The City of Dumaguete is a city in the province of Oriental Negros, Philippines. It has many unique characteristics and is the capital, principal seaport, and largest city of Oriental Negros. Negros has gained the distinction of being one of the most livable islands in the world. According to the year 2000 census, it has a population of 102,265 people. A person from Dumaguete is called a "Dumagueteño". The city is nicknamed The City of Gentle People.
Dumaguete is referred to as a university town because it has seven universities and colleges within its boundaries. Students of the province converge to enroll for secondary and tertiary education. The city is also a popular educational destination for students of surrounding provinces and cities in Visayas and Mindanao. The city is best known for Silliman University, the country's first Protestant school. There are also 12 elementary schools and 9 high schools. The city's student population is estimated at 30,000.
The city attracts a considerable number of foreign tourists, particularly Europeans, and Americans because of easy ferry access from Cebu City, the availability of beach resorts and dive sites, and the attraction of dolphin and whale watching in nearby Bais Bay.
History:
"Dumaguete" was derived from the Visayan word "daggit" which means "to snatch". Because of the frequent marauding attacks of the Muslim pirates on the coastal town, and the power to attract and keep her visitors for good, hence, the word "dumaguet", meaning "to swoop," was christened to the village of Dumaguete. However,Diego Lopez Povedano in 1572, indicated the place as "Dananguet." But in 1734, Murillo Velarde referred to it, using its present name, as Dumaguete.
In 1890, the island-province of Negros was divided into two politico-military provinces, Occidental and Oriental. As earlier constituted, in 1898, Dumaguete was included in Negros Oriental. After the Philippine-American War, on May 1, 1901, a civil government was established by the Americans in the Province of Negros Oriental, including Dumaguete.
When World War II broke out, the city was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Forces on May 26, 1942. It was liberated on April 26, 1945 by the combined forces of the U.S. Army and the Filipino guerrillas. On June 15, 1948 or three years later, Republic Act No. 327, created the City of Dumaguete. Later, on June 21, 1969, Republic Act No. 5797 was enacted, otherwise known as the Revised Charter of Dumaguete City.