DUMAGUETE

The "City of Gentle People" guards its peace carefully. The capital of Negros Ori­ental, Dumaguete also serves as a haven from turbulent Mindanao to the south and the alleged witchcraft of nearby Siquijor Island. It is also a convenient springboard for exploring Siqmjor or lovely Apo Island, which shelters some of the finest div­ing in the country. The energy of Dumaguete's student population combats the relaxed atmosphere of the beautiful waterfront in a city that has a little bit of it all.

TRANSPORTATION

Flights: To get to the airport, take Dumaguete North Rd. off Silliman Ave. Air Philippines  is at the airport and the ticket outlet is in the Honeycomb Tourist Inn. Open M-F 9am-noon and l-4:30pm. Daily flights to Manila (7:30am and 2:50pm,). Cebu Pacific  also flies daily to Manila (3:30pm); purchase tickets at the airport or from a travel agent in town.

Buses: Dumaguete Ceres Terminal is in the south of the city across the river on Calinda-gan South Rd. Follow Perdices St. (tricycle). To: Bacolod via Cadiz (6hr); Kaban Kalan (5hr., every hr. 4am-10pm,): San Carlos (7hr., every hr. 3am-11pm,). Buses going north stop at Ceres Sub Terminal Northbound near the ferry pier. Walking away from the pier, take a right up Flores St. Terminal; it's 5min. up on the right. Locals call the area "Looc." Royal Express Bus Terminal  sends buses to Bacolod (5hr., 6am and 2pm) via Mabinay (2hr.).

Ferries: The pier is at the north end of Rizal Ave. Shipping companies send representa­tives to pier area lhr. before departure. There is a P15 terminal fee for all ferries. 15% student discount. Supercat sends daily ferries to Cebu (2Vihr., 4:15pm,) via Tag-bilaran; and Larena on Siquijor (45min., 7:15pm,). Express office  on Ma. Christina St. behind the Metrobank Branch. Open M-Sa Sam-noon and l-5pm. The branch office is near the pier opposite Ceres Sub Terminal in Looc. Delta Fast Ferries whisks passengers to Larena on Siquijor (45min.; 9:15am, 1:30, 4:30pm). The ticket outlet is in the Gold Label Bakeshoppe on Perdices St. Open M-Sa 7:30am-noon and l-7pm. WG&A  sends ferries to Cagayan de Oro (6hr., F 6am,) and Manila (25hr.; W 5pm, Sa 9am). WG&A tickets can be purchased at Supercat offices. Negros Navigation cruises to Manila (24hr., Sa 5:30pm,). Ferries leave from Tampi, several kilometers north of Dumaguete, for the quick hop to Bato on Cebu, a short ride from Moalboal (lhr., leaves when full ).

Local Transportation: Tricycles.

ORIENTATION AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Downtown is easily navigable by foot. Rizal Ave. borders the coast connecting the ferry pier in the north with roads heading inland. Silliman University sprawls north of nearby Silliman Ave., which runs west from the shore. Originating at Silliman Ave., Perdices St. bisects the city, heads south, crosses the Banica River, and ends at the main bus terminals. Dr. V. Locsin St. intersects Perdices midway through down­town; the market, park, and post office are a few blocks south.

 SIGHTS AND ENTERTAINMENTDumaguete's cleanliness makes strolls through town and seaside Rizal Blvd. a gen­uine pleasure. A block inland, Quezon Park is the favorite of younger Negrenses; the more mature venture to the spotless market. In the distance rises Mt. Talinas, romantically known as the Horns of Negros. Silliman University was the first Protes­tant university in the Philippines. The university's museums of ethnology and anthropology are on the comer of Silliman Ave. and Perdices St.

All nightlife inquirers will be pointed to the Why Not Complex  on Rizal Ave., which has Internet access (24hr., lhr.), a disco with live music (open Tu-Sa 9pm-2:30am), and a karaoke lounge with billiards (open daily 8pm-2am). The Sandurot Festival, in the third week of November, celebrates multiculturalism. After ceremonial gift giving, various costumed Negrenses parade and celebrate their sandurot (friendship).