MADAYAW!!
Chartered on 16th, October 1936, by then President Manuel L. Quezon, this 2,443.61 square kilometers of land located in the South Portion of the Philippines, Davao City is tagged as one of the largest cities in the world. It is also ranked by the ASIAWEEK as one of the 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia not only due to its abundant natural resources and lush surroundings, but with the peace and order system of the local government and its industrial competitiveness. Moreover, it was incorporated as highly-urbanized city of the Philippines.
Davao City has 1,650,357 inhabitants of mixed religion and culture living in peaceful harmony as based on 2007 census. The native language is Cebuano along with Tagalog and Bistaglish, a portmanteau of BISaya-TAGalog-engLISH, which is commonly uttered among the young generations of today. As a medium of communication in education, business/official meetings and private or public correspondence, English is commonly used.
“Dabaweños”, as the people living here are locally called, is an epitome of living a simple life at its best! Labeled as “City in Bloom”, Davao emerges from a shy town to a fast progressive City in the country. The efficiency of the local government lead by our very own Local Executive Mayor Rodrigo Duterte paved the way for the Davao City to be considered as one of the Safest and Most Livable Cities in the Philippines. Crime rates are relatively low compared to others because of the strict implementation of the law as well as the ordinances that are passed for the protection of its people and guests visiting the city. There are fewer cases of graft and corruption in the administration of the incumbent Mayor which ensures better public service. It also boasts cleanliness among its streets which the people are proud of.
Davao City is the Third (3rd) in the world (U.S. and Canada as the first and second, respectively) to mimic the infamous 9-1-1 Rescue Unit that provides 24 hour emergency service, i.e. medical, fire, police and security services. The 24 hour police mobiles are visibly seen roaming the major streets of Davao to give security to everyone; hence, it is relatively safe to scour the city at night. However, for minors, they are prohibited to do so from 2:00am to 6:00am because of the city’s Curfew Ordinance. And caveat to all smokers, the Anti-Smoking Ordinance is strictly implemented by its local government but there are designated places to have your dose of nicotine when you’re out in the public.
Due to traffic which is relatively heavy during peak hours, 6:30-8:30 in the morning and 5:00-7:00 in the evening, the local government invested millions of pesos for its synchronized, high-tech traffic-light system. Friendly and diligent traffic policemen are apparent in its major streets and highways to make sure that traffic rules are properly followed by the motoring public.
As to its weather conditions, Davao City is a place to go to. It is a typhoon-free place during rainy season due to the mountain ranges that surrounds the place especially the most famous Mt. Apo, and it offers a lot of tourist spots and resorts to lavish ones time with friends, family and love ones during summer or any time of the year. For the visiting public, hotels are everywhere to cater to their specific needs and wants when they are away from their homes. Among these hotels are the Insular Water Front, Crown Regency Inn, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, and Apo View Hotel. Also, the Marco Polo Hotel, a Four-star Hotel, which is located at the heart of the city in J.P. Laurel, will definitely cater to those who got expensive tastes and deep pockets.
A fine walk in People’s Park shouldn’t be missed when you’re in the city. It themes the multi-culture and brief background of Davao City in just one place that captures what it is about, what it stands for, what it has and the treasures its proud of. After basking yourself with everything you’ve seen as you toured inside, outside the park there are many barbeque restaurants ready to satisfy your hunger. You can enjoy our Seaside Restaurants like the Seagull Beach Resort, Luz Kinilaw or in Times Beach where they serve Barbeque, Grilled Tuna, Sea Shells and other seafood of your choice. While for the love birds who like to have a touch of romantic meal, Jack’s Ridge and Dencios Kamayan on the hilltop is a perfect place to dine.
As the sun sets, the city is getting more exciting than ever. Night life begins! Here in the city, it starts early at 8:00pm due to the Liquor Ban at 2:00am. Choices of night spots are flocked in the downtown area in Davao City. There is this Torres Compound where cheap ice cold beer is best served at the lowest price ever imaginable. There are also other bars in Damosa Gateway (located in Lanang St.), The Venue (in Quirino St.), Autoshop (in Bajada St.), Rizal Promenad (in Rizal St.) where prices are reasonable too.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, a boat ride from Sta. Ana Port to Island Garden City of Samal is recommended. White sand beaches at friendly, reasonable rates are to die for. For beach lovers and divers, Island Hopping is highly commendable and the most requested escape where you can anchor your boat in the best diving spots in Samal Island. For backpackers and nature lovers, a Mountain Resort is the place for you. To mention a few, we got Loleng’s Mountain Resort, Eden Mountain Resort (located at Eden – Bayabas, Toril), and Seagull Mountain Resort (in Tamayong). And for those who want some physical challenge, a 4 to 5 day hike to Mt. Apo from Tamayong Trail is highly suggested. Along the trail, you’ll feast your eyes with its glorious surroundings due to its numerous fauna, luscious green foliage, rare species, rivers and several waterfalls nearby.
Davao City has two Festivals. We have the Kadayawan Festival and the Araw ng Dabaw. The kadayawan festival is a fiesta of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and production it is celebrated in the third week of August. Floats of fresh flower and fruits are paraded in the streets and the “Indak-Indak sa dalan” which literally means dancing in the street which showcases the multi-cultural and ethnic dance of the different tribe settlers here in Davao. Held in March is the Araw ng Dabaw, this is the celebration of oneness of the Dabawenos and reliving the culture of the natives and history of Davao. Further it is where the selected locals are crowned with the Datu Bago award which is the highest award in Davao city and the Mutya ng Dabaw, city’s ambassador of goodwil.
With all that’s being said, visit and enjoy what Davao City has to offer! Life in Davao is exciting, relaxing, and abundant of culture, values, tradition and history that even make it alluring to go to. Rich in Mother Nature’s generosity, it provides a wide selection of natural escapades from the shores of the beaches up to the peak of the hills and mountains. No wonder it is marked as the “City in Bloom”.