The Legend of my hometown "Dumaguete City"

"Buñao Dumaguete City"

Known as the "City of Gentle People", Dumaguete City became a town in 1620. The late Dr. Timoteo S. Oracion, one of the member of the city councilor, said in his writings that dumaguete became the capital of Negros Oriental in June 1901. Dumaguete has lured and captivated many racial strains since the olden times. The city's annual festival "Sandurot sa Malumong Dumaguitnon" every november reenacts the rites of welcome for these migrations that have enriched the cultural character of the city. According to legend Dumaguete City was coined from the Visayan word "dagit" which means "to snatch". The word Dumaguet, meaning "to swoop" was coined because of the rampant raids by marauding pirates from the south in search for slaves. To warm the fishing village of the incoming raids by marauding pirates the belfry tower was created in the year 1811. The belfry is a four-story  ovoid tower supported by three buttresses. Located near, but separated from the Cathedral,

it is made of coral and lime with brick facings, and has arched and diamond shaped windows. Today, the Dumaguete Belfry Tower still stands proud amidst the modern buildings surrounding it. The amazing huge old Spanish inspired structure that certainly calls the attention of the passerby on the busy Perdices Street is the oldest landmark in Dumaguete City. Now,  the moros plundering the neighboring islands, abducting the women and the children, who, were told, were being ground and minted into money and gold by the moros. These plundering grew very intense in some nearby islands and there were terrible rumors that these moros were coming to dumaguete. It was not called "dumaguete" then, the peopled were concerned and they prayed har for protection. The families gathered at night to the pray nuestra senora and to Santa Catalina to deliver them from this danger. The people had the special devotion to Santa Catalina and Santa plight, she was swift i giving them her protection. Santa Catalina was known to have a stalwart and military woman. Every time the moros intended invading the island she would send a swarm of bees to cover the whole place, so that it would be seen from a far as a big cloud, swallowing the island into the bosom of the horizon, so the moros could not find the island.