There are competing explanations for Dumaguete's name. Does it derive from the Cebuano word "dagit" (to snatch)? This references the threat during the Spanish period from southern raiders (and one of the functions of the Belfry, built in the early 1800s, and therefore the oldest bell tower in the Visayas, was to warn citizens of impending attacks).




Or does it come from the Cebuano word "dumaguit" (the power to attract)? Dumaguete is indeed a very lovable city, so this early understanding of soft power would be very plausible.


Any which way, Dumaguete's history is very interesting.

According to Elisabeth A. Bacus, a "complex polity" (in the shape of a chiefdom) existed in this area by the 11th century, and continued until the arrival of the Spanish in the mid-16th century. Such hierarchical polities would trade with each other and with polities overseas; take part in rituals designed to cement alliances or ward off hostility; and occasionally raid each other.

There is an Anthropological Museum at Silliman University (the first private American Protestant university in the country, founded in 1901), which exhibits some of the artefacts of these early political entities.







Pottery, incidentally, has continued to be a focus of the area where our Airbnb is situated:



And here is exactly the same stuff in the museum:


You can also find at the museum -- at least at the moment -- some beautiful works by Rojahn C. Columna:



Should you want to know more (and more is always worth knowing), there is some useful stuff on Dumaguete's history here (click the slide show), and additional photos can be found here.

It was reportedly Phillippines independence hero Jose Rizal who first designated Dumaguete "the city of gentle people".

By way of response, the waterfront walkway is named after Rizal, and he is commemorated in the Quezon Park:



Rizal was right in his evaluation. There's a markedly relaxed, easy-going quality to Dumaguete. We're really liking it here.