⌛ History of language/culture in Dumaguete City

Maayong Hapon,

I'm Michael Young, who lived in Dgte during '97-'99 as USPC volunteer working with English in the 4 high schools and a little in elementary. I had many friends there I'd like to talk to b/c I hope to return and stay for about 6 months next year. Especially if anyone knows Bubot with the Fire Dept. or our friend Tito at Silliman beach.

I need to research history of Dgte., going as far back as possible. If anyone can tell me the name of a famous local historian I might contact I'd appreciate it. When I finish my background research, I can come and live there again! Salamat! Mike Young

 

Dgte History

Hi Mike,

What do you want to know or what have you been up to in your "research"? Most historical accounts were written by Silliman U historians and it only goes back to the coming of the Americans. Most of Negros Oriental history is buried under tons of records, pics and memorabilia of the provinces original/pioneer families. These still needs to be sorted out and stories told.

My name is Dindo Generoso and have am History degree from Silliman ( Class '75). I also head the Province's Tourism Dept. We are planning a symposium on the Making of Negros Oriental to be participated by reps of the pioneer families, hopefully we can cull records to make a credible history of the province. I belong to the Flores Clan; biggest family of the province.

Would this interest you?

Thanks,

Dindo

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Thank you for the reply...

...I really appreciate it. My main focus is on the language and culture of Negros going back to pre-colonial times-- before the Spanish came. I lived in Dumaguete from '97 to '98 and have many friends there. I'm going to be coming there next year, hopefully in January. I would very much like to contact you in the future-- I'm not working on some massive project about the history of Negros-- mainly just a summary of language and culture etc...

Sincerely,
Michael Young

 

Hi Dindo,

I have a friend, actually my wife's cousin, who, I beleive, also works in the in the Tourism Dept. Maybe you know him, His name is Frankie Omnos.

Anyway, glad you've joined the forum. Based on your background, it appears your participation will be interesting and informative.


Cheers,

WCH

 

Yes, frankie is one of our guys at the PTO. Nice fellow!

Cheers

 

Hi Mike,

On that side of the island, language was and still is Cebuano (of the Bisayan family of languages). You should not have problems with this aspect as there's plenty of materials around. With culture, you will have to be more "investigative". The coastal (Malay) peoples who were the descendants of present day Negrenses are not indigenous in the island. They were migrants from the South, which rode the very same currents the present day Badjao's are doing. We do have a vanishing "ata" (Aeta) tribes still in the hinterlands and they are our "natives" in the island. They have a different cultural background but not much has been done to study them. Its a shame.

But if you are interested in the present coastal peoples, you will find it better to study the Tanjay history as that was the first real settlement in the province even before the coming of the Spaniards. All the rest, including Dumaguete (Dagitan) were only tiny fishing villages or "half-way houses" for travelling fishermen and hunters.

Cheers,

Dindo

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Hi Dindo! I guess we are distant relatives. My grandmother was Nieves Flores Corsino of San Juan Street. She passed away in 2005. As our clan of Floreses say, "We are from the poor side."

 

Realations

Yes of course, we are relatives. I was very close to Tio Ben. Do you know where Mac is now? I lost track of him since he was Phil Consul in the US a few years back...

Thanks,

Dindo

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It's heartwarming to know that I have a relative on here. Yes, I know where he is now, he's my dad. He was promoted to Ambassador just last year and is now serving as Chief of Mission II. At the moment he is still finishing his post as Consul General in Muscat, Oman. You can see him most often on the TFC channel on Oman-related features during Kuwentong Disyerto.

 

Mac/San Juan days

Caymimi, Thanks. Please give my regards to Mac. We go a long way back in the San Juan days. I grew up just down the road beside Chunghua School. I hope to catch up with him again soon.

Dindo

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