christmas party

Christimas parties often abound everywhere in the city during the season. Here, a small party was being held and the emcees facilitated some parlor games to entertain the guests. A game was in progress with a winner required to be the first to bring anything the host may fancy so as to win a gift price.Previously, the object the host wanted was to bring a denture, which was eventually won by a senior lady.

park christmas

Park goers stroll at the popular People's Park in the heart of downtown area, with its dome awash with Christmas lights and a large Christmas tree prominently placed in the promenade area.

The city would probably be the least noisy among other places in the country for a firecracker ban by the city mayor is fully implemented here. The advantage however, is that the city often records zero to nil firecracker injuries, in stark contrast to the rest of the country.

But some locals aired preference that at least controllled and regulated use would be compromised, like officialy sponsored fireworks display in strategic places to compensate for the ban.

city hall lights

I passed by the city hall area a few nights ago and saw some 'enlightening' sites, literally. The large trees fronting the public government building were littered with multitudes of lights, and sizable, behaved local crowds gathered underneath the clean plazas and benches to savor the ambiance, replete with quality sounding music that played local christmas songs. A recommended place to visit this season.

911 Davao version

This is the headquarters of Davao's Central 911 adapting the famous emergency assistance number, being the first in Asia to implement such system and the third in the world next to the USA and Canada. The system uses Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (ECAD) technology developed by a local electrical company to assist authorities in locating the origin of emergency calls. Central 911 is supported by highly trained emergency medical assistants complemented with state-of-the-art modern ambulances, has its own Fire Auxiliary Services Unit, an elite Urban Search and Rescue Unit equipped with high-tech and cutting edge rescue tools and equipments, and its very own K-9 units. Davao folks can access the number 24/7 through their landline or cellphones toll free, and the ambulances and other emergency services are also provided for free to local residents and visitors alike. Davao's Central 911 was awarded among the Top 25 Best Practices in the country.

Recently I used 911 to solve an annoying dilemma of a neighborhood videoke machine that had the gall to keep making noise too early in the morning. Very efficient indeed, the culprits dared not repeat the mistake the next day.

P99 buffet

This is the interior of a popular restaurant in Magallanes St. Contrary to the picture, lunch time customers actually filled it to the brim some hours before, and it was just in time that I managed to reserve a table. Many people patronize the place because their sumptous lunch buffet with dessert are pleasantly priced for only P99 (less than $2).

art vendors

Davao actually has the largest artist population in Mindanao, but art appreciation of local talents here is not as pronounced. Other artists had to be versatile to make ends meet. Some of them can be seen displaying their handicraft creations just like any vendors do. I talked with one and he narrated how they would sometimes be driven away and be treated just as any ordinary vendors. The city had actually produced topnotch talents but they were more admired and encouraged abroad than locally. A Davao artist now based in New York, though not given much recognition locally, was even considered one of the top contemporary surrealists in the world.

Nevertheless, local artists continue with their quests for the Muse for their inspirations spring not from bigots or the unappreciative but from the undeniably diverse beauty of Davao whom Mother Nature so blessed with.

on this site will rise...

Soon, on this site will rise a large mall with integrated ICT/BPO buildings to be built along the stretch of Bajada highway north of the city, by a very prestigious developer known for its quality projects in the country. The developer is bullish about its investment in the city as their research show that Davao's targetted consumer market is a fifth of the total population, much higher than Cebu City's 16%, also a premier city located in the Visayas region.

The developer is also admired for its sound business strategy and its real estate developments around the country are known to contribute much to the development of the host area. It even considers the ornamental plant and clay pot vendors presently occupying the front portion of the property as its future clients provided that the products meet the required standards, as the mall is known to cater for high quality services and products.

sleek building

This highrise building (behind that fastfood) is one of the designs I admire among local edifices due to its sleek simplicity. It is located along the Bajada highway. Many proposed structures are being planned along the stretch of this highway north of the city that may change the city's skyline years from now.

free wifi!

Here's another free wifi zone located inside a popular downtown park. The signal is not that strong though so you have to seek for the proper nook.

talking bird

I passed beside a popular mall south of the city in Ecoland Subdivision when 'someone' hooted a mischievous whistle. I looked around but saw no gorgeous figure or unusual scenario, except for a small, unassuming fastfood restaurant nearby with cages full of chirping lovebirds, and on a separate cage, that bird.

Ah, that bird. It was a black Mayna. Months ago I passed by the same area and I really suspect it was that bird who suddenly called "pangit!" In vernacular it meant ugly. Look who's talking. Frankly, it startled me that such an, er, honest-looking creature could chirp a little lie.

This bird needs a 'truthful' lesson or two. So I decided to have my lunch there and quietly waited for its reaction. Strange, it didn't dare say the 'p' word, must be my 3/4 sleeve striped white polo and sunglasses. After finishing a hearty meal, I approached it determinded to teach, yeah even this creature, the moral value of speaking trusty words; I demanded, "say pogi" (handsome).

To which the extremely smart, intelligent, amazing, astonishing bird replied:

"Pogi-pogi-pogi-pogi-pogi!!!"

bar-b-que restaurant

Look closely at the ceiling in one of the branches of a popular bar-b-que restaurant and it shows the regal Philippine Eagle eagle staring intently at customers. Davao is known for these native restaurants that serve grilled chicken, pork or tuna and other local menus with unlimited rice to boot and prices that are easy to the pocket.

large fruit

This is probably one of the largest jackfruits I had witnessed. Displayed on a fruitjuice stall inside a mall on the south side of the city, the fruit's impressive size attests the fertile volcanic soil of Davao, courtesy of nearby Mt. Apo, the 'grand old man' and tallest peak in the country. Davao is also dubbed as the Fruitbasket of the Philippines for the wide variety of exotic fruits found in its farms and orchards like banana, marang, mangosteen, rambutan, pomelo and of course, durian.

Look closely at the picture and the jackfruit actually 'speaks.' It insists it's for real just to convince exasperating skeptics.

indigenous cuisine

A little girl from a local ethnic tribe does her part in attending with her friend to their indigenous delicacies being sold to the crowd during the Kadayawan festivities, although her attention was attracted to a performance being done by another indigenous tribe on a stage nearby.

The indigenous delicacies were sold at pocket-friendly prices, providing the festival revelers with an array of exotic taste and textures to choose from. I tried most of these interesting sweets for a cultural taste through their food. There was one cuisine by another local tribe, the Ata-Manuvu, a generous serving of chicken-diced specialty wrapped with banana leaves, with an exotic sounding name I somehow forgot but clearly remembered the surprising price of only P10 (about US$0.22)! The taste however, was not only surprising but unforgettable. The exotic taste slowly exploded in my palate with surprisingly subtle taste of a mixture of soft, tasty chicken meat, a hint of coconut milk, and what seemed to be banana flowerbuds and/or raw jackfruit salad, whatever...but definitely it's one of the tastiest food I ever encountered!

ingineous indigenous dance

Dancers representing the Kalagan tribe, one among the many indigenous peoples being given attention during the weeklong Kadayawan Festival, show ingenious dance steps that reflect the fresh dynamism and talent of its new generation of members. The Kalagans were a Muslim tribe that inhabited the river delta of the Davao River prior to the arrival and occupation of Spanish Colonizers in the Davao area by the 19th century and the eventual entry of Christian settlers from the islands of Visayas and Luzon. Various ethnic tribes such as the Bagobo, B'laan, Mandaya, Dabawnon, Talaingod among others, already existed in Davao many centuries before the colonizers came, each with their unique cultures and diverse belief systems ranging from Animist to stunning similarities with Christian doctrines. Some tribes had traced their ancestry whose forefathers arrived in the island by boat from as early as 5th Century. Yet the ancient Davao culture had survived, and still thrives in this modern era. With cosmopolitan Davao being a melting pot of cultures, Kadayawan celebrates the profoundly rich and colorful legacies of the indigenous peoples whose culture still lives and thrives even to this day.

Kadayawan blooms

The word Kadayawan comes from the native language of the Dabawenyo tribe, one among many indigenous groups in Davao, which means everything beautiful, good, wonderful, great. Kadayawan delivers just that, literally. The Floral Exhibit is one among many sights and sounds one encounters during the festival.

drums and gongs across the street

A throbbing, pulsating sound soon emanated from the windows of the Museum. An ethnic performance was being performed just across the steeet in Osmena Park. These indigenous performers from Ata-Manuvu tribe in colorful, unique and original attires beat their brass gongs (locally known as agong and kulintang) that reverberated in the air with that distinct, melodiously profound sound in celebration of Kadayawan Festival. They celebrate the thriving of their noble culture in its true wealth that had survived for many centuries, which can only be fittingly considered as priceless legacies. In Davao's Kadayawan, one witnesses the exciting, mystifying celebration of Humanity and Universality.

Solidarity Ring

An interesting artifact is also on display at the Museo Dabawenyo this Kadayawan Season. The Solidarity Ring of Compostela Valley, Davao city's neighboring province, is the country's biggest gold ring. The 18K two-toned ring of gold and silver is 6 inches in outer diameter and weighs 1.488 kgs. The Ring symbolizes the reconciliation of the people of Compostela Valley after strifes, sometimes violent and bloody, in its political history finally subsided. Miners, officials, politicians, businessmen and private individuals supported the governor's initiative and gave gold donations for the molding of the Solidarity Ring.





Compostela Valley is home to one of the world's largest gold deposits. The gold ores from one of its mounains, Mt. Diwalwal, was analyzed to have gold metal concentrations that outranks those from the world famous Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa.

museum reopens

The Museo Dabawenyo has finally reopened after full renovation of its interior. It is located in Magallanes St. on the rear of SP (Sanguniang Panlungsod) Building and Osmena Park. Recently an exhibit was held by an artist who also works for a media company. Today, the museum also showcases the works of local photographers and an art exhibit featuring the profoundly rich paintings and sculptures done by members of the indigenous communities here in Davao. The exhibits are one of the many activities for the much awaited event of the city this August, the Kadayawan Festival.





I consider the opening of this small museum in a very accesible location as one of the most important turning point of this young city's history. There may still be a long way to go, but it will ensure with the city tranforming more with highly cultured, art appreciative, civilized locals, and less of the nightmarish concern of living with seemingly modern but mediocre minded, materialistic, art-clueless society.

nude replica

This 40-foot replica of Michelangelo's David also caused much controversy in the city years ago. The gigantic figure in its nude splendour caused local "moralists" from all walks of life, from 'Christian' fundamentalists to politicians, to blush pinkish-red.

Or bluish-purple if not tisay/tisoy.*

So aghast were blushing politicians claiming to be vanguards of children's and women's welfare that they threatened to tear down the blasphemous statue for its gross violations and moral affront. The statue was one of the attractions of a constructed Baywalk Park built by a motel owner over a public beachfront land whose thriving business was located just nearby. The park was part of the motel owner's agreement with the government to build a seawall in his vicinity to prevent erosion.

The Mayor however, did a Solomonic decision. For legality's sake he may compromise with "moralists" to tear down the structure, but he must also include all other structures and beach resorts illegaly built on public shorelines of the city, including resorts owned by some politicians.

For the moment, the Baywalk construction was temporarily halted.

Meanwhile, adults and less malicious children continue to visit the area replete with other attractions like a pool with juvenile sharks and a mini zoo with sexy ostriches.

*(tisay/tisoy - a local slang connoting Filipinos with mixed lineage, occasionaly Caucasian)

a bridge less mediocre

Another controversial bridge in the city is this structure inside a downtown attraction, the People's Park. The footbridge would have been less mediocre were it not for the unceremonious interference of those involved against the free reign of its artist. Originally, the ecclectic design would have been akin with a Singapore footbridge but interferers with mediocre minds prevented it from becoming what otherwise could have been one of the country's avant-garde bridge.

new bridge, old premonition

The new bridge that I had blogged many months ago actually opened last 9 June with not much of a thud, but greeted with sheer relief by commuters after months of exhausting, grinding traffic. The contractors may be credited for surprisingly fast and structuraly sound construction.

It didn't take long though for the passers to notice something amiss. What used to be a local's simple pleasure of having glimpses of the historical Davao River while crossing the bridge is now blocked by drab walls, a foreboding premonition once blogged here.

Perhaps it may still take time for this society to be civilized and cultured enough to appreciate an aestheticaly pleasing bridge. Right, what matters more to other people are the practicalities first, but after their bellies are fed it still matters with the individual keen to the art of feeding one's soul, rather than the lack of it for such cannot appreciate the role and value of art in building a nation, not just in building a bridge.

abstract painting?

An abstract cubist painting? Nope, it's a pic I took with my phone inside one of the mall's theaters.

mall interior

This is the high-ceiling atrium in the interior of the same mall where various activities are often held. The mall is considered to be the mall company's largest branch in terms of floor area. However, news buzzing about two huge mall complex and business parks to be developed in the northern part of Davao City may challenge its title.

mall traffic

Bottleneck traffic begins to form as PUJ's (public utility jeepneys) vie for passengers in front of a large mall north of the city. Davao undisputedly has the largest consumer population among Mindanao island's major cities. Just reported recently, Davao City garnered the 2007 record for being the most competitive city in the entire country.

riding a barge

Here's a scene while riding the barge on a typical island hopping trip between mainland Davao City and Samal Island.

It takes just about 5 minutes to get across. Recently however, news buzzing about a proposal linking the island with a suspension bridge elicited many reactions. The Feasibility study phase is now nearing completion.

By the time bridge construction finally gets the go signal, images of island hopping such as these would just have to be relegated to nostalgia.

Sasa wharf

The Port of Davao consists of both commercial and non-commercial major piers and wharfs that stretch within the city and neighboring provinces in the Davao Gulf. This is the Sasa Wharf, the largest and busiest among the Davao ports and presently undergoing expansion to accommodate growing demands as new and larger international ships berth in the area. The Sasa wharf is a premiere export and import hub in the island and presently is the fourth largest in the country in terms of container-cargo traffic and container-volume performance.

for sale...turtles???

I initially thought having seen virtually anything sold by vendors on the sidewalk fronting a mall in Illustre St. from peanuts, jewelries and glow-in-the-dark stuffs to Krishna booklets (I bought one), puppies and artist-made pendants.

One vendor however, made me stop on track and turn back to ogle at his wares. He was actually selling turtles! Hopefully, these species aren't on the endangered list.

street kids

I was doing my stuff at an outdoor cafe when a frail-looking street kid held up some fragrant sampaguita leighs and begged me to buy it, narrating at the same time some sob story. Curious about his otherwise innocent life, I inquired where his parents were. He said his mother works as a streetsweeper, replete with his signature pouting face and an impressively melancholic look in his eyes you'd think he just got his certificate on drama and acting workshop. I also asked how many they are in the family. I can't recall the number, but did remember my shock at hearing how many his brothers and sisters turned out to be.

Soon his buddy, a hyperactively plump bundle, joined in to make a crowd. Apprehensive about medicancy and giving money to these innocent ones, I decided to buy banana chips (the least chemical-laced chip in the counter) instead to treat the three of us. The store guard tried to shoo them, and I in turn shooed him away. Soon, we were having a time and I decided to take them a pic, which they more than willingly obliged as obviously shown by their eskewed faces.



The night pic may be blurry, but definitely their innocent, joyful countenances are as clear as a sunny day.

Soon, his plump buddy did a prank dash with the chips, and my streetkid friend gave a chase as they noisily disappeared towards the streets of Davao...

surprisingly isolated

Davao City's land area is so vast it doesn't cease to surprise. I never expected that this green lush landscape with nary a soul or dwellings, but with scenic, overlooking sceneries stretching along the long strip of concrete artery would merely be around 20 minutes from the main highway of the city. This is located in Bunawan district north of the downtown area.



There may be some rural pockets beyond the city's urbane districts, but I guess this was the first time I saw the part in such isolated state that not a single house or building could be found within its vicinity. And, I found the actual view refreshing.

business park

This is a business park that houses two highrises, still within the busy Bajada Area along J.P. Laurel Avenue. Locals silently, but undeniably hope there would be more of these tall buildings to welcome a change for a truly cosmopolitan skyline of the city.

Bajada highway

This is a stretch of the Bajada highway north of the city. The sprawling building on the left with a large Malayan inspired roofing is still part of the Damosa IT Park. Further up north in the Lanang area is the visible midrise Grand Regal Hotel. As viewed from a pedestrian overpass, the highway is replete with spaghetti wires and state-of-the-art synchronized traffic signalization system dubbed as one of the most modern in Asia.

IT Park

This is the Damosa IT Park complex nearing completion, located north of the city. The sudden mushrooming of the almost 2.3 hectare complex attest the city's potential in becoming an important center for Information Communications and Technology. Despite initial infrastructure concerns, Davao now ranks high as an attractive ICT investment capable of providing about 42,000 English proficient workforce and possesing, as an investor puts it, an "empowered bearing."

free wifi!

This hotspot is still on the same homegrown mall in the south, at the 2nd level food court where shoppers can sit for rest during shopping, meet with acquaintance, chat, ogle, and of course, order food.

dancing grocers

It was an ordinary shopping day in this popular homegrown mall south of the city when suddenly, all the grocery staff began lining up and performed synchronized dancing. The unusual exercise routine prodded my curiosity to call their office and inquire about it. The lady behind the line confirmed my suspicion, the idea was uniquely their initiative and it could be the first of its kind in the county, and perhaps even in the world.

The unique dancerxise designed not just to flex but also to entertain customers elicited various reaction from surprised shoppers evident in this pic, ranging from amused and intrigued to frozen stiff.



Eventually, some malls in the city followed suit and on a given time, one can find dancing salesladies and sales guys almost everywhere in Davao malls, and even around the country.

free wifi!

Here's my posting of another free wifi hotspot on a city street. The catch is to guess where the place is (yeah right, too easy for locals to know).

unspoilt beach

Here is my pic of an unspoilt beach in Samal, an island fronting Davao City and rimmed with tropical white sand beaches. For the moment island hoppers ride on barges or rigged boats in crossing the water straights. Recently however, the news about a British firm keen on constructing a suspension bridge that will link the Island Garden City of Samal (acronymed IGACOS, which also means "to embrace" in vernacular) with Davao City has stirred excitement and various reactions among locals. Some express concern that it may take away the excitement of island hopping, others with unchecked developments, security and environmental issues. If the locals do not take for granted these vital concerns, then the island would be on its way for a more balanced, environmentally sound, sustainable approach to an inevitable and much needed progress.

good life

These are my feet relaxing after closing a deal for good friends of a good friend. I assisted them in finding good renters (a good Aussie and Korean couple) for their recently constructed townhouse, replete with pool for a good ambiance...

...then, hopping into Samal Island to their private beachfront for another taste of good ambiance.

Here are pics of my good pairs of feet set in different good locations.

Ahh, a glimpse of 'good life' in a good city.

Iranian spice

This is the ambiance of a sidewalk food stall that caters Iranian dishes, in Rizal St. The owner is a stuntman from Iran. Sometimes I dine here for a treat of some spice.

Indonesian link

The intricate sculptured motif on a wall that cover the Indonesian Consulate complex in Ecoland area portray this neighboring country's rich culture, and adds a distinct mark to the Davao cosmopilitan scenery. There are close ties with Davao and Indonesia especially when the city initiated the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) designed to boost economic and cultural ties between these regions far from its capital cities. It actually revived centuries-old links when these regions once traded with each other way back in the pre-colonial era.

Chinatown arch

The recently finished chinatown arch adds up to the cosmopolitan flavor of the city scenery. Davao's Chinatown district is one of only two such places found in the country. The arch is a fitting tribute to the cultural contribution and business acumen of Tsinoys (of Filipino-Chinese parentage) who undeniably bring vitality to local and national economy.

modern school building

This is the campus of supposedly a premiere university in the city located just at the edge of Claveria St. It now presents an elegant and contemporary facade, which was a relief. About a decade ago its campus used to be, in my opinion, a drab, coldly utilitarian, seemingly art-clueless structure complex protruding from out of the downtown area. More than two decades ago it was a hotspot for idealistic radical students and academia critical of a dictatorial era.

There's an added scene at the lower left corner of the picture. It portrays the diversity of the local populace as one can trace Spanish, Chinese, Malay and Indigenous races intermixed in the Dabawenyo blood. I wonder what the scenario was all about, the sunglass peddler probably tried to convince a senior citizen that he looks pogi (handsome in local dialect) if he buys his shades.

urban blight

This is the other side of Claveria Street lined with some idle, vacant buildings. I expected urban blights to happen only in polluted mega-cities like Metro Manila, but this local version proved that it could occur even in a growing city like Davao.

Those concerned didn't seem, ironically, to 'bank in' on the Guinness nominee Title of the street (having the most number of banks) and make it part of the city's tourist attractions. Otherwise, blights such as these do not necessarily have to occur.

Anybody with a vision (and fat wallet) can transform this world record holder of a street into a revived attraction lined with cafes, or condominiums, or IT Park, or highrises, or...

Uhm, anybody?

street surprise

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This is Claveria Street.

Recently did I hear that this strip had nearly made it to the Guinness Book of World Records (1997) as having the most number of banks concentrated in a street.

(Really?!?!)