Taco and Tako Mania

Davaoenos seem to have a penchant for fast food that are not only great tasting but in small portions or bite size and affordable as well. At the malls, they have plenty to choose from today particularly those sold at the stalls fronting the grocery department.

Based on my own personal observation, the fried taco and the takoyaki are some of the best sellers these days. I've seen their stalls with a lot of people lining up every time I'm at the malls (Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall and SM City Davao).

The fried taco by Taco Boy is soft taco wrapped differently (similar to fried lumpia) and then fried. It is actually very similar to the Mexican food called chimichanga. It is made with ground beef, cabbage and cheese and is best eaten with the spicy sauce. One fried taco costs only PhP17.00.

Takoyaki, on the other hand, is a popular Japanese snack made of bite-size balls made with flour-based batter containing cabbage strips. Supposedly, it should also have minced or diced octopus and tempura scraps. It also has a special sauce mixed with a little of mayonnaise. One serving of takoyaki normally has four pieces and costs Php20.00 at Victoria Plaza.

My son loves to eat these two snacks. Out of curiosity, I tried them too and surprisingly, loved their taste. Since then, I've become a fan of fried taco and the takoyaki like the many Davaoenos, young and old who continue to line up at their food stalls at the malls.

Try them yourself and find out if they suit your taste buds. :)

First Pomelo Festival

This event is long overdue and I'm very thankful that the City Government of Davao was able to finally launch the first ever Pomelo Festival this year. Being a top producer of pomelo, it is just fitting that the city holds this festival each year to celebrate this delicious and sweet citrus fruit.

Pomelo is one of my favorite fruits and in fact, my Nanay told me that she was so fond of it while still pregnant with me. And of all the pomelos I've tasted, the ones produced in Davao are, I must say, the best tasting ever.

The Pomelo Festival in Davao City was officially launched last April 9 as part of the Visit Davao Fun Sale campaign. Its primary goal is to promote the production and export of the locally grown pomelo. Currently, the major pomelo producers in the city are Nenita Farms, Davao Golden Pomelo, Inc., HellenCabalida, Sheba Marie Elefante and Rosemarie Ambay.

SM Lanang Premier is the main venue of this event and a bonus here every weekend is the Eat-All-You-Can promo that gives fruit and pomelo lovers an opportunity to enjoy their favorite citrus fruit for a minimal fee of Php100.

There will also be live demos by certified chefs to show culinary enthusiasts the ways to spice up their dishes using the pomelo fruit.

The Pomelo Festival is being supported by the Department of Tourism through its Flavors of the Philippines campaign, the Davao Pummelo Stakeholders Association, Inc., Departments of Agriculture (DA), Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as Science and Technology (DOST).

Where's the Party?

Davaoenos love to party every now and then and they can do just that practically every week, if they want to. With new disco clubs in place around the city, there's always a great spot to enjoy the night whether you want to dance, have fun conversations or simply listen to heart-thumping dance tunes. The city also boasts of talented disc jockeys (the young ones and the veterans) who are eager to play all types of dance music from house, trance and techno to name just a few.

So where's the party in Davao? Take your pick.

Acropolis Superclub - This is one of Davao's pioneering disco clubs (with a mezzanine) located along Ponciano Street just across the PLDT/Smart Office. It was revived in May 2014 and since then, has attracted party folks in the city both young and the young at heart.

I was able to attend the launching then which made me relive my younger days when my friends and I would go to disco clubs in my hometown and dance the night away. It felt good to be in a place jampacked with people having fun dancing, listening and singing along to the classic dance music of the 80's and 90's being played by the DJs.

Starr - This club (with a mezzanine) is located in Obrero just a few meters from the corner of J.P. Laurel Ave. and Palma Gil St. in the Wheels and More Drive complex. This disco spot attracts the younger folks of Davao City.

Club Velvet - This one is situated in the Oroderm City Mall along C.M. Recto St. in the downtown vet area. It is a one-level party place that also hosts functions including birthdays and company events among others.

Club Echelon - Located on the 6th level of Gaisano Mall's The Peak, this is the newest disco club to open in the city.

Wednesdays are usually free for the ladies at these night spots. Weekends are reserved for special themes. Guest DJs from Manila and abroad are also invited during special occasions at these clubs. You can check out their respective Facebook pages to get updates.

Abloom with Orchids and Waling-Waling

I know the yearly Kadayawan Festival has gone by but when it comes to beautiful flowers, Davao City is abloom all year round. They are truly captivating and one just couldn't stop but admire them wherever they may be.

Last August, I had the opportunity to visit the Agro-Trade Fair at the SM City car park as part of the Kadayawan activities. Though short, my visit there was all worth it as I was able to see some of the city's lovely orchids and waling-waling in their best bloom and I couldn't help but take photos of them.

I'm sharing them here with you. Just looking at them will take your stress away even for only a moment.

The famous Waling-Waling

Davao City's orchids

The waling-waling (Euanthe Sanderiana) is a member of the orchid family. It is considered the most iconic orchid of Davao. Its name refers to the graceful movement of a butterfly in flight.

The Ukay-Ukay Phenomenon

Davao City is abundant in fruits, vegetables and of course, the ukay-ukay stuff.

Around the city specifically in various commercial areas, there are stalls selling second hand items from clothing, accessories and undies to shoes, bed linens and other household stuff. Prices range from as low as Php10 (for shirts) to Php100 and above. Don't worry, though, you can still haggle with the sales staff or the owner (if available) for the high-priced items.

Depending on one's budget, there are places worth exploring if you're fond of the so-called U.K. items mostly from the U.S. and Korea. The cheapest ones can be bought at areas surrounding the public markets such as those in Bankerohan and Agdao. Other stalls worth checking out are those in Lizada.

Business owners in the know about brands sell their items at a much higher price. So if you're particular about a specific brand of clothes, pants or bags that are still in tip-top shape, you can visit their shops. The area used as a shortcut from Ponciano Street and C.M. Recto or vice versa is a popular spot for these shops selling selected U.K. stuff.

On weekends, the street in between the City Hall and Sangguniang Panlungsod also becomes an ukay-ukay haven.

On special occasions such as during festivals, Roxas Avenue and  Magsaysay Avenue are closed to traffic to provide a space for sellers to display their items from morning till midnight.

There are also several shops around the city selling used household items from Japan. Some are along Cabaguio and Dacudao Avenues and there's also one along Mamay Road in Lanang.

[Photo courtesy of davaotoday.com]

Lovin' the Durian Fruit

Yes, I swear I've come to love the king of fruits! After living in Davao City for more than 15 years, I can finally say that I now love durian.

In my younger days, I've already known about this fruit but unlike the others, I did not really abhor its smell nor did it annoy me. I could tolerate its odor but I was not the type who'll really get upset whenever I smell it. Back then, eating the durian candies was the farthest I got to liking this fruit.

I still like to eat the durian candies particularly that of Lola Abon's which are soft and chewy. And I also often bring them home as pasalubong to my family and friends.

Surprisingly, there's an abundance of  this fruit everywhere you go around Davao City today and it's not even the usual harvest season which normally occurs from July to August. But since they're in great supply now, Davaoenos and visitors from around the country and abroad have all the time to indulge in their favorite durian.

I, for one, have been buying the fruit (just the small size though) since March. Fortunately, a lot of durian is being sold along the highway just outside our neighboring subdivision so whenever I go out for a stroll alone or with my daughter or son and I chance upon the fruits being sold, I am usually tempted to buy one as well.

The arancillo variety is definitely most recommended because it's creamy and flavorful. It has a distinct yellowish meat and smaller seeds unlike the native variety. And the best way to eat it? With your hands, of course.

[Photo courtesy of bookbelowzero.com]

Big Davao Fun Sale

March is an exciting month for Davao City. Apart from the fact that it's the last month of school and it's the start of summer, it's also the time when the Araw ng Dabaw is celebrated.

This year, though, is going to be different because of the launching of a new and major event not only in Mindanao but perhaps in the entire country. It will involve an activity that many people, particularly women, love to do. What else but shopping!!

Called Big Davao Fun Sale, this event is set to become the mother of all sales as participating malls, restaurants, hotels and shops offer huge discounts up to 80 percent off on specific products and services. According to Tourism regional director Art Boncato, it aims to make Davao City as an emerging shopping hub in the country.

Take note, these bargain prices will be offered not just for three days or so but every week for an entire month. How cool is that?

Mark the date, folks and make sure to save ahead to enjoy the best bargains in town. This Big Davao Fun Sale is going to run from March 14 until April 16.

Davao City's major malls that will be taking part are SM City Davao, SM Lanang Premier, Abreeza, Gaisano Mall of Davao, Gaisano Grand Mall, Gaisano Mall of Toril and NCCC Mall.