Dumaguete Info Search


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  1. dr ski

    dr ski DI Member

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    The weather really sucked this past week. No stargazing for me. But at least we get some of the best sunrises and sunsets of the year. Picture1.jpg Picture2.jpg Picture3.jpg Picture4.jpg Picture5.jpg Picture6.jpg
     
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  2. PatO

    PatO DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer Veteran Marines

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    I missed posting last year (1st 5 yr updates are on the forum) so this is a 7 yr update since I had a bad stroke.
    So my status hasn’t changed much the last two years, the Covid quarantine not withstanding. My right side is partially paralyzed, my left side numb; the numbness switches over to the right side half way up my body. I have never asked my neurologist to explain this. My balance and control switch in my brain is damaged so I need someone holding onto my right side while I do a funky walk - the right leg sometimes gives out and I have fallen on concrete even with someone holding me. I go to the gym 5-6 times every week (except when hard lockdown and gym closed). I can only do very light weights (dumbbells and machines) but at this age and condition I am only interested in keeping as strong as I can and the blood flowing to all the muscle groups. I walk 2-3 km up and down the paved road by my house daily at 5pm. I am only so-so watching my diet and eating mostly chicken and pasta (salmon when I can get it), a steak once a week, and red wine at night. Sleep apnea is a problem and I am waiting for the VA to address that when they reopen. I have a 90% VA disability and a 25% California disability rating, mostly for other issues. I am able to rise above my limitations thanks to my extended family. My wife tells me I am a better person now than the cocky former marine I was 10 yrs ago.
    So, still above ground, thankful for that. Stay safe, get medical checkups, I didn’t.
     
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  3. mntnwolf

    mntnwolf DI Member

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    Oh, those are BUDDHIST swastikas, not Nazi. Those round stone things are monuments of Buddhist drums, common throughout East Asia; that face is of Bodhidharma, founder of "Zen" Buddhism some 1500 years ago; his image is often used as a folkish good-luck charm. See my own page: http://www.san-shin.org/China-Songshan-Bodhidharma.html The Mall-owner must be a Buddhist with Chinese roots.

    Swastikas were invented 3000 years ago in Persia, for Zoroastrianism (represents the Sun, as the Good God). Became a symbol in Indian Hindu arts, then a key symbol of Buddhism as that became a missionary religion about 250 BCE. German Nazis mis-appropriated it while claiming that the "Aryan Race" was originally from Persia / North India/Pakistan -- but theirs is shown backwards, rotating counter-clockwise. The holy ones, as above, are rotating clockwise.
     
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  4. Mark K

    Mark K DI Member

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    Only since quarantine have I spent much time on this forum, and I have been astonished how much moaning, whinging, bickering, point-scoring, boasting, and one-upmanship there is here. I am assuming (and hoping) that this is due to the strains of the current situation, but I do find it rather disappointing and depressing.

    Anyway, to balance the scales somewhat, I thought I would start a thread where we can share positive thoughts about why life is great here.

    If you have any negative comments, snarky comments, or want to prove to everyone how intellectual you are, be a good fellow and click on another thread please.

    I have lived more than half my adult life in Asia (many different countries and cities in Philippines), and I think Dumaguete is my favourite. Here's some of the reasons I love it here:
    • Almost every time I am out on my scooter I ride around with a big smile on my face because of the natural beauty, clean air, sunshine, trees and flowers, and general relaxed feel.
    • Almost every time I go shopping for anything or pay for services, no matter what they may be, I think to myself "wow, it's cheap here".
    • I never get the feeling I'm being outrageously ripped-off.
    • The sun seems to be shining almost all the time!
    • The ocean is on our doorstep.
    • Outside downtown there is hardly any traffic or noise.
    • Nobody seems to care how you dress or what labels you have.
    • When I smile, make conversation with a local, make a joke or flirt a little, I ALWAYS get a positive response.
    • It's the most easy going place I have lived in Asia.
    • I can get almost any type of food or drink that I want here at very reasonable prices.
    • Everyone understands at least some English.
    • And perhaps most importantly of all, local people make me feel welcome and happy that I am here!
    Who else wants to join the love train?
     
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  5. dr ski

    dr ski DI Member

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    Just joking. That would be extremely boring.
    Please enjoy some of my favorite cosmic images from last week. ISS2.jpg Lunar day 12.jpg MAR20a.jpg Mar20b.jpg supermoon.jpg star trails.jpg Mar22Sun.jpg Lunar day 15.jpg
     
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  6. tuba-coma

    tuba-coma DI Forum Adept Showcase Reviewer

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    We found a very good indian restaurant "Curry" in the Aldecoa Dr., this is the street to the Silliman Hospital. Simple interieur, friendly staff, menue card not too big - we had 2 great fresh Mango Lassi, wife was happy with a chicken Biryani, I got surprised by a good portion of chicken Korma, we also tried the crispy fresh Naan bread and a salad with yoghurt dressing. Everything together for a very fair price - totally recommendable new restaurant. It's getting better and better in Dumaguete.
    IMG_20181209_105703.jpg
     
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  7. gord

    gord DI Member Admin ★ Forum Moderator ★ ★ Global Mod ★ ★ Moderator ★ ★ No Ads ★ Showcase Reviewer ✤✤Forum Sponsor✤✤ Forum Sponsor

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    I read the article a while back, and have also seen an increasing number of anti-foreigner sentiment from some of the locals. To be honest it is something that does bother me. Some of my thoughts:

    1. those anti-foreigner sentiments come from a very small percentage of Filipinos, and it is my belief will have resentments against us regardless of what we do. The majority of Filipinos in the Dumaguete area are good people who also see the majority of foreigners as good people, regardless of the actions of a few bad apples. I tend to think that I should not paint all Filipinos with the same brush and hope for the same treatment from them.
    2. Filipinos in my country, and most other western countries are NOT treated badly. In fact a Filipino in Canada is treated far better than I am here in the Philippines. They are given rights such as the ability to own property, business and get jobs. They are given access to a social safety net that includes medical coverage, welfare and employment insurance. They come to my country , make money, send it home and help out their families. We afford them opportunities far beyond any in their home country. If they step out of line, and break the law, they are afforded the right of due process. There are many many more Filipinos in Canada, than us Canadians in The Philippines,(like most western countries) so any talk from anyone that they get a raw deal is crap.
    3. When a Filipino in my country is rude or disrespectful,,, and yes that happens, I and most of my countrymen do not target them as a group and tell them to go back to their country. Actually, if we were to do that, we would be socially castrated and vilified, if not face criminal charges. Though I am realistic enough to understand that I cannot expect to be treated the same way here in the Philippines as Filipinos are in my country, I sometimes want to suggest to the Filipinos who want to attack us foreigners here to think long and hard how they would want their friends and family members to be treated in my or other western countries country. And I can almost guarantee that each and everyone of these Filipinos who complain about foreigners probably have relatives or friends overseas.
    4. After seeing a blog article written by a foreigner about how Foreigners are rude and disrespectful, I cringed. To me this is simply the wrong thing to do. This is stirring the pot and fan the flames of that small group of locals who do harbor resentments towards foreigners. This was borne out by a Facebook post about a week after where a Filipina complained about a rude and disrespectful foreigner in Dunkin Donuts. eventually she admitted that she made the post partly because she had read the article the week earlier from the foreigner. Obviously it did stir the pot.
    5. Rudeness and disrespect happens all over the world, in every country, by locals and foreigners to those countries alike. Being an *sshole IS NOT related to race, nationality or any other "group" classification. There are Filipinos in the Philippines who are rude and disrespectful, as there are Canadians in Canada who are rude and disrespectful. Each and everyone who is rude and disrespectful should be treated as the specific *sshole in a specific circumstance that they act this way in. If a foreigner in Dumaguete is rude, disrespectful, or breaks a law, he should face the consequences to the full extend of that law. The same holds true for Filipinos in foreign country. What is wrong though is that good people should have to pay the price for the bad apples.
    Ok, All that is my emotional response, however the only thing that really matters is reality. I am living in a foreign country and there are some people in this country that will have resentments towards me, for reasons real or imagined. I do not have the power to change that, but what I do have the power to do is live my life in a way that I am proud of. That means being respectful of the locals, obeying the laws of the land , and giving back to the community in whatever ways I can. I have faith that the majority of the locals in this "City of Gentle People" will live up to their name and accept, appreciate and continue to welcome me. Should there come a day when the small people who harbor resentments towards me as a foreigner, grows to a poitn where I am uncomfortable, I will pack my bags and move with my family somewhere else. I believe that if it comes to that for me, then it will probably come to that for many other expats here, and then, sadly Dumaguete will be the loser, because most of us bring more to this region than we take.

    Gord
     
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  8. Qwertz

    Qwertz DI Junior Member

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    I was living in Luzon until my Canadian friend's house was sold. Nice house on the beach, but far from nearest town (Candon City) and no available females so I went online, and asked for girls from Dumaguete area. Tons of replies, and I found one from a nice (religious) family. She was 20 years younger than me. Unfortunately (for her) she was missing an eye, and her family told her she would never get a man.
    We have have been married now for almost 7 years and there has never been a problem. Love her and her family!
     
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  9. mangoman

    mangoman DI Junior Member Infamous

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    I'm an American, retired and living in Dumaguete. I'm a veteran of the US Navy, with a brief 6 years of service as an ETR, with honorable discharge as PO1/E6. After the Navy, I worked as industrial process control technician for 21 years. Being divorced with a pension and 401-K to small survive in USA, I retired here in the Philippines in 2016. Four years later, I'm now married to a beautiful Filipina and have a large Pilipino family that has happily adopted me as one of their own.
     
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  10. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    DENTAL and MEDICAL SERVICES:

    I am providing this list (also tried to add it as a WORD attachment but the .doc extension was not allowed ... any suggestions?) simply to assist anyone looking for information in one of the most crucial areas of life here. It may be especially useful to those new to the Philippines or to the local area. If new information is provided then I will update this and post it again (probably every 6 months but sooner after the first ‘edition’ if major changes follow new information).

    Some extra details are provided on the basis that new members may need to know.

    The information has been mostly obtained from this forum (with some locations added by myself), using the most recent postings. I am listing health professionals to show those most liked and least liked (if applicable) by those forum members who posted comments. This does not mean anyone's service is negative but just that some did not feel happy using that professional.

    Information on Military Hospitals for Veterans has not been added here but will be provided if members wish to give me information.

    The names of specialist professionals listed here are mostly those located in Dumaguete City. It has been suggested that for major surgery, Manila and Cebu should be considered (some members actually return to their home countries for some of their healthcare).

    Most recommendations are for doctors working at Silliman University Medical Center. (SUMC), located at V. Aldecoa Sr., Daro, Dumaguete City. Landlines 035 225 0841 and 035 420 2000 - http://www.sumcfi.org/doctor lists the doctors by specialism. Holy Child Hospital is sometimes mentioned by members and is located in the centre of the Downtown area of Dumaguete City (not to be confused with Holy Cross, which is a school).

    For CEBU: highly recommended is: Chong Hua Hospital, Don Mariano Cui St., Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City, Phone No.: +63 (32) 255-8000, +63 (32) 254-1461. info@chonghua.com.ph; http://www.chonghua.com.ph

    For MANILA: A Google search will reveal hundreds of hospitals and I am not aware of any particular hospitals highly recommended by members. So perhaps some members may add to this.

    Members have noted that hospitals in the Philippines tend to keep patients for longer than is always necessary but if you are unsure about this then it is best NOT to discharge yourself prematurely. Also, a ‘watcher’ is expected - this is a person (often family member) who stays with you during your stay in the hospital. This person assists you in getting to the CR and also to go out to find items required for your treatment from one or more pharmacies (more than one may be necessary in order to locate everything required and without all of them you may not be treated, including being operated on). A deposit will be required when admitting yourself (more may be required during treatment) and it is important to settle the balance before leaving.

    DENTAL:

    Dr. Julie Flor Cordeta at Premier Dental, (Tan Alley Building, South Road, Tabuc Tubig, Dumaguete City; Tel: 0917.174.5005 and 0998.957.5397 and (landline) 035.421.05.79. premierdcs@gmail.com. www.premierdent.net) is very widely liked (therefore busy and difficult to obtain appointments with). Sedation is available and the external anaesthesiologist can be of the patient’s own choice if so wished. At the time of the writing the dentist does not do root fillings. For that particular requirement, the dentist recommended Dr. Chua at Holy Child.

    Dr. Jane Palma, Portal West Bldg, top floor. Tel: 09175330066 (closed Sat/Sun). “My family has used her for 6 years. A friend had a root canal there. She takes emergencies”.

    CARDIOLOGISTS:

    Dr. Brian Joseph Calinawagon seems to be well liked. I think he is located at Silliman University Medical Center.

    One member recommended Dr. Magbanua at Silliman University Medical Center. “A little older, takes his time with you and he goes by appointments first, walk-ins if he has an opening.”

    Dr. Susan Denura has elicited varied opinions from “Without question she is a good doctor but seems to resent questions about her recommendations and so forth.” to another member who is happy with her service.

    Two members were not happy using Dr Sayson. They felt she did not listen to them.

    ORTHOPAEDICS:

    Note: Silliman University Medical centre has a working MRI scanner and this can be very important to see the extent of any soft tissue damage.

    Dr Oligario and Dr Lynn Oligario (the latter for physiotherapy) at Silliman University Medical Center are particularly liked. One member commented how surgery was stated as an option but that the doctor wanted to try other treatments first (this is a positive).

    Dr Katada also practices at Silliman University Medical Center.

    [Cebu City: Dr San Juan, Chung Hua Hospital (details above) was recommended]

    COLONOSCOPY:

    One member wroteI had one done at Holy Child a couple of years ago. Can't remember the name of the doctor. The cost was around 8000 pesos. They gave me some IV drip so I slept through the whole thing. “ Then another stated “Holy Child...also several years ago. Doctor Carriaga.”

    CHILD BIRTH:

    Female gynaecologist Dr Uy at Silliman University Medical Center provided “A very positive experience [for a C-section]”. (Although this recommendation was made very recently, the use was many years ago and I am not aware if this doctor still practices).

    “My daughter was born at Holy Child. No problems and Php24,000 all told. Her Ob/Gyn was Dr Tan. Very competent and no long-nose tax.”

    “My Mrs gave birth at the DIAGCLINIC birthing clinic opposite Nevas pizza (in Hibbard Avenue), it was clean with aircon. 11k all in for 24hrs. Might be worth checking is it’s a straight forward birth like no suggestion of C- section. “

    PEDIATRICIAN:

    Dr. Ongkingko at Silliman University Medical Center, “7 years caring for my son, very knowledgeable and positive experience”. (Although this recommendation was made very recently, the use was (possibly) many years ago and I am not aware if this doctor still practices).

    NEUROLOGIST:

    Dr. Dipatado at Silliman University Medical Center “helped me survive a serious stroke for the last five years, still alive so positive”.

    Urologist:

    Dr. Ozzoa of Silliman University Medical Center was recommended
     
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