Davao

Endowed with a variety of picturesque landscapes, Davao's topography dazzles: Fruit plantations and orchid farms mantle volcano-fed hills and valleys. Virgin forests nurture rare wildlife. Coral islands lie on mirror flat water. And the country's highest peak magnificently lords over the hinterland.

Just as enchanting is its brilliant tapestry of harmony, woven from the diverse cultural threads of its people. In Davao, the contemporary fuses with the traditional as migrant settlers from all over the country co-exist in peace with a fairly large expatriate community and numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live as they did centuries ago.

Davao is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago. It is a natural haven for both sedate and daring pursuits.

A City that Straddles Two Worlds

It is the hub of commerce and industry in the Southern Mindanao region. Yet, to this day, Davao City continues to straddle two worlds - the new and the old.

Part of it is a flourishing metropolis of business districts, mechanized farms and cosmopolitan villages where "instant millionaires" live. And the other part is a rural landscape of hills that roll down into fertile valleys, dominated by the 2,954-meter-high Mount Apo, the grandfather of all Philippine mountains, and peopled by the Bagobo, Manobo, Mandaya, Bilaan and other ancestral tribes.

Land of Plenty

"Kadayawan sa Dabaw" is Davao City's premier festival and showcases the natural and cultural bounty of the land.

A movable feast in August, the week-long merrymaking highlights the manifold tribal cultures of the region which are vividly expressed in traditional songs, dances, games and crafts. It is also on this occasion when a lively trade fair, capped by a flower-and-fruit float parade, takes place. Street dancing and popular entertainment complete the celebration.
Agriculture-based industries thrive in the Davao region. A major exporter of bananas, citrus, mangosteen and other tropical fruits, it is also the biggest producer of cultured flowers in the country. Its surrounding waters are rich sources for commercial fishing.

The world's largest city in terms of land area, Davao covers all of 244,000 hectares.

King of the Heavens

The Philippine Eagle has the countenance of regal majesty - snowy white plumes dappled with gray, a distinct crested head matched with a pair of sharp eyes and strong curved beak, a powerful eight-foot wingspan, and lethal preying claws.

An endangered species, the world's largest eagle has found refuge at the Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center in the Malagos rainforest in Calinan, 45 minutes away from downtown Davao.

It was here where the first ever Philippine Eagle was born in captivity. Aptly named Pag-asa (Hope), she is testament to how seriously Davao protects its environmental heritage. To this day, more eaglets are bred and nurtured at the sanctuary.

Only too soon, the Philippine Eagle will take its rightful place in the sky. Soaring proud and unafraid as King of the Heavens.

Queen of the Rainforest

On the slopes of Mount Apo was discovered the waling-waling, an orchid of exceptional attributes - with full, velvety petals tinged in royal colors of purple, red and yellow.

So delicate is this stunning bloom that it can only thrive on fresh and balmy air. The waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) has since been successfully transplanted from its natural environment and cultivated in many of Davao's flower farms.

Retailing at several hundred dollars a plant, the Queen of the Rainforest has become an attractive business proposition.

Island Flavors

Davao's claim to culinary fame is grilled "bariles" (tuna) jaw dipped in soy sauce and "kalamansi" (native lemon).

The marketplace, abundant with seafoods, meats and fresh tropical fruits, is the best place to savor local flavors.

At the Sta. Ana Wharf, Luz Kinilaw Place is famous for its local version of the Japanese sashimi - bite-size chunks of raw fish marinated in vinegar, chili pepper and other spices.

For more gustatory experiences, drop by the restaurant row along F. Torres St. and Magsaysay Park. Also check out Fiesta Dabaw and Zugba Restaurant at Apo View Hotel and Yellow Fin Restaurant at Ecoland.

Island Adventure

One simply does not get bored in Davao. There are just so many options for a pleasurable stay. Try cultural immersion. Or farm visit. Or golf. Or trek. Or scuba dive. Or shop. Or simply laze around the islands and watch the world go by. The possibilities just go on and on…

At the T'boli Weaving Center, watch the colorful tribe of bola women as they handloom the intricate tinalak fabric. More tribal art and material culture can be gleaned at the nearby Davao Museum.

Brassware, ethnic trinkets and shellcraft make great souvenirs. Splurge and indulge at the Aldevinco Shopping Center on CM Recto Street, Nieva's Arts and Crafts in Lanang, Precy's Creation and Handicrafts in Bajada, and Handmade Treasures at Gaisano Mall.

Orchids, whether cut or potted, are also good buys. Check out the Mindanao Flower Market (Minflo Mart) in Barangay Pampanga.

For more farm visits, go to the Bago Oshiro Experimental Station in Mintal, Derling Worldwide Orchid Corporation in Buhangin, Greenhills Orchid Farm in Catalunan Pequeño, Puentespina Orchid Garden in Agdao, or the Malagos Garden Resort (Orchid Farm) at the Baguio district in Calinan. At the Gap Fruit Farm, one can gorge on Davao's famous sweet pomelos and oranges.

Two of the country's most popular 18-hole golf courses are found in Davao. Lanang Golf and Country Club has its fairways laid out in an estate lush with tropical fruits while Apo Golf and Country Club in Dumoy is set on a vast coconut plantation with natural hazards. For those with less time to fore, the 9-hole New Davao City Golf Club in Matina fits the tee.

Nightlife entertainment is provided by music bars, discotheques and the casino, which also serves good food and offers live musical performances.

Warm Hospitality

Filipinos do not simply provide the guest with a place to rest or park their luggage, they also share the best of what they have. This warm, effusive brand of hospitality is what distinguishes Philippine hotels from the others.

In Davao, one can easily find comfortable lodgings to suit one's budget and needs.

HOTELS, INNS & PENSIONS

MARCO POLO HOTEL (De Luxe)
Telephone (6382) 2216081
APO VIEW HOTEL (First Class)
Telephone (6382) 2216430
ROYAL MANDAYA HOTEL (First Class)
Telephone (6382) 2213030
MERCURE GRAND HOTEL (First Class)
Telephone (6382) 2350888
DURIAN HOTEL (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2220600
HOTEL MAGUINDANAO (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2222894
EVERGREEN HOTEL (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2213860
GALLERIA HOTEL (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2218162
SYCHAR HOTEL (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2240603
GRAND MEN SENG HOTEL (Standard)
Telephone (6382) 2219040
D'FABULOUS VENEES HOTEL (Economy)
Telephone (6382) 297322241
VILLA MARGARITA (Tourist Inn)
Telephone (6382) 2215674
ALICIA MANSION TRAVELLER'S INN (Tourist Inn)
Telephone (6382) 2242001
PARK SQUARE INN (Tourist Inn)
Telephone (6382) 2980258
ALTA PENSIONNE (Pension)
Telephone (6382) 2211843
D'COUNTER PENSION (Pension)
Telephone (6382) 2213664
DOWNTOWN HOME (Pension)
Telephone (6382) 2240067

RESORTS

CORAL REEF RESORT
Telephone (6382) 76269
PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2343050/2219970 to 79
KADAYAWAN RESORT COMPLEX
Telephone (6382) 2218599
FELIS RESORT COMPLEX
Telephone (6382) 2970719
MALAGOS GARDEN RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2950393
MARINA AZUL RESORT HOTEL
Telephone (6382) 2971682
MOUNTAIN BREEZE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER
Telephone (6382) 2962053
OCEAN VIEW BEACH
Telephone (6382) 2961749
PARADISE ISLAND BEACH RESORT
Telephone (6382) 728227
PETER LOU MOUNTAIN RANGE RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2342376
VALENZUELA GARDEN RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2972719
VALES BEACH RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2910474
VICTORIO'S BEACH RESORT & SEMINAR HOUSE
Telephone (6382) 2279487
VILLA VICTORIA BEACH RESORT
Telephone (6382) 2981775

7,000 Times More Attractions

Discover 7,000 times more attractions that await beyond Davao

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL. The Island Garden City of Samal is actually a group of islands in the Davao Gulf. The largest, also called Samal, has a number of excellent resorts, including one that was once a pearl farm. There are also many fine beaches, with good opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Dolphin and whale watching expeditions are popular pursuits. Within the islands are trails for trekking and mountain biking. Samal is accessible by a 30-minute boat ride from Davao City's Sta. Ana Wharf, Sasa Pier, Km. 11 Wharf.

KIDAPAWAN. The provincial capital of North Cotabato, Kidapawan City is two hours by bus west from Davao City. It is the main gateway to the ascent to Mount Apo. In early August, it hosts the 10-day Kalibongan, a festival that showcases the old ethnic rituals, songs, dances and sports of the Manobo and other Mindanao tribes.

DAVAO ORIENTAL. The province of Davao Oriental is a peninsula that separates the Davao Gulf from the Pacific Ocean and has at least 40 places of tourist interest. At its southeastern tip is Cape San Agustin from where a lighthouse marks the spot where St. Francis Xavier was said to have celebrated Holy Mass. In the town of San Isidro can be found the mysterious lake Tinagong Dagat, or Hidden Sea, which is nestled at the rainforest slopes of Mount Hamaguitan, 300 meters above sea level. The highest waterfalls in the country can be found in Cateel - the 338-meter-high Aliwagwag Falls. The cascade has 13 rapids and looks like a stairway with 84 steps of varying heights. It plunges off a high plateau covered with luxuriant foliage. The old town of Caraga has a moss-covered 17th century church. Some 14 kilometers away from the town proper is Saukegue Cave, where pre-Hispanic porcelain jars and artifacts have been excavated. Banaybanay is the "Rice Bowl of the East Coast." Its Chinese Cemetery with multicolored tombs, along the highway from Davao City, is a tourist attraction. The capital town of Mati can be reached by a 3-hour drive from Davao City.

MARAGUSAN. With its cool mountain weather, the town of Maragusan in the province of Compostela Valley is Davao's traditional Summer Capital. The ethnic Mansaka community live in the coffee-growing Maragusan Valley whose tributaries are fed by numerous waterfalls and cold springs. Swathed with virgin forests, Maragusan is where the Agusan River begins its journey north to the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, the country's largest wetland covering 19,000 hectares. Maragusan is a town bordering Davao Oriental.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY. GenSan, or General Santos City, cuts the province of Sarangani in half at the head of Sarangani Bay where as many as 2,400 species of marine life have been found. These include yellow fin tuna, skipjack and mackerel which are caught in commercial quantities. GenSan is the jump-off point for explorations to nearby Mount Parker and Mount Matutum, and their many caves. The province is bounded on the north and east by Davao del Sur and can be reached by a 3-hour bus ride from Davao City.

Planning Your Trip

Davao City can be reached by air, sea and land travel from Manila, the country's main international gateway. It can also be reached by regular flights from Manado in Indonesia and Singapore.
Air travel from Manila to Davao is 90 minutes, with the domestic route serviced by:

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
Telephone (632) 8559999
AIR PHILIPPINES
Telephone (632) 8437770
CEBU PACIFIC
Telephone (632) 6364938

There are several calls at island-provinces before one can reach Davao Port by ship. Travel time takes three days from the Manila North Harbor. The sea route is serviced by:

WG & A SUPERFERRY
Telephone (632) 2453142 to 60
NEGROS NAVIGATION
Telephone (632) 2452919
SULPICIO LINES
Telephone (632) 2450616 to 30

Although it takes 42 hours (some 4 days) to travel from Manila to Davao by land, this is a scenic route that passes through the Pan-Philippine or Maharlika Highway. Now being developed into a Tourism Highway, it links the country's three major islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The route is serviced by:

PHILTRANCO
Telephone (632) 8331369

Davao City is located in Davao del Sur Province which is bounded on the north by Davao Province, on the east by Davao Gulf, on the west by Cotabato Province, and on the south by the Mindanao Sea.

The Philippines is accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Traveling time to Manila from Hong Kong is an hour and 50 minutes; from Singapore, 3 hours and 10 minutes; from Bangkok, 3 hours and 50 minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; Sydney, 10 hours and 20 minutes; London, 20 hours and 45 minutes; Paris, 21 hours and 15 minutes; Frankfurt, 19 hours and 40 minutes; San Francisco, 16 hours and 15 minutes; Los Angeles, 15 hours and 20 minutes; and New York, 25 hours and 20 minutes.