Negros Island Region (NIR)

Negros Island Region (NIR)

Basic Facts:

     The Negros Island Region (Filipino: Rehiyon ng Pulo ng Negros; Hiligaynon: Rehiyon sang Isla sang Negros; Cebuano: Rehiyon sa Isla sa Negros; abbreviated as NIR) is the 18th region of the Philippines comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental with the highly urbanized city of Bacolod in the island of Negros.

     The region was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued by President Benigno Aquino III on May 29, 2015.     

Country	Philippines
Island Group	Visayas
Regional Center (Interim)	Bacolod and Dumaguete
Area
• Total	13,350.74 km2(5,154.75 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	4,194,525
• Density	313.59/km2(812.2/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Negrense Negrosanon (local)
Divisions
• Provinces	2
• Highly urbanized city	1
• Component cities	18
• Municipalities	38
• Barangays	1,219
• Districts	11
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
Spoken languages	Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Filipino, English

Places Of Interest:

1. Belfry in Dumaguete

     In the year 1811 when Dumaguete was a place whose inhabitants were always threatened by Muslim marauders in search of slaves, the Bell Tower was then built to forewarn the locals of any incoming danger. It remains to be the oldest bell tower in  the Visayas and is a very famous architectural landmark in the city.

      Located along the main Perdices Street right next to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral fronting the Rizal Park, it is an imposing stone structure that certainly calls for the attention of many passersby. Because of its antiquity and authenticity it may well look out of place in the midst of the city’s modern day activities. But although it has been restored and given some additions over the years like the garden and grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at its base, it has retained its ancient look right down to the now moss covered exterior walls.

2. Apo Island Marine Sanctuary

     Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the world. It is the home of more than two-thirds of the worlds known coral species. Because of the vastness of its marine resources, Apo island has been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982.
     Only a 30-minute "bangka" (small boat in the Philippines) ride from Zamboangita, a town approximately 20Km south of Dumaguete.

3. Silliman University Anthropology Museum

     The museum houses the collection of the university's Cultural Research Center started in 1964. The exhibits are rare and priceless collections of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts which date back from as early as 200 BC.

Products:

1. Sugar Cane

2. Ceramics

3. Mat Weaving

Delicacies:

1. Silvanas in Sans Rival

     An institution that started in Dumaguete in the 1970’s, Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries has churned out countless Sans Rival Cakes and Silvanas that the locals have been indulging and teaching the next generation to appreciate. The Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries shop has taken this and evolved into a local cafe, not also serving rice meals and other confectioneries.

     Silvanas, on the other hand, is its cookie-like counterpart. While not much in terms of layers, all the buttery and cashew nut goodness is sandwiched between some crunchy-chewy meringue. The crunchiness is experienced when the Silvanas are fresh out of the refrigerator, so you can imagine that this treat needs to stay cool.

Silvanas from Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries is also the same Silvanas recipe from the House of Silvanas that is seen all over Metro Manila. It is crazy popular that this particular delicacy has even opened branches in Southern California, USA.

2. BudBud Kabog

     Budbud Kabog is a native delicacy similar to suman (sweet, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves) but made from millet which is a whole grain used to make bread like chapatti and roti. In some Eastern European and African countries, millet is also used in porridge and as baby food. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is known to be rich in fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals.

3. Piyaya

     Piyaya is a muscovado -filled unleavened flatbread from the Philippines especially common in Negros Occidental where it originated. It is made by filling dough with a mixture of muscovado and glucose syrup. The filled dough is then flattened with a rolling pin, sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked on a griddle.

Literary Works:

1. Sicalac and Sicavay ( A Visayan Creation Myth)
2. Legend of Dumaguete
3. Ang Among Kabantang by Fernando Buyser
4. Aquino-Our Pride translated by Juliet B. Samonte
5. Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citezen, Also Called Pete by Rene Estella Amper
6. The Clay Pipe by Marcel M. Navarra
7. The Chambers of the Sea by Edith L. Tiempo

Visayan Folk Songs

1. Usahay
2. Matud Nila

Family Traditions

Mano Po

     When children or young people greet or say goodbye to their elders they typically do so by taking the right hand of the elder with their right hand and touch the back the elder's hand lightly on their forehead. It is a way of giving respect to the elders and I believe that is also a way of receiving blessing to the elders. Mano is a Spanish word for “hand” while Po is used in the end of the sentence when addressing elders or superiors.

Courtship

     We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading or Harana in Tagalog is one of the most popular forms of courtship to show that a man is very serious with his intentions to a woman. A serenade would require the young man to sing a love song in front of the young lady's house. Normally, he is accompanied by his male friends who act as back-up singers. The man himself or his friend played the instrument, usually a guitar, which provides the background music to his song.

     They would have to wait until the young lady opened a window to listen. It would be up to her if she wanted to invite them in for some refreshment and to chat after the song. Even if they had been asked to come in, the suitor would not expect that he could have the chance of a private moment with his object of affection. It was highly likely that the parents would also be there to entertain the man and his friends.

Going to Church Every Sunday

     We Filipinos often want to go to church together with our family every Sunday. Going together with your family is very different from going alone. Some families like my family after attending the mass we will eat in restaurants and visit malls to bond and enjoy. As the famous saying states: "A family that prays together, stays together."

Things to do at my Hometown

  

 Dumaguete Boulevard

 

     The Dumaguete Boulevard or the Rizal Boulevard was named after the Philippine’s National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Dr. Jose Rizal while on his way to his exile in Dapitan, passed by Dumaguete City and strolled along its beautiful and serene shores. This is one of the most beautiful and most captivating landmarks in the city. Also you can eat delicious tempura at the tempura stalls at the side of the boulevard.

Dumaguete Belfry Tower

     According to legend, "Dumaguete" was coined from the word "Daguit", meaning "to snatch". This term was given because of the frequent marauding attacks of Muslim pirates on the coastal town. It was said that the pirates not only would siege and rob the town but they too would snatch the beautiful women from its shores. Thus, the Dumaguete belfry was built in 1811 to warn the locals of incoming attacks. Today, the belfry still stands proud amidst the modern buildings surrounding it. It is a remnant of Dumaguete's past to remind today's generation of how Dumaguete stands at present with the help of the tower.

Silliman Atropology Museum

     The building that houses the rare, and priceless collections of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts is the oldest standing American structure in the Philippines. The Silliman Hall is located at the southeastern part of Silliman University, and is faces the Rizal Boulevard, and into the sea. It is of Victorian or Stick type design, and was constructed 2 years after the birth of Silliman University.

Silliman University

     Silliman University is a private research university in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Established in 1901 as Silliman Institute by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, it is the first Americanuniversity in the Philippines and the entire Asian continent. The university is named after Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a retired businessman and philanthropist from Cohoes, New York who gave the initial sum of $10,000 to start the school. Starting as an elementary school for boys, the school expanded to become a college in 1910, acquiring university status in 1938. For the first half of the 20th century, Silliman was run and operated by Americans. After the Second World War Filipinos began to assume more important positions, culminating in the appointment of Silliman's first Filipino president in 1952.

Robinson's Place Dumaguete

     Currently the only premiere shopping mall in Negros Oriental, Robinsons Place Dumaguete is the first full service shopping mall to set its foot on this ‘City of Gentle People.’ Considered a major component of the Dumaguete Business Park and IT Plaza in Baranggay Calindagan, this two-level commercial complex holds together over 100 tenants -- mostly key players in the food & beverage, apparel, beauty & wellness, services and retail industries. Adding up to this exciting slate is a refreshing crowd of homegrown brands showcasing the city’s special offerings.

     Since the opening of the mall in November 2009, Robinsons Place Dumaguete has undeniably captured the patronage and loyalty of thousands of Dumagueteños and Negrenses who have been waiting for a shopping haven. On a high note, Dumaguete City has been identified as the prime destination for intellectual and educational pursuits mainly due to the presence of several local and international schools and universities with student population reaching to an estimated 30,000 people. Robinsons Place Dumaguete serves both the students and the local residents of the community. Aside from its breathtaking al fresco dining area, it boasts of entertainment facilities such as World of Fun and Robinsons Movieworld.

Aquino Freedom Park

     Right in the heart of Dumaguete City, just across one of the universities in town is the Ninoy Aquino Memorial Park. It is the perfect place to rest after a tiring day of exploring the beauty Dumaguete City has to offer. With its lash green grasses and beautifully landscaped plants you can find tranquillity amidst a bustling city. It is surrounded with century-old acacia trees with flower borders and benches on each corner.  A wide space planted with green grass is home to many events with the Aquino Stage as the focal point.

     Commonly known as Aquino Freedom Park, the park is named after a prominent politician Ninoy Aquino Sr. was assassinated in 1983. He was a senator who criticized the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos and who chose non-violence to reveal the injustice practices of the powerful and notorious President. His death became a major turning point of Filipinos in their struggle to attain freedom and liberty. Freedom Park and places all over the country are named after him because of this. Right behind the park is the Provincial Capitol Building and the Legislative Building.

Sans Rival Dumaguete

     One of the most famous restaurant in Dumaguete is the Sans Rival where you can buy a "pasalubong" or food souvenir. It that offers great tasting pastries and cakes. And one of the reasons why Sans Rival is famous in Dumaguete because of its delicious product called Silvannas. 

The Origin of my Hometown

     

          Dumaguete was coined from the Visayan word "daggit" which means "to snatch". Because of the frequent marauding attacks of the Muslim pirates on the coastal town, and the power to attract and keep her visitors for good, hence, the word "dumaguet", meaning "to swoop," was christened to the village of Dumaguete. However, Diego Lopez Povedano in 1572, indicated the place as "Dananguet." But in 1734, Murillo Velarde referred to it, using its present name, as Dumaguete.