is to work hand in hand with the officials of the region to secure the success of “Diving in Negros”. The first public appearance of the Negros Oriental Dive Professional  will be at a regional meeting in Dauin where their goal is to provide a better solution and give suggestions for a better system regarding all different, sometimes unpredictable fees and regulations for diving in and around Dumaguete.

Future goals include conservation projects in a joint venture with different marine biologists and universities as well as the operation of a recompression chamber in Negros Oriental.

Diving in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental is one of the best of its kind in the Philippines and South East Asia. The Negros Oriental Dive Professional want to ensure that it will stay like that and even improve its status worldwide.

The Dumaguete Info team wishes the Negros Oriental Dive Professional good success for their goals and projects.

Tags: Negros Occidental, Bais, Dumaguete, Tourism, , Philippines, Filipino, Philippine Islands, Negros, Traveling