Month: January 2021

Manjuyod Sandbar

Manjuyod is a municipality in Negros Oriental after Bais City. The municipality became famous because of the Manjuyod Sandbar, a must-see attraction in Negros Oriental.

Manjuyod Sandbar

The sandbar is a hidden gem in North Bais Bay. Manjuyod Sandbar became popular and was known as the Maldives of the Philippines.

It is located geographically in Manjuyod along the North Bais Bay in the Tañon Strait. The fine stunning white sandbar is 7 kilometers during low tide. It submerges into deep water during high tide. There are only 4 cottages for accommodations.

It is best to arrive early in the morning to enjoy and explore the 600 hectares of powder-white sand. Most tour operators start in Canibol Wharf in Bais City.

It is a fifteen-minute boat ride to reach the sand bar. The tour also includes dolphin watching.

After the dolphin watching, the boat goes back to the sandbar for the guests to enjoy swimming and after which, a sumptuous lunch awaits the tourist while enjoying the turquoise water and the scorching heat of the sun.

Bais City Dolphin Watching

Bais city a second-class city and a small agricultural town in Negros Oriental. The city is also known for sugar mills with the popular landmark of the Central Azucarera de Bais, a Spanish structure in the city and the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental. It is known as the pioneer in the sugar industry in the Philippines.
There are so many old Spanish houses in Bais city, where the Spanish influence and culture is very evident. One famous old house is the Casa Grande, an old residential compound built for the employees of the Azucarera.

La Planta Hotel

It is originally an electric supply building after it was turned into a restaurant. In 1990, the building was extended and became La Planta Hotel. Another hotel in Bais is the Casa Sandoval Pension House and Restaurant. We stayed here for a night and enjoyed the night swimming.

Dolphin and Whale Watching

The city of Bais has become popular for dolphin and whale watching in Tañon Strait. The Tañon Strait is between Negros and Cebu in which its seas are a haven for the two friendly creatures. Canibol Wharf is a jump-off to the tourist attraction.
During my visit, we saw the dolphins, which is actually near the island of Cebu.

Canibol Wharf is also a gateway to the popular Manjuyod Sandbar. You can see the cottages from afar.

Dumaguete City

The City of Dumaguete is a major transport hub in the Negros Island going to different provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. It is located on the southeastern tip of the island with Siquijor and Cebu as its neighboring islands. It is also a gateway to the famous Apo Island and going to different destinations anywhere on the large island of Negros. Dumaguete is also known as the “the City of the gentle people” with laid back city life.

Silliman University

One notable destination is the oldest university which is the Siliman University. It occupies almost one-third of Dumaguete City and is also one of the beautiful universities in Asia. It is a university town with luscious acacia lined trees and open field surrounding the school. Silliman is also a home of the Siliman Anthropology Museum, Silliman Hall, Silliman University Church, The Gate of Knowledge, Gate of Opportunity and Silliman University Bell.
A campus tour is also available inside the school for tourists to enjoy the 62-hectare of the historical university. The guided tour is administered by the university’s student ambassador.

Dumaguete Cathedral / St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral

The Dumaguete Cathedral is located at Perdices Street. It is a catholic church with stained-glass windows. Beside the church is the ornate, stone Belfry Tower also known as Campanario de Dumaguete.