⌛ Amazing Dumaguete!

Hi Everyone!
im joel from cebu. just got back from a very enjoyable road trip to Dumaguete and the area. i am so impressed and amazed at the way things are there!

finally i have understood what "gentle people" means when referring to the people of dumaguete. they are warm and they care.... it has become a surprise to me that there are people who still care....

i am also happy to see so many people from so many other countries mix freely with the local community: walking around the market and public squares, biking, etc.

best of all, dumaguete has character. each little business or locale projects its own unique style or personality, generally based on nature based, ethnic and international traits.... this keeps everything so interesting!

the food is good. the eco tourist sites are generally good... the roads are great...

i have just one MAJOR CONCERN!

i believe that DUMAGUETE BEARS THE RIST OF LOSING THIS WONDERFUL AND UNQIUE CHARACTER with the OPENING of a super mega ROBINSON Mall!

i believe the mall, with its locally proven charm will quickly clear the city of dumaguete of the little businesses and activities and leave it sterile and flavorless.....well, ok... the mall will make the city of dumaguete look like every other big city.....

if the Gokongweis are ready to consider other options, there are many new design ideas that can still give them a great mall in dumaguete.... with all the benefits and advantages that it can bring..... but create a new NATURE BASED AND FLOURISHING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE WORLD!

why not REDESIGN the mall so that it is a FOREST PARK in itself??? the roofs decks are made to grow a forest.... with the stores and other dining areas under?

a super huge and living waterfalls could also be built.... not to the likes of an artificial amusement park.... but in a way that will make into a sustainable ecosystem! permaculture ideas and systems that are now spreading all over the world provide strong and valid design parameters that will make this project so sustainable and successful!

very doable! very unique! very dumaguete!

in the few days that i have been in dumaguete, i have fallen in love with its land, its people and its culture...... and i hope to be able to contribute to keeping it that way and help dumaguete survive the threat of "urbanization" or should i say "perils of urbanization"?

if you think these are good ideas, please help me contact the persons who can make a difference.

joel

 

Joel, I for one am looking forward to the new Robinsons. At present if you want anything it is either a trip to Cebu or Iloilo or failing that to Manila, it is something very much needed here. Just before Xmas I wanted a Philips electric shaver & after an extensive search of Dumaguete there wasn't one in sight but a trip to Cebu soon secured one at double the price (boats, Taxis & food) if robinsons had been open here there would have been no problem.

 

Hi Joel,

Good ideas here. If the owners of the mall will heed your advice that would be ace. Forgive me for being pessimistic but these business owners are only concerned with what's in it for them. That will only be of additional cost to them. If you could persuade them then good for you and i do hope you succeed. Welcome to the forum