(from right to left) the Sharmskee, Richard (our guide), Earl the Pearl Calma, me and Cotabato Dick.
Just came back from a 3 nighter in Davao. Twas my first time to Durian Country and wow I never thought the Sharmskee and I would have such a grand time in Davao City. Earl Calma, a good friend I met in college (we were bunkermates in one of the God-forsaken dorms along Esteban Abada) had volunteered to give us the grand tour of Davao and he didn’t disappoint! We must have packed a week’s worth of activities in 72 hours. I tell you if it weren’t for Kakuei’s wedding, Earl might have taken us up to Apo.
First Impressions
The short story is, I’m impressed. I’ve heard about the largest city tag and the baluarte ni Duterte reputation but all that didn’t prepare me for what Davao would reveal: commerce and nature, all rolled into one sweet package.
Davao is booming. From the airport to the cars on the streets and the businesses that have opened shop, Davao is definitely one of the top 5 (if not 4) cities in the Philippines, a thriving community that might well be the center of business and education in Mindanao.
One of the first things I take note of when visiting places is its garbage. In Davao, segregation and collection seem to be working, thanks in part to the mayor’s hard stance on everything: smoking, garbage, drugs…I think it’s time we revisit Lee Kuan Yew’s take on Philippine democracy and see if the Davao model can be applied to the entire Philippines.
Where We Stayed
The Marco Polo hotel is definitely not one of the cheapest hotels in Davao. At P3,800++ a night, the MPH is not for the backpacking tourist. But service was excellent. I still can’t get over the crunchy bacon strips at the breakfast buffet, truly meatlover’s paradise. Their salad bar lacked in ’spirit’ I think, but everything else was top notch.
The room reminded me of the room we stayed in at Nanjing, China, but this one was more spacious. Standard amenities and average hotel pricing for laundry, mini-bar, etc. They also have in-room broadband access, I wish I had brought a laptop with me.
What We did
I’ll break this down into mini-posts later but here are the highlights to our 4-day Davao adventure:
- Nature Tripping at the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary
- Whitewater Rafting via Davao Wild Water Adventure
- Walking into Eden
- Dining Out in Davao
- Midnight Coffee Sessions
- Kakuei’s Wedding
July 26th, 2006 at 6:12 PM
Earl Calma? I think I know this guy from my childhood.
I was from davao. That was until my 4th grade… 1987 or something. They say the place was a “killing fields” back then. I went there year 2000 and it was beautiful.
Nice blog here… Im new to blogging and im trying to build a network of blogging friends.
August 2nd, 2006 at 11:01 PM
wow! buti pa kayo lil’ by lil’ nakaka navigate na kayo sa mga great places in philippines. Hope next time in the future, magkasama sama ulet tayo :) regards to sharm!
April 16th, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Hi there,
Is it worth spending a week there to do as little as possible with a girlfriend? Any recommendation on a cheaper hotel than the one you went to? Any beach front cottages or staff like that?
If you have a some answers, then, thanks a lot! ;-)
See you around,
Arsene
April 23rd, 2007 at 8:06 PM
hi!i’m from davao but i had been here in manila for the last 4 yrs for my urology training in national kidney institute.earl calma is a long lost friend.he was my team mate in the ateneo soccer team.we were called the black pair.i wonder how he is doing right now.can you help me how to get in touch with him.thanks
April 16th, 2008 at 4:19 PM
hi! im also from davao and ive been here in Manila since 2000. Kix, musta k n? magkaklase tau s BS Biology s ADDU. its good to hear that your a successful doctor n. Sana balitaan m naman ako with some of our classmates.