Filed under: WOK in MINDANAO | Tags: asia, davao, malipano island, mindanao, pearl farm beach resort, philippines, samal island
Cebu Pacific (5J) flies to Davao daily.
Last July, WOK is off to another adventure in the southern part of the Philippines. Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s seat sale because discovering the Philippines has become more affordable. (This is not a paid promo plugging..haha)
A busy street in Davao City
Dubbed as the Land of Promise, truly Davao is a promising island with a lot to offer. The City of Davao is one of the busiest urban metropolis in the country and serves as a gateway to island of Mindanao. A melting pot of various culture and ethnic tribes such as the Bagobos, Mandayas, and the Manobos it’s no surprise why Davao is known for its colorful festivity – the Kadayawan Festival. But aside from its vivid and diverse culture, Davao is also blessed with rich and bountiful natural resources.
A durian monument at the Davao International Airport
The pungent-smelling yet delicious fruit – the Durian is one of Davao’s pride. Durian is all over the place – from gigantic representation of the infamous fruit, to oval domes and sweets indeed the Durian is a staple in Davao. Aside from the Durian, Davao is also known for its wide variety of flaura and fauna – the Philippine Eagle and the Waling-Waling, the alluring orchid native to the Philippines. Another great thing about Davao City is its “Smoke-Free” campaign wherein smoking in public areas is strictly prohibited, a successful campaign which hopefully can be done in other cities in the Philippines. The People’s Park of Davao which lies in the heart of the city boasts its Durian Dome (see Footprints), an amphi-theatre like structure which resembles the Durian. Trees and ginormous statues depicting the culture of Davao welcome park dwellers who can enjoy the serene atmosphere inside the park.
Samal Island
This pirate welcomes guests at Pearl Farm
Pearl Farm's Parola
Just accross the island of Davao is the Samal island, a boat ride for about an hour will lead you to the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, dubbed as the dream vacation destination in the Philippines. Pearl Farm is a world-class hotel and resort facility run and managed by Fuego Hotel and Properties. The iconic Parola is the destination point for the guests of the resort. What’s interesting about this place is that ethnic influences of the Samal and Maranao culture can be seen in the structure and interiors of the rooms and villas. A good example would be the Balay rooms perched on a hilltop and the Samal Houses, which are houses built on stilts submerged in the sea. A lot of water activities can be done in the resort such as snorkeling, kayaking, diving and a lot more. An afternoon swim in the infinity pool which faces the Samal sea would also be the great time to watch the majestic sunset. Here are more photos taken at Pearl Farm:
Maranao Houses ready for occupancy at Pearl Farm
Pearl Farm's infinity pool overlooking the Samal sea
A view of the Parola during sunset
Samal houses on stilts
Just accross the Pearl Farm Beach Resort is the Malipano beach. With its fine white sand, towering coconut trees, and clear blue waters, undeniably it is a place you can call paradise. Below are some photos taken at Malipano beach.
Father and daughter bonding at the Malipano beach
Beach chairs overlooking the sea
More houses on stilts at the Malipano beach
Of coconut trees and white sand
The tree of life (Coconut tree) in towering height at the Malipano beach
• FOOTPRINTS
San Lorenzo's bell tower at Davao City
The San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish
Situated right across the Davao City hall in Talomo is the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, which is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Davao.
A golden durian serves as a decoration in front of Davao's City hall
The Durian dome at Davao's People Park
The Durian dome is made from interlocking metals
The Gigantic Durian
Because Davao has been known for it’s edible Durian, various landmarks have been made in honor of the popular fruit.
People Park entrance
The Davaoeño culture is represented in different statues situated around the park. (Pictured above: Kulintang Ensemble)
Tiyakad: A popular Filipino walking on stilts game
The People’s Park of Davao
Known to be the lung center at the heart of Davao City. I was quite curious why it was called the ‘lung center’ until I finally entered the park. The park is breather from all the pollution and noise around the city. A No-Smoking policy is strictly implemented around the park, cigarettes and lighters are confiscated upon entering the park premises. Simply, the park offers a breeze of fresh air and a serene atmosphere perfect for an afternoon walk or a place to rest. I also learned that the park also serves as a learning sanctuary for students because rare species of plants and trees are grown in the park which serves as a live exhibit for learning. By the way there is no entrance fee to enter the park. How I wish there’s a park as clean and as informative as this in Metro Manila.
Davao International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport)
It was my first time to enter an International Airport outside Manila and Davao’s International airport did not fail me. Though it is the busiest airport in Minadanao, the airport is clean and the interior is modern-looking compared to Manila’s domestic airport. I’ve read somewhere that the interiors are patterned from Malay architecture, I wonder why it wasn’t patterned from the Durian? Oh well, don’t be surprised if the airport smells like one.
• FAVORITES
Sayaw sa Bangko (Chair Dance)
Pearl Farm’s Piyesta ng Pinoy presentation
Too bad we weren’t able to watch the whole presentation and only got the chance to see the last two stints, but it was all worth it! The group performed very well and it feels like you’re in an actual fiesta. The chants, the dance moves, the music are all very Pinoy and makes you want to join the merry-making. Piyesta ng Pinoy is a cultural show performed every Friday night at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort.
Different patterns and colors
BATIK
Don’t leave Davao City without bringing home their famous Batik-printed pasalubongs. Best gift items for women are bags, wallets and malongs. While guys can have their own batik back pack. Visit Aldevinco Shopping Center in Davao City to buy various souvenir items.
Shades of Green and Orange (pun intended)
Shades of Green and Orange
I took this photo before boarding. I was looking over the window when passengers started to disembark from the plane. It was a sunny day and the personnel from the airline started to hand-over green and orange colored umbrellas to passengers. I find the colors and pattern interesting as umbrellas started to mushroom from the ground, so I took a shot.
With the richness of its culture and its people, the famous Durian, and its blissful white sand beaches and picturesque scenes, indeed Davao has fulfilled its promise. Till then, Davao.
7 Comments so far
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The Walks of Kulot 
Thanks for posting pics of Davao. They look so nice, clear and colorful! Glad you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for visiting Davao and please come again soon.
Comment by Oradude23 February 27, 2010 @ 3:01 pmHi Oradude23! Thanks for visiting and I really hope to be back soon. For sure Davao has more to offer. Again, thank you.
Comment by walksofkulot February 27, 2010 @ 3:49 pmI love those photos – all of them.
Comment by sartenada October 23, 2009 @ 5:07 amHi sartenada! Thank you for the kind comment. I am glad you liked them.
Comment by walksofkulot October 23, 2009 @ 10:06 amAnd by the way, I hope you can visit the Philippines soon. 🙂
Comment by walksofkulot October 23, 2009 @ 10:07 ami think you posted a wrong pic of durian, that was marang that was posted. still, my favorite too.
Comment by starson85 October 5, 2009 @ 9:45 amHi starson85,
Thanks for the correction. I thought the previous photo was the Durian, because they almost looked the same. Too bad, I took the wrong photo. Anyway, I already replaced it with a photo I found in the net. Thanks again.
Comment by walksofkulot October 5, 2009 @ 10:17 am