‘November in Dumaguete'

November is probably the busiest month in this gentle city that is growing quite adequately. It's fiesta time and people from far and near are coming home. Locals put a fresh coat of color on their abodes and pigs are being fattened. The more religious are making supplications to our patron saint, Santa Catalina de Alexandria, for her divine intercession for peace, order and good weather.

Fiesta time is synonymous to happenings, and that we had, and will have plenty of. Sporting events, trade fairs, food festivals, discos and “bailes” are calendared and most sought after are shows and concerts that are numerous.

The month started with an excellent show at the convention center; La Salle 's all-boy group the “Kundirana” stole our hearts with their singing and dancing. They were absolutely precious! Vicente Arlegui, Thomas Co, Aaron and Miguel de la Cruz, Raymond Muyot, Miguel Nunez, Joseph Puducay, Carlo Tabangcura and Bryan Homecillo took us down memory lane with their singing and dancing hits of the disco fever era. They are a shining example of what the Filipino youth should be, and every mother's dream son. Foundation University has my thumbs-up for an excellent choice of show.

No sooner did we take a musical breath, when international performer David Pomeranz mesmerized the “hoity-toity” song aficionados that filled the Lamberto Macias Cultural Center to the rafters with a dream concert of well known and loved numbers. Yes, he made us “believe in magic” with his multi talents. David composes, sings, and plays the keyboards and guitar. Absolutely marvelous best describes the night.

The highlight of any fiesta is the search for the “fairest of the fair” lass of the city. This year the search will be a two-in-one show. There will be a discovery in the Miss Teen Dumaguete (high school girls) and Miss Dumaguete (the more mature college coeds). Latin-Caribbean will be the theme of the night and handsome and talented Aldred Gatchalian of “Ysabella” fame will serenade the ladies.

Posters and banners can be seen in every nook and cranny of the environs announcing the grand coming of the “Princess of Pop” and “Pangarap na Bituin” mainstay Sarah Geronimo in a concert to end all concerts. Sarah together with partner and equally superstar status Mark Bautista will sing their hearts out on December 1st at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center . Tickets are going fast so run for it. I have my front row seats “na”, and won't miss it for the world.

Well dahlings if November won't be hectic for you, you have surplus energy! See you around….NOUS!*