Dumaguete City referendum, 1945 (Liberty Nests in the Orient)

The 1945 Dumaguete City Referendum was held on October 15, 1945, which regarded the status of Dumaguete City in the island of Negros Oriental to be part of the Philippines or to remain an overseas enclave city of the United States. The movement came months after the end of World War II.

The referendum was held due to the city's connection with the United States dating back to the Spanish-American War of 1898-1901 and the presence of Siliman University, the first American protestant university in Philippines.

The referendum's result was 85% voted to be an overseas American territory and 15% to be part of an independent Republic of the Philippines.

Following the referendum, preparations were made to handover the city to the United States, causing some resentment to some patriotic Filipinos living in the city. The capital of the province of Negros Oriental was moved to San Carlos City instead. Filipinos already residing in the city were given the opportunity to continue residing, where majority became American nationals. Most patriotic Filipino moved to either other towns surrounding Dumaguete or to other cities within Negros Oriental.

The city was ceded to the United State upon the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines in July 4, 1946, and was designated a city on August 4, 1946.