Negros Oriental – Whale and Dolphin Haven

The province occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros. With its breathtaking caves, magnificent lakes, scenic beaches, world-class marine reserves, alluring dive sites, and sites of playful dolphins and whales, tourists will find Negros Oriental simply irresistible.

Demographics

1. Population (as 0f 2007 census): 1,231,904
2 . Land Area: 5,402.3 sq. km.
3 . Capital: Dumaguete City
4 . Languages/Dialects: Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, English and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (6)

• Bais City
• Bayawan City
• Canlaon City
• Dumaguete City
• Tanjay City
• Guihulngan City

Municipalities (19)

• Amlan
• Ayungon
• Bacong
• Basay
• Bindoy
• Dauin
• Jimalalud
• La Libertad
• Mabinay
• Manjuyod
• Pamplona
• San Jose
• Santa Catalina
• Siaton
• Sibulan
• Tayasan
• Valencia
• Vallehermoso
• Zamboanguita

Cultural

Fleur-de-lis Hall
Location: St. Paul University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
This theater hall has housed several lavish productions.

Luce Auditorium
Location: Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Silliman University’s modern cultural center is the fully air-conditioned venue for local and international performing artists; also houses a ballet studio and a spacious lobby for exhibits.

Negros Oriental Entrepreneurs Association (NOREA) Showrooms
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
The two showrooms contain the best arts and crafts of the province. The Sidlakang Negros Building is located at the Capitol Area while the Products of Negros Oriental is found at Noblefranca St., downtown Dumaguete.

Mariyah Gallery
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
The gallery contains the works of NegOr’s visual artists and an extensive inventory of books of Filipino authors

Ethno-Anthro Museum
Location: Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
The museum is the keeper of artifacts and archaeological finds dating 2,000 years ago and ethnographic collection from the country’s tribal minorities.

Historical

Central Azucarera de Bais
Location: Bais City, Negros Oriental
It was established in 1918 by the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas SA, or Tabacalera, as its first sugar mill in the Philippines. The sugar mill stimulated the growth of Negros Oriental’s sugar industry. In 1941, the Compania Cellulosa de Filipinas set up in Bais the first integrated pulp and paper factory in the world using the bagasse as raw and primary material in the manufacture of paper.

Baldwin Locomotive
Location: Central Azucarera de Bais, Bais City, Negros Oriental
Like its ‘brothers’ in Negros Occidental, this iron dinosaur also served as the main transporter of sugar canes in the mill.

Balatong Point / Punta Tambungon
Location: Basay, Negros Oriental
The biggest shipment of World War II ammunition for the Negros guerilla movement is said to have been unloaded here. The site is now a favored dive site of many scuba enthusiasts.

Looc Memorial Shrine
Location: Sibulan, Negros Oriental
Marks the site of the first World War II encounter in Negros Oriental on October 11, 1942 when independent partisan guerilla groups joined forces to fight the occupying Japanese forces.

Fil-Am-Jap Amity Shrine
Location: Valencia, Negros Oriental
A 3-sided pillar soars above a viewing deck on the Sagbang hilltop where Filipino, American, and Japanese soldiers clashed in a fierce encounter during World War II.

Cata-al War Memorabilia
Location: Valencia, Negros Oriental
The Cata-al family owns the collection of World War II relics and items used by the Japanese and Americans during their battle in the province.

Silliman University
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Aside from being a bird sanctuary, the university was used by the Japanese for administrative and penal activities in Negros during World War II.
1. Guy Hall – main headquarters of the Japanese forces
2. Channon Hall – the Kempetai or the torture chamber of the Japanese

Sangki Coves
Location: Basay, Negros Oriental
This is the landing site of the US Navy Submarine during World War II. It carried assistance, war materials and supplies for the guerrilla forces.

Man-made

PNOC Geothermal Power Plant
Location: Brgy. Ticala, Valencia, Negros Oriental
Located amidst lush landscape and cool altitudes, the geothermal power plant has continuously supplied energy for Negros, Panay, and Cebu Island. The centerpiece of the geothermal reserve is the Palimpinon Power Plant which is owned and managed by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) (http://www.pnoc.com.ph/).

Bacong Oil Mill
Location: Bacong, Negros Oriental
The mill is used for processing copra into oil. Its premises are well-kept and the vicinity is rich with the delicious aroma of coconut being cooked.

Dyno Nobel
Location: Bacong, Negros Oriental
It was the biggest Swedish venture in the country at the time. It is an ammonium nitrate plant consistently cited for excellence in safety standards.

Rizal Boulevard
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Much like to Roxas Boulevard of Manila, the seaside park is lined with trees where locals and tourist enjoy watching the sun set while eating finger foods sold by vendors in the area.

Natural

Apo Island
Location: Zamboanguita - Dauin, Negros Oriental
The 72-heactare volcanic island near the town of Dauin is home to thousands of fish species and corals. It has been named as one of the best dive sites in the world. Visitors enjoy rock climbing, scuba diving, or simply relaxing at the beach.

Canlaon Volcano
Location: Canlaon, Negros Oriental
This active volcano is one of the highest points in Visayas, towering at 8.085 ft above sea level. Its cool atmosphere gives a similar setting to Baguio in Luzon. As such, it is called the Mines View Park of Negros. Mountain trekking is the common activity at Mt. Calaon.

Mt. Talinis
Location: Valencia, Negros Oriental
The Cuernos de Negros or Horns of Negror rise 5,095 feet above sea level and are situated 9 km. southwest of Valencia. It has five lakes in the vicinity. This is Negros Oriental’s eco-tourism centerpiece and a declared geothermal reserve under the protection of the Philippine National Oil Company.

Lag-it Beach
Location: Bais City, Negros Oriental
The beach is blessed with a magnificent 7-kilometer stretch of powder-white sand that disappears in the clear water at high tide.

White Sand Reef
Location: Bais City, Negros Oriental
Its shoreline is a vast stretch of powder-white sand and sparkling azure waters; a treat for swimmers and divers.

Antulang Beach
Location: Siaton, Negros Oriental
This white-sand beach is a swimming and snorkeling paradise. Unique rock formations are also present near the beach.

Tambobo Beach
Location: Bonbonoy Bay, Siaton, Negros Oriental
It is a good site for windsurfing, scuba diving, and sailing. Ther are cottages amid the white pebbled beach, with a restaurant to serve beach enthusiasts.

Religious

Church of St. Augustine of Hippo & Pipe Organ
Location: Bacong, Negros Oriental
Completed in 1865 and situated by the sea, the main altar is reputed to be the province’s oldest. The pipe organ was created in Zaragosa, Spain and was installed in 1894 through the efforts of its first parish priest, Rev. Joaquin Soriano.

Dumaguete Belfry Tower
Location: Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Dumageute City, Negros Oriental
Built in 1811, it served as a watch tower and a belfry to warn townsfolk against attacks of marauding pirates. It was restored in 1985.

San Antonio de Padua Church
Location: Sibulan, Negros Oriental
Every 13th of the month, devotees from all over the province light candles in honor of the patron saint, especially during his feast day, June 13.

Mei Hua Festival
Place: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Date: Chinese New Year
Mei Hua (Beautiful China) is in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Activities in the city comprises of parades, pageants, exhibits, film showing, Lion Dance, and Chinese Food Festival

Buglasan Festival
Place: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Date: May 4
This is the festival of all festival in Negros Oriental. It brings together the finest street dancing contingents of Negros Oriental’s twenty established festivals for a day of competition. Other activities include an agri-tourism fair, pageants, and musical variety shows.

Ayuquitan Festival
Place: San Jose, Negros Oriental
Date: May 4
The feast retells the origins of the town’s former name, which is derived from inukitan, or bird pickings. There are street dancing and other activities during the event.

Sinulog de Tanjay
Place: Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
Date: June 24
The highlight of the fiesta is the street dancing and mock battle between Moro and Christian forces that ends peacefully through the intercession of Señor Santiago, the patron saint of the city.

Budyas Festival
Place: Brgy. Tandayag, Amlan, Negros Oriental
Date: June 29
The patron saints of the two churches of Brgy. Tandayag, St. Peter and St. Paul, are venerated in fluvial procession aboard elaborately decorated vessels. The traditional ritual is for good fortune on fishermen, their boats and paraphernalia.

Hudyaka Festival
Place: Bais City, Negros Oriental
Date: September 7
The festival is in conjunction with the Charter Day of the city. Highlights of the event include Mardi Gras parade and float competition

Hugyawan Dalansayaw
Place: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Date: first Sunday of December
Hugyawan means “merrymaking” and is the main concept of the celebration and street dancing presentations, with contingents coming from all parts of the province. The object is to showcase the unique way of life in Negros Oriental and capture the attitude of the Negrenses towards nature, fate, and God.

Kasadyaan Festival
Place: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Date: December 12 – 14
Initiated by Foundation University to add color to the local community’s Christmas season, this 50-year old tradition is the longest established festival in Negros Oriental. Highlights include field presentations, beauty pageants, and Mardi Gras Parade.