Best Posts in Forum: Dumaguete City

If you read the post you have the answers to your questions, no one drops the puppies off and it is not the posters dog who delivered the puppies. Why are you always so grumpy? There are people around with a good heart and feelings to other living creatures, you are for sure not one of them, but don't be so negative to people who care, get a life and try to be a little more positive, it can be a good feeling

 

I don't think we should mention specific places here. The purpose of this thread should be general information. It's easier for us to say something which may be false than it is for bar owners to clean up the mess of spiraling misinformation. I have been part of this myself, so I have learned my lesson after having heart to heart talks.

That said, I know which location that Canadianized is referring to.

Here is what I have learned about bars and some specifics of Dumaguete.

Know the location

There are multiple locations here which have a reputation for fights. Some of these locations have an inadequate security staff to deal with problems. To enter one of these locations is a risk which should be avoided. If you must enter these places, make sure to observe security. Does the staff check people at the door? Is there sufficient security that you believe they could handle an out of control situation? Is the staff professional? Are the guards actively looking for problems rather than sleeping at a table? Is the place overcrowded?

Note: In some cases I will tip the guards. When you get to know them and help them out, they will often look out for you as well. I don't know that means they will risk themselves to pull you out of a pileup, but every bit helps.

Watch the street crowds

I feel the street crowds can be as dangerous or more dangerous than the venue. Outside, you may be on your own. You might be able to get security to help you out right in front of a bar, but further down the street you are on your own. When people are walking down the street to get to their ride, it's at the end of what may have been a long night of drinking and they may be highly intoxicated.

A lot of fights end up on the streets. People who get thrown out of the bar end up on the street. Someone who runs out of a bar to escape a beating just brings the fight to the street. Security guards will focus on order inside the bar rather than outside.

You don't even have to be drinking to get into a problem on the street. Avoid walking past these places late at night and especially when you see a crowd.

Know the cultures

Cultures and alcohol don't mix well. In the expat bars, we know our fellow cultures quite well. Once you get into the "local" bars then you get to be outside your element. Not only might you find Filipino's, but you may also find Iranians, Nigerians, Koreans and a long list of other cultures. The more unknowns you run into, the more you risk problems to yourself. Different cultures also deal with alcohol differently (it may be more of a social norm to drink yourself stupid in some countries?)

Lately there seems to be a large influx of natives from Papua New Guinea. I know some of these guys and they are good guys. But I have also seen some racial tensions and this has sparked off some hairy situations in places where I have seen a large group of them.

Young people also create a different cultural atmosphere. Just as I generally don't want to be drinking with a group of people half my age (and I'm not very old) I certainly wouldn't want to be in a club full of them. Young people have enough of a problem dealing with emotions without alcohol. Adding alcohol is a recipe for problems.

Know the alcohol flow

High levels of intoxication is bad in general. A bar may or may not be right to cut people off. But we have to watch out for ourselves. A good sign that you may be in the wrong place is that people are puking or there is puke all over the CR. As disgusting and unbelievable as this sounds to people who don't go to these places, I see this regularly at a lot of bars.

When you arrive to the bar, survey the place to see how people are acting. If you see a lot of highly intoxicated people, then leave. Stick to the places where people are happy, sipping their drinks and have their wits about then.

Early risers beware

Being out late at night isn't a problem for you? You go to bed early and early to rise? You could still run into problems. Some of these clubs are open nearly until dawn. I regularly see people I know coming home drunk as **** from clubs when I'm on my way to get breakfast. I regularly have to dodge drunk drivers coming out of karaoke parking areas. I still have to watch out for the above mentioned crowds.

Take care of your own

If I know I'm going to have a rough night, I try to stick to expat bars. At least there the people know me. But of course the best prevention is simply not to get too drunk. And watch the driving, get a pedi cab.

That's just a stream of thought that I had brewing in my head. Pipe in with your own stories and thoughts.

 

I have been up there a few times, go mountain biking around that area from the top (not the summit) back into Valencia. The roads are pretty rocky not sure how far up you drove.

 

(Mr Rye - I know this needs to be moved to off-topic!)

You talk great sense - but that is not how they do things here. IF they did then the country would not be in the mess it is. As a foreigner, looking at what happens in your own country, you could make thousands of suggestions how to improve services here - but they would not listen. They want to do it their way and I think that relates to superiority/inferiority issues.

I read recently of their plan to do research on some proven Western tests used for Covid-19 - the chances they could improve on it by testing are about zero. They don't want to accept the 'wheel' but invent their own!

Apart from services, think of all the land that is lying redundant because various family members own bits of it (in case you are not aware, here the Inheritance laws tell them who their beneficiaries are - they have free choice on about 25% only) - if they did something a bit more Western then problems such as that would not happen as frequently.

We could all write huge lists of the areas that need improving (how to run a business in 2020 being one of them), but it is their country. It makes sense to look at the best systems worldwide and copy them - but they are not interested (in fact, many are not aware there is a world outside!). A pity for them and their country as it could be so much improved - but it is their country and so their choice, but they will still be struggling years after all of us are gone.

 

If you have problems with mail, you can get a PO Box at Dumaguete City Post Office. P1200+ annually.

 

Do you have books or learning materials that you no longer need or want? We have a loving home for your old books!

The Kalma Bukid neighborhood in Ajong, Sibulan is setting up a library for the children (and adults) in the nearby community. PhilX generously donated a room for the "Community Library" which the children will be able to come in to read or 'check out' books.

Our belief is reading is the key to a child’s success in school and in life, so our goal is to provide access to books for those who are not financially able to buy books for themselves, and to assist with their reading in our children class on the same site. We hope to provide a diverse library with many books encompassing a large array of knowledge and perspectives. We hope you will consider donating your extra books to our library and know they will be well cared for and greatly loved by the children.

For more information about how you can donate books or help, please call or text Margriet: 0956-588-3398

 

Night divides the day.
I decided to break on thru to the other side and capture some Milky Way photos from the boulevard. I could not believe all the unshielded lights that were installed. At 4am it was like daytime, and I could not see any stars. Even in Las Vegas I could see stars at night! I'm all for pretty lights, but shield them. Focus the light down, don't disperse it into the sky. My goodness. So I had to go back to my jungle observatory to capture some neat photos. Even got a glimpse of the recent comet.

 

On Tues 10th July 2018 Dumaguete Fire Station had a blessing for their brand new Fire Truck. Nice to see.