Dumaguete & Bacong Churches

During our stay at Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, we were able to visit 2 old churches of the province. The first church we visited is the most accessible in the heart of Dumaguete city’s town plaza, the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. 

Built between 1754 to 1756, its the oldest stone church on the whole Negros island. It was reconstructed in 1885, then extended with present facade in 1936, somehow loosing its ancient look. Its interior had also succumbed to the pressures of modernism.

The last reminder of the church’s old charm is its separate belfry built in 1760s. Its the only surviving belfry out of the 4 original belfries constructed more than 2 centuries ago. Aside from housing the church bells, it also served as a watchtower against invading sea pirates, common with other old churches during the early years. 

Sadly, even this remaining belfry has to accommodate newer structures on its reduced land area. Like the church, its also situated along Perdices St. in front of Rizal Park.

Sojourn in Siquijor

Last Monday, I took my wife and youngest son to Siquijor, the 3rd smallest province in the country. Known as the center of witchcraft and love potions, it also boasts of old church, white sand beaches, caves, and short waterfalls.

From Dumaguete port, we rode the Delta fastcraft at Php 135 fare/pax, arriving in Siquijor port by 11:15 am. The choppy waters on the middle of the 45-min. boat trip may cause seasickness, but nobody vomitted among the passengers.

We proceeded to Das Traum Shop to ask if we can have early check-in at their guest house as arranged through SMS messages. The owner, Ms. Joy De Andrade offered his staff to give us a lift in a motorbike, but we declined as our hired tricycle driver Joam Camingao was already there to take us to the guest house. 

Siquijor Churches

Joam, our hired tricycle driver and tour guide, took us first to Siquijor's San Francisco de Asis church and bell tower, which is just walking distance from Siquijor port. In front of the church is a triangular rotunda with signage of “Welcome to Siquijor”.

Tuding's Porkchop

I invited my 2 boys to join me at a nearby gasoline shop to give my old trusty AUV a routine oil change upon reaching 105k on its odometer. After bearing with me for 1.5 hours, they asked me to bring them in a branch of Tuding’s Original Porkchop Eatery which is along our way back home.

The younger son ordered a “ToSiLog”, a meal consiting of Tocino (cured sweet pork meat), Sinangag (fried rice), and Itlog (fried egg sunny side up style). This has been his favorite every time we dine here. Their tocino is tender (probably due to nitrate mix) and too sweet for my tastebuds, but just right for kids with sweet tooth.

BPI-Goldilocks Promo Oct.1 - Nov.30

Good news to all BPI credit card holders. After more than 2 months without food promo for their credit card holders, they are bringing it back with Goldilocks products under DTI promo code 6392.

 

Promo period covers purchases between 01 October up to 30 November 2010. Redemption is until 15 February 2011, EXCEPT the busy Christmas period of 16-31 Dec 16-31, hence the 15 day extension of redemption period.