Even for just two nights, I planned to travel from Cebu to Dumaguete on a whim, post Typhoon Odette. Perhaps it was the stress of the great damage that the typhoon wrought not only in my province but in other islands as well, coupled with the no water and no electricity a week after it hit us that I packed my things via candle light Sunday night. Although I wasn’t yet very decided to proceed, I woke up at 4AM, prepared coffee, checked the weather. Then took a shower and headed to Cebu South Bus Terminal.
The last time I was out of Cebu was just a few minutes before the start of the lockdown in the province. Since that day in March 2020, I haven’t been out of Cebu. Prior to this trip, I saw a post from my friend in FB that he was traveling from Cebu to Dumaguete, his home city, so that he can work there as it will take several weeks for power to be restored. After asking the needed requirements, it gave me an idea to travel too.
The Cebu to Dumaguete trip
Instead of waiting for a bus in Tabunok, I proceeded to the terminal and rode the Ceres bus. From Cebu City to Liloan Port in Santander at the tip of Cebu, it took around four hours ride (PHP310). I was expecting to ride the fast craft but when I arrived there, I was told that it was no longer in service for quite a time and the only option was to take the Maayo Shipping ferry to Sibulan in Negros Oriental. The line was short and in no time, I was able to get my ticket (PHP85 + PHP5 municipal tax). The ferry was full in terms of vehicles and passengers but travel from Cebu to Dumaguete via this route is really short, around 30 minutes or less.
Booking my passport appointment
It was during this short sojourn, of all places, that I remembered that I still need to renew my passport which expired last June. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to book my passport renewal as there were just no slots available in Cebu and if there were, it was located in Mindanao. So while in transit, I checked the DFA website and…
Wonder of wonders, a slot opened up in DFA Dumaguete for late January 2022! I immediately booked a morning appointment, paid online and got reserved! Reason for me to travel back the following month and I did had my passport renewed!
I’ve traveled this route for quite some time already and am familiar with the goings on. Despite the short sojourn, this Cebu to Dumaguete trip was a very welcome breather from post Typhoon Odette and an opportunity to travel again!
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