⌛ The Dumaguete spirit lives on!!!!

Just came back from a long Thanksgiving weekend at my sister's place in Connecticut. I thought it was just one of those long and so-so days of dining and drinking. Never did i expect that it was going to be a blast of a weekend!!
Yesterday, Saturday, the 24th, i went to a Dumaguete fiesta celebration at a friend's house. The affair was attended by around 50 Dumaguetenos and Dumaguetenas, and of course, their spouses and kids. There were a lot of familiar faces and a number of new ones. There were some who haven't seen each other for more than 20 years and didn't know that they were living in nearby states.
The conversations all around the place centered on past friendships and memories shared by those present. We were like kids telling stories and reminiscing funny episodes of life in Dumaguete and college life. It was an experience which is so difficult to express and explain. I truly saw and felt what it was to be among 'gentle people' again. All pretenses were dropped. For a few hours, at least, we were back to a time and place when we were teenagers, which culminated in singing those time-tested folksongs that were so popular in the 70's and 80's (which just shows the age group of those present) when someone came in with a guitar.
Now, i am back in my apartment with good memories of days past and old/new friends found. Which leaves me wondering... can we truly say that Dumaguete is still a city of gentle people? or is it now just a part of its colorful history?

 

Yes, Boyette, my opinion is that it still is the city of gentle people. I'm not saying that it hasn't changed at all. But it still has the laid-back way of life that I prefer. Living here in the states, we always have things to do, people to see and places to go. Over there, you can just sit at the boulevard eating tempura while watching the sunset

 

Hi;
It depends on your defination of Gentleness!

 

What makes Dumaguetenos gentle then?

Hi Gene,
One definition i could think of gentleness (in relation to Dumaguetenos being called Gentle people) is friendliness. Yes, it is one virtue of not only people from Dumaguete but of the whole Philippines. However during those years when i was in Dumaguete this was exemplified by Dumaguetenos. We were quick to smile at strangers, and were easy to make friends with. We were approachable and new friends became comfortable with us right away.
Perhaps you have another definition of 'Gentleness' which you could share with us. I just would like to satisfy my curiosity as to whether Dumaguete still deserves to be called 'The City of Gentle People.' It is Sheelah's opinion that yes, it still is since it has retained its laid-back way of life.

 

Hi Boyette;
The identity/description of a certain place is the reflection of the people that actually live there. The best person that can truly make that description should live there long enough to positively make that claim.And any claim/conclusion will always be "subjective" as everyone have different perception. Dumaguete was the city of gentle people when I was there..that was then, but right now..I don't know!The title: City of Gentle People- in my opinion is just a "selling point" for everyone who plan to go there.

 

Still called the city of gentle people. Although there are so many different people, from all walks of life settling there, who came from all over the country and other countries, but still maintains the dubbed name 'city of gentle people' (friendly people). Is there a problem with that? "selling point"? I don't think so. Nobody forced them to live in Dumaguete. Are you being sour grape? Come on, don't be like that, I know you're a pinoy just like me. I'm proud of my city and always be. :D.

 

Hi Swany and Everyone;
My "retraction" for the statement..Selling Point! It should not have been written. My mistakes and I'm sorry!

 

Hi Gene,
I believe you gave your honest opinion to observations you may have had during your latest experience in the city. Whether justified or not, i respect that opinion, and you don't have to issue a retraction or apologize for it. I brought up this issue because should the time come when this claim is put under public scrutiny, the city and its residents should be able to defend such claim with verifiable facts and figures. If a lot of residents feel otherwise (i am not saying this is the case), then maybe corrective actions could be done before the image is irreparably lost.

 

boyette, I think Gene did the right thing apologizing for his statement "selling point", it's a wrong thing to say. I truly admire his character for admitting his mistakes.
Quote = "I brought up this issue because should the time come when this claim is put under public scrutiny, the city and its residents should be able to defend such claim with verifiable facts and figures" Don't worry, I'm sure you won't be involved you live in USA sir. :D :D

 

Gene; thanks for coming back with your apology. That shows you have some characters. I salute you.