Davao |
Davao is centre of the Philippines fruit and flower-growing region, and an annual festival (the Kadawayan Festival) is held in August to celebrate the bounty of the fields and the different tribal cultures. The region is also home to the endangered Philippine Eagle, and the rare Vanda Sanderiana orchid. Like the rest of the Philippines, of course, the Mindanao region and its many islands also offer thousands of tropical beaches and dive sites, most accessible only by the most intrepid of adventure travellers.
Attractions
Davao Museum
About seven miles (12km) from the Davao City centre at Insular Village, Lanang, the Davao Museum is devoted to showcasing the various tribal cultures of the people of the region. The main gallery is a repository of tribal art, local costumes, jewellery and handcrafts. There is also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics, and a souvenir shop sells native crafts. Tribal women can be seen at work at the nearby T’Boli Weaving Centre weaving cloth from the fibres of the native abaca plant, featuring patterns that depict the folklore of the tribe.
Address: Zonta Bldg, Insular Village Phase I, Lanang; Opening time: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
Philippine Eagle Centre
The powerful, large Philippine eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle) is found only in the mountains of eastern Luzon in the north of the archipelago, and in the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The breeding camp for these magnificent predators is sited at Malagos, in Calinan near Davao City. Also at Malagos is an orchid farm, sanctuary of Philippine native orchids, which offers a restaurant and swimming pool as part of its facilities.
Telephone: Philippine Eagle Foundation: (0)82 224 3021; Website: www.philippineeagle.org; Transport: Buses depart for Calinan every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal located at corner Quirino and San Pedro Extension in Davao. Bus fare is P30. From Calinan, take a pedicab to the PEC for P6; Opening time: Daily 8am to 5pm; Admission: P50 (adults), P30 (children). The Davao City Water District also collects a fee on entrance of P5 for adults and P3 for kids
Samal Island
Just a short ferry ride south of Davao City, in the Davao Gulf, is the island of Samal, part of an archipelago of islets that offer a getaway from city life and some adventure activities. The island offers fabulous sunrises and sunsets and a fascinating topography of rolling hills, white sandy beaches and dozens of caves, which are popular with spelunkers and hikers. The coastline has the usual coconut palms, mangrove swamps and coral reefs, together with some little fishing villages, washed by clear, clean water: all the delights of a tropical island within a stone's throw of the city.
San Pedro Cathedral
Davao City's oldest church is named for the city's patron saint. Don Jose Uyanguren, known as the 'Spanish Conquistador of Davao', built it in 1847 during the Spanish colonial period. The original altar, carved with images of saints, has been preserved and can be seen in the right wing of the cathedral.
Address: Corner of San Pedro Street and CM Recto Avenue
Excursions