Valencia, municipality of the Philippines in the province of Negros Oriental
Valencia is a first-class municipality in Negros Oriental, located about 9 kilometers west of Dumaguete City and known for its agricultural lands producing flowers, vegetables, and fruits. The town sits on hilly terrain with cooler temperatures and is shaped by forests and the geothermal power plant at Barangay Puhagan, which generates electricity for several islands.
The town was originally called Ermita, a name reflecting its history as a safe place pirates could not reach. Spanish settlers later named it Nueva Valencia, until it became known simply as Valencia in 1948, and the town experienced major battles during World War II, remembered through the Filipino-Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine.
The town is known for its vegetable markets, especially on Sunday mornings, where locals and visitors from Dumaguete buy fresh produce. Local culture shows itself in small cafes run by expats and in yearly festivals held in October to honor the town's patron saint.
The town is easily reached from Dumaguete City by jeepney or private vehicle in about 15 minutes. Simple but comfortable accommodations are available in local guesthouses and small inns, where visitors find homemade food and friendly service.
Forest Camp, a mountain resort only about 20 minutes by tricycle from Dumaguete, allows visitors to catch tilapia from the fish pond and have it cooked fresh. The area is also known for Casaroro Falls, a hidden waterfall deep in the forest where water cascades into a quiet pool.
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