#DumaGeTmE Signage

#DumaGeTmE Signage, Dumaguete — What It Was, Where It Was, and What’s There Now

Rizal Boulevard has long been the postcard view of Dumaguete City. For several years, one detail dominated traveler photos: the #DumaGeTmE tourism signage—big block letters that spelled a cheeky, hashtagged nickname for the city. If you’re planning a Dumaguete itinerary or sorting out where to shoot your sunset photos on the waterfront, here’s the clear, factual rundown: what #DumaGeTmE was, why it mattered, where it stood, and what replaced it in 2025.

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Fast facts (verified)

- Former attraction: “#DumaGeTmE” tourism signage (public photo spot)
- Location: Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (Pantawan 1 area on the seafront promenade) (https://www.facebook.com/dumaventureph/videos/the-iconic-dumagetme-signage-at-the-pantawan-1-bouvevard/1124295361334188/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Map/plus code: 8865+2RJ, Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City, Philippines (places index commonly used by navigation apps) (https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions/ph/central-visayas/dumaguete-city/dumagetme-signage?to=place.ChIJ_3L1tOZuqzMRV2stxdxgKRk&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Coordinates: 9.3100766, 123.3095022 (Rizal Boulevard waterfront zone)
- Access: Outdoor public promenade; widely treated as “always open” by driving/map apps (it’s a seafront walkway, not a ticketed site). (https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions/ph/central-visayas/dumaguete-city/dumagetme-signage?to=place.ChIJ_3L1tOZuqzMRV2stxdxgKRk&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

> Accuracy note: The #DumaGeTmE sign existed and operated as a free, outdoor public photo spot on Rizal Boulevard. A community-contributed photo from August 19, 2022 documents the sign in situ. [ Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ADumaGetMe_Sign.jpg?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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What was “#DumaGeTmE,” exactly?

“#DumaGeTmE” was a tourism branding slogan for Dumaguete City, designed to be camera-friendly and easy to search on social media (the capitalization D-G-T-E highlighted the city’s four key letters). It debuted publicly in January 2018 when the city formally unveiled the signage at the Pantawan 1 section of Rizal Boulevard alongside regional tourism officials. [ Negros Oriental](https://pianegrosoriental.wordpress.com/2018/01/26/slideshow-launching-and-unveiling-of-new-attraction-at-dumaguete-citys-rizal-boulevard/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Local explainers described the rationale like this:

- The hashtag was meant to aggregate Dumaguete images and posts online (type the hashtag to surface content). (https://metropost-online.com/dumagetme-to-attract-tourists-p9070-735/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- The name Dumaguete has been linked—at least in local storytelling—to “dagit” (to snatch/hold captive), an old reference that plays into the city’s “captivating” identity; campaigners leaned on that historical motif to justify the playful “Duma-Get-Me” reading. (https://metropost-online.com/dumagetme-to-attract-tourists-p9070-735/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

While the punny brand had both fans and critics over the years, there’s no question it became a widely used photo backdrop and an easy landmark for meeting up along the boulevard. A number of local pages and creators regularly posted the sign lit up at night, especially around the Pantawan viewing deck. (https://www.facebook.com/dumaventureph/videos/the-iconic-dumagetme-signage-at-the-pantawan-1-bouvevard/1124295361334188/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Where it stood (so you can still find the view)

The sign was situated on Rizal Boulevard—Dumaguete’s seafront promenade with views toward the Bohol Sea. If you plug “#DumaGeTmE Signage” into Waze or similar navigation, it resolves to Rizal Boulevard, 8865+2RJ (the central Plus Code used in directions). This is the same waterfront strip people traverse for sunrise jogs, late-afternoon strolls, tempura stalls, and pier views. (https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions/ph/central-visayas/dumaguete-city/dumagetme-signage?to=place.ChIJ_3L1tOZuqzMRV2stxdxgKRk&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

> Practical tip: Even without the original hashtag sign, the vantage point hasn’t changed—it’s still the place for golden-hour photos with the sea, fishing boats, and the boulevard’s line of lamps in frame.

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What changed in 2025 (important update)

In October 2025, city communications and local outlets reported that the #DumaGeTmE sign was removed and replaced with a new “#iLoveDumaguete” tourism sign on the same waterfront corridor. Coverage shows the unveiling of the new sign on Rizal Boulevard and commentary pieces discussing the shift away from the hashtag pun toward a straightforward city name. (https://www.facebook.com/congchiquiting/videos/celebrate-with-us-the-brand-new-ilovedumaguete-tourism-signage-is-officially-unv/1328609988734286/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

What this means for you now:

- If you come today, expect to find “#iLoveDumaguete” as the current official photo spot on Rizal Boulevard—not the older #DumaGeTmE letters. (https://metropost-online.com/i-love-dumaguete-signage-installed/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Historic posts and older guides that still mention “#DumaGeTmE” are outdated with respect to the signage itself, though they may remain accurate for location and waterfront experience (Rizal Boulevard, Pantawan). (https://www.facebook.com/NegrosOrientalTourismBoard/videos/unveiling-of-the-new-ilovedumaguete-signage-in-the-rizal-boulevard-%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8F-lovedumag/4061653197420520/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Why the site still matters (even without the original letters)

- Same promenade, same views. The reason photographers linger here—sunrises and sunsets over the water, lamp-lit walks, easy access from the city center—didn’t change when the letters did.
- Continuity of the waterfront brand. The city has used large-format tourism signs on the boulevard for years (older “I Love Dumaguete” versions existed well before #DumaGeTmE), so a signature sign on the seafront is a long-running idea, not a one-off installation. (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dumaguete-city-philippines-jun-13-2016-617576288?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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How to photograph the spot like a local

- Timing: Early morning light is clean and the promenade is quieter; late afternoon offers warm backlight and silhouettes with the sea—both are reliable.
- Angles: Stand slightly offset from the sign to avoid crowd lines and to capture the lamps + shoreline as leading elements.
- Night shots: The promenade lighting creates a rim glow around people and letters; keep ISO modest and use a faster shutter to avoid blur when crowds move (tripods can be intrusive on the walkway—handheld works fine).
- Accessibility: The boulevard is flat with broad pavements; curb cuts are present at intersections. As with many outdoor promenades in the Philippines, expect occasional uneven pavers and temporary vendor setups that can narrow sections. (General waterfront conditions vary by day and weather.)
- Respect public space: This is a shared city walkway, not a dedicated photo studio. Step aside after your shot; don’t block the path or vendor access.

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Cultural context & name origin—what’s actually documented

Public explainers linked the city name Dumaguete to “dagit” (to snatch), a phrase used historically to describe seafarers being “captivated” by the shore or the city’s pull. The 2017 local news explainer that promoted #DumaGeTmE for discoverability leaned on that etymology to justify the campaign. It’s a story locals know, and it’s the clearest on-record rationale for why the hashtag looked the way it did. (https://metropost-online.com/dumagetme-to-attract-tourists-p9070-735/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Practical planning

- Wayfinding: Search for “Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete” or “Pantawan 1” in your maps app; if you still see “#DumaGeTmE Signage” as a point, it’s typically pinned to the same waterfront corridor. (App POIs sometimes lag behind civic changes.) (https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions/ph/central-visayas/dumaguete-city/dumagetme-signage?to=place.ChIJ_3L1tOZuqzMRV2stxdxgKRk&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Crowds: The sign area can get busy around sunset and weekend evenings when families, students, and visitors head to the seafront.
- Weather watch: Seafront wind can kick up; bring a mic windscreen if you plan to record reels.
- Nearby: The Rizal monument and the Pantawan viewing deck are walkable within the same strip, so you can batch multiple angles in one session. (https://www.instagram.com/p/DER_OcHNG4_/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Inclusivity & traveler notes

- Public, free, and mixed-use space: There’s no gatekeeping to enjoy the boulevard view or the sign backdrop.
- Mobility: The walkway is mostly level; expect some surface irregularities common to open coastal promenades.
- Photography etiquette: Ask consent before taking close-ups of people, vendors, or kids; the boulevard is a community space first.

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What to do if you specifically wanted #DumaGeTmE in your photo

If your trip is a nostalgia run and you’re hunting that exact hashtag sign, know this:

- As of October 2025, local reporting and public posts indicate the #DumaGeTmE letters were taken down and the “#iLoveDumaguete” sign is the current installation. Plan accordingly. (https://metropost-online.com/bye-bye-dumagetme/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- You can still recreate a similar framing on Rizal Boulevard with the new sign or with a clean seafront-and-lamps composition—arguably the more timeless Dumaguete look.

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