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.