The “Boulevard” is Dumaguete's show window. It is the first delightful sight that greets you from across the sea, especially at nighttime when the place is ablaze
As you leave the port area and enter Rizal Boulevard, you will see a quaint-looking white and red building overlooking the sea. The building is Silliman Hall, the oldest building in the Silliman University campus. It was built in 1903 out of materials from an old theater in New York. Today, this relic from a bygone era houses the Silliman Anthropology Museum.
At the heart of the city you will find two landmarks that not only highlight the traditional piety of the local populace but also remind you of the city’s Spanish heritage. One is the Dumaguete cathedral, the oldest stone church in the province. The other is the bell tower or belfry, at the foot of which the pious light candles. According to tradition, the bell tower (built in 1811) had served as a lookout, warning the populace of approaching pirates. Now it only serves to call the faithful to prayer.
Fronting the Capitol, the Benigno Aquino Freedom Park is a sprawling park with landscaped gardens and fountains. It is the site of the annual provincial festival of festivals called Buglasan. During this period in October, you will see the park transformed into what looks like a village—towns and cities put up their booths, and restaurants set up shop with outdoor tents.
For an educational tour, the Silliman University Marine Laboratory is a must-see. The lab is located in a quiet seaside campus just a few kilometers north of the city ’s business district. Here you can find not only giant clams and tropical fish being grown, but also crocodiles and the bones of whales and other marine mammals.
Tucked away in a wooded and quiet nook in the city is Silliman University ’s Centrop. This biodiversity research and breeding center is a refuge for several endangered species of animal wildlife found in Negros and Panay Islands. These include the spotted deer, wild pigs, pythons, bats, and rare birds. If you’re a lover of nature, definitely include this place in your itinerary.
