Welcome to Davao, Philippines

Brief History

The history of Davao is brief but interesting. It harks to the past and brings to mind tribal wars. drum beats and ritual fires along the river banks which, according to some sources gave origin to the word "Davao" from daba-daba", meaning fire. The early inhabitants occupying the eastern shores of Davao were the Manobos, Tagcaolos, Guianggas, Bilaans and Aetas. On the western portion were the Mandayas and Bagobos. The Samals occupied the Samal and the Talicud Islands. Later, the Maguindanaos from Cotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo migrated to Davao and succeeded in driving the natives inhabitants to the mountains.

In 1528, Davao was visited by Albaro de Saavedra; in 1543, Baganga, Manay and the island of Sarangani were explored by Villalobos. In 1844, Governor Figueroa and Agustin Bocallan, a brigadier-general in the Spanish army, obtained from the Sultan of Mindanao the cession of the region in favor of the Spanish government. In 1847, armed with an authority from Gov. Claveria, Don Uyanguren, a political refugee and a soldier of fortune set sail for Davao, landing at the mouth of the Davao river on July 20, the Spaniards were met by the Muslims led by Datu Bago. In the ensuing battle, Datu Bago was slain and his followers retreated to the hinterlands. Don Uyanguren conquered first the region now occupied by Davao City. Two years later, he organized the neighboring regions together with a strip of territory of Caraga (now Surigao) into a province of Guipozcoa, in honor of his home in Spain. He became the first governor.

In 1858, Nueva Guipozcoa was abolished and two commedencias were included in the district of Davao which comprised the southeastern territory of Mindanao. At the end of the Spanish rule, Davao was one of the seven districts under the political military government of Mindanao. Major Hunter Ligget led the American forces who came to Davao in 1900.

In 1903, the Moro province was organized and Davao became a district of the province. However, in 1914, the Moro Province was abolished and in its stead, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Davao then became on of the provinces of this Department with Davao municipality (now Davao) as its capital.

In 1937, Davao became a chartered city. The city was inaugurated formally by the Secretary Elpidio Quirino on March 16, 1937. Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo is known at the "Father of Davao City". Davao was divided into three provinces in 1967. Davao City assumed a stature all its own apart from the three provinces, proud of its past and confident of its future. Gradually, the city regained its status as a primary agricultural and trade center of Mindanao. Today the city of Davao has gone far and wide in economic development. Davao City can just as well be called the "melting pot of the Philippines".

A. Language/Dialect Spoken:

Mother tongue of the population* (dialect) spoken by a person in his earliest childhood.

Mother tongue (ethnic origin)
Percent (%)

Cebuano 74.56
Tagalog 3.86
Hiligaynon 3.43
Bagoboo, Guiangao 3.16
Davaoeño 1.26
Tagacaolo 2.38
Bilaan 1.67
Ilocano 1.01
Waray 0.55
Manobo 2.15
Maguindanao 1.91
Mandaya 2.01
Others 2.04
Not Stated 0.01
TOTAL
100.00

Data obtained from "Statistical Variable", Regional Quarterly Publication, National Census & Statistics Office, Davao City.

B. Major Industries:

Agriculture is the main industry of the people in the region and because of its thickly forested area, wood processing is one of the major industries. Forested areas are fully developed for large scale operators. The Region at present is the biggest producer of lumber in the country.

Grain processing is another major industry of the region brought about by large industries of the rice and corn from Davao del Sur and South Cotabato. Large quantities of export quality fruits like pineapples, bananas and citrus are also produced in the region.

Fishing is the industry mostly engaged in especially in Surigao del Sur. It is the main livelihood of the people. The region being surrounded by large bodies of water, is rich with fish resources.

The region, particularly Davao Province, has rich gold and copper deposits. Iron, are and copper are mined in Mati, Davao, Oriental.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. Historical

SHRINE OF THE HOLY INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE

Matina, Davao City-about 6 kms. South of the city

Attractions: Open air chapel with replicas of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague and that of Our Lady of Fatima, magnificent views of fruit bearing trees and coconut plantation.

Facilities: Retreat house, seminar hall, canteen, children’s playground, pilgrim’s hall, restaurant, souvenir shop selling religious articles, rosaries, medals, pamphlets, novenas.

JAPANESE PEACE MEMORIAL SHRINE/CEMETERY

Catalunan Grande and Mintal - About - 9 kms and 15 kms. respectively from the city of Davao southwest of the city center and could be reached by private or hired vehicles.

Attractions: A memorial shrine dedicated to the brotherhood of all men regardless of race, creed or ideology. It decrees the futility of war as means of settling international dispute. The site is the pilgrimage place of big groups of Japanese war veterans, widows and kins during the annual Reunion for Peace Program of the Department of Tourism.

TALOMO BEACH

Talomo, Davao City - about 10 kilometers, south of the city center.

Attractions: Site of the Second World War beachhead, sunken, warships about 200 meters from the shore.

SAN PEDRO CATHEDRAL

San Pedro Street/ C.M. Recto Avenues Davao City

Attractions: Davao City’s oldest church named after San Pedro, the patron saint of Davao. The church was built in the year 1847 during the Spanish period led by Don Jose Uyanguren, the Spanish Conquestador of Davao. The old altar of then San Pedro Church is preserved at the right wing of the cathedral featuring old/ antique images of saints and that of Saint Peter.

2. Cultural

DAVAO MUSEUM

Insular Village, Lanang, Davao City - 12 kilometers from Davao City

Attractions: A landmark which offers the opportunity to understand the soul of the people of Davao. Its main gallery is a repository of tribal art and other material culture such as: tribal art costumes, jewelries, handicrafts and others. Also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics and a souvenir shop of native crafts.

OLD JAPANESE HOUSES (OLD DAVAO)

Daliao, Toril, Davao City - 12 kilometers from downtown 20 minutes south of the city center.

Attractions: Old Japanese houses, warehouses and site of abaca processing/drying plants during the Japanese period- before the 2nd World War broke- out.

T’BOLI WEAVING CENTER

Insular Hotel grounds, Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City

Attractions: Tribal women brought down from the South Cotabato and their demonstration of the traditional arts, crafts and skills of the colorful ‘bola’ tribe.

The women in colorful tribal attire, weave cloth from the fibers of the native abaca plant. These are colored with root and mud dyes, then finally woven with the intricate figures and patterns depicting the folklore and region of the tribe. The art is handed down from generation to generation.

Tribal jewelry and fashion accessories from the "tinalak" cloth decorated with beads, bells, embroidery, etc.; bags, belts, shoes, wallets, floor rugs and floor hanging fashioned from the tinalak.

MUSLIM FISHING VILLAGE

San Jose, Samal Island, Davao

Across Davao Gulf, about 45 minutes ride by motorized boat

Attractions: Frail native huts built on as lender stilts over the waters , swarm of sunbrowned children who dive overboard, Muslims musical instruments (the Kulintang, a set of percussion brass instruments)

NIEVA’S ARTS AND CRAFTS

J.P. Avenue, Davao City - About 6 kilometers north of the city
Attractions: Ornamental and functional shells, wood, bamboo-crafts and eastern awares in colorful ethnic pattern of particular interest are souvenir items such as: costumes jewelries, fashion accessories, furniture, vases all painstakingly handpainted with enchanting designs.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DAVAO CITY

Tulip Drive/R. Quimpo Blvd., Matina, Davao City

Attractions: An exciting place next to school designed for children who love to experience, explore and at the same time learn the world of modern technology like electric train, space shuttle, rocket, roller coaster, carousel, etc.

Facilities: Computer center, speech center, television and recording studio, library and resource center, mini-theatre, mini botanical garden, souvenir shop and canteen.

FORD ACADEMY OF ARTS

Ladislawa Garden Village Buhangin, Davao City
Attractions: A learning center for arts and culture showcasing works of local artists, it features paintings, sculpturing and offers arts courses.

3. Religous (Churches)

San Pedro Cathedral St. Jude Parish

Redemptorist Church Sacred Heart Parish

Our Lady of Carmelite Assumption Church

Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Fatima Church

Lon Hua Temple Sta. Ana Parish

Mindanao Taoist Temple Heritage Church

Church of Christ of the Latter-Day saint United Church of Christ in the Phils.

4. MAN-MADE

GOLF LINKS AND TENNIS COURTS:

LANANG GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Lanang, Davao City, 5kms. North of Davao City
Par: 71 Holes: 18 Yards: 5,5,751

Attractions: An 18 - hole golf courxe laid out on plantation with different flowering plants.

Facilities: Clubhouse, restaurant, tennis court, golf sets for rent, services of caddies are available upon request.

APO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Dumoy, Davao City - about 11 kms. south of the city center
Par: 72 Holes: 18 Yards: 7,001

Facilities: Club house, conference hall, swimming pool, pelota court, restaurant that serves native delicacies, golf sets for rent upon request.

NEW DAVAO CIT GOLF CLUB

Matina, Davao City - 3 kms south of the city center
Attractions: A 9-hole laid out golf course planted with varieties of Philipine trees.

Facilities: Clubhouse, canteen/restaurant, golf sets for rent, caddies services.

PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS

HARANA MINI PLAYGROUND RIZAL PARK
SKATING RINK San Pedro St., Davao City

MAGSAYSAY PARK TAMBONGON MINI-PARK
Sta. Ana., Davao City Lanang, Davao City
c/o Phil. Tourism Authority

PALARUANG LUNGSOD CLIFFORD PARK
Davao City Victoria Plaza Mall/Skating Rink
Bajada, Davao City

STADIUM/GYMNASIUM/AUDITORIUM/CONVENTION HALL

PALARUANG LUNGSOD DAVAO "Y" GYM

J. Palma Gil St. Sta. Ana Avenue
Davao City Davao City

RIZAL MEMORIAL COLLEGE GYM SAN PEDRO PARISH AUDITORIUM

Quiambao Heights San Pedro St
Davao City Davao City

TERRAZA MILLESA BROKENSHIRE AUDITORIUM
F. Iñigo St. Madapo Hill, Davao City

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

Social Hall & Gymnasium Bonifacio St., Davao City

ALMENDRAS RECREATIONAL CENTRAL BANK CONVENTION CENTER HALL

Quezon Blvd. Davao City Tionko Ave., Davao City

FESTIVALS

January 15 Feast of Sto. Niño Sto. Niño Community Matina, Davao City
February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Doña salud Subdivision Km. 10 Sasa, Davao City
March 19 Saint Joseph St. Joseph Parish Sasa, Davao City
April 5 San Vicente Ferrer Barangay Agdao, Davao City
May 3 Sta. Cruz Bajada, Davao City
May 19 San Isidro Labrador Punta Dumalag, Brgy. Matina, Davao City
May 29 Santacruzan Belisario Heights, Lanang, Davao City
June 5 Sacred Heart Sacred Heart Parish, Obrero, Davao City
June 13 San Antonio de Padua Holy Cross of Agdao Village, San antonio Parish, Davao City
June 29 Feast of St. Peter San Pedro Parish, Davao City
August 16 San Roque J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City
September 25 San Miguel Coca cola Village, Matina, Davao City
September 29 San Miguel Bugac, Ma-a , Davao
October (every last Sun. of the week) Christ the King Tagum, Davao
November 14 Christ the King Ma-a, Davao City
December 3 St. Francis Xavier Tibungco, Davao City
December 8 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Mintal, Davao City, Peñaplata, Samal Island
December 10 San Agustin New Matina, Aplaya, Davao City

SPECIAL INTEREST

AGRO-INDUSTRIAL ECO-TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL SITES

SARMIENTO PLYWOOD FACTORY
Panacan, Davao City - 12 kms. north from Davao City Proper 25 minutes ride
Attractions: Plywood processing

DAVAO UNION CEMENT AND STEEL FACTORY

Ilang-Tibungco, Davao City - 14 kms. north from the city proper
Attractions: Cement and Steel processing
Facilities: Guesthouse, service cars, and buses for guests.

ALCANTARA PLYWOOD FACTORY
Lanag, Davao City
Attractions: Plywood processing
Facilities: Resthouse within the compound, sports complex for pelota and tennis courts and basketball quadrangle.

BAGO OSHIRO EXPERIMENTAL STATION
Mintal, Davao City - about 14 kms. from the city proper
Attractions: Cross-breeding of Philippine fruit trees, ornamental plants, different species of orchids, abaca plantations.

DERLING WORLDWIDE ORCHID CORPORATION
17Olive Road, Buhangin, Davao City
Contact Person: Tony & Derling Alvarez
Attractions: A vast orchid plantation of different species, underground cold-spring can be seen abundantly.

GREENHILLS ORCHID FARM (YUHICO)
Greenhills, Catalunan Pequeño - about 12 kms. southwest of Davao City
Attractions: Magnificent garden laid on rolling terrain with thousand of blooming orchid, orchid plants and flower cuttings are available.

Facilities: Restaurant/canteen/function rooms and overnight facilities

PUENTESPINA ORCHID GARDEN
Bolcan St., Agdao, Davao City
Attractions: A wide array of exotic orchids of different species turning into a magnificent garden.

MINFLO CENTER
Bo. Pampanga, Davao City
c/o Mindanao Federation of Cutflowers and Plant Growers, Inc.
Attractions: Display center of different orchid species and ornamental plants.

CHUA’S ORCHID GARDEN
Rubia St., Mintal, Davao City
Attractions: An orchid nursery of prize - wiining orchid species stretched into endless rows in brilliant colors of deep rich purple, sublte shades of burgundy abd burnt orange.

SOS CHILDREN VILLAGE DAVAO
Park Avenue Drive, J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City

Attractions: An 8 million pesos building/cottage complex for orphans and abandoned children of Davao City, beautifully well manicured lawn where children play.

SUL ORCHIDS
Luzviminda Village, Ma-a Davao City
Attractions: Varieties of cross-breed orchids in brilliant blooms situated in a 2-hectare area.

MALAGOS GARDEN RESORT (ORCHID FARM)

Malagos, Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City
Attractions/Facilities: A wide array of exotic orchids, beautiful sanctuary of Philippine native orchids are grown, orchid park showcasing native/hybrid orchids, garden pavillion and open huts ornamental plants/restaurant facilities, swimming pool and function rooms for other activities to be hosted by the garden resort.

CASINO FILIPINO DAVAO
J.P. Ave., Davao City

PCA DAVAO RESEARCH CENTER
Bago Oshiro, Mintal, Davao City
16 kms. southwest of the city center

Attractions: One can observe a cross-breeding of different varieties of coconuts.
Facilities: Training center/funciton rooms and loging facilities.

THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE NATURE CENTER

Malagos, Calinan, Davao City
Downtown Office: 2nd floor, UCBP Bldg., R. Magsaysay Ave.
Once known as the monkey-eating eagle; it is endemic (found only) to the eastern portion of the Philippine comprising the Sierra Madre mountains in Eastern Luzon and the hevily forested area of Mindanao.

The largest eagle, standing to abut three and a half feet (3 1/2) may be recognized by its powerful bill, strong legs and claws. The general body color is grayish brown in the back and wings, whitish front neck and belly with shafts of gray brown streaked feathers on the head, which when erect forms a crest.

The prey mostly on monkeys, but lately they have been observed feeding on flying lemurs (caguang), wild cats (musang), and flying squirrels (tapilac) in Mindanao. Usually the male does the hunting, sharing his catch with the female and the young, especially during the breeding time.

The life of the eagle has been closely watched resulting in the following findings: pairs occupy a wide territory in lowland and medium elevation forest. Hunting flights extend to the cleared areas as well. At breeding time, they usually indulge in high searing flights and are said to mate in mid-air. The nest is a crude platform of branches and twigs, set in the tallest tree, Only one white egg is laid which hatches in about two months.

The very size of the monkey eating eagle with its majestic stance makes it a very desirable target as a trophy. Also because of its uniqueness, there is a demand for its in major zoos of the world.

How to Get to the Philippine Eagle Camp in Malagos Calinan

- take jeepney from Davao City to Calinan
- jeepney for Calinan are available anywhere at C.M. Recto Ave., A Pichon St. and Bankerohan Public Market
- tricycle for Malagos (Eagle Breeding Center are available at Calinan Public Market)

MT. APO, A TRIBAL GOD’S ABODE

Cabarisan, Davao CITY?Kapatagan, Davao Sur

Mt. Apo, tallest peak in the country at 10,311 feet above sea level the mightest upward surge of along mountain range extending from North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Davao City to Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental in nothern Mindanao.

Mt. Apo straddles a long mountain range delineating the boundaries of the provinces of Davao del Sur and Noth Cotabato and Davao City. The vocanic peak Apo meaning grandfather of all Phillipine mountain dominats a vast aea of 72,769 hectares where natural wonders lure outdoor enthusiasts to trek through this tribal god’s domain and conquer this towering peak and see an exotic display of nature at its best in its virgin state a steaming blue lake in a picturesque ceysers and sulphur pillars, rainwater lakes, the swift flowing Marbel, Sibulan and urning Rivers waterfalls cascading with a thunderous roar from a deep gorge for a total drop of almost 300 feet. Several miniature falls in lake like spray give touches of silvery beauty to the verdant surroundings.

Miscellaneous

String or fine nylon rope/empty sack for poster’s use/plastic containers to protect articles from rain or mist camera pen/writing pad/I.D. card/whistle/pocket mirror
Note:
* Food must be good for four or five (4/5) days consumption and the climber’s personal choice and budget. A group of 4 to 5 members or more may share among themselves the cost of food.
*Bring light aluminum cooking wares
*Climbers may secure porter assistance at MAGPET/LAKE AGKO or see the President of the Porter’s Association
*2 to 3 climbers may avail the services of only one (1) porter provided that the load the porter will carry does not exceed fifteen (15) kilos.

The porter acts also as guide and renders other services like cooking, pitching tent, providing drinking water, etc.