When I thought of Davao, I used to have only two things on my mind – Tuna and Durian.
The first and only time I was in Davao before was way back in November of 2002 when I gave a talk on official time regarding the Office of the Ombudsman during a Literacy Program Forum on Corruption and stayed for only one and a half days in the city spending one night at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
With gorgeous GMA-7 Kapuso celebrity Francine Prieto at the Centennial Airport
Last July 1 (Sunday), I returned to Davao for the next round of procurement trainers’ training. It was a rediscovery of a city that had so much to offer, a city which I have grown to like very much.
Davao is a remarkable mix of modern urban living and haven for nature and nature lovers. The city’s vast topography varies from fruit plantations and orchid farms to virgins forests that provide home to many rare wildlife. Indeed, it is home to the Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird, considered to be the largest eagle in the whole world. Also known as the “City of Bloom”, endemic to this area is the world famous Waling-Waling (Vanda sanderana) which is regarded as the queen mother of orchids. In its southern fringes, the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo at 10,375 feet above sea level, stands majestically over the surroundings, waiting to be conquered.
Hails of accolades and recognition have been rendered to the city of Davao through the years. For instance, in an competitiveness survey conducted by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Davao was ranked as the most competitive metro city in the country, garnering high ratings in indicators such as quality of life, cost of doing business, quality of human resources, linkages and accessibility, infrastructure and dynamism of the local economy.
From 1996-2000, the city placed 17th among the Top 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia and was the highest ranked city in the Philippines in a survey conducted by Asia week Magazine. Past distinctions include being the “Cleanest and Greenest City” as well as the “Most Child-Friendly City” in the country, among others.
Upon arrival, along with some members of the PWI team, we proceeded to our training venue, the Grand Regal Hotel along JP Laurel Avenue found in the Lanang district of the metropolis. A modern 217 room establishment, Grand Regal is strategically in close proximity to Davao's modern airport but relatively far from the city's old and busy streets, which of course works well with me!
I had the chance to taste for lunch the famous Chinese cuisine at the Ahfat Seafoods Plaza. No wonder why a lot of people go to this place! It offers a wide range of tasty viands from my favorite prawns (which they can fry, bake, sautee or bake) to crabs, to chicken, to beef and other yummy stuff! And their prices seem reasonable to me.
Next stop – nearby Victoria Shopping Mall. Nothing really spectacular about this establishment but I bought some items that people may want to try out when they come to Mindanao. From the Park and Shop grocery store, I bought a pack of Davao Coffee, the pure Arabica kind, very aromatic and reasonably priced. Secondly, I bought Pinakurat, a special kind of spicy coconut vinegar which was introduced to me in Cagayan de Oro City. Then of course was the Coke Light that serves as my regular staple drink. I also bought a roll of Kodak film from a Photoshop before we left the premises.
Davao's "No. 1" Seafood Restaurant
Before going back to the hotel, we passed by the Davao Marina Tuna Seaworld Market Restaurant in Sasa. Billed as the home of the city’s best tuna and other sea foods it offers whole tuna ‘sashimi’ class A which is export quality plus other sea foods like swordfish, blue marlin, pompano, gindara, etc. and Davao fruit ‘pasalubongs’ with packaging for convenient handling. Not surprisingly, the prices of the seafood here are relatively low compared to the prices of the same stuff bought in Manila, I believe by roughly around 50%. Imagine buying raw tuna and ‘suahe’ shrimps for around half the price! I bought 1.6 kilos of sashimi tuna for only P356 at P220 per kilo! Now that’s another attractive thing about Davao!
Grand Regal Hotel's lobby
Back in the hotel, I later called up a CFC elder based in Davao that was given to me by friends from the CFC Center. He was Bro. Jerome Protasio, a full time worker in the community is a Provincial Area Head (PAH) in the city. I related my week long stay in Davao and my intention to visit a nearby GK site during that period. Later, he was very kind to have invited me for dinner which I later learned was a popular site for Davaoeno families, the Harana Restaurant. I still remember the grilled tuna ‘panga’ (jaw area), chicken and squid, the seafood kilawin and the scallop soup that I tried out that night. We passed by Jack’s Ridge, a notable Davao landmark that I went to during my first visit to this city. I think there were several additions to Jack’s Ridge since I was last there. They had a coffee shop now which I don’t remember the last time. Bro. Jerome suggested another place to drink coffee where we went next. That place was Blugre Coffee in the heart of Matina Town Square (MTS). MTS was kind of those places that people went to, not necessarily just for the well to do, but for people in general who just wanted to relax and spend time friends and loved ones. That kind of an atmosphere…and Blugre was at the middle of it. Nice place with great coffee.
With CFC elder Bro. Jerome Protasio at the Harana Restaurant
Beside a Japanese sentry at Jack's Ridge
Night cap at Blugre Coffee Shop in Matina Town Square (MTS)
All that…in less than a day in Davao.
July 2 (Monday)
It’s the first day of the procurement trainers’ training in Davao. Many participants came from various government agencies including the OMB – Mindanao sectoral office. Unfortunately, only a handful came from civil society organizations.
With PTF Staff Pedro "Boy" Isip and Fe Adegue
In the afternoon, Bro. Jerome along with Bro. Rene Rieta, a current member of the CFC’s Board of Elders picked me up at the hotel to accompany me to one of the city’s GK sites. That GK site was GK San Nicolas. Situated at the heart of Punta Dumalag, south of the city proper, it is home to around 55 families. As of May 2007, there were 18 GK sites all over Davao catering to around 256 poor families including those in San Nicolas.
With CFC brothers and sisters at GK San Nicolas in Punta Dumalag
While in GK San Nicolas, I had the opportunity to meet two GK workers/CFC brothers from Papua New Guinea who were also being toured around the site. I learned that they have in fact been going around the country, visiting various GK sites all over the archipelago. The Mindanao GK sites I understand were the last leg of their journey and would return to their country soon.
With CFC Board of Elders member Bro. Rene Rieta
A former architect by profession turned CFC full-time worker, Bro. Rene Rieta decided to move to Davao with his wife several years ago and never looked back.
Bros. Rene and Jerome obviously do not miss the traffic congestion, the tropical storms and the rat race of Metro Manila. Instead they relish on the fact that these things practically are non-existent in Davao. Traffic only builds up near a river bridge but that only because it’s under repair. It drizzled particularly at night that week I was in Davao but storms do not generally pass by that region. People here work hard but don’t seem to be stressed out like many Metro Manilans.
With a GK San Nicolas resident
In front of the GK San Nicolas Chapel
It was already evening but the CFC Provincial Center in Davao was still buzzing with activity. It was my first time to visit the place and met new friends in the community. The brethren invited me to dinner along with their foreign guests, an offer I happily obliged to. We ate supper at a nice place called Dimsum Diner, a 24 hours open Chinese restaurant. Our evening meal included Yangchow rice, dimsum platters, spare ribs and sweet and sour chicken feet! I think this was the first time t tried chicken feet!
Flames corner at the CFC Center - Davao
Dinner at Dimsum Diner
Sumptious meal with local and New Guinea brethren
I really appreciated the warm hospitality of our Davao CFC brothers and sisters! Prior to this trip, I really didn’t know anybody from this side of the CFC community but they made me feel like a long time friend with their service and efforts. Kudos to all in the CFC Davao family!
Back at the hotel, I chanced some training participants from the Department of Education and Gil Santos of PWI at the Champagne Bar. Actually the Dept. Ed. women participants are from the National Capitol Region (NCR) but chose to join us in the Davao leg of the trainers’ training.
July 3 (Tuesday)
Day 2 of the trainers' training
Look at the "swan" pastry
After lunch, I went on a courtesy visit to our sectoral office here in Mindanao. I wasn’t able to see Deputy Ombudsman Monteroso who was out on a field activity. However, I got to talk to Atty. Rodolfo Elman who was one of the Directors of the sectoral office. I also met some friends like Vivian Matugas who recently got married (but didn’t inform us!) and Cheryl Lu who both acted as our PTF staff during the first procurement trainers’ training held in Cagayan de Oro last March. The sectoral office mainly occupies the fourth floor and isn’t really that big. There are plans to relocate though, to a bigger building, preferably the OMB’s own.
OMB-Mindanao is situated at the top floor of this building
After buying some pasalubong and checking some fruit stalls, I visited Magsaysay Park which is just right in front of the OMB office by the city’s shoreline facing the island garden city of Samal.
Magsaysay Park is just in front of the OMB - Mindanao office
In front of the park's monument
On the horizon one can see nearby Samal Island
The cool air conditioning of the hotel was a welcome breeze from the city’s hot and humid atmosphere that afternoon.
My ground floor room (Rm 117) at the Grand Regal Hotel
Later that day, I was given a tour of the hotel premises by Mayby –Lynn Gales, one of Grand Regal’s Account Executives. I had a look at the various room accommodations particularly the executive floors with its own exclusive lounge. Famous personalities and politicians have used these luxurious suites. Hey, they’re the only Filipinos who can afford the grand comfort. A night at the Presidential Suite costs P35,000 or $899 plus charges and taxes!
Grand Regal by night
At the hotel lobby later that evening, I had a long talk with one training participant, Senior Superintendent Job Nolan Antonio of the Philippine National Police (PNP). As it turns out, Colonel Antonio and his wife are inactive members of the CFC. I pray they find the resolve to become active again in our community.
Wednesday (July 4)
We moved to a different conference room on the 3rd day of the training
Mornings at the Grand Regal were something I looked forward to. It meant buffet breakfasts at the Brasserie. The choices were varied enough and the servings…well, with the buffet format, servings really depended on the limits of your appetite! The breakfast food that they served here was definitely one if not the best among the training venues so far. Tons of bacon! Eggs cooked anyway you like them! Need I go on? I’m sure my kids will have a field day, everyday if we ever stayed in this hotel in the future!
Bro. Eman Vilela dropped by from Gen San on route to Manila
Bro. Eman Vilela, who came from a trip to Cotabato, passed by Grand Regal tonight, on route to Manila via the Davao Airport. Bro. Eman is the cluster coordinator of the Kids for Christ family ministry in North B -1.
Tonight, it was my brother-in-law’s turn to give me a short tour of the city’s night spots. Jong Mangmang is a pediatrician who holds a clinic at nearby Panabo City and is married to my wife’s sister, Christie. I met him at the Blugre Coffee Shop at MTS. While waiting for Jong to arrive, I bought a neat white Blugre shirt and a nice looking blue coffee mug from the store. I also savored the exotic taste of Blugre’s popular Durian coffee. The mixture of the sweet and pungent durian with Blugre’s coffee (presumably Arabica coffee beans) was a match made in heaven!
With brother in law Jong Mangmang at the Blugre - MTS
Enjoying cold beer at the Tagbuan in Matina Town Center
From Blugre we hopped to the adjacent watering hole in MTS called “Tagbuan” where you can drink ice cold beer and listen to several bands play through out the night. Later we went to “The Venue”, another favorite night spot in Davao. Like MTS, it’s a place where several establishments are located. MTS however, houses all sorts of stores while the venue is mainly composed of bars and restaurants. The crowd seems mainly upper class as the place seems to attract, including those from the neighboring provinces. After a round of beer at the Venue’s “Bar 1” we went to the nearby the Golden Shell S & C (Shrimp and Crabs) Resto Bar. We ordered a serving of their humungous spicy crab. That crab was hot! The crab was so deliciously spicy I was perspiring all the time I was eating it! I thank my brother-in-law for the sumptuous treat and hospitality while in Davao.
Feasting on a big delectable spicy crab at the
Golden Shell S & C (Shrimps and Crabs) Resto Bar
Thursday (July 5)
Nothing much today. Spent most of the day at the hotel. There were two coffee mugs I bought today from the hotel, displayed at their Montmartre Café, a hundred bucks a piece. Fitting mementos of my week long stay in this elegant place.
After dinner, some participants and I agreed to go out for the last time tonight since tomorrow would be the last day of the training. Where did we go? Where else but to Jack’s Ridge! Colonel Job was able to request a private vehicle complete with a driver from a friend in the PNP. Cheryl Lu was the only one among my OMB – Mindanao friends who was able to join us tonight. We listened to acoustic singers who sang at a band stage located at the lower part of the ridge.
Listening to good music at Jack's Ridge with
Kathy Yumping of Dept. Ed., Cheryl Lu of OMB-Mindanao and
CFC brother PNP Senior Superintendent Job Antonio
I often say, if one had only one place to go out to in a visit to Davao, it should definitely be to Jack’s Ridge. Under a clear night sky, you can feel the cool evening breeze and enjoy the whole bright Davao skyline from its viewing decks.
Friday (July 6)
The last day of the trainers training. I had a lot of down time to spend early in the afternoon because my flight home to Manila (similar to the PWI team) was still hours away this evening.
Gil Santos of PWI was able to convince Jag Irineo, a Grand Regal hotel staff to accompany us in a visit to Aldevinco Shopping Center. I heard that this was a good bargain center for many sorts of merchandise. From what I saw, I’d say they were right.
Grand Regal staff Jag Ireneo and PWI President Gil Santos
If you like “batik” shirts or silk looking polos with ethnic designs typical of Mindanao, or searching for that perfect three fourth sleeve blouse for your loving wife, then check out Kim & Kimi’s Gift Shop at Aldevinco. You won’t be disappointed.
While in the area, look for the tried and tested pasalubong --- the durian bar. Just make sure you buy only the good stuff. Look for “Lola Abon’s Special Durian Bar” or Candy made in Matina. The whole family will love it!
In the background is Ateneo de Davao
Refreshments at Chippens Restaurant
By the way, remember the pinakurat (spicy coconut vinegar) I bought last Sunday? Like in Cebu, airport security didn’t allow me to bring on board the plane EVEN as checked in baggage with perfect packaging due to its “corrosive” nature. Yeah right!
Like all good things, my second trip to Davao has come to an end.
Now when I think of Davao, I still think of tuna and durian – lots of it. But now Davao also reminds me of a livable city, a thriving economy, and friendly people all around.
To think I haven’t even seen experienced half of everything that Davao had to offer. For this reason alone, I’m sure to be back in that place of natural beauty and wondrous life.
