Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

I'm kind of at a crossroads.. could make my way towards Dumaguete.. or just entirely skip it.

Things that seem interesting about the place: small college town with a boardwalk along the ocean. Plus it seems the place attracts a large expat community - and I'm a bit curious as to why.

Any first-hand impressions of the place?

[cdnhawk]

Spent a few days there last year. Most beautiful women in the Philippines there. There is a pretty good bar called Why Not. There is a cool little town with a waterfall near Dumagete..I think it is called Valencia. If you have lots of time I would go but if you are pressed for time there is nothing all that special about the place (except the women).

[lawyertood]

If you go, TB, let'us know if it is worth it....I'm off to Manila on Tuesday and not sure where to head after a few days in the big city.

[Tiger Beer]

I'm in Iloilo at the moment.. seems like everywhere is good. So far, Cebu and Iloilo and Davao and even General Santos.. they all pretty much seem to be similar to me. All feel safe, no problems, everything is half the price as Manila, etc.

After this Iloilo Carnival/Festival here.. I'm heading to Bocolod then Silay.. then just not sure.. either Dumaguete or Malapascua.

I think I'll have to go to Dumaguete.. large expat community and everyone seems to think highly of it among foreign expats anyways. cdnhawk argues a great case for going as well.

Its NOT easy however traveling around with a girlfriend in the Philippines however!! Women are constantly giving that double-take and trying to make eye contact all over the place!!

I'd definetely get out of Manila though, lawyertood! Its pretty much the same thing everywhere in all the cities.. except Manila is 2-3 times the price!

[Tiger Beer]

cdnhawk is 100% correct. I'm in Dumaguete now. i'm glad i came down here - just to check it out.

basically its a very large university town with a ocean-view boardwalk. not really much else though. lots of tricycles (as taxis - no car taxis).. its small.. oceanfront.. but no real beaches that i see.

however, the bars/restaurants/discos along the waterfront are happening.. and with the ocean breeze across the way its not too bad.. and yeah, tons and tons of college girls (students) swamp the very small nightlife area.. particularly 'why not' the main disco/restaurant/bar/internet cafe/travel agency.

i'm with my girlfriend though.. and as a couple.. not that great of a place.. just averagely okay.. but worth a look nontheless. still glad i came to get a sense of it.

going for a ferry to Cebu this afternoon!

[cdnhawk]

Tiger Beer

You're heading back to Cebu..I spent over two months in the Philippines last year and one of my favorite islands was Bohol..especially the town of Loboc, where my happy place, Nuts Huts is located. It is on the Loboc River and is a great spot to chill and relax. It is also a good place to explore the Chocolate Hills from and to see the Tarsiers (weird little monkeys).

[justagirl]

I've been there twice. No huge reason to go--we've just had friends from there, so that's why we've gone. If you scuba, though, head out to Apo Island, which is off the coast from Dumaguete. It's a total underwater paradise--one of the top 10 in the world! Totally amazing.

The food at the WhyNot is quite good--definitely give it a go if you're in town. And the falls are nice, but quite muddy and hard to get to if it's the rainy season.

[keninseoul]

[Yaya]

Seems quite a few Koreans are going to Dumaguete, along with Iranians, to learn English.

Dumaguete recently got its first mall and is considered a nice place to retire.

I'll probably check it out later next year.

[schwa]

Its a pleasant enough town. I was there last year. There are some nice resorts a short ride from the small downtown. There is an expat community but it tends towards German retirees with local wives young enough to be their granddaughters.