Ben Cab Museum

   The BenCab Museum showcases the works of Benedicto Cabrera, a Filipino painter awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006.  It is located along Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet. Entrance fee was for 100 pesos per person (Php80 for students and senior citizens). The museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday (except for Christmas and New Year's Day) from 9am to 6pm.

     Later in the 1990s, BenCab's input was a critical element in the creation of Tam-awan Village, "a refuge for local artists who desire a nurturing environment in which to develop their talents, and a community for all those who wish to take part in the harmonious fusion of art, culture, environment, and history." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedicto_Cabrera)

Reception Area

     I'm not an art connoisseur nor much of an art lover, but the exhibits were very interesting and admirable.

       The museum has various divisions and the first one we entered into presents paintings and carvings of sexual positions and the like. Below are some of them:

  

Here are a samples from the other sections of the museum ^_^

 

 

 

 

  

 Rice gods or the "Bul-ol" in the local dialect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whooopie Doodles!! :D

 

 

 

 

From the museum building, there's an overlooking view of the gazebo in the middle of a pond.

For more info on how to get there: (http://www.gobaguio.com/bencab-museum.html#.U3GoG4HuLId)

Location: 

The BenCab Museum is on Asin Road, in an area known as Km. 6, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, which simply means its six kilometers from the center of Baguio City. It would be advisable to get there by car or taxi cab since jeepneys getting out of there may be scarce.

By private transport: 

To get there from Burnham Park, pass through Harrison Road, and at the stop light at the intersection cross over to and climb Abanao Road. Upon reaching the top of Abanao, there is another stop light. Stay on the left lane as one will go straight (turning right will lead you to Bokawkan Road),to get to Naguilian Road. 

When on Naguilian Road, watch for CooYeeSan Mall on your left because you will make a left turn on the road right before the mall. Keep heading straight downhill till you get to Asin Road and watch for markers that indicate Km 6. BenCab Museum will be to your left and travel time will take about 15 minutes given light traffic.

By public transport: 

Jeepneys to Asin Road wait for passengers near the Baguio City Market. It is advisable to contact a taxi cab to take you there and wait for you instead,since getting out of the area by jeepney may be a long wait.

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Dumaguete Tourist Spots

      Welcome to Dumaguete! It is the principal and the largest city of Negros Oriental. It is also known as the "City of Gentle People" and I quite agree since the locals are really hospitable and would eagerly go out of their way to help you when you ask for it. And asked for it, we did. We didn't have guide, just a list of the places that we planned to go to, but no fret, coz we just asked for directions from tricycle drivers and locals. We rode jeeps and pedicabs to get to our destination. Not only were they cheaper but riding them kind of gives you a feel for the place. 

       This is the Port where we booked our ticket for our next destination, Siquijor! :)

Rizal Boulevard

Here is the "I love Dumaguete" Landmark found at the Rizal Boulevard. More popularly known as "The Boulevard", it's more of a long-stretched promenade where groups can hold their meetings, or amble around, or just enjoy the wonderful sea breeze. 

Just on the other side of the boulevard are a line of hotels, bars, and restaurant. Truly a place of recreation and relaxation. During our long walks both in the morning and evening, the place was also clean and orderly. 

Robinson's Place, Dumaguete

       We just stayed in a lodging house which was really near the Robinson's Place so we got to buy our supplies and had breakfast there too. We tried the Bacolod Lechon Haus, hoping to get a taste of Bacolod Food. ^_^

Silliman University    

  Dumaguete is best known for its Silliman University. Named in the honor of Horace Silliman, who established the educational center in the Philippines, the Silliman University opened on August 28, 1901 becoming the first private university established by Americans in the Philippines. 

   I guess, this is a sort of freedom wall for organizations in the university. ^_^

Silliman University's Hibbard Hall
     This building was constructed to honor the first president of Silliman University, Dr David Hibbard.

    

Silliman Hall

"SILLIMAN HALL was built in 1909 as an addition to form an "L" with the original building built in 1902, now demolished. The ground floor, popularly known as the Assembly Hall, has cast iron columns and ornate metal pan ceiling salvaged from the debris of a theater in New York.

THE MUSEUM on the second floor was established in 1970 by Dr. Hubert I. Reynolds, an American Presbyterian missionary and former faculty member of the Sociology-Anthropology Department of Silliman University to house the collection of the Cultural Research Center that started in 1964. The exhibits are rare and priceless collections of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts which date back as early as 200 BC.

Through the initiative of the Center of Excellence in Coastal Resource Management (COE-CRM) as funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the support of the Silliman University Administration, the restoration of Silliman Hall to its 1909 Eastern Stick Style was completed. "(From http://su.edu.ph/page/42-Anthropology-Museum)

The Forest Camp

      Located in Valencia, Negros Oriental, The Forest Camp is also a popular tourist site. In our case, we took a jeep going to Valencia, then rode a pedicab towards the site itself. Entrance fee was 80 pesos/adult and 60 pesos/child.

"The Wishing Well"

     You can also opt to eat at Mommy Baba's GardenHouse. Rates are reasonable. -_-

A model of a tartanilla or calesa

The scenery was great including the mini pond.

There were three pools available with different levels of depth. The cool thing is that it was nature-given as the flowing water was from a river. We really enjoyed swimming especially since there were only three of us dipping at that time.

Sitting on the rocks at the riverside

Quezon Park
       Aside from the Rizal Blvd, the Quezon Park is another free and public park to check out. There's also a lot of activity buzzing here especially during evening where you can see a lot of children playing, or groups meeting up. 

Pose in front of the "WE LOVE DUMAGUETE" landmark for another souvenir shot. ;D

A red vintage firetruck. Kinda cute compared to the modern ones, right?

The Cathedral Church of Dumaguete aka St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral

Bell Tower of the Cathedral

Sans Rival Bistro
      Actually, there were two Sans Rival Stores that we went to. The first one was the Sans Rival Bistro which was just fronting the Rizal Boulevard. The other one, the Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries, is located further down into one of the streets.

  The Sans Rival Bistro has the more classy look, having more of the ambiance of a restaurant. While the Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries has a more laidback, homey atmosphere. : )

Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries

Negros Lodging House

       This is where we stayed during our almost two days stint in Dumaguete.  It's really cheap since they have rooms for two with rates starting at 300 pesos only plus 50 pesos for every additional bed. They also have other types of rooms depending on one's needs. It's near the Robinson's Place and just several blocks away from the Ceres Bus Station for those who opt to travel thru land trips. Truly fit for backpackers! :D