What better way to celebrate Tourism Month than by discovering the stories behind the city you serve? Employees of Dumaguete City Hall recently participated in a city walking tour led by DOT-accredited Tour Guide Pearl Galiciano, taking them through some of Dumaguete’s historic, cultural, and tourism landmarks. The activity was designed to deepen their understanding of the city and help them become better ambassadors of Dumaguete.
Seeing Dumaguete Through a Different Perspective
The walking tour gave City Hall employees an opportunity to experience Dumaguete not simply as a workplace, but as a destination filled with stories and heritage. Walking through the city allows participants to appreciate details that can easily be overlooked during everyday routines—from historic structures and monuments to religious landmarks and public spaces. Walking tours are also an immersive way of connecting Dumaguete's history with its present-day character.
Exploring Dumaguete’s Heritage Landmarks
Among the scenes featured in the activity was the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and its historic belfry, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The Campanario de Dumaguete, built in 1811, forms part of the city's Heritage District and is recognized as one of the oldest bell towers in the Philippines. The heritage circuit also connects visitors with the National Museum of the Philippines–Dumaguete and other sites that reflect the city's colonial, educational, and cultural history. The city's heritage story extends to the former Dumaguete City Hall, or Dumaguete Presidencia, which was built in 1937 and designed by Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano. It was later restored and converted into the National Museum of the Philippines–Dumaguete.
Why City Employees Need to Know the City’s Story
Tourism is not only the responsibility of tourism professionals. Government employees who interact with residents and visitors can also play an important role in sharing the city's identity. By learning about Dumaguete's history, culture, heritage sites, and attractions, employees become better equipped to answer questions, recommend places, and share meaningful stories with visitors and the community. This is especially valuable for a city like Dumaguete, which the Department of Tourism describes as the “City of Stories” and the Philippines' first UNESCO Creative City of Literature.
