Country > Philippines > Negros Oriental > Dumaguete
Date > 2012 > February
Activity > Wealth Building

February 11, 2012

Not Thinking Big Enough

Location : Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Thinking Big
While reading up on the Google Boys, Sergey Brin once told a colleague that his (colleague's) idea was good...but not big enough! Until now, I think about that...not big enough. It's slightly over a year now since I embarked on my vision of a social enterprise that I took from concept to design to development and now growth. It's more than just viable now - in terms of internet viewership, it's probably the fastest-growing portal in the Philippines. But I feel constipated about its subscription growth. It hasn't grown rapidly enough despite my best efforts to replicate my efficiency and even render myself expendable. Again, it's not about the money, but perfecting the game...and making it as big as it can possibly be is part of that perfection.

contemplating....what is big enough?

Mentor
I've always maintained that having a mentor can significantly hasten growth and development. The great leaders of our time talked about the people who took them into their fold to be the iconic figures that they've become. A spiritual devotee even told me that without a guru, one cannot attain enlightenment - I disagree, but I could just imagine that having a learned teacher blueprint a path for you accelerates growth instead of having to figure things out on your own through trial and error.

If He was in my Shoe...
That's what I miss. If I had a mentor...I mean a real one, not a charming gab-talker who turns out to be a psycho, where would I be now? In the same way that during a time of uncertainty, a US president (I think it was Kennedy) would look at Lincoln's portrait and ask him, "What would you do if you were in my shoes?". In my wealth-building process, I often find myself thinking, "How would Henry Sy do it?". Why Henry Sy? Well, from a modest shoe store, he built SM into a mall empire. He's become my metaphor for thinking big.

What is Big Enough?
I'm haunted now. How do I go beyond my own limited box to see the possibilities that lay outside? I'm mustering ideas from life experience, from logic, books, the internet, from little morsels of knowledge I stumble upon, but I can't figure out how to make it grow exponentially bigger than what it is. How would Henry Sy make it bigger?

Cultural Alliances
Unlike the Chinese who forge business through a network of established associates, or club members who support each other through alliances, or even extended clan members who only buy from one another but sell to everyone, I'm entirely on my own running through this cultural-business maze I know little about...and getting lost many times.

Ending Thoughts
There are many more things I'd like to do in life. And I can't do them until I finish this. Got to think big so I can move on to other things.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Tough Guy

(Feb 15, 2012) Dad was still driving his Beetle back in the day. He was behind another car along Xavierville Ave where there's a road bump. The other car coasted hoping it would go over the bump gently. Dad followed closely. The other car didn't make it over the bump and rolled back hitting my Dad's car. The other driver loudly cursed, 'Fuck you!' and came out of his car looking tough and dangerous. The gunfight at OK Corral was about to take place...more »»

Dumaguete, Philippines

tourist attractions

Filipino Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine - 2175 feet above sea level and perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the neighboring islands
Casaroro Falls - pencil-narrow waterfall dropping nearly 100 feet to a wide and deep lagoon
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes - twin crater lakes 894 meters above sea level
Dumaguete Boulevard - 1km long boardwalk along the main hub of Dumaguete

- hotel

Hotel Essencia - 9-storie hotel in the heart of Dumaguete
39 Real St., Corner San Juan St., Dumaguete City - 09°18'32.1"N 123°18'20.3"E

scuba diving

Mario Scuba Diving and Homestay - homestay in Apo Island, scuba diving, restaurant
Apo Island - 09°04'40.08"N 123°16'09.19"E
Dumaguete Divers - scuba diving in Apo Island, resto / cafe, accommodation
Dauin - 9°11'18.6"N 123°15'54.3"E

cafe

Arteasan Handcrafted Beverages - coffee, tea, milk tea, frappes, waffles, sandwiches
79 San Juan St., Dumaguete City - 9°18'33.0"N 123°18'21.0"E

Dumaguete >> Cebu City by bus/boat

Dumaguete to Cebu City route is done by bus and boat. Ceres bus leaves almost every hour from the Ceres Terminal bound for Cebu City. It goes to Tampi and boards a roro until it reaches Bato, Cebu. From there, it resumes its land travel until Cebu City. 7 hours, PHP xxx.

Dumaguete >> Siquijor (Siquijor Proper & Larena Port) Boat Trips

(as of Jan 2023)

Montenegro Lines - at Dumaguete Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle

Aleson Shipping - at Dumaguete Port, 8 am and 6 pm daily, 10 am M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax

Ocean Jet - 40 mins, docks at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net

Please check first if Atlantis Yohan Express is back in operations

Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?

Dumaguete >> Lazi, Siquijor by boat

Dumaguete to Lazi, Siquijor route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Lazi meant going to Siquijor Proper first, then catching the 2pm jeep to Lazi (last trip), adding 1 hour on the trip. Now, Siquijor Proper can be completely bypassed.

Dumaguete Port - take Kho Shipping to Lazi, Tu-F-Sun, 3 hours, Dumaguete departure 1 am, arrival in Lazi Port 4 am, economy P300, tourist P500.

Dumaguete Itinerary

Things to Eat in Dumaguete:

Eat at Neva's Pizza. They have a wood-burning stove and make the best pizza in Dumaguete
Eat the local version of Tempura, fish ball, balut at Tempurahan, an adhoc outdoor section by the City Port entrance.
Eat Paklay, a local delicacy made of pork inards. Popular in Dumaguete's roadside eating places
Try any of the lechon manok (chicken roasted on a spit) that's scattered all over the city
Try the torta bread (bread made with fermented coconut nectar) - you find that along the highway in Dauin...or the Dumaguete Public Market
Eat the breakfast combo - Budbud Cabog (Dumaguete's specialty suman) or puto + tsokolate (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf + native chocolate drink)

Things to Do in Dumaguete:

Stroll along The Boulevard
Taka a tour of Silliman University

Sightseeing / Activities Near Dumaguete:

Valencia
1. Forest Camp in Valencia - a mountain resort fed by the Banica River. Great for getting wet and picnics (blog by Lakwatsero)
2. Go to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro Falls - 100 meter falls and site of a fierce WWII battle between Japanese, Americans and Filipinos
3. Head out to Camp Lookout in Valencia for great views. Famous writers stay there for the Silliman University National Writers Workshop.
4. Stop by The World War II Museum in Valencia and talk to curator/owner/collector, Constantino "Tantin" Cata-al.
5. Splash on Pulangbato Falls and Hot Spring - via Palinpinon road towards PNOC. Great to dip-in after a day's hike or for hot lazy days
6. Climb Mt. Talinis. At 1864 meters, it lords over Negros Oriental, and home to endemic and rare species of flora and fauna.
Dauin
1. Dive on Apo Island - best for scuba and turtle watching
2. Dive on Dauin's District 1 Marine Reserve - best spot for snorkelling - 10K grouper, turtles, cuttlefish, Titan Triggerfish, etc. This is only one of many marine reserves dotting the Dauin coastline.
3. Soak in Baslay Hot Spring
Sibulan
Go to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes - two lakes almost 1000 meters above sea level
Siquijor
Take the ferry to Siquijor - stay in Siquijor overnight
Zamboanguita
Visit Malatapay Market on a Wednesday and try their lechon, tuba, and grilled fish
Bais
Go dolphin watching and swim on the sandbar
Mabinay
Rappel down Mabinay Caves
Siaton
Experience Lake Balanan

Onward Destinations After Dumaguete

These are the nearest popular destinations from Dumaguete by boat

Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Dumaguete. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.