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

The park, on the other hand, is named after President Ramon Magsaysay and to honor him, a life-size statue was installed here placed inside an obelisk.

Photo by Andrew Dela Serna

Next stop was the San Pedro area where several important buildings can be found. One is the San Pedro Cathedral, the city's only cathedral which survived two bombings in the past. The present structure is shaped like a boat or vinta and features a newly-designed altar.

San Pedro Cathedral then and now. 

The original altar antipendium now at the right section of the church.

Adjacent to the cathedral are the former main building of University of Immaculate Conception/UIC (previously Immaculate Conception College/ICC) and its auditorium which is now the rectory or kumbento of San Pedro Cathedral. The interior of the rectory has also been well-preserved.

Fronting the church are the Peace Monument and Sangguniang Panlungsod building. The peace monument features several people such as a Christian, Muslim and Lumad all facing the cathedral.

The Davao City Hall is also nearby. During the Second World War, the building was bombed but the original framework was preserved when it was restored to its original glory. 

It is also the only government structure in the Davao region that has a historical marker. 

Fronting the city hall is the Quezon Park. This place features the three main icons of Davao City which are the durian fruit, waling-waling and the Philippine eagle (center).

Next to the city hall is the Rizal Park which features the statue of our national hero. This place plays host to meetings, concerts and other important gatherings organized by the city government.

Here are other interesting facts that I  learned during the tour:

• Cortez Street along Quezon Boulevard - first street of Davao City 
• San Pedro downtown area - only place where 3 parks exist (Quezon Park, Rizal Park and Osmena Park) 
• Heritage buildings - structures that are at least 50 years old

I'll share more info in Part 2 of this heritage walking tour.