The Davao City Kadayawan Festival is set to unfold this coming September attracting several groups and festival from other parts of Mindanao to join the region’s biggest festival.

Continue 2008 Kadayawan Festival here.

Upcoming Events

The Kadayawan sa Davao organizers have already released this years schedule of the Kadaywan Festival 2008. Kadayawan is known as the biggest festival in the Mindanao region. The highlights include the Indak Indak sa Kadalanan or the streetdancing Cmpetition and the Floral Float Parade Contest.

Kadayawan 2008 Official Schedule

Upcoming Events

Just off the east coast of Davao is a quaint beach resort called Costa Marina located at Caliclic, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal. For about 15 minutes of boat ride at less than Php10 per head, you’re off to the beach with a great view of the city.

The place is just one of the resorts along the strip of the Samal Island Garden but according to the locals, it is one of the two most frequented beaches by The Davaoeños. Forgot how much the entrance fee was but I think it was around Php20 only.

The expansive gray-sand beach is shaded by trees stretching from end to end. You can practically go there, take a quick dip, have lunch and go back home in less than two hours. How’s that for a noon-time office break?

Oh, and did I mention that the food is also great? Yes, tons of fresh sea foods.

More pictures here at the gallery.

A while back I was complaining about unscrupulous taxi drivers in the Davao Airport who would charge you an exorbitantly high fixed rate once you got in their cab. Then they were also in cahoots with the other taxi drivers there so that everybody was charging the same thing. Well that is a thing of the past already.

I just arrived in Davao from a Manila flight and as I headed to the taxi area a very friendly TMC cop clad in their green uniform politely asked me if I was looking for a cab. I said yes and he then gave me a slip of paper and directed me to where the cab’s were neatly lined up. It was a complaint form against taxi drivers addressed to the Mayor’s Office with a number to call.

Another fine example of how Mayor Rodrigo Duterte cares so much for his constituents well being. I remember one time when he invited an erring taxi driver to his office and gave him a severe dressing down after a pregnant woman complained that he didn’t want to bring her to her destination because of the distance and the rain.

So for complaints against erring taxi drivers (meaning those who don’t want to run their meter or don’t want to take you on as a passenger) call:

Office of the Mayor (Hon. Rodrigo R. Duterte) : (082) 224-5878, 0918-9368054, 0919-4165815

Be sure to take down the name of the driver (if you can) the plate no, type of vehicle, the name of the taxi company (on the side of the doors) and the date and time that it occurred.

One of the problems of living in a city where everything can be reached within 15 minutes is that you eventually run out of places to entertain visiting friends, because you can practically accomplish the whole tour of the city within the span of a day.

Then I found Davao City Golf Club. That is, for my golf aficionado friends.

It is one of the oldest golf courses in Davao that is located smack dab in the heart of the city. The area comprises 9 holes worth of fairway bliss. If you want 18, then play it twice *snicker*

For the business traveller, you could squeeze in an early morning game of golf by paying P300.00. If you’re a member (P2,600 lifetime membership fee and subject to approval of committee), you just pay the P 650 monthly fee and you can whack away anytime to your hearts delight.

One downside of the course though, because of it’s compactness, is that it doesn’t have a regular driving range. They said that their unofficial driving range is hole no. 1. There you can practice your drives, they won’t allow you to do that however during peak days (especially the weekend) when there are a lot of golfers playing.

For Inquiries, Call Davao City Golf Club : (6382) – 2962290

Definitely the most popular beach resort among the locals of Davao. Located in Samal island off the coast of Davao it owe’s its huge visitor base to it’s accessibility, friendly staff, affordable price, pristine waters and powdery white sand.

It’s parking area and jump off point is located near the old airport in the Lanang area. You will feel secure leaving your car in the parking lot because it is guarded 24 hours.

At the jump off point you will ride on a 20 capacity boat which will take you for a 7 minute boat ride to the resort. The fare for the ride is Php 10.00/head. But you need a minimum of 7 passengers before the boat will take off. If you can’t wait that long, you can pay for the entire boat ride by yourself, which will cost Php 70.00. Access to the resort however is only from 5 AM to 5PM due to strict Coast Guard restrictions. Entrance fee costs Php 60.00/head, from there you are free to use the tables and chairs as well as roam around the zoo.

Because of its proximity to the city, one could actually go there on a lunch break and enjoy a meal there then just have about enough time to head on back to work. It pays however to come there early as their cooking is dastardly slow. I am going to assume that some TLC is being done during the cooking hence the long wait. *snicker*

You will be amazed at how obssessed the staff are with cleanliness as you will immediately notice the absence of litter in the area. Not to mention the constant raking of the fine sand at the beach to maintain the symmetry of the beach front.

You will notice how long they have been at the resort business as they have perfected the craft of customer service and making the guest feel welcome. Upon arrival, the guard will assist you and even call a porter to help carry your baggage on the boat. At the resort itself people will assist you to carry your things into your table.

Definitely a trip to Davao is not complete without visiting Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort

No money to spend on food or an entrance ticket but in drastic need of entertainment? Don’t fret, all you have to do is take a jeep to Matina Hills then walk upwards till you see this place.

For Php 7.50 and a fifteen minute death march, you get to see a breathtaking view of the city.

I would have pitched also that you could knock yourself out breathing in the fresh air, but fresh air is common already in Davao *snicker*

The Philippine Eagle Center is the place where the Philippines National Bird is bred in captivity in order to increase their numbers. It is also one of the more popular destinations in Davao. It is located at the Davao City Water District’s (DCWD) Watershed Park in Malagos.


From Davao you can reach the place by travelling southwards on the road to Digos and General Santos. Take a right to Calinan once you reach the Ulas-Calinan junction. After about a 20 minute drive, make a left heading towards Malagos and then you will find the Center on the right side of the road. All in all it is about a 40 minute drive. Along the way you’ll see the Philippine Science Highschool of Davao as well as the Malagos Garden Resort (which I will post on some other time ).

Once you reach the DCWD watershed, you will have to pay a small fee (not more than Php 10.00), then an entrance fee for the center itself(Php 50.00 adult/Php30 child)

Aside from the premier attraction, which is the 32 Philippine Eagles, there are also other species of birds and animals indigenous to the Philippines (assorted hawks & falcons, monkeys, crocodiles, deer and wild boar to name a few) found at the site.

At the entrance of the center we chanced upon a young boy with a baby boa constrictor. My friends were able to have their picture taken with it and they donated some small cash for having the chance to drape a live snake around their shoulders. He said that he could go and get the mother if we liked, but we decided to opt out on that one *snicker*

A tip for would be travellers: if you have binoculars or a telephoto lens… Bring It!… the cages of the Eagles are located very far from the trail. I am assuming so that this is not to disturb them.

And at the souvenir stands at the entrance to the park, the going price of a t-shirt is a hundred bucks, so if they charge higher, haggle!

For Php 100,000.00/year you can adopt a Philippine Eagle in captivity. On a special place in the park you can see plaques of appreciation for the companies and person’s who’ve sponsored an eagle.

Further information on the Philippine Eagle Center can be found here.

The *Sta. Ana Wharf plays host to two of Davao’s more popular dive shops, Davao Scuba Dive Center and Wind and Wave Davao. They cater to the Island Garden of Samal which has a lot of exquisite dive sites. With about Php 8000+ (or less) one can practically learn how to dive.

Dive shops offer the most convenient way of touring Samal Island with a large group via their Island Hopping package. Which usually offers a round about cruise of the different beaches and popular sites around the island. If you are into open sea fishing, then they’re also the guys to get in touch with.

Davao Scuba Dive Center listed services:

Dive Sites offered by Davao Scuba Dive Center here

Wind and Wave Davao offers

Wind and Wave Davao Dive Sites are here

Contact Information:

Davao Scuba Dive Center
+63(082)2262588
+63(082)3055080
+63-9209213027 – Edwin
+63-9287330260 – Frank
+63-9164460841 – Ismael

Email:
edwinmandi@davaoscubadive.com
frankrr@davaoscubadive.com
engma@davaoscubadive.com

Wind and Wave Davao
+63(82) 300-7914
+63(82) 227-0234 (Tele Fax)
+63917 7053917 (Mobile/SMS)
+63(82) 305-DIVE (Reservations)
+63(82) 300-DIVE(Marketing)

Email:
info@windandwavedavao.com
tours@windandwavedavao.com
web_monkey@windandwavedavao.com

*Sta. Ana Wharf is located at intersection of Quezon Boulevard and Monteverde St. at the edge of the Uyanguren business district.

The undisputed King of the Grill in Davao City. What makes it different from other grills is it’s reputation for dishing out bottomless rice. Packaged meals of pork and chicken barbeque can be had at an affordable price (Php 50~55 range). Drinks are also within a reasonable price range.

Need more rice? then just clap twice and immediately a jovial fellow with a rice warmer will arrive. A word of caution though, to come early if you are planning to eat dinner there, it is most often packed and people brave the wait just to be seated.

There are two branches for you to choose from, one in front of NCCC Mall and the other in Ilustre St. Definitely not the best place to test your resolve if you are on a diet and be ready to release a notch or two from your belt after feasting there.