Dumaguete, Philippines: Humidity, Halo-Halo, and Questionable Karaoke
okay, so. dumaguete. i’m still kinda sticky. like, permanently. i just checked and it’s…a damp hug out there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, eighty-eight percent humidity? my hair is staging a full-blown rebellion. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? I need to look vaguely presentable, even when I’m hauling my kit around. This place is testing my limits.
I’m here for a gig - a wedding, actually. Which is…interesting. The bride’s family are all from *Manila, and they wanted a “beach vibe” but also a full-on orchestra. My job is to somehow bridge that gap. Wish me luck.
Anyway, the city itself is…charming, in a slightly chaotic way. It’s got this sleepy, university-town feel, but with a definite undercurrent of…something. Maybe it’s the constant hum of motorbikes, or the sheer number of stray cats. Or maybe it’s just the humidity messing with my brain.
I spent yesterday wandering around, trying to find decent coffee (a quest, let me tell you). Found a place called Bean Scene - pretty solid, actually. Not like my usual Melbourne haunts, but definitely a step up from the instant stuff. Someone told me that the owner used to be a barista in Cebu, so that explains it. I checked their Yelp page - mostly good reviews, a few complaints about the Wi-Fi. Which, honestly, is a universal truth of travel.
Speaking of which, if you get bored, Siquijor is just a short ferry ride away. Apparently, it’s full of healers and witchcraft. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I’m tempted. Need a little something to ward off the humidity demons, you know?
Food-wise, it’s been…an adventure. I had halo-halo the other day. It was…a lot. So much shaved ice and sweet beans and fruit. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be buzzing with sugar for the next week. I also tried some grilled squid from a street vendor. Delicious, but I’m pretty sure I spent the next hour frantically searching for hand sanitizer.
“Don’t eat the mangoes from the market,” a drunk guy slurred at me last night. “They’re…special.” I didn’t ask what he meant. I just nodded and walked away.
I’ve been scoping out the local music scene, too. It’s…enthusiastic. Let’s just say that. Last night, I ended up in a karaoke bar. It was…an experience. The singing was…passionate. The song choices were…questionable. I’m pretty sure someone was attempting Bohemian Rhapsody. It did not go well. I’m linking to a local forum here: Dumaguete Music Scene.
My gear list for this trip is pretty minimal:
My drum kit (obviously) - thankfully, the venue provided a decent sound system.
Noise-canceling headphones - essential for surviving the karaoke.
A ridiculously large bottle of sunscreen - the sun is relentless here.
A portable fan - my new best friend.
A phrasebook - my Tagalog is…rusty, to say the least. Check out this helpful guide: Learn Basic Tagalog.
I’m also trying to find some vintage shops. I’m a sucker for a good find. I heard that there’s a decent one near the *Cathedral. I’ll check it out tomorrow. Maybe I’ll find something to distract me from the humidity. I found this TripAdvisor page with some recommendations: Dumaguete Vintage Shops.
Honestly, it’s a weird place. But in a good way. It’s got this raw, unfiltered energy that I kind of dig. Just gotta remember to drink a lot* of water and avoid the questionable mangoes. And maybe invest in a dehumidifier. Seriously.
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