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

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

Michael K Feeney 

Mike is a sunnyboy from California with a friendly helpfull attitude. It is hard to get a quiet moment with him to talk about that small interview as he usually busy with taking  care of everything around him including the peanut vendors at the boulevard in Dumaguete. If you don’t see him running around his Adventure Diveshop and the Waterfront-Cafe with JM (his son) on his arms he is most likely under water or on the construction site of his property in Dauin. His favourite food is obviously BBQ and Mexican style what reflects on the menu of his small restaurant. The Chicken Burritos are my favourite and as the beer is the coldest San Miguel in whole Dumaguete it is easy to spend some hours there.  Who ever met that guy in Dumaguete wonders where he gets the energy to do all that stuff and still having that great attitude. Enjoy his honest answers and don’t miss out on meeting Mike when you are around in Dumaguete…

10 Questions

What is your full Name ?
Michael K Feeney
Are you married /Kids (if yes how many, boy/girl, age)
Finally got married in Dec 2007, after 4 years living together and 1.5 kids it seemed like a good time to put away the fear and take the plunge.
3 kids, 22 year old boy, 5 year old girl, 1 year old son and a baby girl on the way. She is due in June.

What is your occupation?
Retired conductor for the Canadian National Railroad, 8 years. Retired farmer, 18 years growing wine grapes in  Sonoma County Calif. All that retirement…… We now have a small dive shop (Adventurediveshop) and the Waterfront-Café on the Boulevard in Dumaguete. I feel more retarded than retired, I sometimes work harder now than ever before.

How long and why are you in Dumaguete?
I’ve been in Dumaguete for 4 years or has it been a lifetime????
Fate brought me here. A friend in the US is married to a girl from Dumaguete. After listening  to him rave about the Philippines and Dumaguete  I decided I better have a look. Well, the rest as they say is history.
I met my wife within a few days of my arrival. I also met a great group of locals, the circle of friends just kept growing as did the realization that this place just might be the spot to spend the rest of my days….
.

What do you like about Dumaguete ?
Dumaguete for me is an amazing place of contrast. From Apo Island or a cool mountain water fall to the mall. From a college coffee shop, talking politics or world affairs to a mountain roadside sari-sari talking about NPA or farming or life span of a caribou. Strolling the boulevard on a quiet night or navigating the insanity of the tricycle choked streets surrounding the market. The concrete lined cesspool called a river running through Dumaguete…. Well I think you get my point. But mostly I like the people…. And the lifestyle

What would you like to change in Dumaguete?
Flat out …… the traffic!!!!!!! I hate tricycles,  that is unless I need one. It’s not unique to Dumaguete but if I let it get to me………………..  F#*k      Where’s my gun?????

What was the best experience in your life?
So many wonderful experiences in life…. But of course the best have been and will be the birth of my children… Nothing comes close to that moment that that slimy little thing enters your arms for the first time. After that it’s all down hill…
The next best moment in my life was the day I told myself and the owner of the company I managed that I was done!!!!! No more work for me and not yet 50 yeas old. It felt like the 30 year prison term was finished.     Mmmmm, what did I say about retirement earlier?????

What are your plans for the future ?
Well, now that I’m retired….. I’m gonna slow down and relax more, right??? Well not just yet . We have some property in Dauin that we are just beginning to develop into a small 8-10 room resort and dive shop. Now I just dream about the day that I can lay in my beachside, coconut tree supported hammock, with a cup of coffee and a good book and watch the boat load of divers sail away to Apo Island.

If you can say 2 sentences daily to 1.500 people from all over the world, WHAT would you tell them ?
I would have to say that with everything that I’ve done and everywhere I’ve been, all the experiences good and bad in my life there is one thing that I’ve come to realize, and that is that life is short. I’ve lost brothers, father, friends and more. Some in the prime of life others at the end. Either way life is precious and oh so short.
Don’t wait to do the things you want, go for your dreams. This is not a dress rehearsal. Tomorrow could be the last day for any of us…….. Embrace the positive, seize the moment !

Would you do something different in your life if you have the chance ?
At the end of the day, when we are reflecting on our lives, I don’t think that the number of cars or houses we owned will matter much. I don’t think that the amount of money in the bank will be too comforting. I think that in our final moments, given the chance  we will be thinking about the people in our lives. Our loved ones, all the relationships we had, all the good things we did and the positive influence we had on people. But also we will think about the people we used, hurt or mistreated. I’ve been no angel in my life.
If I could do anything different,  it would been to deal differently with the people that I’ve treated poorly or much worse. Since we can’t change the past, we can only work on the future.

Tags: Bais, Dumaguete City, Philippines, Filipino, Negros, Traveling, Filipina, News, Philippine Islands, Bacolod

Irwin N. Ramas-Uypitching

 A bright smile and friendly personality was the first thing I recognized when I met Irwin at Hotel Palwa for this short interview. As part of a well known successful business-family he is covered with work, but it is obvious that he enjoys his busy days. If you can’t find him during daytime at RUSCO Motors (a sister company of RUSI and duplamilco) , he is probably on his way to his brother Adam to support him in the Hotel or visit the piggery. Irwin is a God fearing young man who keeps himself fit and healthy with a lot of sports. Before going to work he is biking and in the afternoon you can see him jogging at the grand stand or around Freedom Park. Every Sunday he practice Motorcross racing. Just after our short Interview he left for Bayawan City with his Team where practice for Sundays race.
Good luck…

10 Questions

What Is your full Name ?
Irwin N. Ramas-Uypitching

Are you married /Kids (if yes how many, boy/girl, age)
single, 27 years

What is your occupation?
businessman: vehicle retailing, financing, hotel business, piggery farming

How long and why are you in Dumaguete?
I am in Dumaguete City since birth.

What do you like about Dumaguete ?
I like Dumaguete and the province of Negros Oriental to develop and grow economically ( specifically in the tourism sector) without polluting, ruining and destroying the beauty of its natural resources so it could contunue to lure more tourists in the island. tourist=good business=growth of economy. Of course as the city grows, i hope that the peace and order and life pace will remain positive and good.

What was the best experience in your life?
All that happend in my life since birth until present is the best experience that i have undergone and i thank God for my life.

What are your plans for the future ?
God willing, my dreams, plans and objectives is to make the family business legacy grow, develop and remain competitive, open for diversification inclined to tourism..

If you can say 2 sentences to 1.500 people from all over the world, WHAT would you tell them ?
Men are like grass and flowers in the field, grass withers and flowers fall but the word of God endures forever.

Would you do something different in your life if you have the chance ?
Yes, promote eco-academic tourism. Share God’s word and gospel.

Tags: Negros Oriental, News, Filipina, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Philippines, Dumaguete City, , Tourism

Philip A. Domen. 

We met Philip some years ago when he was performing with his guitar on the acoustic evening in Coco Amigos. His warm voice, precise playing and feeling for the music impressed us right away.  It seems his repertoire and music knowledge is endless. I remember that we requested a song he could not play right away, but he figured it out between his sets, came back on stage and did a great performance.

At present you can listen to him:
Tuesday :   Annabell Jean
Wednesday:  Devlin Restobar
Thursday:   Coco Amigos
Friday:   La Cavitena
 
Philipps can be booked for your private parties. If you are interested in booking this great performer just drop a line to Rhoody@dumagueteinfo.com

10 Questions

What Is your full Name ?
Philip A. Domen.

Are you married /Kids (if yes how many, boy/girl, age

Married, 1 boy (20) 1 girl (18).

What is your occupation?
Acoustic guitar performer.

How long and why are you in Dumaguete?
15 years, family.

What do you like about Dumaguete ?
Peaceful, simple living, gentle people.

What would you like to change in Dumaguete?
Traffic regulation, build some small factories to employ people.

What was the best experience in your life?
When the mother of my Kids visit me in December 2004.

What are your plans for the future ?
Be a successful acoustic composer/artist, with my own CD and live a peaceful life.

If you can say 2 sentences to 1.500 people from all over the world, WHAT would you tell them ?
Don’t miss the chance to see me when you are in Dumaguete, your support helps me for my future plans.

would you do something different in your life if you have the chance ?
Maybe, but I am a simple happy man.

Tags: Philippines, Bais, Filipino, , Visayan, Visayas, Dumaguete, Dumaguete City, Bacolod, Tourism

The City Government of Dumaguete will spearhead the construction of a diversion road which is reportedly worth over P200 million as a means to ease traffic in the city. This was bared by no less than Mayor Agustin Perdices.

According to the mayor, the City Planning Office is currently doing on a survey to point out the persons who will be greatly hit by the ambitious project. An initial budget of P2.5 million was allocated for this activity as well as for acquiring and processing of the right of way.

However, Mayor Perdices did not indicate when the survey will be accomplished but he gave an assurance that the beginning and expansion of the road will kick off this year.

Once completed, the diversion road, which covers a six-kilometer stretch, will connect the Western region of Dumaguete to the northern region of the town of Bacong as well as to the southwestern tip of Sibuyan municipality. He bared that some vehicles particularly cargo trucks will no longer be allowed to enter the major roads of Dumaguete and will be directed to take the diversion road.

The honorable mayor insisted that this project is important in making commerce and industry accessible. Likewise, Bacong Mayor Lenin Alviola and Sibulan Mayor Antonio Renacia lauded the project because it will fast track the development of their regions.

Local leaders such as Gov. Emilio Macias II and solons from the 2nd and 3rd districts of Negros Oriental namely George Arnaiz and Pryde Henry Teves have promised to provide monetary assistance.

In related news, Rep. George Arnaiz of the 2nd District of Negros Oriental allotted P70 million as capital for concreting of roads in his area. He is offering the money because of the growing traffic menace in Dumaguete and surrounding areas. In fact, he is even pushing for

The solon pointed out that one of the many reasons why traffic in the city is growing is because of the narrow roads in the main arteries of the city, which according to him can be widened.

Rep. Arnaiz said that widening and concreting of roads is important in enhancing tourism and attracting visitors to the province. Recently, Negros Oriental was adjudged by the International Islands Magazine as among the world’s top places to reside.

He said that 70 percent of his pork barrel will serve as funds for infrastructure while the remaining 30 percent will go to other projects.

Tags: Negros, Dumaguete, Philippines, Bacolod, Bais, Traveling, News, Negros Occidental, Filipina, Visayas

In the hope of bringing more quality and affordable air travel to Filipinos, premiere domestic airline Cebu Pacific has decided to increase its operations from Manila to several important Philippine destinations. The business plan includes additional flights from the nation’s capital to seven major cities in the country. This includes more flights to Dumaguete, which is popularly known as the City of Gentle People.

The City of Dumaguete is located within the vastly progressive province of Negros Oriental. From April 3, 2008, Cebu Pacific will now have more flights to Dumaguete. Instead of the previous eleven flights, it will now have a total of 14 flights each week. This move can bring more people to the destination by providing an increased capacity of 450 more seats. The ever reliable A319 aircraft will be used to run these flights.

The terms of the plan also cover six other beautiful cities in the country. Besides more flights to Dumaguete, increased operations would also be given to the Cities of Cotabato, Dipolog, Legazpi, and Roxas. On the other hand, increased capacity is targeted at the Cities of Butuan and Tacloban. Despite these changes, Cebu Pacific promises improved services as well as accommodations.

Instead of having four flights a week, Cebu Pacific would now run five direct flights from Manila to Roxas and Cotabato. In Dipolog City, the previous three times a week flights would now become four. Meanwhile, flights to Legazpi would now be conducted twice a day compared to the previous 10 times a week flights. Aircraft upgrades are made to the Butuan and Tacloban flights. To increase capacity, the 179-seater A320 aircraft would now be used instead of the A319, which can only hold a total of 150 passengers.

According to a statement released by Cebu Pacific Marketing and Product Vice President Candice Iyog, their decision to expand the domestic operations is part of their efforts to make air travel closer to Filipinos. This can be done through easier access and significantly low fares. She also added that they are hoping to improve the condition of local tourism and trade by providing more flights and frequencies to these top domestic destinations.

Despite serving for 12 fruitful years already, Cebu Pacific still has the newest aircraft fleet in the country today. By adding flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, the airline would also increase its international destinations from 12 to 14. Starting on February 29, 2008, it will also add flight operations to Caticlan in the province of Aklan. This service would cater people who are en route to the beautiful island of Boracay.

Tags: Bacolod, Visayas, Negros Oriental, , Dumaguete, News, Traveling, Negros, Visayan, Philippines

The province of Negros Oriental has yet added another significant milestone in its rich and colorful history. Despite experiencing some financial and planning problems, the much awaited festival of all festivals in the province eventually push through. With the success of the recently finished Buglas Festival, the province has once again another very good thing to be proud of.

After getting postponed for a much later time of the year, the Buglas went well after it was held at the province’s capital city in Dumaguete from the 21st up until the 31st of December 2007. The event continued on the tradition which was started by the Buglasan Festival, which was known throughout the years for featuring the region’s natural resources, agricultural products and top tourist destinations.

The Buglas went well indeed as it also featured various cultural events and productions that reflected the very rich and colorful culture of the province. The different booths, exhibits and cottages highlighted some of the best things that the place has to offer to their foreign and local visitors and guests.

There may be some problems all along the way like some unfinished booths, but in the end Buglas went well after all. One good thing about the event is that it will actually run the different booths and structures that were successfully set up by the different businesses and local residents for the entire year of 2008.

One of the main proofs that the Buglas went well were the different colorful trade fairs. These booths and structures gave the province’s different cities and towns the wonderful opportunity of featuring the best places and tourist spots that they can offer to the general well-being of tourism in the province. Visitors and spectators wondered in awe at the beauty of the different places that Negros Oriental has to offer.

Another major indication that the Buglas went well was the annual competition that featured the different town festivals of the province going up against each other. The event was indeed a success as each town pitted their festival against the other festivals of the region. The Negrenses deserve applause for their continued effort and support to the different beautiful and colorful activities of the local government.

Indeed the Buglas went well as the festival successfully held some pretty important and significant activities for the province. These include the launch of the Sidlakang Negros Showroom and the Fifth Buglas Farm Family Congress. There were also different exciting and fun contests such as minus-one singing, live band, and folk dance competitions.

Tags: Filipino, Visayan, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete, Filipina, Negros Occidental, Bais, Negros, News, Tourism

How will people react to news about donating a check worth several hundred thousand pesos for a noble cause? For sure lots of people would be truly happy and would greatly benefit from such good-hearted intention. That’s what the Dumaguete Lions Club just did recently when it donated a grand total of 300,000 pesos to the Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center at Talay, which is located at the very beautiful city of Dumaguete.

After serving as an open rehabilitation center for those less fortunate drug addicts for several years already, the Dumaguete Lions Club found the Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center worthy of their financial aid and support. It was Provincial Governor Emilio Macias II who received the check which was handed on the third of January 2008.

A turnover ceremony was held to highlight the donation. The event was graced by Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center chief Fernando Martinez and Board Member Mariant Escano-Villegas. The event was indeed a colorful one as a pretty decent number of spectators as well as drug rehabilitation center personnel watched the noble cause took place. The event was emceed by Dumaguete Lions Club President Jerome Villegas.

Villegas said in one of his speeches during the event that the 300,000 pesos came from the fundraising concert done by no other than Philippine pop princess Sarah Geronimo. The benefit event took place at the jam-packed Lamberto Macias Sports Complex in the capital city of Negros Oriental. The concert was well supported by good-hearted patrons who wanted to have fun while being able to help raise fund for the different needs of the Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center.

Villegas added that because of the success of this benefit concert, the Dumaguete Lions Club is once again planning to make another fundraising effort just like what they did for the Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center. He noted that the funds to be raised in these succeeding events will be used to help drug dependents recover from their addiction. The funds will also be used for some other useful and productive efforts.

As the head and the leading spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Drug Rehabilitation Center, Martinez expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful financial support that the Dumaguete Lions Club has provided them. In one of his statements, Martinez added that they will use the funds to further improve their campaign against drug abuse. For sure, a lot of drug dependents as well as potential drug addicts would be saved by their wonderful effort for years to come.

Tags: Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Negros, News, , Visayan, Filipina, Traveling, Philippines, Bacolod

It is a great honor for Silliman University to host the youth summit on January 10, 2007 with an expected 300 delegates to represent the youth leaders from different schools and universities coming from different regions in the Philippines. The National Millennium Development Goals Summit for Young Leader is a yearly event that is participated in by various youth leaders in the country.

The youth summit was originally scheduled on October 23-26, 2007 but was rescheduled to a closer date on January 10, 2008 instead. Spearheaded by the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines with Silliman University to host the youth summit, there are many activities to look forward to on this meaningful national summit for the youths.

With Silliman University to host the youth summit, the youth delegates are up for an awesome privilege to visit the oldest American University in Asia. Located in the heart of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, the youth delegates are in for more surprises and enjoyment including a peaceful stroll along the posh ground of the University.

With Silliman University to host the youth summit, it is the University’s honor to hold the event geared towards youth transformation and to promote a positive attitude of young leaders to become more ardent in spirit in promoting changes to the community and become role models of the youth.

The event is centered on exposing the young delegates to the different activities concerning the Millennium Development Goals. The summit is spearheaded by the youth arm of the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines with the theme “B.I.L.I.B. Young Leaders: Stand Up, Move and Lead.”

The United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines uses its principle B.I.L.I.B. that stands for “Believe, Innovate, Lead, Inspire and Build” for this year’s youth summit. The four-day summit involves full packed activities with the objectives of defining the purpose of the goals by the United Nation Millennium Development, to identify issues where the youth can partake, the drive of the youth against poverty, appreciate the nation’s improvements, to share ideas and spread the feeling of hope for the nation. The event’s activities are followed by social activities and cultural nights.

With Silliman University to host youth summit, the event will commence at its venue at the Luce auditorium with prestigious speakers who are officials of the United Nations and other government officials among others.

The youth delegates are off to participate in series of enrichment activities and leadership workshops and immersion to youth oriented projects including action planning. Registration fee is P2,500 per participants.

The 2008 National Millennium Development Goals Summit for Young Leader is a one of the most meaningful national event which gives the honor to the Silliman University to host the youth summit this year.

Tags: Dumaguete City, Filipino, Philippines, Traveling, Bais, Bacolod, Philippine Islands, Filipina, Visayas,