How to New to Dumaguete.

Hi Everyone,
In researching the best place to base myself on my next project in the Philippines, DI seems the perfect place to start looking/living. I am a quiet oldish Australian male, working throughout Asia for the past 3 years, mostly in Thailand. Our project is focused in the shipping industry, IT based job so good internet is imperative (via 3 or 4 g sim card router is just fine). People to guide and advise me, especially in regard to accommodation (on a monthly basis) would be appreciated. It would be ideal to meet any retired mariners as I am sure our project would interest you. Best Regards Sailcraft

 

Thanks Wrye83.
In 2016/7 we were progressing well with our project from Cebu and I actually had to cancel our last trip (enroute in Singapore) re travel warnings that included Cebu. We now employ a Philippine Captain in Mindanao to do the onsite part of the project. My visit is on a 90 day visa, no plans to buy a house or set up a new business. I need more peace and quiet than Cebu has to offer and we will be in may of the more remote areas (via Fastcat who are also involved) Regards Sailcraft

 

Rent in a nice high rise in Cebu and enjoy the view.

 

Hello, Welcome. I live in Bacong. I have been thinking of moving to Valencia and I think y0u should at least take a look at that area. It is cooler and just a few minutes out from Dumaguete proper and the road is very good. From what I see when I visit there it seems to be somewhat quiet in most areas as opposed to where I live now. There are areas in Valencia where good internet is available and even fiber in some areas, also as opposed to where I live now. The only problem is the frequent power outages, but contrary to what you may hear, these are common everywhere in Negros Oriental. Where I live the outages are not too bad but the power goes down at least once a week or more for a period of 15 minutes to an hour or longer. My Globe wifi, (10MB), service is marginal, (sometimes 1MB), and the signal does stay up when the power is out, but of course I have to power the modem. I have two full time wifi services and a dual wan router that chooses and uses the best signal and/or portions the data between the two services as needed. This gives me dependable service usually. It would be best if you go to an area that has good hardwired internet service that stays up during a power outage. Then all you have to do is make accommodation for the power outages for your modem and computer. I use a battery and can stay up for 24 hours although I have never needed to. Don't forget that the Philippines admits that they are a Third World Country, but you can rest assured that they are grossly overestimating themselves with this claim. Plan accordingly.

 

Hi Plainspoken, Thanks for taking the time with your excellent reply, well received thank you. The power and wi fi issues are common in my travels, my dual sim phone (esp in rural areas of Australia) is a great solution, in addition our unlocked aircard. 2 Laptops, both the same with good batteries will see me through temp power supply. I will look at Valencia and I see you are like minded. Our last stay in Cebu (central high rise with thin glass and walls) was terrible, esp with the dreaded VHS (Vietnam Horn Syndrome).Good part about having an online business, can work in paradise rather than the city. Regards Sailcraft.

 

Welcome to the forum. Good news, upon moving the local school will close for a period of 5 working days. You will treated to a noisy parade featuring out of synch majorettes in tacky costumes, an indistinguishable speech over the school tannoy praising your initiative in bringing industry to their neck of the woods and a certificate of appreciation for being lolo but fairly gwapo.

In your first month you will receive local dignitary after local dignitary, usually between the hours of 8am and 10pm. Please do not be alarmed by the appearance of said dignitary (dirty t-shirt, threadbare shorts, mismatching sandals) or indeed their lack of sobriety. Tuba, karaoke or funds for their local Emperador tasting projects are part of the local culture here. Usually a gift of P50 should suffice, do not expect a receipt for charitable tax purposes.

The Philippines is a rich lush tropical fruit garden of cultural diversity. Gambol through it, pausing to pluck a few fruits; savour them before moving on toward the next clump of berry bushes. Noise: peace and quiet are alien concepts to your neighbours. Karaoke, ‘improved’ motorcycles, radios, even conversations across the road will be held at all hours and at all volumes: In short the Filipino invented that torture General Noriega endured whilst holed up in that embassy. This is particularly true in built up areas and cities: have you thought about diversifying your business towards the sale of ear muffs or hearing aids? You will make a bomb.

Honesty, reliability and work ethic. A mixed bag really. You will find loyal hard working staff who are completely transparent in their duties. These people are like solid gold diamond encrusted rocking horse poo, more or less...hang on to them, they will make your stay all the worthwhile. Beware the above “local dignitary” - unless you prefer your projects to ‘organically grow’.

I could write a book....sheesh..don’t get me started on the women or rellies!!!

C

 

Sailcraft, @Plainspoken laid it out pretty well. Dumaguete has bad traffic, but not nearly as bad as Cebu, mostly due to "trikes," but D is much smaller than cebu, so the poblacion is crowded but outside that is better, but still not great. We are in Dmgt for the next year, only because we couldn't find a good , furnished private house that would take a dog up in Valencia. We're moving to the edge of Valencia/Bacong next year, hopefully not too many roosters, karaoke, or barking expat dogs. Installing solar & batteries to avoid blackouts. "Brownouts" are lower voltage, not ZERO power, never had a brownout, but twice a month blacks, from 1 hour to 6 hours, was worse after the Leyte earthquake damaged their distribution system, better now...

Dmgt is significantly smaller than Cebu (150k vs 1 mill), so things like sherry, hearing aid batteries, electric hot pad (still looking) are VERY difficult to find, you'll miss S&R, Rustan, huge malls (robinson is big but no ayala)..

We stayed in 2015 at Marpas apartments (w/pool) and thoroughly enjoyed it (didn't have the dog then), been here now 1-1/2 yrs and decided we can live with this without ranting and bitching too much, so we're here for the duration (70 & 60, retired )... If you can deal with all this, welcome... also, one long term ex-pat warned me about expats trying to "borrow" money ...<grin>