Sunday, September 8, 2013

Davao City

Davao 1:11 AM

Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines. It is also home to the highest peak in the Philippines, Mount Apo, with 3,412 meters (11,194 ft) as its highest point. Mount Apo is a potentially active volcano.

Davao City is approximately 946 kilometers (588 miles) southeast of Manila over land and 971 kilometers (524 nautical miles) by sea. The city is located in Southeastern Mindanao, on the Northwestern shore of Davao Gulf, opposite the island city of Samal.

As of now Davao was listed as the 4th safest city according to the statistical website. Tourists are guarded not only by the police but also by the people around.

A curfew on minors is enforced. All businesses, especially bars and discos, are mandated by a city ordinance to stop selling alcoholic drinks at 2am. Motocyclists without helmets and motorists with defective lights are not allowed to drive in the city. Checkpoints in key parts of the city and its limits are manned 24/7 to enforce traffic laws. (source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City)

I highly commend Mayor Duterte for making Davao City the first city to impose a no-smoking policy since 2002, the first in the Philippines. It was praised by the World Health Organization.

Cebuano/Bisaya is the native language used by Davaeños. English and Tagalog are their second language.

We purchased our plane tickets via Cebu Pacific at Php1,332/person roundtrip. I've been here in 2006 for a work-related travel for the Maramag-Bunawan Transmission Line Project. And it's soooo good to be back...this time with my family =)

Bantog siblings

On our second day, we traveled to General Santos and came back the next day. Our whole third day was spent at Punta del Sol in Samal Island. Our last day was meant to tour the city, our flight back to Manila was scheduled close to midnight so we can still roam around.

We came from Philippine Eagle Center and planning to go to the Municipal Hall, when we found this...

yummy barbeque at Php6 per piece

grilled tuna at around Php250

We stayed here at the plaza not just for the photo ops but also to buy our food while we were about to wait at the airport. San Pedro Cathedral, the city's main cathedral, is just across the City Hall.