What Christmas is Like in Davao City

The holiday season is a great time to be in Davao City. The city is alive with colorful lights and unique Christmas decorations spread out in different areas. Fireworks are not allowed here but  the show of these bright lights are enough to provide a happy atmosphere throughout the holidays.

Various spots can be visited to enjoy a display of lights and local ingenuity. I'm sharing here the most popular areas where local residents and visitors often flock to.

Mana, the Antique Shop, never fails to wow its visitors every year. For many years now, the owner always hires designers to come up with grand and extraordinary decorations as his way of spreading love and happiness during the Christmas season.

Mana Antique Shop along Bajada (courtesy of Virtual Wanderer)

Davao City Hall along San Pedro Drive also makes it a point to hang lighted parols (lanterns) on the trees in front of the building and other colorful decorations. 

Davao City Hall facade (courtesy of Images Philippines)

People's Park along Camus and Palma Gil Streets boasts of its own unique Christmas display each year. The fountain area is a popular attraction inside the park.

People's Park Fountain Area (courtesy of  Skyscapercity)

I'm glad to be here in Davao City as I get to experience this great Christmas atmosphere each year. I hope you'll spread the word and I wish you all a fruitful 2013! 

Malling in the City

The Manila String Machine Quartet at SM Lanang Premier

People in Davao City have various options when it comes to spending their leisure time. They can spend it close to nature such as the beach, at inland resorts with swimming pools or they can go malling.

Malling is one of the top leisure activities of Filipinos. It is for this reason that almost every city in the country has a number of malls.

Here in Davao, new and more modern malls have sprouted in the recent years. Back in 1997 when I first settled here, I only knew of Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Ilustre and Gaisano Mall which just opened at that time. Of the three, Gaisano Mall was the most modern and the biggest then.

Eventually, SM city also came in. It was then followed by the construction of the NCCC Mall in addition to its main department store along Uyanguren.

A year ago in May, Abreeza of the Ayala Malls became the biggest and world class shopping mall in the city. This complex is a collaboration between the Floirendos of Davao and Ayalas of Manila. The mall's opening gave Davaoenos an opportunity to experience a shopping center in the same level as that of those in Metro Manila. And it made the locals here truly happy.

But that's not all there is to it. The management of SM Supermalls decided to set up a second mall this time in the Lanang area called SM Lanang Premier. This complex competes closely with Abreeza in terms of size but boasts of more advanced features such as its IMAX Cinema. Also, this SM mall has an SMX Convention Center considered the second in the country after Metro Manila. And unlike its SM City buildings that normally have the same architectural design, this one is different as it features a sky garden and dancing fountains.

SM Lanang Premier opened last September 28 and now, Davaoenos have a new mall where they can spend their time strolling and shopping. And as this is very near my place, I have been there many times already since it opened. I actually do most of my financial transactions (pay bills and bank transactions via BDO) there too. I'm sharing a photo I took during the opening day featuring the Manila String Machine Quartet.

Malling doesn't have to be an expensive activity. You can just go window shopping and be entertained there by visiting artists and the new movies at the cinemas. As long as you don't let yourself go hungry, malling can be a fun experience for people of all ages.  

Excited for the Opening of SM Lanang Premier

Just like everybody else here in Davao City, I am so excited for the opening of our new SM Lanang Premier this Friday, September 28. This is the second SM mall in the city but is definitely a high-end and world-class one unlike the first SM City Davao situated along Quimpo Boulevard in Matina.

There's so much to look forward to this major mall that stands on a 10-hectare lot that used to be the Lanang golf course. The architectural design alone is different from the usual SM City malls and I learned this is a green building having utilized eco-friendly materials and construction procedures.

Secondly, it has a Sky Garden that will feature a concert area and dancing fountain. It is also here where some fine dining restaurants will be located.

Thirdly, SM Lanang Premier will have an SMX Convention Center which is the second in the country. The first is in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The IMAX Cinema is another thing Davaoenos are excited to experience. IMAX boasts of the world's most powerful film experience, a far cry from what people are used to in the past.

What I'm most happy about is the fact that this new major mall is very near my home. It's just one tricycle ride away, a 5-minute drive by car and can actually be reached by foot if you're not in a hurry.

And what I'm sure about is that I'll be there on the opening day and in the coming days to experience this new SM Premier shopping complex. I also look forward to watching entertainment shows with my kids there.

Life is good and truly, life is here in Davao City! I couldn't ask for more.

Green Movement in DC

Davao City is one city that's strongly supporting the green movement. Proof of this is the strict implementation of waste segregation among all communities. This is in addition to the ongoing efforts of certain groups to plant trees in the different districts of the city.

I'm happy to see that homeowners and local residents in general are now taking action to segregate their wastes at home, in school and in the office. It's a relief to see that people are cooperating towards achieving a common goal which is to preserve our environment.

One positive development I'm also very glad to see happening is the use of paper bags by a growing number of business owners in the city today. Some of the major chains have started doing it. These are Goldilocks, National Bookstore, CDR King and McDonald's.

Personally, I love the look of these brown paper bags. When printed with the company's logo, they appear attractive and of course environmentally, they're a great benefit.

Kudos as well to SM City and Abreeza Ayala Mall for their monthly recycling fair. This is one great opportunity for people to dispose of their unused stuff the right away and even earning from them. I've taken part in Abreeza's recycling fair early this year to turn over some electronic appliances and accessories no longer in use. Check out the Facebook pages of these malls to know their schedule.

Hopefully, more businesses will follow this effort. And I truly hope there's no going back to the plastic once they've started using these paper bags.

Weather Here

Many people love Davao City because of its weather. This place is fortunate to enjoy a favorable climate all year round. Temperature can range from 21 to 35 degrees Celsius.

A visit to this city can be done any time of the year. Summertime is ideal for people who prefer a dry weather while doing their tour. Those who want a cooler weather can visit even during the wet season which starts in June and runs until September. The months heading towards the Christmas season are also great for visiting because of a cooler climate. 

Davao City is out of the typhoon belt. As such, typhoons that strike the country yearly do not pass this area and therefore, don't cause much damage.

The flashfloods that hit the city in 2011 were rare cases and hopefully, won't be repeated. Thankfully, the city government now is better prepared for natural disasters so we look forward to a safer place for Davaoenos particularly those living near the river banks and coastal areas.

(Photo above taken by me from Paradise Island Resort in Samal shows Mt. Apo in the background.) 

Going Around Davao City

While I was in my very first job in the city in the print media industry, I had a lot of wonderful experiences that were to my advantage. For me, the best part of being in the media was that it taught me to how to get around the city on my own.

 
Since I was a new kid in the city, I learned about the major thoroughfares through my daily jeepney rides. I found out that Bajada or the current JP Laurel Avenue is a long road while Claveria and San Pedro streets used to be the old busy districts where most business establishments were situated.

As a desk editor, I would be assigned to cover certain stories on behalf of a reporter. I also had to attend some press conferences thereby enabling me to go to places I've never been before. And to me, that was a big advantage as I got to know more areas outside the usual routes I pass through when I ride the jeep.

Good thing, our office that time was in a strategic location (Claveria or the current CM Recto) in the downtown area and so it was easy for me to go around the place. Sometimes, I would even go by foot so I'd really know the direction. Also, I didn't want to rely so much on friends to help me with directions so I took it upon myself to know the streets and the locations of important buildings.

Now I can say that I can go around Davao City by jeep or car without getting lost. I can also make a good tour guide which I sometimes do when friends come to visit. 

Davao City 15 Years Ago

I came to settle down in Davao City in the early part of 1997. A month after my husband and I arrived here, I started in my new work as a desk editor. Admittedly, I was so excited to start a new job and meet new friends.

It was through my new job that I was able to learn how to go about the city on my own. I had to do it especially since there were times I was tasked to cover some events on behalf of a reporter who was absent or was covering another event hence, was not available.

In my experience, working in the media was most beneficial in terms of traveling around a new place. It allowed me to go to places I've never been to and learn how to find the right directions.(Photo by laz'andre)

I remember there was already much progress going around the city at that time. If I'm not mistaken, construction of some of the first tallest buildings in Davao such as The Marco Polo Hotel and the Landco building started around that time. Also, Gaisano Mall although already opened that time was still a work in progress.

I'm so amazed that up to this day, infrastructure development in the city is unceasing. More modern and taller buildings are being built in the different parts of  the metropolis and they're not only commercial structures
but even the residential types such as the condos.

I'm proud to be part of this progressive city that has earned much international attention. It's my home away from home.

First Encounter with the Philippine Eagle

When Davao City is mentioned, what often comes to your mind? Common answers would be durian, Mt. Apo and of course, the Philippine Eagle.

Back in 1995, I had little knowledge of this city. But when I first visited here, I was thankful that my mother and I were brought to the Philippine Eagle Center by my former BF. It was an exciting experience touring the place and seeing the different eagles including the famous Pag-Asa. We also had the opportunity to see the hatchery and learned additional information on these eagles. It was a wow moment for me.

The photo on the right is with my Nanay in front of that huge bamboo that still caught my attention the third time I visited the PEF Center.

Last year, I had the chance to visit the center again (for the third time) when my family toured my husband's friend who was visiting the city for the first time. I felt great being there and showing my children the different birds. What made the visit more exciting was the presence of a huge eagle outside its cage and on the ground allowing people to see it up close and take photos of themselves with the bird.

Starting Out in the City

Once I settled in the city, I wasted no time and started to find work right away. Of course, I spent some special moments with my hubby being just newlyweds but getting a job was also foremost in my mind. I was unemployed for several months before the wedding so I was quite excited to apply for work in a new place.

If I remember right, I submitted applications to only two companies. I landed in SunStar Davao which publishes a local newspaper as a desk editor after passing the exam they gave me. Being a former broadcast journalist in Iloilo City, the job was a perfect match for me and it got me excited to do writing and editing work once again.

The big difference when I started out in SunStar Davao was my exposure to the computer for the first time on a daily basis. We had a computer then while still working for GMA Iloilo but only the management people were allowed to use it while we news reporters were limited to the old typewriter.

Fortunately, I had no difficulty operating the PC as my colleagues were also very helpful. Soon, I found myself enjoying my work with new people in my new home. My job kept me occupied as my partner shortly flew back to the Middle East where he was working at that time.

I was also pregnant while working as desk editor but my condition didn't stop me from doing what I love to do. Admittedly, I felt homesick once in a while but again, my job helped take away the loneliness I felt being away from my family, old friends and my spouse.

Settling in a new place may not be that easy for any individual but if you embrace the place and its people and adjust to them, you'll eventually find yourself at peace with your new environment.

Time to Relocate

I'm an Ilongga with a Kapampangan blood (courtesy of my Tatay who's from Lubao), born and raised in Iloilo City. I've never moved and lived to a new place for the entire 27 years of my existence until I got married. As such, it was hard for me to leave my native hometown when my husband decided that we make Davao City as our place of residence.

I've gone on trips with my family to other places in the Visayas and Luzon since I was small but relocating to a new city was farthest from my mind. Then the inevitable happened and I had to leave my city and family after I tied the knot. It was a heavy feeling that naturally made me cry.

Before the wedding, I was open to the idea of living in Davao City but I guess when the time comes for you to go, it's natural to feel sad deep inside. My heart felt so heavy that time while I was packing my things with tears running down my cheeks.

But on the other hand, I was also a bit looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life as a wife. It has always been my wish to get married and have my own family and at 27, I felt it was just the right time.

And so we set sail to my new home on board Superferry a few days after the wedding.

My First Davao Adventure

Davao City is one popular place here in the Philippines. Spanning 244,000 hectares, it is the biggest city in the country.

I first visited the city back in 1995 upon the invitation of my then boyfriend (now husband). Tagging along my Nanay, off we sailed from Iloilo to Davao via Superferry. The trip took more than a day but it was worth it.

This visit was my first in Davao and Mindanao. Never did I imagine I would set foot on this island and make it as my second home. But I guess, it's true that love comes from the most unexpected places.

My first visit in Davao City proved to be a pleasant one as my partner toured us around the place. Our weeklong stay here created good memories. That photo on the right was taken at Harana.

Let's just say I fell in love with the place right from the start. And that includes falling in love with my man, too.