The City of Dumaguete has its own unique way of charming me. It’s vibrant yet laid-back air makes me want to come here often. And even though Sans Rival Bistro has invaded Cebu, it’s still a different feeling when you dine to the exact place where it all started. The city is a beautiful concoction of urban and rural living. In the morning, the city is silently busy as locals go to work, students go to school or for some, run some errands. The silence slowly dissipates at noon as more and more tricycles (with the place being called the tricycle capital of the Philippines) invade the area bringing with them both locals and tourists. Later in the evening, the center of Dumaguete’s attraction is at the Rizal Boulevard as almost half of the city’s population dine on the lined- up restos, eat balut and tempura at the boulevard or converse and relax while sitting down at the sea wall. This is what a typical day in Dumaguete looks like.

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