Volunteerism is Alive in Davao City

Davao City was lucky to have been spared by the recent Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). But just the same, the Davaoenos' hearts went out to those badly affected in Samar, Leyte and Panay.

With a mayor like Rody Duterte who is a true and strong leader in the real sense of the word, it's hard not to show compassion to people suffering from the devastation of natural calamities. Mayor Duterte was among the first to respond to the Taclobanons days after their areas were ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda. He immediately brought his team including medics to Tacloban to personally assist them in their needs.

This kind of leadership indeed has a ripple effect on the Davao City residents. It has a positive impact on people in that it has prompted them to help in their own way such as by volunteering in the repacking of relief goods.

I have personally witnessed the strong spirit of volunteerism here in the city in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. One Sunday afternoon, I brought my 8-year-old daughter with me to the DPWH depot where the DSWD has been holding its repacking efforts for the survivors of Tacloban which was among the hardest hit areas in Leyte. There, we helped in segregating and arranging the plastic bags to be used in repacking the rice.

We didn't know anybody there but everyone was friendly and accommodating. We didn't feel uncomfortable at all because everyone was focused on repacking the goods and help the Yolanda survivors who, at that time, were living without food and shelter.

A DSWD officer I spoke with at the warehouse said the number of volunteers right after Yolanda went up to 25,000 from only 5,000 after the devastation brought about by Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental last December 2012.

It's an inspiration to see Davaoenos unite for victims and survivors of calamities even those who are far from their own region. Indeed, a good leader makes good followers and that's what Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is.

Fun Run Events

A growing number of Filipinos, including Davaoenos, are taking the steps to lead a healthy lifestyle in a variety of ways and I'm one of those truly happy about this.

Here in the city, there are plenty of gyms that offer fitness services to young adults and the full-fledged adults. One mall here (Abreeza) even has a free Zumba event every Saturday for the health buffs who want to avoid spending for the gym. I've gathered as well that certain hotels (Waterfront Insular and The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases) are following the Zumba trend even encouraging their own staff to take part and stay fit.

But other than those fitness centers and commercial establishments, various national and local organizations are constantly organizing fun run events that normally gather hundreds of participants, young and old alike. Almost every weekend, if I'm not mistaken, there's a fun run happening in the city. Schools, private organizations, business establishments and even religious groups are now joining the bandwagon. Some national organizations have also expanded their events to include cities outside Metro Manila.

Two years ago, I was able to witness the Run United regional series sponsored by United Laboratories (Unilab) which gathered hundreds of runners from the city and other areas in Mindanao. I was at the start and finish site to accompany my older brother Tim (a Unilab employee) who's an avid runner going for the half marathon at that time. Upon arrival at the venue at around 4:30 a.m., I felt the excitement (although I wasn't a participant) seeing the runners warming up and in a huddle with their own set of friends. I also some friends joining.

While waiting for the race to start, I spotted Coach Rio who was the brains behind the event. As he was not running and was just looking around, I approached him and took a photo (yey!!). He's a simple guy, dark and slim and I admire him for his passion in running and helping companies organize similar events.

Hopefully, this running fever as well as the Zumba mania will continue moving onward so that more people can become fit and healthy. But keep in mind that getting fit does not necessarily mean joining these paid fun run events all the time because on your own, you can always do your running exercise daily or several times a week  in the area near your place of residence.

Sunstar Davao Experience

One of my best memories here in Davao City was being able to work for Sunstar Davao, a leading local newspaper. Although I had only a one-year (1997-1998) stint in the paper, it was a very rewarding and enriching experience for me.

Sunstar Davao gave me my first job as a new resident here in the city. I was fortunate to have been hired as a desk editor without having to wait for long after my interview and exam courtesy of Sir Tony Ajero.

While I already had a previous experience in the media industry as a broadcast journalist (back in Iloilo City), I admit I had to learn some more considering it was my first exposure to the print media. Thankfully, Sir Tony, Ik-Ik (Stella Estremera who was managing editor that time), fellow editor Maricar and the other staff including the reporters were very helpful.

Working for Sunstar also helped improve my computer skills. Back in my hometown, we only used the typewriter in writing and editing our reports so I was still groping while using the computer keyboard to do my editing job. Funny it may seem but I had to remind myself to type slowly on the keyboard as I was used to pounding my fingers while using the traditional typewriter.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of Sunstar. It's been more than 15 years since I was there and I realized this only recently when I got invited by writer Marianne to write a testimonial about my stint in the leading local paper. I'm posting here the Sunstar page where past editors and writers shared their unforgettable experience.

 

The Taxis of Davao

In my early years here in the city (late 1990s), there used to be only white taxis. Back then, people had a choice between taking the non-aircon or the air conditioned taxi. For those who wanted to save and reach their destination earlier, the non-air as what we called it then was a popular choice.

Today, it's great to see colorful taxis plying the streets. Other than the usual white cabs, there are the orange, blue, yellow, pink and black ones. And they carry interesting names as well.

Image via Davao Daily

Among these colored taxis, though, the black one operated by Mabuhay Taxi company is more high-tech. This is because it is equipped with an electronic payment system, the first of its kind in the city and in the entire country. The machine accepts payment using both Bancnet and Megalink ATM as well as debit cards.

The use of such electronic payment technology will mark its first year on July 6. The blue taxis, operated by the sister company of Mabuhay Taxi, should also have this machine by now.

But what makes the Black Taxi a standout is the fact that it also features the GPS technology and the cabs are also dispatched using the computer.

So if visitors are looking for a safer taxi to take while exploring the city with the same fare rate as the regular ones, the black cab is the perfect choice. 

Davao City Joins Earth Hour

Today, 3.23.13, the world unites once again to mark Earth Hour, an annual event that aims to raise awareness on the importance of saving energy. Davao City has been joining the international community commemorating this occasion and each year, a program is being held solely for this purpose at one of the city's major malls. This year, the event will take place at the Ayala Abreeza Mall to be hosted by model-actress-host Angel Aquino.

Switching off the lights and all other electronic devices even for an hour is a big help to the environment. The savings are enormous when the world unites to observe this Earth Hour.

This year's Earth Hour campaign encourages people to take up the "I Will If You Will" challenge. It invites people to take action to preserve the environment beyond the yearly March event and encourage their family and friends to do the same. 

Launched in 2007, Earth Hour is now on its fifth year. Its first year which was launched in Sydney, Australia attract some 2.2 million participants. Since then, many famous landmarks around the world have joined in such as the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, Petronas Twin Towers, Burj Khalifa, Buckingham Palace, Niagara Falls, Gateway of India and Tokyo Tower to name a few.

So let's join forces once again later tonight and turn off the lights for an hour. You'll be glad you did. It's a great opportunity to relax, experience the stillness of the night and do some stargazing if you want.

Araw ng Dabaw Weekend

The Araw ng Dabaw weekend is here and the city is abuzz with activities relating to the local culture and the arts. Davao City is celebrating its 76th founding anniversary and tomorrow, March 16 is the big day.

The traditional float parade will be day's highlight to be taken part by private companies. We'll see if Kisan Lu Lands, the winner of the 2012 Kadayawan Festival float parade, will again bag the major prize.

The festive mood is being felt now a young and popular celebrities as well as bands are in town again to provide entertainment to the public free of charge. For sure, the major malls here will be jampacked and as much as I'd like to bring my young girl there, I'd rather not because it would be so crowded then.

Of course, bargain sales are everywhere, too. This event won't be complete without the major malls holding weekend sales. And being a fanatic of bargains, I'm now in a frenzy where to start looking for great buys for my kids and hopefully, I can find something worth buying for myself and my hubby as well. I love shopping but I'm not the type to splurge in one go. You can call me a wise buyer.

I'm proud to be living in Davao City which I call my second home. I'm overwhelmed by the progress that it has achieved and continue to achieve. Hopefully, more people will be able to visit here and experience the city's beauty and splendor moving forward. 

Chinese New Year and the Chinese Community

It's 2013 - the year of the Water Snake and today happens to be the eve of the Chinese New Year so Kung Hei Fat Choi!

The Chinese is a major part of the Davao City population. They contribute a lot to the city's economy and to recognize their contribution, a Chinatown has been designated covering several streets in the downtown areas. It is marked by three grand arch ways known as the Arch of Friendship, Arch of Peace and  Arch of Unity situated at both ends of Magsaysay Avenue and at the corner of Sta. Ana Ave. and JP Laurel Ave.

Archway at Magsaysay Ave.

It was then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who issued an Executive Order in 2003 declaring the areas of Magsaysay, Sta. Ana, Monteverde and Leon Garcia as Davao City's Chinatown considered to be among the biggest in the world owing to its area spanning 44 hectares.

Each year normally on two weekends before the Chinese New Year, part of Uyanguren from the Lizada corner going to Magsaysay Park is closed to traffic to give way to a street food festival and bazaar. The street is filled with stalls selling used clothing, bags and shoes or the so-called ukay-ukay as well as food and other household items.

Apart from the Chinatown, the strong presence of the Chinese population in the city can also be seen in the existence of several Buddhist temples. Among them, the Long Hua Temple along Cabaguio Avenue (where the Philippine Sakya Academy is located) is the largest in Davao and the most visited by tourists. Several Chinese schools are also in place and numerous businesses owned and operated by Chinese families.

No place in the country is without a Chinese and no one can deny that they play a significant role in the business community. Hopefully, people will follow their entrepreneurial spirit and their close family ties.