Metro Manila being the capital of the Philippines has been known to be over populated and continuously growing to do so in the last ten or so years. The capital being the main hub of the modern Filipino lifestyle has brought about intensive demands when it comes to several industries, from technology to transportation.
This gives way to the increasing demands for luxurious malls, cultural city centers, and even more room for tourist and local attractions. Manila being versatile in the process of heightening such developments has also been known to compromise the city’s authenticity and spatial aesthetic. Due to the hustle and bustle of the city streets and the growing pursuit for modernization, the tendency of overcompensating the quality of what a busy capital like Metro Manila has to offer is put at risk.
New Manila
In the far south of the Philippines lies a booming industrial and cultural hub known as Davao City. Located in the southern islands of Mindanao, Davao city holds true potential when it comes to the growing industry of modernized Filipino, Asian, and Western influence with their own personal touch of the philippines’ culture and traditions to the place and its people.
Davao being a competing contender for the country’s domineering cities, it is no doubt many colleagues and friends continue to push for this city as the next Metro Manila. Visiting Davao holds quite a different tone and pace compared to Metro Manila though. With its people moving in a slower pace, you can really tell the sense of individuality and independence Davaoenos have when it comes to a sense of self and an awareness of people.
Tourists and travelers finding themselves in a short or long term stay in Davao should make time to accomplish some if not, all of the following.
Visit the D’Bone Collector Museum
Darrell D. Blatchley raising from Idaho, USA is the founder of The D’Bone Collector Museum; a non-governmental organization (NGO) and museum located at the heart of Davao city specifically at the Family Circus Compound, San Pedro Street Extension, Poblacion District established last January of 2012.
The amusement center is definitely a must for children and those young at heart in the pursuit to gain more insight when it comes to the preservation and aesthetic collection of skeletons. Having a friend who has frequented the museum a couple of times for family trips with her nephews and nieces, a certain culture of interactive learning is a prominent notion recognized by many. Plenty of kids and even kids at heart enjoy circling the museum because every corner had something new and interesting to offer its visitors.
Rare collections from several animals coming from different environments and regions of the world are displayed in the museum. Some of which include personal collections of the founder himself which range from crocodiles, dolphins, dugongs (sea cows) to armadillos and Cambodian pythons.
The diversity of each display brings out the curiosity of every tourist or visitor due to the rich history that each display has to offer. Many young people visiting, as well as tourists and travelers will not be disappointed by this learning platform and experience.
An entrance fee of 40 PHP will be collected upon entrance for children and students, and 50 PHP for adults. The D’Bone Collector Museum is open from Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturdays.
Dare to Taste the Durian
Every tourist or traveler visiting Davao city cannot let their trip pass without trying the city’s staple King of Fruits, the Durian. The best durians during off season can be found at the Magsaysay Park by the Magsaysay Fruit Vendors Association. It is located right at the entrance for any visitor or tourist to see and is found at the center of the city’s local Chinatown.
Having tasted Durian only once in my entire life, I would definitely say that it takes quite the stamina to get through the first few bites. The odor is one unpleasant factor to it and that is probably an understatement coming from me but cracking open the fruit and really diving into the sweet, creamy and caramel like flavor is quite the experience.
The Kadayawan Festival is also one event which tourists and travelers can take part in where durians are sold at every corner of the city for a month long. It is considered to be the best time to avail of the notorious fruit for it is grown fresh and served in different varieties from durian candies to durian jams. A kilo of durian can be sold at 80 to 120 PHP. The durian may not be for everyone’s taste buds but it is a definite must try for those visiting the city for the first time.
Get a Seafood Coma from Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant
To cap of every tourist and traveler’s Davao trip, it is a must to have a meal at Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant, known to give every visitor, Davao’s best seafood dining experience. Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant is located at Quimbo Boulverd, Sandawa Plaza, Matina.
Aside from the seafood being its flagship contender in the local food scene, the restaurant itself presents a lighted aura that surely brings people together and generates plenty of attention due to its epic reviews on TripAdvisor and thepickiesteater.
Yellow Fin is definitely the place to be for the average tourist and traveler who has a great liking for the freshest seafood. The place serves dishes at the most affordable price with quality catch that is sure to leave its customers satisfied with every intention of coming back.
The Diversity of Davao
Davao city and its diversity in cultural festivities continues to boost the local tourism industry with their modern touch when it comes to developing the centralized hub into an out of body experience for travelers and tourists. Davao being a contender in the up and coming city scene, apart from Metro Manila, not only makes it a destination to check out when visiting the south of the Philippines, but also an experience to absorb and enjoy in the process.
