anywhere Davao

wall mural

2010-02-19T21:53:00.000-08:00

Youthful artists begin the task of repainting murals to a wall in a busy downtown area. The wall is actually an enclosure of a mental hospital in which the mural will provide a presentable facade amid the hustle and bustle outside.

Rock jam

2010-01-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

A local alternative rock band jams its way through a small but attentive crowd inside an equally small and unassuming pub. Composed mostly of youthful members, they express angst and aspirations about the world they move with.

Christmas party and dance

2009-12-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas had just arrived in the city. In this country where it is celebrated the longest in the world, it also means parties and more parties! This Christmas party is graced with the talents of little girls performing a Hawaiian dance number. Actually, they were the daughters of my childhood classmate. She often did the same during her elementary days too.

showbiz showdown!

2009-12-14T04:20:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the, er, screaming scenarios from a basketball showdown with moviestars held in a downtown gym last Dec. 5. With 12 gorgeous showbiz hunks shooting it out in a court, what else do you expect?

Missed it? Too bad, wanna part 2?

talents, talents

2009-11-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, a Writers' Night was held at a university in the city sponsored by the NBDB (National Book Development Board) for the 13th Book Development Month with the special participation of the Davao Writers Guild and other local talents.

And whoa, were there talents!

Aside from the "seat-glue" readings of DWG members,

the university's choir group also rendered their ethereal voices. Nice, very nice.

Then there's the performances of a theatrical group led by their painter-writer-musician choreographer, and so do other talents from the city, including dance interpretation performances from another university north of downtown. Great!

basketball showdown with moviestars!

2009-11-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

plug-in :)

SPCT87 Promotions

Presents

ALL STARS BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN!

Featuring:

Movie stars Basketball team
Philip Salvador, Joros Gamboa, Dennis Padilla, Ian Veneracion, Joko Diaz, Jestoni Alarcon, Carlos Morales, Onyok Velasco,Jong Helario,Patrick de la Rosa,Jordan Herrera

VS

SPCT ALL STARS

Plus exhibition game of CMO versus Fabian’s Catering

DEC. 5,(Saturday), 2009 5:00PM @ the Holy Cross of Davao College Gymnasium
Tickets: P100.00 General Admission/ P300-VIP

For tickets contact 0917.7189878 / 0919.5050161

For the benefit of the children of KARDAMS Inc. (Kabatan-onan nga Aktibo ug Responsableng Dabawenyo Andam Moalagad sa Sosyodad)

Major Sponsors

THE ROYAL MANDAYA HOTEL REP. ISIDRO UNGAB
HARI ROYAL SUITES GRAND MEN SENG HOTEL
VICE GOV. RAMIL GENTUGAYA FABIAN’S CATERING
BANGKA BUFFET RESTAURANT AQUABEST
JS DAVTRADE INTERNATIONAL JCR PRINTING PRESS
EOS-JR FIRST ENTERPRISES TANDUAY
MR.ERNARD & MRS. ARLENE STEINER

Minor Sponsors

Chowking Victoria Plaza branch Mayor Rody Duterte
New Hope Trading SPCT87 USA Ladies
St. Joseph Technical School Academy EMCOR
DMMA Atty. Nonoy Villa-Abrille
Ms. Jocelyn Moreno Allan Alforque Saloon
Cecil’s Snack Inn Uraya Land Development Inc.
Chippens Garden Oases Resort and Restaurant
Bureau of Customs Mayor Zander Khan
Ms. Ratna Wangkay

Benefactors

Kar Asia Inc. 5 Star Surplus
Joji Ilagan-Bian Center Gian’s Breakfast Club
Marie’s Fastfood L and D Function and Catering Services
Hon. Mabel Acosta Green Valley Enterprises
Metrolifestyle Gym and Spa Three N One Trading
NUG Trading Third I Construction
F Avala Construction

free wifi!

2009-11-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

This popular mall south of the downtown area recently offered free wifi access to mallers

burger with wifi

2009-10-28T23:51:00.000-07:00

This is the outdoor ambiance of a popular Philippine-based burger joint in the downtown area, succesful enough to expand its branches to other countries. This branch offers free wifi access to consumers.

chinatown arch

2009-10-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is the Peace Gateway Arch, the 3rd such arch built in the chinatown district of the city (the other two being Unity and Friendship archs). Recently, a cultural show for the town's first Chinese Mid-Summer Autumn Festival was held here. Davao's Chinatown district is said to be the country's (or even the world's) largest, covering about 44 hectares of the downtown area.

ridiculous traffic

2009-09-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

Not everything in Davao is seeming 'paradise' though. In Toril, a populated district about 15kms. south of downtown, ridiculous traffic jams tend to occur despite being a comparably small town in size primarily due to ploriferation of "trisikads" (a combination of prefix tri being three-wheeled and vernacular "sikad," meaning "to pedal"), an ingenious passenger vehicle contraption composed of motorcycle and sidecar with just an umbrella for roof, clogging the major roads. Supposedly, these are not allowed to ply along major streets, but a local politician was said to be behind the unchecked proliferation of their numbers for his credit business interest (it's illegal for public officials to do so) that demand exorbitant rates for the motorcycle loan, forcing its debtors to defy the prohibition of plying major streets to make ends meet and pay for debts. The dilemma occuring in Toril streets seemed a contradiction of Davao trying to project an image as one of the more disciplined cities in the country.

exotic flora

2009-09-12T01:42:00.000-07:00

Being in a typhoon-free zone and having volcanic rich soil, Davao is host to varied flora profusely growing around the city that range from endemic waling-waling orchid to exotic dragon fruit and imported strawberries. Here also are some strange, exotic ornamental plants I witnessed during the agri-trade fair held during the Kadayawan Festival:

indigenized

2009-09-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Kadayawan celebration often showcases the proud indigenous cultures that flourish in the Davao region as witnessed in exhibits and performances. The ethnic culture had predated and survived the country's pre-colonial era that spanned for many centuries. This indigenous contribution further enriches the city's already varied mix of cultures contributed by pioneering migrants from the Visayas and Luzon, such that Davao is dubbed with an "indigenized" culture, in contrast to the rest of the country with its "colonized" culture.

floral floats

2009-08-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

On 3rd sundays of August, revelers in the city are treated with floral float parade as one of the major attractions of the Kadayawan Festival. The competing floats must be made of orchid and various flowers, leaves, vegetables, fruit skins and other indigenous materials found in the region. These are some pics of the floats.

nature fair

2009-08-22T17:42:00.001-07:00

The ongoing trade fair located at the back of a Mall south of the city showcased colorful varieties of plants celebrating nature's bounty in this fertile region. Some of the exotic plant species may perhaps even be witnessed as one's first encounter of its kind. The 24th Kadayawan Festival is ongoing in the city.

pangil

2009-07-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

This croc, aptly named as "Pangil," which means fangs, one of the main attractions of a crocodile park just few minutes drive from downtown, is considered to be the country's largest captive crocodile with a whooping length of 18 feet. To elicit excitement among the crowds, the caretaker would deliberately poke at it, causing the irritated predator (wonders what he thinks) to swish its powerful tail for a dose of their unceremonious bath.

animal parade

2009-07-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

I witnessed an amusing "parade" at the People's Park fish pond weeks ago: it composed a pair of resident ducks waddling about and behind a colorful alignment of kois and carps following them.

The ducks were busy targetting out every human park goer peeking by the banks, looking for some food dole-out. The animals seemd to be into some form of mutual agreement where the ducks get the food tossed up by amused parkgoers while the fishes feast out on the crumbs. Nice deal.

Mother Nature gave me a gift!

2009-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday, this afternoon after my illustration of a chick on a nest for our writers group's supplementary literary page was printed in a Davao newspaper, Mother Nature gave me a gift!

The awesome gift was just that, a fluttering chick fresh from its nest that I perched right in my very hands! During those amazing, ethereal, infinite minutes, I befriended the chick that eventually allowed me to pick it up, it then flew somehow on my shoulder, from which I perched it up again in my hands, and I savored every precious second of this unforgettable moment!

We gazed at each other, me acting elated and overwhelmed, and it acting curious, and as the afternoon sky finally loomed overhead, my friend chick chirped excitedly as if to translate, "hey it's really gonna be late, and I really hav'ta go!" and off my little friend flew, as butterflies suddenly appeared and fluttered everywhere.

I'm gonna call my little feathery friend as Swswt! And haha, you have to whistle to pronounce it!

live band interactive

2009-06-29T03:27:00.000-07:00

This is a live band performance in a resto-bar located in Rizal Street. The singer on the pic however, was my highschool batchmate who rendered a song for my birthday as the band got interactive with the audience. His performance was energized enough to wake my other batchmate up who had previously dozed off from booze, and earned applauses from other audiences.

The resto-bar also offers free wifi.

free wifi!

2009-06-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

This hotspot is located a block away from the front entrance of the popular People's Park. It's a bit of a tranquil part of a downtown area just a walk away from a large downtown mall. Just try chasing the hotspot signal located near a small hospital.

agong house

2009-05-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

Just a few hundred meters from Camp Sabros, also in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur, is an eccentric-looking residence built by a popular Davao based artist. It is called the Agong House with its shape inspired from an "agong," a musical bronze drum usually used by most indigenouse peoples of Mindanao. The house is a sculptural work of art in itself, with added practicality of providing living quarters in it using the principles of organic architecture. It used to be a private resthouse of the artist, but throngs of curious onlookers just cannot be prevented from entering the compound and interacting with this Art.

Virtually the artist made the whole compound into one giant canvas, with sulptures, other artworks and even a big slide incorporated into the landscape, and made interactive for everyone. The place so inspired my Aunt that she sang spiritual songs upon leaving the place. This is a recommended place to visit together with Camp Sabros. Assuredly it makes the 2 hour trip from Davao City somehow complete.

swiss alps?

2009-04-19T22:47:00.001-07:00

Guess I really need to post pics outside the city's outskirts. I already added up "outskirts too" in the blog theme. Some nearby places just can't be left on the sidelines.

This one is taken from the Swiss alps...NOT.

It is actually in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur particularly in Camp Sabros, known for its ziplines about 2 hours drive of scenic overlooking mountain ranges that culminates with a magnificent view of Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak.

In the camp one takes a zip ride of his/her life amidst pine trees and cool mountain breeze thousands of feet above sea level. It used to hold the record of the country's longest zipline, but it is contested by another zipline in the city that claims to be the longest in Asia. Now they're trying to get back again, this time with attempt to challenge that record.

highway sculpture

2009-04-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a massive sculpture under construction along the Marilog highway just hundreds of meters from the waterfalls. The statue portrays a member of one of Davao's indigenous tribes, sitting in "lotus position" and holding the famous fruit that Davao is known for, the Durian with a symbolic figure of a child on it. There are also other interesting sculptures beneath the statue to stimulate one's mind.

interesting waterfalls

2009-03-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

This interestingly shaped waterfalls is, interestingly also, still part of the city's vast boundaries. It is located in cool Marilog district, about an hour and a half drive from the downtown area and elevated at about 3000ft.

high resort

2009-02-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

This popular mountain resort along the mountain range boundary of the city at nearly 3000 feet above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the Davao landscape as well as its surrounding islands and the Gulf. Its pine tree filled sprawling compound offers various attractions such as pool and cottages, trips to its organic farms, some resident peacocks, and a zipline among others.

high-end construction

2009-02-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

This high-end subdivision project is, literally, just that. It is located high above at around 3000 feet above sea level, at the edge of the city's western mountain range boundary. The place is known for stunning panoramic views and cool mountain climate as evident with the profusion of pine trees in the area. Although it is many kilometers away from the downtown area, the place is still part of Davao City. Despite the looming global recession, the city seems to be on the upswing for construction projects.

mushrooming condo

2009-02-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

Condominium projects are mushrooming in the city after the succesful stint by a developer some years ago due to rising demand of such investments. This condominium construction is located in the western tip of the downtown area,advantageously located near government institutions, the bustling downtown, parks and a museum. The city has among the highest number of approved building permits in the country.

2nd chinatown arch

2009-01-24T08:27:00.001-08:00

This is the city's 2nd Chinatown arch progressively worked in 3 days duration. It is being constructed full blast in time for the Chinese new Year Celebration.

Davao will celebrate the country's first Chinese New Year Festival as the Mayor signed the executive order that created an executive committee for the said event.

The city also has the country's biggest Chinatown, covering about 44 hectares of the downtown area.

free wifi!

2009-01-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

This spot is on a popular mall south of the city, in Ecoland area.

chinatown street

2009-01-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is one of the major streets in Chinatown district. Davao City's Chinatown is considered to be the biggest in the country in terms of land area. It is also gearing up for the country's 1st Chinese New Year Festival that will run for a week, replete with nightly cultural dances and songs, as well as night market.

The city's firecracker ban however, will still be imposed. Instead, revelers will be watching fireworks display via widescreen live from China.

season in malls

2009-01-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Malls in the city were flooded with shoppers and strollers during last year's holiday season as they watch feature shows and avail of bargain prices from price offs and midnight sales.

christmas party

2008-12-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-09T02:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-10-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-19T04:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-21T19:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-25T02:57:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-07-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

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

mall interior

2008-07-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

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???

2008-06-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-08T03:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

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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?!?!)

culture shock

2008-03-30T03:22:00.000-07:00

I had taken a wrong route to my destination and bearing it when I witnessed this scene along the way. It was taken near a monument marking the site of a pre-colonial settlement between San Pedro St. and Quezon Blvd.

The lady from an indigenous tribe wore her striking ethnic costume that starkly contrasted the drab concrete that surrounded her. Yet her intense facial expression vividly portrayed the emotion of being in a state of culture shock. Hopefully, this city would be sensitive and aware enough to accommodate individuals like her who have contributed to Davao's formidable identity. Hopefully, this city won't seem a cold, concrete jungle amidst the prerilous situation of her ancient culture struggling to survive in the modern era.

Witnessing this rare scene, perhaps the 'wrong' route that I took may not necessarily seem to be.

wearable art

2008-03-26T01:39:00.000-07:00

Function and Art blend well with these indigenous costumes. Such formidable combination had helped sustain an ancient cultural legacy that inspired not only Davao, but the whole country to gain a foothold in history yet untarnished by colonial influences. The indigenous people wear these geometries of Timeless Beauty well preserved by their traditional costumes.

dream weave

2008-03-21T03:10:00.000-07:00

These are some of the intricate Lumad (indigenous) weavings done by various ethnic tribes of Davao being displayed at the museum. The proud cultural tribes of Davao are a living legacy whose history dates back many, many centuries ago and yet still thrive even in this modern era. The patterns are handed down by the Lumad weavers from generation to generation, and other patterns are inspired by dreams.

There must be some hidden code of the Universe with those intricate geometric patterns, hmm...

modern blend

2008-03-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Viewed at a certain angle, the museum's wooden stairway reveals its blend of interesting modernity.

local museum

2008-03-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

At last a small, modest museum more accessibly located to the populace initialy opened prior to the city's charter day celebration. It is called Museo Dabawenyo, with a pragmatic facade (renovated from an old government building) that somehow reflected the young and pioneering history of the city.

Recalling nearly eight years ago, I once lamented in a defunked publication of a local artist group:

"The local government may be making plans for multi-million projects like a sports dome, an international airport, coastal roads. However, we still have to hear from them plans for constructing a museum that will truly be accesible to every Davaoeno, that will preserve the soul of this city and ensure that it will not be lost in the chaotic rush for development."

The sports dome had become a white elephant, an ultra-modern airport is now busily servicing the city, and the coastal road fell victim to the Asian financial crisis. But then, the vision of having a more accesible museum has finally been realized.

There will be no turning back for this will be the beginning of an era when an individual need not continually suffer at living with any historically unaware, art-clueless, culturally insensitive society.

charter day preparation

2008-03-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

People go somewhere with banners everywhere in this image of the downtown area facing the city hall. This scene was taken two days before Davao celebrates its 71st anniversary as a chartered city, hence the festive mood.

free wifi!

2008-03-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

Here's another surprise that I had discovered in some parts of the city, free wifi hotspots! And the spot where I took this pic is one of them:

Guess I'll be posting some free hotspots from time to time. The catch is I won't say the address exactly, so you hav'ta to look for it yourself (locals may not find the task difficult though) in case you drop by here.

sensuous drumsticks

2008-03-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Davao is such a vast area that finding a pleasant surprise is not uncommon, even among locals. By my experience this is one of them:

Anybody can view these domestic ostriches for free and for just a few minutes ride from downtown. This is still located in Baywalk Park. I also saw in the 'neighborhood' the tamest deers I'd ever encountered, and different kinds of fowls (all in cages, though).

Witnessing an ostrich, I discovered, may elicit contradictory impulses into one's neuron ranging from the sensuous ( their sexy gait:-) to the yummy (the largest drumstick I ever saw!).

But don't you fantasize about cooking these two.

Humans! Help!

2008-03-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of someone with an unfortunate experience of being attacked by a shark?

He will (especially if english-speaking) most probably holler: Shark! Help!

But this pic seemed to shout the other tune. This time it is the sharks' turn and if your imagination ain't stagnant, you'd hear them gasp this time: HUMANS! HELP!

These unfortunate, juvenile predators are one of the unusual attractions of the Baywalk Park, a mere 5 min. ride from downtown Davao. They're literally trapped in this well-tiled prison; I was on one end of the pool (in which they could sense because they never came near me), and on the other end is a giant nude human statue, a replica of Michelangelo's David.

rap boy

2008-03-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

We were strolling along another controversial park in the city, the Baywalk, when a thin, haggard-looking kid approached us. He said he will do a rap performance in exchange for mere peso coins. We sat by a bench as he prepared to do his number. Then...

...Amazing. Without skipping a bit, we were transported to the stark realities of this little boy's life with such intense, melancholic expression on his face as he narrated the hardships, the abuse, contempt, the determination to live as he held precariously his priceless dignity, expressed with the rythmic harmony of his frail, rapt voice. We witnessed this actual rendition of a work of Art. Then he prodded on, and with childlike strength he carried a fragile light of hope for him and his generation.

still kids and live kids

2008-03-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

Live kids and still kids play together during an ethereal moment inside the park; the sentient children grinning with smiles as wide as their counterparts that endearingly 'watch' them as they savor what really matters in this life.

enter the park

2008-02-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

Here's one of the views that greet goers from the entrance of the People's Park. There's the large, uniquely original artwork of an eagle done by a local artist, that award winning hotel grandeously posing at the background, and eye(sore)-catching, garish colored concrete flowers (the proponent argued that these don't need watering) to lure little Hansel and Gretel to the exciting crass world of highly commercialized illusions with imitation sculptures at the children's playground (sigh).

tall hotel

2008-02-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

This giant 'hiding' behind the bushes is the city's tallest building. Although this hotel may seem midrise (18-storeys) compared to taller structures of major cities, it nevertheless towered over when it won the highest rating in guest satisfaction survey among all of the company's hotel chains in Asia.

typical streets

2008-02-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some snapshots of typical streets in the downtown area.

No exaggeration, but one may notice that some of the city's streets are typically clean. Unless a cute five year old happens to throw her plastic wrappers in sheer innocent gesture, or an age 39 jerk from who knows where with the mindset of a three year old does the same.

a street

2008-02-23T23:16:00.000-08:00

This street (Rizal) 'used' to be my favorite (never mind the spaghetti wires) many years ago because there weren't much cars zooming by. I remember the shrub fence in front of Phil-Am Life building, a spot of well-trimmed greenery amidst concrete landscapes. There's also a durian stall, and some quaint old houses of the city's early pioneers.

Things are no longer the same. A public passenger route to a southern district now saturate the street and the trimmed shrubs were pulled out to make way for a modern building. Suddenly, a midrise hotel mushroomed up surrounded by resto-bars with a kebab stall owned by an Iranian actor across the street.

Er, is that sad news or what?

I still miss that green spot of fence. Some of the vintage houses still stood there though, and pedestrians with jaded olfactories can still savor a distinct, intriguing, sensuous aroma from that durian stall by the corner, especially during fruiting seasons.

building the bridge

2008-02-22T00:49:00.000-08:00

That's the recent scenario of the Bankerohan bridge now finally under construction after many months of red-tape induced delays by the central government, and agonizing wait (although the agonizing traffic still remained). The main, old bridge linking the downtown area to the south cracked after an earthquake months ago.

At present there are two major bottleneck traffic in the city: this one, and the People's Park entrance.

Locals await with anticipation the finishing of this project. But here's, in my opinion, what could be a foreboding finale. What if, after months of waiting and millions of funds guzzled out, the finished structure would still aesthetically present itself with a dull thud?

Yeah right, the adage always say it's better to build bridges than walls. But it doesn't have to be with bridges that look like drab, soul-less, or worse tasteless walls.

homegrown mall

2008-02-21T04:18:00.000-08:00

This mall is located in the southern part of the city,but unlike other large malls here, it is homegrown. It is a very popular mall in Davao patronized by locals because of good service. They even have an exercise program where sales attendants will suddenly sprout out of somewhere and line up then do synchronize dancing for startled customers.

typical mall day

2008-02-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

This is actually one of the first snapshots taken while on test before bringing my phone home. It's a bit rough and blurry (shot behind glass doors) for such initial test so don't mind it anyway. It was a typical day inside a local mall and nobody obviously suspected they'll be posted here.

Uhm, not really that typical. That was the day I decided to buy my mobile with a modest built-in camera, and that's intrumental for people to view the snapshots on this blogsite right now.

whitewashed wall

2008-02-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

This whitewashed wall (no pun intended) is one of my favorite slabs. It is steps away from the park with a tiny sidewalk that makes a twosome stroll clumsy, and threesome a virtual impossibility. It is actually the wall of a pioneering hotel in the city. It is called by a name reminiscing the view of the country's tallest peak, Mt. Apo. But that's no longer accurate. The view had long been blocked by a nearby mall, so it may aptly be called Mall View Hotel.

If you're on the first or second floor, that is. The hotel is actually a nine-storey midrise that had been added years later, so there could still be left peeks of the peak. But then, the mall is eight levels too (plus basement) so the name may remain a dilemma. However, the mountain is more than 10,000 feet, so there goes enough reason for the hotel to keep its name and not push through with my suggestion of renaming it as Mall View hotel :)

a hole by the park

2008-02-18T06:08:00.000-08:00

This place gets a view of the newly built People's Park with its durian shaped dome. It's the city's new attraction not only with original sculptures and landscaping by local artists, but also with tasteless imitations of walt disney figures and artificial flowers butted in by uncultured wannabes to keep it from being proclaimed as one of the world's more unique parks (pastilan!).

Anyway, throngs and busloads of park-starved people keep pouring into the greens so it seemed like the whole country is invading it, which only exposes the national government's lack of priority for providing parks around the country. It's a good thing that the local government here is doing its initiative. Still, on any day (and night, especially) the park would just get too crowded one could bid bye-bye to relaxation (as parks are supposed to offer) and say hello to stress.

I'd rather be in this corner hole with my priceless need for tranquility, and it's good that the small pitstop is a wifi hotspot too.