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HISTORY
Dumaguete was coined from the visayan word "which means 'to snatch". According to the legend, because of the frequent raids/attacks of the Muslim Pirates on the coastal town and it’s power to attract and make visitors stay, hence the word “dumaguet, meaning “to swoop”. It was Pedro Murillo Velarde, in 1734, indicated the present name of Dumaguete for settlement. In 1890, the Negros Island was divided into two politico-military provinces, the Occidental and Oriental. In 1898, Dumaguete was included in Negros Oriental.
On May 1, 1901, the end of Philippine-American War, a civil government was established by the Americans in the province and this includes Dumaguete. On August 28, 1901, Dr. David S. Hibbard founded Silliman Institute currently known as Silliman University. It has become the first Protestant university in the Philippines. In 1904 seven Belgian nuns arrived in Dumaguete and opened St. Paul’s Academy. .
CULTURE
Dumaguete’s culture is a captivating blend of traditions, friendliness, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Known as the “City of Gentle People,” the character of Dumaguete’s culture is shaped by its welcoming residents, who embody warmth, hospitality, and a genuine eagerness to connect with newcomers.
FESTIVALS
Sundurot Festival
The city comes alive every September by celebrating its Sandurot Festival, which means “fellowship and reaching out” is a commemoration of Dumaguete’s rich history dating back from the pre-Hispanic period when people of different foreign cultures converged and created a varied community that is Dumaguete City today. Through the course of history and to the present time, the people of Dumaguete have always been known to welcome strangers from different shores and countries, and to live with them in complete peace and understanding. The celebration started with the Paghimamat, a re-enactment of how people from different cultures and races came to the shores of Dumaguete, bringing gifts of rich cultures. Pasigarbo followed, gracing the City streets with dancing to drumbeats and other instruments participated by different barangays and schools in Dumaguete. The streetdancing ended at Quezon Park after which the participants prepared for the grand Pasundayag, a display of dances portraying different stories of the Dumaguete tradition.
Buglasan Festival
Buglasan Festival, also known as “The Festival of Festivals”, is one of the most waited festivals in Negros Oriental. It is celebrated annually in Dumaguete City, the capital of the province in the middle of October since 2002. The festival is a ten-day event held in the city of Dumaguete, a movable provincial fiesta, participated in by the Province’s six cities and 19 municipalities. Though this is a province-wide event (sponsored by the provincial government), the activities are mostly centered in the province’s capital, Dumaguete City. Majority of activities are held in the Provincial Capitol and Ninoy Aquino’s Freedom Park with booths and local products either on display or for sale, it is also spread to other venues such as Sidlakan Negros Village at Brgy. Piapi and city’s Rizal Boulevard. Showdowns and street dancing activities happen every 3rd Friday of the month of October.
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