I’ve been recently browsing photos of historical places lately, and one image from Dumaguete City really caught my attention. It was a shot of Rizal Boulevard, and the more I looked into it, the more I started thinking—it kind of reminds me of how people described Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard) before World War II.

Both are coastal promenades with

Tree-lined walkways and benches facing the sea

A calm, elegant vibe that invites slow, peaceful strolls

Nearby colonial or pre-war era buildings (some of which still stand in Dumaguete but didn’t survive in Manila)

A strong sense of place rooted in heritage and identity

Of course, Rizal Boulevard is much smaller in scale, and I don’t mean to overstate the comparison but it just feels like it managed to hold on to a kind of nostalgic charm that Roxas Boulevard gradually lost due to war and development.

I’m also curious does this comparison low-key hold up?

Has anyone walked along Rizal Boulevard and felt that quiet, historical atmosphere—like a smaller, more preserved version of old Manila?

Thank you for your thoughts!

Is Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete city, a smaller scale version of Pre-War Roxas Boulevard (Dewey Boulevard)?