Life in Dumaguete ♡ - Yoldi

There’s something truly magical about living in Dumaguete, something you feel the moment you arrive. It’s a city that’s big enough to be lively but small enough to feel like family. Everyone knows everyone, and there’s this quiet sense of belonging that makes you feel right at home.

I’ve always loved the province life here. Everything is near, the sea, the mountains, the cafés, and even the people you care about. You can start your day with coffee by Rizal Boulevard, study at a café nearby, and end the day watching the sunset over the water. Life here moves at its own peaceful pace, and somehow, that’s what makes it so beautiful.

One of the things I love most is the coffee and art culture. Dumaguete’s cafés are little pockets of creativity, filled with music, art, and people who are always eager to share their stories. It’s the kind of city where baristas know your order, artists paint on the sidewalks.

And of course, I can’t talk about Dumaguete without mentioning Silliman University. The campus itself feels like a story, full of trees, history, and heart. Studying there is a privilege, it’s a place that shapes not just your mind, but your spirit too. Walking under its acacia trees always reminds me how lucky I am to be part of a community that values learning, kindness, and faith.

Health and movement are also a big part of Dumaguete life. Every morning, the boulevard fills with runners and bikers chasing the sunrise. And lately, pickleball has taken over, everyone’s playing it, and I’ll admit, I’ve joined the craze too! It’s fun, social, and somehow perfectly fits the easygoing energy of the city.

They say “New York isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.” Well, Dumaguete feels the same to me, slow mornings, kind faces, and that comforting sense.

View from one of the classrooms in Guy Hall, Silliman University.

The Bell Tower. Still beautiful despite the ongoing renovations.

Whilst running by the Rizal Boulevard, I got to see the beautiful sunrise by the sea.