AlaskaMazing Mom 2016 Launched in Davao City

Moms are indeed amazing women because they can multi-task and take on a variety of roles. Dabawenyas are no different the reason why they were treated by Alaska  Milk Corporation to fun activities and a search for AlaskaMazing Moms at People's Park this weekend.

Now on its 13th year, this project for moms aims to promote health and a sense of community among families across the Philippines. Originally a pageant-focused program, AlaskaMazing Moms now puts emphasis on the different skills of mothers and encourages the participation of the entire family in its activities.

Sweating it out during the Zumba (Photo by Naprey Almario)

Davao Heritage Walking Tour Part 2

To continue with our heritage tour of Davao City, there's also one building in the San Pedro area that dates back to the American time. The PNB building at the corner of San Pedro and Claveria (now C.M. Recto Street) across San Pedro Cathedral was built during the occupation of Americans in the city hence, its more modern architectural design.

Further along Claveria is another well-preserved old building, Situated at the corner of Claveria and Palma Gil Streets, the ground floor used to house the popular Charlie's Bakeshop owned by a Chinese family.

Veering away from the buildings, we then checked out the heritage houses of Davao. The Travel Teller said there are four well known in the city. Two of them are situated along Rizal Street, one along Legaspi Street and another one is at the corner of Quirino Ave. and Tionko Street. One is the Oboza house considered to be the second oldest in the city. Owned by the former mayor Alfonso Oboza, this beautiful abode was built way back in 1929. It was well-preserved and now houses Claude's Le Cafe de Ville, a french restaurant.

Davao Heritage Walking Tour Part 1

It's nice to experience how a city develops and see all the infrastructures sprouting everywhere. Suddenly, you feel the excitement that comes with progress. But on the other hand, it's also nice to look back and learn what the city looked like and how the people lived in the past.

Davao City is one progressive metropolis right now and I'm proud to have experienced its development since I came to live here back in 1997. However, I also crave to know its past hence, I readily agreed to go on a Heritage Walking Tour of the city with fellow bloggers from the Davao Bloggers Society one fine Sunday afternoon of October 9.

The tour led by Olan Emboscado a.k.a. The Travel Teller started in Magsaysay Park. I learned that the site was the first port of the city. In fact, the city's first historical marker is situated here bearing the name Port of Sta. Ana.

The Travel Teller with the Davao Bloggers Society. Photo by Andrew Dela Serna

Davao City's Bid for the Guinness Book of World Records

I have long wanted to take part in a major event that aims for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records and so when I learned about Davao City's latest attempt for a world record, I immediately told myself that I'm going to be there. The event's goal was to gather the most number of people to simultaneously sing the Philippine National Anthem.

It was a Saturday afternoon, two days before the national elections or May 7, 2016 to be exact, when my son and I went to Crocodile Park in Ma-a for this Guinness activity. Initially, we wanted to take the free bus ride offered at the Buhangin gym but when we arrived there, the line was just too long and numerous people were trying their luck to get a free ride from other vehicles including dump trucks heading towards the venue.

Fortunately, my son and I were able to hitch a ride at the back of an elf truck together with other eager participants. But since traffic was very heavy already near the venue, we had to get down and walk a few kilometers more. Call time was 5:00 p.m. and it was already 4:30 when we got there so we ran just to go inside the venue and join the others who were already there since early morning.

Singing our "Lupang Hinirang" together with hundreds of thousands of people in one venue gave me goosebumps. It was one historic event that gave me so much pride as a Filipino and one that will forever be inked in my mind and heart. The attempt may not have been successful to gain a spot in the famous Guinness Book of World Records but one thing's for sure, it united Dabawenyos and non-Dabawenyos.

Getting ready to sing "Lupang Hinirang."