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.

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. 

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.