Davao City and Samal Island - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 4

slerz

September 11th, 2005, 12:53 PM

heard this song? Its popular here in Cebu.

DAVAO, sang by a band from Davao...its actually rap.

DAVAO

Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Pagkanindot sa lugar og kini ginganlag Dabaw
Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Anhi kita og diri maglingaw lingaw

The largest city in the Philippine history,Lasang Toboda mao kana ang boundery
Daghan ang mga butang og lugar ang imong masayran, Daghang prutas imong matilawan
Duha ka klase ang imong pilian,Native og tsange og prutas nga durian
Mangga rambutan saging og pinya, Puno sa bitamina barato pa
Dunay Rizal Park nga istambayanan, Agro PTA nga dulaanan
Walay makasulod diri nga bagyo, Kay diri nagpwesto ang Mt. Apo
Apo View, Mandaya og Marco Polo, mga tambalay tag as kaayo
Duna pay intsik and Grand Men seng, Dunay Insular daghang forener
Smile apear sulod nag mo enter, sa Mergrande resort sa Toril
Dunay Eden presko anghangin Malagos og ang Pilipin eagle
Manimba kita sa San Pedro Inig kahuman suroy sa Gaisano
Mag shopping kita sa SM City NCCC og sa Ilustre
Inig kasabado mangadto tag Halo Magdiskodisko sulod sa Venue
Araw sa Dabawenio inig ka Marso Kadayawan festival inig Agosto
Malingaw jd ka diri og sakto, Mga katawhan lipay kaayo
So ari na kita og diri moduaw, Mao kining lugar gi nganlag Dabaw.

Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Pagkanindot sa lugar og kini ginganlag Dabaw
Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Anhi kita og diri maglingaw lingaw

Paminawa ninyo ang among kanta, Nindot kaayo og dili ka magsawa
Kay mao na kini ang inyong higala, Wa diha sa huna huna ang mga problema
Kay diri sa Dakbayan daghan ka masaksihan.
Og kalingawan ang hisgutan daghag maadtuan, kay Makita sa dalan ang daghang kasoroyan.
Diri nimo Makita indak indak sa kadalanan, togeder wid Mike... manuroy kitang tanan.
Mao kini ang among kanta alang sa tanan, Paminaw kami maskig karon lang higayona.
Aduna koy usa ka balak alang sa akong mga higala.
Syudad sa Dabaw ang pamuyo puro daw kagubot
Dako kanang bakak tungod diri alang kanindot
Walay kalisod mga katawhan naghiusa
Pagtinabangay gipausbaw giduyugan og paghigugma
Mao kini ang kinabuhi og usa ka Dabawenio.
Magdungan kitang tanan padong sa atong paglambo
Dabaw City one of the largest nga ciudad
Mga katawhan mga batasan kalam an
Pagsinabtanay sa huna huna wala gyod kalimti
Mao kini ang nagpalig-on sa among pinanggang Davao City
Mga kalipay niining ciudara astang daghana, astang ayusa

Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Pagkanindot sa lugar og kini ginganlag Dabaw
Wazzup Wazzup
Madayaw Davao
Anhi kita og diri maglingaw lingaw

KulasKusgan

September 12th, 2005, 02:33 PM

^^ yes ive heard that song. i think sila din ang kumanta ng "hubagang ate oy"
but theres one song an entry to world music festival held recently here in dc that caught more attention. its a lumad song (with ethnic beat & lyrics) and they mixed it with sort of techno-trance.

KulasKusgan

September 12th, 2005, 02:38 PM

some pics i found at imagesphilippines.com:

sunrise at magsaysay park
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/sunrisemagsaysaypark.jpg

samal island
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/samal.jpg

some kadayawan pics
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/kadayawan.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/kadayawan2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/kadayawan3.jpg

KulasKusgan

September 12th, 2005, 03:00 PM

at pbase.com

some migratory birds at times beach, matina, davao city at the back of SM city

eurasian curlew
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/eurasiancurlew.jpg

white-winged terns
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/timeswhite-wingedterns.jpg

sandpipers
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/timesbeach.jpg

chinese egret
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/chineseegret.jpg

kingfisher (local ata)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/not%20mine/timeskingfisher2_edited.jpg

KulasKusgan

September 12th, 2005, 03:15 PM

from pbase courtesy of bruce g.

old terminal buildings (domestic right, intl left the smaller one) seen behind cebu pacific plane docking at new davao intl airport

i think this photo was taken before Cebu Pacific's purchase of Airbus 320. CEB uses A320 in all its flight to Davao except the last flight in the afternoon.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/air/cebupacific.jpg

slerz

September 12th, 2005, 05:10 PM

Very cutie cutie birds, I love them...

KulasKusgan

September 16th, 2005, 04:41 PM

post ko lang tong pamphlet na napulot ko:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/fest/chinatown.jpg

JoeyIncali

September 16th, 2005, 05:55 PM

la lang. i happen to pass by pwc on my way to QL boardwalk.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0267.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0268.jpg
WOW!
I was a first and second grader at PWC.
My niece also went there for her first grade before coming back here.
So many lovely ladies there.

Lili

September 17th, 2005, 01:08 AM

< -- heto, namamasyal muna sa Davao. Matagal na akong hindi nakadayo rito.

KulasKusgan

September 17th, 2005, 03:43 AM

^^ welcome to davao city!

richard fischer

September 17th, 2005, 07:13 PM

nice work, nice find sleepwalker_uno, any more like this at other airports anyone ? this stuff is great for my collection of phil civilian aviation ! thanks !

QUOTE=sleepwalker_uno]from pbase courtesy of bruce g.

old terminal buildings (domestic right, intl left the smaller one) seen behind cebu pacific plane docking at new davao intl airport

i think this photo was taken before Cebu Pacific's purchase of Airbus 320. CEB uses A320 in all its flight to Davao except the last flight in the afternoon.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/air/cebupacific.jpg[/QUOTE]

KulasKusgan

September 18th, 2005, 02:24 AM

^^ Thanks Richard! I'll try to find some more.

news update...

Saturday, September 17, 2005
Davao airport is newest Globe Wi-Fi hotspot

DAVAO International Airport becomes the fifth Wireless internet Zone (WiZ) hotspot powered by GlobeQuest in Davao City, allowing travelers to access wireless broadband Internet through a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA) while waiting for their flight.

GlobeQuest head Jesus C. Romeo said they already signed an agreement with Davao International Airport manager Frederick G. Sanfelix Thursday for the setting up of a GlobeQuest WiZ hotspot in the airport. WIZ is the most accessible, convenient and reliable wireless broadband Internet service in the market today.

"We are very excited about this new partnership since it brings our airports like Mactan Cebu and Davao International at par with other major airports around the world. This is our way of serving the traveling public, particularly those who require mobility in conducting business," he said.

According to Romeo, GlobeQuest is currently deploying WiZ Hotspots in an increasing number of airports, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants and malls nationwide with Davao International Airport as the latest addition.

Other GlobeQuetst WiZ Hotspots in the city are Marco Polo Hotel, Casa Leticia, Waterfront Insular Hotel, Grand Regal Hotel and Basti's Brew at Victoria Plaza.

GlobeQuest WiZ uses a wireless technology similar to a cellphone where roaming and being connected converge.

Wi-Fi enabled computers and PDA's send and receive data indoors and out, anywhere within the range of an Access Point or Base Transceiver. This technology is envisioned to provide business-to-business mobility, modifications, and growth.

Romero said WiZ is a new and exciting broadband Internet service from GlobeQuest using the IEEE 802.11b or Wi-Fi wireless networking standard to provide secure and reliable wireless connectivity.

A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and even to wired networks which use 802.3 dubbed as the Ethernet. Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands with an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54Mbps (802.11g) data rate or with products that contain both bands (dual band) so they can provide similar performance equivalent to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks.

KulasKusgan

September 19th, 2005, 02:17 PM

WOW!
I was a first and second grader at PWC.
My niece also went there for her first grade before coming back here.
So many lovely ladies there.

PWC pala ang missing link natin. ikaw, si paul og ako.

paulkrps

September 19th, 2005, 10:53 PM

mao. hehehe.

hey, just got this from mindanao times.

VM: Chinatown to be started this year
By Rizalene P. Acac Published : 2005-09-19

TWO officials of the city assured the Filipino-Chinese community that the setting up of the “Chinatown” will be started before this year ends.

In an interview with the media, Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan said the support for the project, to be created based on the ordinance authored by Councilor Susabel Reta, chair of the committee on tourism, is already gaining grounds.

“Ang pag-develop sa Chinatown gihatagan na ug go signal ni Mayor so i-push through gyud ni nato. We will go full blast. Gani karon grabe na ang pagpaningkamot sa Chinatown Development Council,” Bonguyan said.

The proposed Chinatown will encompass Monteverde Street, Sta. Ana Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue and the Villa Abrille Street. The area will be converted into a Chinese community complete with lampposts and other things related to Chinese culture.

The area is known as the hub of the Chinese community because this is where Chinese businesses are set up.

As an add-on beautification and depiction of the Chinatown, four arches will also be built on each of the streets.

Recently, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), presented to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Bonguyan the design of the curves.

Bonguyan added that they are still looking for sources of funds for the construction of the arches,but he is optimistic that the Filipino-Chinese in the city will do their share and help in building not only the arches but the other plans for the Chinatown.

“Before the end of 2005, hopefully ato nang masugdan ug tukod ang usa ka arch. Siguro sa Disyembre pwede na. It is a little bit expensive but we can all share. The government will also share,” he said.

The Chinatown will also be fast-tracked in preparation for the upcoming Asean Tourism Forum in January 2006 in the city.

Reta, on the other hand, said other details of the Chinatown will be made in the months to come. She said this will include creating laws which would exempt Chinatown from existing national laws. RPA

kiretoce

September 20th, 2005, 10:57 PM

^^ ....and speaking of, read below. :colgate:

================================================================

Bonguyan sees booming night market in Davao Chinatown
By Rudolph Alama, 20 September 2005

Davao City -- Vice Mayor Louie Bonguyan sees a bustling night market center in the newly created Chinatown District, as plans are underway for the physical transformation of the area, from a drab urban center into a lively and colorful Chinese district.

The City Vice-Mayor named by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as head of the Davao City Chinatown Development Council said that they are developing the area by changing the landscape of the area to make it an authentic Chinatown. Thus opening it to more business opportunities.

"After 6 pm this busy Chinatown transforms into a ghost town. Now we want to develop this place to be a night market center, it will invite tourists and businesses to come. The Vice Mayor said.

"Dadayuhin siya talaga nang mga tao." (People will really flock to this place) said Bonguyan who recalled the experience of going to a Bangkok night market in which he saw a near- empty park by day transformed into a bustling market by night frequented by many tourists.

The Vice-Mayor also bared that Chinese inspired arches, lampposts, lanterns and street signs has been and will be put-up. And that the Chinatown Council has also tapped an expatriate from Hongkong in the person of Stanley Lau who is currently Marco Polo Davao's General Manager as consultant for the establishment of the night market.

Last September 16, the Council celebrated its Mid Autumn festival at the corner of Monteverde and Lizada streets. A night festival that according to Chinese traditions marks the brightest lunar glow of the year, the festival celebration saw various stalls selling food, dry goods, clothes and fashion accessories. Various ethnic Chinese dances were also presented with hundreds of full-blooded Filipinos, ethnic Chinese and Filipino-Chinese flocking to the outdoor bazaar in an area once deserted during nighttime.

The Davao Chinatown District is the first Chinatown District in Mindanao and second of such district in the Country next only to the historic Binondo District in Manila.

The District covers the main thoroughfares of Uyanguren, Monteverde and Villa-Abrille and the side streets of Bangoy, Lizada, Chavez, Gempesaw, Sales and Mariano Alvarez; the area that is home to a population 70% of which have Chinese ancestry.

KulasKusgan

September 21st, 2005, 11:58 AM

^^ thanks Kimber for the update...

==================================================================

Blazing new trails

By Sen. MANNY VILLAR

(Delivered at the 14th Mindanao Business Conference, Davao Convention and Trade Center, Davao City, on September 15, 2005.)

THERE was time not too long ago when the people in Manila and elsewhere in Luzon thought of Mindanao as a land of virgin forests, of pearls hidden at the bottom of the sea and of many opportunities waiting for the brave and the adventurous.

But Mindanao was perceived as too far and untried. There was, as there still is, a fear of the unknown. Only those with a sense of daring and optimism dared cross the seas to live in a land they had visualized only in their dreams. And they became a part of the Land of Promise whose fulfillment was the hope of many generations.

The promise that Mindanao once was is now fulfillment in action. Mindanao has started delivering on its promises.

A number of growth indicators are revising the antiquated perception of Mindanao.

Now, Mindanao is an active and dynamic force in our country’s economic landscape. Indeed, the theme of this year’s Mindanao Business Conference – delivering on promises is most appropriate, timely and truly descriptive of what Mindanao has become.

The conference theme worded is a grammar of movement and progression. Mindanao has become a prime mover and an achiever. Its momentum if plotted far into the future points to higher levels of economic performance. It is a bright spot in a mosaic of national gains and pains that has been smeared with the politics of division and confusion.

In a time of fear and despair, Mindanao offers hope.

As the nation gets battered by external and internally generated pressures, it needs a real winner to uplift the national spirit. Mindanao plays that role.

I need not present charts and figures to validate our optimism about Mindanao. What is more important and meaningful is the logic, the driving force behind the supporting statistics of growth.

Very few places are as richly endowed as Mindanao is with nature’s blessings. Mindanao’s soil fertility, its freedom from destructive typhoons, its good share of life-sustaining rainfall, its relatively pollution-free environment, and its abundant marine resources, among others, makes the second largest island in our archipelago the country’s food basket.

All these generous gifts from Divine Providence are gratefully received by a hardworking people whose pioneering and enterprising spirit bears eloquent witness to the greatness in the Filipino. The Land of Promise with its large frontier lured industrious migrants from the Ilocos, Central Luzon, Western and Eastern Visayas. Some came from Indonesia.

These trailblazers have since left behind a living legacy of industry and perseverance, of sipag and tiyaga which are touchtone values in the making of a strong nation. The net effect is a healthy outlook that believes everything is possible.

After taking stock of the positive attributes and the growth performance of Mindanao, the most logical question to ask is – where does it go from here?

What is needed is a new road map that indicates new pathways and marks stumbling blocks. This figurative travel guide should have a global positioning feedback feature so that the traveler can see his exact location in relation to the rest of the world.

From where Mindanao is, we can see some restraining forces that tend to hamper its accelerated growth. The state of infrastructure island-wide, while definitely better than that what was available in the past, is not adequate to attract the volume of additional investments needed.

Given the very tight fiscal position of the national government, it is doubtful if new infrastructure projects can be initiated soon. The problem needs non-traditional solutions. Possibly, the BOT approach can be explored under the partnership of local government units with a stake in an infrastructure project and the private sector through the federation of local business chambers.

As to projects already in various stages of implementation with their dedicated funding, it is very important for civil society groups in Mindanao to do a close and sustained monitoring work to insure that the completion target is met without incurring cost overruns and without sacrificing quality standards.

Another restraining factor is the physical distance of Mindanao from the seat of political and economic power in Metro Manila. Somehow, distance blurs one’s understanding and appreciation of a problem prevailing elsewhere. What may be an urgent need at the local level may not be so perceived from the so-called macro or strategic perspective of the national government.

But who is in a better position to say if a problem is immediately important or not? To wait for a response from Manila, considering the bureaucracy involved, requires the patience of saints. This is a forceful argument for federalism.

True, decentralization is supposed to be operational according to law. But those at the local government level are in the best position to say if powers have really been devolved effectively. What does it take to make decentralization real and practical? Your suggestions can be a basis for a supporting bill which I will gladly sponsor in the Senate.

Even as we are heartened by the winning points registered by Mindanao, yet we cannot simply rest on the comfort of victory and ignore the bigger challenges now confronting us. Of immediate concern to us is the worsening global energy crisis.

The spiralling prices of fossil fuel are pushing the cost of production. Producers in both the manufacturing and the agriculture sectors are under great pressure to think of alternatives to generate savings. Maximizing efficiency is the order of the day.

It has become a matter of national survival to come out with concrete, doable and time-bound measures to reduce the level of consumption of imported oil. Necessity is the mother of invention.

It was precisely the necessity of survival that served as the driving force behind the achievements of Mindanao’s early trailblazers.

Take note that those who contributed major building blocks in making Mindanao what it is now have one thing in common. They are all entrepreneurs. They are self-reliant. They are visionaries. They are persevering. They were all honed and tempered in the anvil of adversity.

To these pioneering entrepreneurs, Mindanao owes a lot. Their legacy is the springboard for new initiatives to sustain the island’s growth momentum.

If I give too much focus on the entrepreneurial spirit of those who have pushed Mindanao to start delivering on its promises, it is only because I firmly believe that it is precisely this orientation, this creative mindset that will enable all of us to reach the destination we all want in spite of all the storms and the hindrances along the way.

I am a passionate advocate of entrepreneurism, of the principle of sipag at tiyaga because I have personally experienced what an entrepreneurial outlook and practice can do not only for one’s self but also for others.

Mindanao as the land of entrepreneurs has what it takes to replicate even on a much limited scale the economic transformation so evident in China and India today.

These two most populous economic performers which have been saddled with the burden of poverty which is far heavier than ours started with overwhelming handicaps. And yet they are now the envy of many developing countries and of economies in transition.

Many factors can be cited by economists and political analysts for the remarkable achievements of China and India. I leave the complicated analysis to professional observers. What I find very revealing and most instructive for our own benefit is the presence in either China or India of a critical mass of entrepreneurs both at the small and medium enterprise levels. In short, entrepreneurs are the main engine of economic growth.

Perhaps we have somehow overlooked this basic truth as we look to the national government for help. It is not my intention to deny the need for government assistance for such requirements as infrastructure development and support to farmers, among others.

The sad truth, however, is – government with its huge debt burden and severe fiscal problems is not in a position right now to deliver on its legal and moral responsibilities to its constituents as desired. And I do not wish to create more false hopes by echoing official promises that cannot be fulfilled to match popular expectations soon.

This constraint is not a reason for pessimism. The economic horizon for Mindanao is bright.

Mindanao, more than any other part of our country, enjoys a geographical locational advantage in gaining access to the ASEAN Free Trade Area. In fact, the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area was formally ratified here in Davao City. BIMP-EAGA is the perfect bridge to trade opportunities in the sub-region and in the northern territory in Australia. This fact should be considered in the business expansion plans of enterprises based in Metro Manila.

The newly emerging halal food industry may use BIMP-EAGA as a point of entry into the Muslim populations of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Likewise, a more aggressive trade promotion campaign through the BIMP-EAGA mechanism can create additional markets not only for Mindanao products but also for those coming from the rest of the country as well.

While we acknowledge the major contribution of bananas, pineapples, coconut oil and tuna in our overall export performance, still we must seek the wider diversification of our product offerings as a strategy to cushion the impact of demand fluctuations in the market.

An improvement in the trade information gathering capability of our diplomatic missions in the European Union, North America, South America, the Middle East and the rest of Asia will give us an indication of what the various overseas markets need so that we can better tailor fit our production and marketing efforts.

Effective marketing, however, requires competitiveness. The question, therefore, is – how competitive are we? How do we compare with the other players in the global market as to price and equality? How do we protect our own manufacturers and farmers from cheaper imports with the lifting of trade barriers?

It is time to review the competitiveness enhancement strategy defined by government particularly in relation to the much publicized agricultural modernization program.

I now call on the business community to form a team of operations and finance specialists to make the corresponding performance evaluation in support of the necessary corrective legislation.

How much has been allocated so far for both programs? What are the key results areas? How has the budget been managed? Who are the beneficiaries? Can the output be quantified? What is the variance between outcome and expectations? What went wrong? How can mistakes be corrected? And what else must be done?

We desperately need a paradigm shift in how we try to get things done. And here is where government needs the business community as an objective evaluator of its performance.

Government for all its power and resources cannot be the main fountain of practical wisdom. It can only be the protector of its citizens, the custodian of their trust and the steward of their hopes.

Only with the humility can government learn from those it is bound to serve.

Sinjin P.

September 21st, 2005, 02:36 PM

QUESTION:
Does NCCC mall Davao invite more shoppers than SM? :)

paulkrps

September 21st, 2005, 02:38 PM

KulasKusgan

September 21st, 2005, 03:40 PM

and speaking of davao's chinatown, it is a very exciting direction. let us support this, para di lang mahibal-an nga ang uyanguren and parts are not only hardwares but also a place of culture and arts. i would really be excited if some museum or cultural centre can be established that will tell of the history and contribution of the chinese in these part of the country. more power to davao's chinatown!

very true, uyanguren = chinese + hardwares + main NCCC. since chinese migration to davao in early 1900s, its only now they were given such acknowledgement. as for now, theyre generating/soliciting funds for the welcome arches. that will be placed in time for Asian Tourism Forum in January next year.

@ michael: yes. NCCC invites more shoppers than SM. i mean lahat ng pumapasok sa NCCC ay para bumili. before the arrival of SM, NCCC has been part of dabawenyos' lives and even today. halos lahat ng mga sari-sari stores sa NCCC namimili ng stocks dahil kumpleto at excellent ang customer service.

paulkrps

September 21st, 2005, 03:56 PM

i will agree with that sleepwalker. same difference with js gaisano and nccc before. with js, you can see probably a couple of shopping bags, but with nccc, people really buy. so you see the obvious difference with the prices.

i remember before there were only a few groceries and department stores (mehang, davao grocery and those indian owned stores). pag-abri sa ncccc, felcris and gaisano, finally people had a choice.

slerz

September 21st, 2005, 05:36 PM

what is the meaning of NCCC? any pic of it? How modern is it? and how big is it?

I 've also seen through pics the Gaisano in Iloilo and Gaisano in Davao and they are huge Gaisanos.... Gaisanos in Cebu are not that huge.

paulkrps

September 21st, 2005, 06:14 PM

slerz, nccc is new city commercial center. first branch was at magsaysay ave, it's second was still at the same st, a few steps across. the newest one is a mall (nccc mall), w/c i haven't seen yet as i'm out of the country. it has other branches across region XI.

tj_brewed

September 22nd, 2005, 05:24 AM

Hi...Im new in here...I miss davao... I havent visited the place for two years now...... by the way, here are the pics that i got on the net for Metro Davao.

These were taken last 2002.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/Cebu/davao.jpg

rustyboi

September 22nd, 2005, 07:16 AM

^^ nice! if this was shot 3 years ago, there should be a lot of progress by now. Davao is growing really fast :okay:

KulasKusgan

September 22nd, 2005, 01:02 PM

WELCOME TJ_BREWED!
nice name.
thanks for that pics.

btw, heres some pics i took this morning.

mc donalds, jp laurel ave, bajada
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/mcdobajada.jpg

street scene (w/ fox's) along ponciano reyes st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/ponciano.jpg

street scene along quimpo boulevard
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/boulevard.jpg

KulasKusgan

September 22nd, 2005, 01:13 PM

what is the meaning of NCCC? any pic of it? How modern is it? and how big is it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/sleepwalker_uno/dc/IMAG0108.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/sleepwalker_uno/dc/IMAG0130.jpg

rustyboi

September 22nd, 2005, 02:24 PM

Aside from Marco Polo hotel, any other international hotel chain in the city? is there an international school as well? :)

KulasKusgan

September 22nd, 2005, 02:49 PM

^^ aside from Marco Polo, wala na. dati meron. heres the list of 4-star hotels in davao:

Apo View Hotel
Royal Mandaya Hotel (formerly Barcelo)
Grand Regal Hotel (formerly Mercure)
Waterfront Insular Hotel

International School? i dunno if this qualify for "international" status.
Faith Academy - is an international Christian school primarily for the children of expatriate Christian workers in the Philippines http://www.faith.edu.ph/home/index.php?id=davao

theres also japanese, indonesian and several chinese schools.

rustyboi

September 22nd, 2005, 02:58 PM

ah yeah, daming schools with several foreign students. i was referring pala to international schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). as far as i know, International School Manila, Brent International School Baguio, Cebu International School among others are accredited in the country. baka meron na rin sa Davao?

KulasKusgan

September 22nd, 2005, 03:11 PM

ah yeah, daming schools with several foreign students. i was referring pala to international schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). as far as i know, International School Manila and Cebu International School pa lang accredited in the country. baka meron na rin sa Davao?

parang wala. di naman ganong kadami expats dito and there are only 3 consulates not like manila & cebu.

EDIT: faith academy in cainta is listed in WASC 2005-2006 directory. perhaps davao branch might follow soon or its accreditation is already part of cainta since its written "non-public, multi-campus school".

KulasKusgan

September 22nd, 2005, 04:06 PM

EDIT: faith academy in cainta is listed in WASC 2005-2006 directory. perhaps davao branch might follow soon or its accreditation is already part of cainta since its written "non-public, multi-campus school".

Faith Academy Davao

Founded in 1982, the school’s goal is to provide quality education for the children of missionaries. Today, it serves over 25 different mission agencies, as well as the business community. The 75 students in grades 1-8 represent more than 10 countries, creating an atmosphere of international diversity.

Quality Education

Personal interaction between teachers and students is facilitated in smaller classes. Academic excellence is emphasized in a healthy mix of language arts, math, science, social studies, Bible, physical education, art and music. Coming from caring families and living cross-culturally, these terrific kids are a pleasure to teach.

The middle school challenges active young teenagers through electives and extracurricular activities that range from computer, home economics, and photography to soccer, tennis and basketball.

Faith Academy Staff – A vital part of the total missionary team

All school staff are full-time missionaries and members of a mission agency. Teachers are not salaried, but raise their own financial support, reducing tuition costs, and making quality education more affordable.

The missionary families that benefit from the education at Faith are working throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Their work includes church planting, Bible translation, literary, leadership training ministry to unreached people groups, and community development.

A Great Place to Live

Located on Mindanao, the largest island of the Southern Philippines, Davao has all the facility and conveniences of a big city in a small town atmosphere. Modern shopping malls, restaurants and wide use of English make third-world living easier.

Davao is a great, fun place to live, affording a healthy family environment. The friendly Filipinos and cooperative mission attitude made for a strong community spirit. Rainfall is moderate and temperatures average 27-32º C.

KulasKusgan

September 23rd, 2005, 01:04 AM

Moon Fest a success despite rain, flood
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero

THE First Chinatown Mid-autumn Moon Festival was a success despite the heavy rain and flood that came on its second day, City Councilor Susan Isabel Reta said.

"The rain was pouring heavily and water level on the streets was inch by inch rising and people coming were decreasing in number," Reta said.

But people soon returned she said when the rain stopped and the water subsided.

"Different people came to witness and take part on the first ever Davao Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, not only the Chinese community and the Dabawenyos but even foreigners," Reta said.

She said that the two-day festival held last September 17-17 serves as an eye-opener to everybody that having a Chinatown, and developing it as a distinct community can be a tourist draw.

With the success of the first Moon Festival, the Chinese community in the city intends to make the festival an annual event.

KulasKusgan

September 23rd, 2005, 01:12 AM

Friday, September 23, 2005
City soon to have real 'Chinatown'
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero

IF PLANS push through, Davao City will have a real Chinatown, complete with dragons, curved roofs, and arches, before the year ends.

"Before the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF), ipahuman na ang Chinatown as this will become an added tourist attraction," Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said.

Davao City will be hosting the ATF in January 2006.

"This time, we will also set up a Chinatown here in Davao City where all the business establishments will be putting Chinese names beside the names of all the stores in the area," City Administrator Wendel E. Avisado said.

Duterte had a meeting with the Davao City Chinatown Council Wednesday night and talked about the development plans for the area that covers 43 hectares along R. Magsaysay and Sta. Ana Avenues.

Artist's concepts of the Chinatown development include welcome arches and Chinese influenced architectures.

About 300 Chinese style lampposts will line the main streets, and Chinese lanterns will also be seen hanging from buildings.

"The streets will also be available for shopping as there will be night markets. All goods to be sold will all come from China," Avisado said.

Councilor Susan Isabel Reta, chairman of the committee on tourism and beautification, pushed the development plan of the Chinatown.

In another development, Reta clarified that when she was whining about lack of response from national agencies regarding the ATF hosting, she was not referring to the Department of Tourism as inadvertently interpreted in a news story published by Sun.Star.

"Ang ibig kong sabihin yung tulad ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) kay siyempre kailangan nating pagandahin naman ang ating mga roads for this big event," Reta said.

"The DOT had always been at the helm of this kasi kanila naman talaga yang ATF," she added as she appealed to all Dabawenyos to pitch in their help considering that January is less than four months away.

bustero

September 23rd, 2005, 11:59 AM

Oye, it's durian season once again. Mura nanaman ang durian!!!

Sinjin P.

September 23rd, 2005, 01:15 PM

And Ayala Center Cebu's holding a DURIAN FESTIVAL tomorrow! Yipee! :D

kyle@1008

September 23rd, 2005, 01:16 PM

hold your breath ......

KulasKusgan

September 23rd, 2005, 04:07 PM

durian sold here at 20/kilo.

rustyboi

September 23rd, 2005, 04:15 PM

durian candies, my favorite :D

KulasKusgan

September 23rd, 2005, 11:16 PM

Saturday, September 24, 2005
5-year program launched to conserve Davao Gulf

IN TIME for the celebration of Davao Gulf Week, the Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) launched a five-year program to jumpstart the conservation and sustainable development efforts to uplift the living condition in communities along the gulf.

The program includes research, development, and management (RDM). The launching was held Friday during the stakeholders' forum at Grand Men Seng Hotel.

"This is an advocacy to show our concern to the Davao Gulf. We do not take away what is for us now without thinking of the next generation," said Davao City Councilor Leo Avila, also the DGMC chair, in his speech at the stakeholders' forum.

Research conducted by DGMC has identified the Davao Gulf as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.

As the 10th major fishing ground in the country, the gulf is a critical resource supporting the economies of five cities and 16 municipalities surrounding it.

The RDM program targets four important matters for Davao Gulf.

It plans to ensure the sustainable use and management of the coastal and marine resources and will advocate the protection of critical marine ecosystem with the active involvement and participation of the local community.

The program will also institutionalize at the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels appropriate administrative mechanism for effective resource management in the Davao Gulf and enhance growth and improve the living conditions of coastal communities and achieve domestic food security.

The RDM program has proposed six major projects, including the participatory resource assessment in the rehabilitation and management of mangroves, coral reefs and estuaries in the Davao Gulf, development and implementation of the gulf-wide fisheries management program, such as enterprise and livelihood development program, sustaining stakeholder participation in mitigating pollution, protecting and managing coastal environment, managing Davao Gulf by strengthening policy implementation and promoting community based approaches and the integrated dugong conservation project and the establishment of coral nursery farm at San Isidro, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal.

The projects are expected to cost P20 million and will be completed within five years, from 2005-2010.

Among the collaborators and partners in the program are government agencies, non-government organizations, private companies, peoples' organization, local government units and other organizations that have a common interest towards the protection and conservation of Davao Gulf.

"Pag may nangyari sa Gulf, we have a share of everything. If the Gulf is healthy, we are healthy," Avila said. BRQ

KulasKusgan

September 23rd, 2005, 11:19 PM

Saturday, September 24, 2005
Gallaga to grace guerilla filmfest

RENOWNED movie director Peque Gallaga will grace the coming Guerilla Film Festival here in Davao City to take a peek at the infant independent film movement in the city.

Gallaga who helmed a string of critically acclaimed films that includes Filipino classics like Oro, Plata, Mata; Virgin Forest and Scorpio Nights, is scheduled to arrive in the city in the first week of December to grace the theatrical screening of locally made films, which are entries in the Guerilla Filmmaking Festival.

Dax Cañedo, organizer of the city-based filmmaking festival, said that Gallaga wants to take a look at the fledging independent film scene in the city. He also bared the noted director agreed to judge the film entries in the festival.

"Although Direk Peque, will only be available from December 4-7, he cannot be available in the 1st Mindanao Congress which is to be held on December 10. But definitely he wants to come here and see what's happening," said Cañedo.

The Guerilla Filmmaking Festival, which is in its third staging, is highlighted by the guerilla filmmaking workshop; a basic filmmaking-training workshop that is open to interested persons.

A theatrical screening showcasing the works of workshop participants, an open film category for veteran Mindanaoan filmmakers, a Guerilla Film festival awards night and the First Mindanao Film Congress that aims to gather Mindanao filmmakers, artists, enthusiasts and supporters.

The Guerilla FilmFest since its inception in 2003 has elicited interest not just in Mindanao but in Manila as well.

Last year award-winning movie director Maryo J. de Los Reyes came to judge the submitted films and was impressed by the quality of the works.

Last year's filmfest documentary Amuma a documentary about children with autism, which was written and directed by John Paul Saniel, a local TV news reporter was accepted by the prestigious New York Film Festival as an entry in the Documentary Film category. A first for any film that was 100 percent locally-produced in Davao City.

Cañedo said that with Peque Gallaga and along with different independent film personalities in Manila that includes Ed Cabagnot of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Doy del Mundo a noted movie screenwriter are among those coming to the Festival.

The third staging of the filmfest will be bigger and better. Cañedo invites everyone interested to log in to www.alchemyofvisionandlight.com for more information or call the festival secretariat at (082)225-4199. Or visit the office at the Alchemy of Vision and Lights studio, Suite 59-B Aala Building Anda St. Davao City.

KulasKusgan

September 24th, 2005, 12:20 AM

City tourism, in the thick of Pasko Fiesta
By Rose Palacio

Davao City (22 September) -- After the successful celebration of Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan Festival, the City Tourism is now on the thick of Pasko Fiesta preparation.

City Tourism chief Id Acaylar said a citywide yearly celebration is being conducted during the Yuletide season. Notable events during Christmas celebration include: Singing contests and many more various events for Dabawenyos to enjoy aside from those that will be held at the different barangay communities in the city.

Acaylar commented that the city 's tourism strength is on arts and culture which I think is our biggest potential. Our office is slated to focus on promoting and developing City-based arts and cultural festivities, he said.

In every festival, you will observe that people comes here because they are attracted to the colorful events and festivities. We are not here to compete with other festivals conducted in other cities or places with great tourist spots like white sand beaches and historical sites. Instead we are banking on our rich potential in the field of arts and culture, he added.

We are going to the grassroots to develop our artists, which would in turn be our biggest crowd drawer and build their capabilities that includes the singers, the rondalla, the bands who need capability building including our small and medium entrepreneurs, he said.

These festivities are very strongly supported by the city government including the support coming from the private sector. We have plans of conducting an artist workshop and develop their skills and talents in coordination with private sector, he said.

Davao City is said to be enjoying a renaissance of some sorts particularly in the musical arena. Many of its homegrown talents have made it big following the trail of success made by Joey Ayala and Bayang Barrios including the likes of Jay Durias of the South Border, Jinky Vidal of Freestyle, Juris Fernandez of MYMP and many others.

Acaylar said we have potential artists in Davao. Once developed, Davao City might become the entertainment capital of the South, he said. (PIA) [top]

bustero

September 24th, 2005, 04:23 AM

durian sold here at 20/kilo.
wha kay mura!

KulasKusgan

September 24th, 2005, 05:36 AM

amras

September 24th, 2005, 09:45 AM

judging from those pics, Davao really looks promising! :)

tj_brewed

September 25th, 2005, 04:15 AM

where did you get these pics?

I'm a member of a yahoo group about Davao....i took it from there...

Sinjin P.

September 25th, 2005, 09:14 AM

Any idea how the DURIAN tastes like? I keep on smelling it but never tasted it... I'm afraid that the taste might be as awful as the smell..hehe :D

KulasKusgan

September 25th, 2005, 09:40 AM

Any idea how the DURIAN tastes like? I keep on smelling it but never tasted it... I'm afraid that the taste might be as awful as the smell..hehe :D

tastes like heaven... smells like hell.

slerz

September 25th, 2005, 04:09 PM

I dn't know....maybe my nose is functioning abnormally but Durians smell for me is not a hell...I like its smell. humot mn di mn baho..

slerz

September 25th, 2005, 04:12 PM

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/Cebu/davao.jpg

diba Davaos tallest is the Marco Polo?...so where did this guy took the shot? My observation is that he's positioning higher than the rooftop of Marco Polo. Or maybe from a helicopter...

tj_brewed

September 26th, 2005, 02:53 AM

These are aerial shots of parts of Davao City - just the downtown area of it. The first pic includes Marco Polo Hotel - the tallest structure in Mindanao Island. Across is Ateneo de Davao's campus. That building with red roof is once known as (University Mall) now known as City Triangle.

bustero

September 26th, 2005, 04:50 AM

It's probably from a plane or chopper there is not vantage point within davao to take those shots.

KulasKusgan

September 26th, 2005, 04:01 PM

yeah, marco polo & bajada pics most probably taken from a chopper.

ilustre pic is taken from marco polo. similar to this:
http://www.ukdw.ac.id/lpip/pspp/images/mindan3.jpg

paulkrps

September 26th, 2005, 05:25 PM

great pics guys. any street level pics on claveria, uyanguren, san pedro, etc? thanks ahead of time.

KulasKusgan

September 27th, 2005, 12:40 AM

^^ sure. maybe this weekend i'll take some street scenes. or i'll check sa akong files basig naa pa.

paulkrps

September 27th, 2005, 02:35 PM

^^ sure. maybe this weekend i'll take some street scenes. or i'll check sa akong files basig naa pa.

salamat kaayo sleepwalker! really appreciate it.

KulasKusgan

September 27th, 2005, 03:21 PM

salamat kaayo sleepwalker! really appreciate it.

for the meantime, i'll share this pics from sunstar davao.

sunstar davao (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/09/16/index.html)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/prutas.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/ptagreenpark.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/slum.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/stacruz.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/tfd.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/wildwater.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/agdao.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/babak.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/bangus.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/cenro.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/chinatown.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/council.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/digong.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/digong2.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/porras.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/gensan.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/iro.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/kabayo.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/marilog.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/min.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/nbi11.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/lanzones.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/kadayawan3.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/kadayawan2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/kadayawan.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/all41.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/drill.jpg

paulkrps

September 27th, 2005, 03:59 PM

thanks nga dako sleepwalker.

KulasKusgan

September 28th, 2005, 04:36 PM

PIA Press Release
09/28/2005
BIR-RDO's Davao e-Lounge facility launched

By Rose Palacio

Davao City (28 September) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue District Office's (BIR-RDO) Davao E-Lounge was launched Monday at the RDO 113 along F. Torres Street, Davao City and is now fully operational.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Information System Group Lilia C. Guillermo led the launching together with BIR-XI director Linda Omila-Yap, Revenue District officer Evelyn Sardido, and Agnes Zafe, OIC-Head, Revenue Data Center-Visayas.

In her opening statement, Deputy Commissioner Guillermo said the database center will cater to all taxpayers in the region especially to those who have no internet connections.

Taxpayers can now make their payments by availing the E-facility of BIR and avail of the different e-services made available for an easy access and convenience for taxpayers.

The e-BIR Contact Center covers the following services: e-Registration system; e-TIN; e-Broadcast that confirms payments made by taxpayers; e-Portal that provides user interface via internet to all taxpayers; Electronic processing and transmission of Tax Return Information.

Other services include e-Sales that reports gross monthly sales of taxpayers; e-Accreg, an online accreditation; e-NGAS that monitors disbursements made by government agencies; e-Submission that constitutes "substitute" income tax returns and e-Alphalist;

With modern electronic technology other features possible are; e-Payee for the annual information return of income Tax Withheld at Source; and e-Relief that reconciles listings for enforcement system and submission of quarterly sales receipts and summary list of purchases. And e-Correspondence, a facility for a centralized correspondence system;

Other modern conveniences in the e-lounge also features the e-Report Card that provides information the companies' tax payment; Letter of Authority Monitoring System (LAMS) that provides the Bureau a means to monitor and control of LA issuances. And the Revenue Mobilization Enhancement program Computer Assisted Audit program (CAAP) that strengthens the tax audit system of the Bureau. (PIA

=============================================================

PIA Press Release
09/29/2005
Davao tax earnings up 107%

by PD Banzon

Davao City (29 September) -- The renewed team manning the Davao City business bureau reported that business tax earnings in August 2005 totaled to P3.6 million, or a 107 percent increase compared to the same period of last year.

Business bureau chief Jhopee Agustin said the business taxes generated in August 2004 was only at P1.7 million.

She said the figure was contrary to the perception on a dip of taxes to be generated with the strict implementations of some systems introduced.

"I do not know where did the rumor came from that is why we made a thorough recording of the data and this is what we arrived at," she said.

Agustin assumed the post in August this year after Mayor Rodrigo Duterte made a drastic revamp of major offices at city hall including the Business Bureau.

The revamp came about, as there were reports on practices of graft and corruption which Duterte himself validated and later decided to implement the changes.

Agustin also said that also in August 2005 about P4.6 million were generated from taxes and other fees which is 62 percent higher than last year of the same period with only P2.8 million.

She said discipline lang talaga and kailangan natin dito in adopting new systems.

"We do not allow people to just come as they are given priority numbers so as not to disrupt the flow of transaction," she said.

Agustin said they aim for a one-day processing of business permits applications assuming that all requirements are met and so far they were able to do it.

She said they are still fixing the system with a new program that was installed only last week inorder for us to come up with a systematic flow of transaction even as she said that they shorten the process by removing three steps that a client will go through.

She also said that they are looking at computerization as a tool that would fast track transaction and eventually go on line for business transaction. (PIA)

KulasKusgan

September 29th, 2005, 11:44 AM

sunstar davao (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/09/29/news/city.s.terrain.analysis.is.first.in.the.country.html)

Thursday, September 29, 2005
City's terrain analysis is first in the country

DAVAO City upped the ante on environmental protection as it presented Wednesday the progress report on the terrain analysis of all watersheds in the city, the first of its kind embarked on by a local government unit in the country.

The terrain analysis is a collaborative government effort to provide vital information on the critical areas of the city such as watersheds, riverbanks, and existing populated areas.

"We are doing this presentation in the hope that all these issues will be resolved," said City Councilor Arnolfo Ricardo B. Cabling, also the chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Cabling was referring to the heated debate on the moratorium for banana and pineapple plantation in the city's water recharge areas.

With the presentation and a forum after, Cabling hopes that all the stakeholders of the watershed areas, the public and the city government and all those in the Agro-industrial activities will meet at a common ground.

"We really want to find a common ground where we can come together and work together for a sustainable development and program for Davao city's future," said City Councilor Leonardo R. Avila, the vice-chair of the Committee of Environment and Natural Resources and known for his environmental slant.

City Planning and Development Officer Mario Luis Jacinto presented the progress report of the terrain analysis covering all the watersheds in the southern section of the city.

"This is part of a bigger study which is the terrain analysis of all the watersheds of Davao City," Jacinto said.

Jacinto presented the identified watersheds, geological structures, identified landform types, flood hazard susceptible areas, erosion susceptible areas and the identification of water resources.

Among the invited guests are representatives of the academe, non-government groups, and banana exporters and growers. (BRQ)

dominique

September 30th, 2005, 10:13 AM

I was in davao city last april and im sad durian hotel still remains closed. I think tourism business is now picking up. Is there any news of its reopening? Its one of davao's landmarks years before.

paulkrps

September 30th, 2005, 02:59 PM

agree with you on durian hotel dominique. it was on a good location, malls, condo offices, etc. sayang talaga.

fundraiser

September 30th, 2005, 07:03 PM

Mindanao Republic bid gaining ground: Alvarez
By Ben O. Tesiorna

MOVES to establish a separate Mindanao Republic, bereft of political and economic woes the country is facing now, have been gaining ground as time goes by, said Pantaleon Alvarez, organizer of One People Mindanao (OPM), a movement lobbying for a separate Mindanao Republic.

In an interview, Alvarez said he had been doing the rounds in key areas in Mindanao the past months and he has yet to encounter one individual who does not
support his bid for a separate Mindanao Republic.

Alvarez said that on October 6, a consultation on Mindanao Republic will be sponsored by the parish church of Valencia in Bukidnon led by Fr. Dodge Tabios.

He said this only shows that Mindanaoans are open to his proposal and that they are seriously considering it.

Asked how soon does he think for his dream to be realized, Alvarez said they have a two-year timetable and that by 2007 they hope Mindanaoans will rally in unity for a plebiscite instead of an election in Mindanao.

Aside from Valencia, a consultation is also scheduled this October 1 in Zamboanga City. Alvarez had been to many cities and provinces in Mindanao urging the people to demand a separate Mindanao republic as soon as possible.

Alvarez said only a separate Mindanao Republic can help solve the problems the island is facing, adding that a Charter change would not solve our woes considering the present crisis the national government is facing right now.

KulasKusgan

October 1st, 2005, 02:32 PM

great pics guys. any street level pics on claveria, uyanguren, san pedro, etc? thanks ahead of time.

ok, as promised... ania na.

rizal st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/rizalst.jpg

rizal st cor cm recto ave
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/rizal2.jpg

san pedro st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/sanpedrost.jpg

legaspi st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/legaspi.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/legas2.jpg

ilustre st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/ilustre.jpg

roxas ave
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/roxasave.jpg

KulasKusgan

October 1st, 2005, 02:38 PM

Bajada
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/bajada.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/bajada2.jpg

Ecoland
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/ecoland.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/ecoland2.jpg

Ecoland cor Mc Arthur Highway, Matina
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/ecolandmatina.jpg

paulkrps

October 1st, 2005, 03:38 PM

bravo!!! thanks for the effort sleepwalker!!! :) :) :)

special request bai if possible, along bonifacio (midtown printing - my previous employer). daghang salamat. :) :) :)

KulasKusgan

October 1st, 2005, 08:07 PM

bravo!!! thanks for the effort sleepwalker!!! :) :) :)

special request bai if possible, along bonifacio (midtown printing - my previous employer). daghang salamat. :) :) :)

why not...

heres your request:

gen luna (back of js gaisano); bonifacio straight ahead...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/genluna.jpg

bonifacio st (near midtown, fronting golden bell) asphalting is going on.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/bonifacio.jpg

magallanes st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/magalles.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/magallanes.jpg

tho overhead cablewires is kinda messy, i guess its better compared to other cities in phils. addl info: davao light is the most high tech power distribution company in the phils using computerized mapping system (the one used in davao 911 hotline) and also gave light & power to subic as well as cebu. :)

paulkrps

October 1st, 2005, 08:49 PM

daghang salamat sleepwalker. makalipay.:)

ryanr

October 1st, 2005, 10:44 PM

thanks dave! Davao has clean streets...better than Manila.

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 02:41 AM

ur welcome paul & ryan!

thanks dave! Davao has clean streets...better than Manila.

i salute all street sweepers and garbage collectors of davao for religiously doing their duties. every christmas, mas lalong sumisipag sila kasi marami silang regalong natatanggap as token of their hardwork.

isa pa, bawal rin magtapon ng basura kahit saan. may designated areas and specific time kung kelan magtapon ng basura.

olineil

October 2nd, 2005, 02:54 AM

san pedro st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/sanpedrost.jpg

legaspi st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/legaspi.jpg

And I notice People are very orderly...just notice this...its a narrow street and people are crossing on pedestrian crossing only. Really nice to know that Filipinos will be disciplined once they are aware that the LAW of the land is being upheld.

Example: I used to spit alot in pinas but when I started here n singapore just knowing that u will be charged SG$500(+-P15,000) for spitting makes u think 100x before u even do it. And Ive leaned to for go of this terrible habit. When Filipinos know that the LAW is strict we do behave.

JoeyIncali

October 2nd, 2005, 03:02 AM

Wow!
Gimingaw na ko sa Dabaw.

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 03:09 AM

also this one. its a pedestrian lane but mejo burado ang linya. jaywalking is a criminal offense here.

magallanes st
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/magallanes.jpg

i hope spitting too be banned.

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 03:17 AM

those yellow dotted lines on the right lane, we call it "yellow box" its a designated area for loading/unloading of passengers.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/genluna.jpg

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 03:51 AM

Sunday, October 02, 2005
5-year program to sustain, protect Davao Gulf launched

A FIVE-year Research, Development and Management (RDM) program, which integrates resource conservation and sustainable development for the improvement of the living conditions of communities along Davao Gulf, was launched in Davao City by Davao Gulf stakeholders.

Launched by the Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) during the recently concluded Davao Gulf Week, the program involves research, capability-building, resource mobilization and policy support.

These components address management areas such as that of the habitat, fisheries, foreshore coastal tourism, watershed, livelihood, waste and pollution, as well as the legal and institutional arrangement.

The RDM Program was launched to address various management issues and concerns that have taken their toll on the productivity of the gulf, which has been noted as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world, as well as the home of endangered species such as the marine turtles and the dugong.

Davao Gulf has been confronted with various issues and concerns such as the incidence of illegal and destructive fishing, the need to strengthen inter-LGU mechanism for coastal and fishery law enforcement, low level of awareness on coastal protection, maritime security (i.e. sea piracy), bio-physical deterioration of some mangrove, sea grass and coral habitats, persistence of solid wastes and agro-industrial effluents, as well as siltation.

The RDM Program thus to ensure the sustainable use and management of the coastal and marine resources in Davao Gulf and advocate the protection of critical marine ecosystem with the active involvement and participation of the local community.

It also aims to institutionalize at the barangay, municipal and provincial levels appropriate administrative mechanism for effective resource management in the Davao Gulf as well as enhance growth and improve the living conditions of coastal communities and achieve domestic food security.

To meet these objectives, the program will employ multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary and participatory approaches to foster support of the community and other stakeholders.

The RDM Program has so far proposed six major projects, which include: "Participatory Resource Assessment in the Rehabilitation and Management of Mangrooves, Coral Reefs and Estuaries in Davao Gulf", "Development and Implementation of the Gulf-wide Fisheries Management Program", "Enterprise and Livelihood Development Program", "Sustaining Stakeholder

Participation in Mitigating Pollution, Protecting and Managing Coastal Environment--A Win-win Approach", "Managing Davao Gulf by Strengthening Policy Implementation and Promoting Community-based Approaches" and the "Integrated Dugong Conservation Project and the Establishment of Coral Nursery Farm at San Pedro, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos)".

The program is being handled by DGMC, which serves as a coordinating body that sets policies or directions on managing Davao Gulf, and facilitates various initiatives and efforts.

The DGMC is headed by Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III, with Igacos Mayor Rodrigo P. Antalan as the vice chair and Margarita M. Floirendo as secretary-general.

Counted as partners of the DGMC are government agencies, non-government organizations, private organizations, local government units and other organizations involved with the protection and conservation of the DavaoGulf.

Sunstar Davao (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/10/02/news/5.year.program.to.sustain.protect.davao.gulf.launched.html)

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 11:31 AM

http://www.apoview.com/ver2/images/apoview.jpg

The Apo View, Davao's premiere landmark has so many
new things to offer. Perfectly located at the heart of
Davao City, it is both a place for business and pleasure!

A first class hotel offering 5-star amenities

KulasKusgan

October 2nd, 2005, 11:36 AM

http://www.philippines-hotels.us/davao-hotels/marco-polo-hotel/images/marcopolo_hotel_main.jpg

The Marco Polo, Davao, is a true world-class hotel that stands for elegance and warm Filipino hospitality. With 18 floors, The Marco Polo, Davao, is the tallest hotel in Mindanao and the city's new landmark.

huistenmark

October 3rd, 2005, 02:56 PM

Cool pics, especially the Apo View Hotel one. Is their 'Top of the Apo' resto still operating? I'm going home btw, sleepywalker.

paulkrps

October 3rd, 2005, 06:03 PM

hey guys, if i do go april or may next year, hope to see you all (lisod ning guwang na kay mahimong ninong sa kasal, hehehe).

paulkrps

October 3rd, 2005, 06:08 PM

hey sleepwalker re: bonifacio pic, when i still worked at midtown, snack time was at burger machine. nice to know that it's still there. also, i learned from a former co-worker that the old tombo house as demolished to make way for a new one.

nice to see is still there too. missed eating at dencio's. missed kinilaw so much. yum-yum. sige lang pohon.
:) :) :)

slerz

October 3rd, 2005, 11:40 PM

WoW... Davao is so orderly and very peaceful.... I hope I can see Davao this year.... I really want to see the city, I want to stroll over Davao city streets @ 5 am specially in this cold days, see nature at its best.... Honestly, I don't want to live in cities that are chaotic, noisy, full of vehilces, air pollution, too much buildings everwhere you go as if nature is banned to exist. I love Cebu but its becoming more fancy.... Davao city is a major and modern city but it kept the beauty of nature untouched.... its very relaxing. Oh, Im dreaming this early morning but I want to live in my dreams...peace, peaceful and orderly, Davao is it.:)

sugarboy

October 3rd, 2005, 11:43 PM

@sleepwalker, mangayo ko tani bulig sa imo. my cousin and i have some properties in digos which we are trying to dispose of. do you know any brokers or interested parties? please send me a PM. salamat.

KulasKusgan

October 4th, 2005, 02:32 PM

@ mark: top of the apo? i havent tried mountain climbing. hehe. i think theyre still operating. but the best buffet not the top, i suggest chippens along roxas, buffet palace in victoria plaza grounds and the buffet by marco polo.

@ paul: buhi pa intawon ang burger machine. so, mouli diay ka next year. magkita ra ta pohon.

@ slerz: live your dreams and buy a foggy property in marilog district or the slopes of mt talomo in toril. check this: www.villademercedes.com

@ sugayboy: my email add: sleepwalker_uno@yahoo.com

paulkrps

October 4th, 2005, 03:15 PM

@ paul: buhi pa intawon ang burger machine. so, mouli diay ka next year. magkita ra ta pohon.

basi lang, my only is i have to leave behind my family for a couple of weeks. i hope me and my wife can decide on something by next year GOD-willing.

KulasKusgan

October 4th, 2005, 03:42 PM

^^ bitaw, lisod pud ibilin ang pamilya. why not bring along the entire family... :)
anyway, layo pa man ang april 2006, six months to go. you and your wife have enough time to decide.

KulasKusgan

October 4th, 2005, 03:44 PM

Karon sa Sunstar Davao (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/index.html)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mini%20sunstar/article_148411_10-04-2005.jpg
Work for Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Rogelio Antalan means hopping from island to island where barangay visits would include boat rides of all sizes, like this one in Barangay Cogon on Talikud Island, Kaputian District, which is more than an hour's boat ride from the capitol site of Peñaplata. (Sun.Star Davao/Stella A. Estremera)

in another story....

Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Garbage trucks, bins to arrive in December

SEVERAL garbage trucks and about 6,000 garbage bins will arrive in the city in December as part of the preparation for Davao City's hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Forum (ATF) next year.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the trucks and bins would help in the maintenance of garbage and keeping the city clean as thousands of tourists are expected to arrive for the forum slated on January.

The mayor said the bins would be distributed to all barangays and warned Dabawenyos not to vandalize or steal the bins.

"Don't you ever steal the garbage bins otherwise I will put your lifeless bodies inside the bins," Duterte said.

Duterte said the new garbage trucks would have separate containers for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes in compliance with the waste segregation program of the government. (BOT)

paulkrps

October 4th, 2005, 03:58 PM

hey sleepwalker, are you friends with estella estremera of sunstar and art boncato of marco polo? pakiregards na lang ko.

KulasKusgan

October 5th, 2005, 01:11 AM

hey sleepwalker, are you friends with estella estremera of sunstar and art boncato of marco polo? pakiregards na lang ko.

theyre quite popular here. i havent met them nor talked to them. nabasa lang nako ilang mga pangalan sa local newspaper. in short, wala sila kaila nako. :)

tj_brewed

October 5th, 2005, 04:11 AM

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/Cebu/davao2.jpg

We invite you to come and discover Davao, a melting pot of diverse migrant and indigenous peoples whose cultures are woven into a rich tapestry of ethnic and contemporary lifestyles manifested in art, literature, cuisine, music and festivities. Davao is the Philippines’ “City in Bloom”, blessed with a bounty of natural gifts ranging from fertile fruit plantations, lush orchid farms, majestic mountain ranges, pristine white sand beaches to a bustling urban centre where modern conveniences are within reach.

In fact, three of the country’s most treasured natural gems are found in Davao, making it a must-see destination. The city has the best access to the country’s highest peak, Mount Apo which is the original habitat of our national bird and second largest eagle in the world, the Philippine Eagle, and national flower, the Waling-waling orchid.

Moreover, our city takes pride in being recognised as one of the cleanest and greenest in the country as well as having the second best potable water in the world. We were named one of the most livable cities in Asia by Asiaweek Magazine and the most competitive to do business in, in the Philippines by the Asian Institute of Management. In addition, we are privileged that our 911 Integrated Emergency Response Network makes us one of only three areas in the world after the US and Canada to activate such an effective programme, that ensures security in the city that now enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Meanwhile, we also take pride in our annual “Kadayawan Festival”, the biggest thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest held in August where street dancing, floral float parade and showcase of indigenous peoples’ cultures are highlighted. This week-long festivity never fails to give visitors an exhilarating experience, which you will also experience in January as we stage several events to welcome you all.

Indeed, we are happy to host the 2006 ASEAN Tourism Forum and we look forward to your arrival as Davao City beckons to be discovered.

See you in January!

RODRIGO R. DUTERTE
Mayor, Davao City
Chairman, ATF 2006 - Davao Host Council

tj_brewed

October 5th, 2005, 04:17 AM

TTG ASIA AUG 19-25, 2005

Davao swings into action

City eager to impress delegates with smooth organisation, colours of Mindanao
By Ollie Quiniquini

MANILA – Davao tourism players are swinging into action to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) next year, a year earlier than expected, following Myanmar’s decision to relinquish the ASEAN chair and the region’s premier travel trade show.

At press time, Philippine tourism secretary, Mr Joseph Durano, had written to the ASEAN Secretariat, officially accepting the project. The DoT was only waiting for the final concurrence of all ASEAN members, according to Department of Tourism (DoT) undersecretary tourism services and regional offices, Mr Oscar Palabyab.

Mr Durano will formally announce Davao as the host city of ATF 2006 during the Kadayawan Festival this week. But the excitement among Davao tourism players to host ATF and to showcase the city is already evident. ATF 2006 host council vice-chair and Marco Polo Davao director of sales and marketing, Mr Art Boncato, Jr, said: “We are preparing a whole week of celebrations using the Mindanao colour and flavour, so when delegates leave Davao, whatever perception they may have had of the city will be completely changed.”

Davao is the gateway to the Mindanao region in southern Philippines. An urban metropolis, Davao’s key attraction is its accessibility to stunning surroundings of hills and valleys and the Philippine’s highest mountain, Mount Apo (2,954m). The region also offers thousands of tropical beaches and dive sites. Concerns on security and safety have abated over the years, and Davao tourism players are only keen to showcase to buyers the destination is safe and attractive to visit.

“There may be some apprehension from some sectors (regarding security) but the host council is putting things together to show Davao is ready. Security is one of the most important committees in the host council. The mayor and host council chair, Mr Rudy Duterte, is on top of it. All forces necessary will work together to secure the city during ATF,” Mr Boncato said.

The ASEAN NTO meetings will be held at Marco Polo Davao, while the private sector meetings will be held at various hotels. The venue for Travex is still under negotiation. The host council has blocked 1,600 rooms for the event. Mr Boncato said: “Our time has come and we are doing our best not to disappoint the Philippines. It is a matter of forming all plans and implementing them well to give a good impression. So far, we are meeting our deadlines.”

Davao has more than 2,000 rooms and its international airport is serviced by flights from Manila, Cebu and Singapore, and charters from Indonesia.

Mr Palabyab said the Philippines would follow the original ATF schedule of January 13 to 21. He said: “It is only a transfer of venue. We are just transposing whatever Myanmar had planned to Davao. Delegates will only need to change their travel plans.”

The Philippine government has released a budget of about 100 million pesos (US$1.8 million) for the event. Mr Palabyab said: “Since we have been preparing early for ATF 2007, we have found ourselves ready to advance our hosting to 2006. We will just fast-track our preparations and are considering hiring TTG Asia Media to organise Travex.”

The Philippine travel trade welcomes the Davao hosting of ATF 2006. Manila Japanese Travel Agents and Hoteliers Association president, Mr Teody Espallardo, said, “Right now, the Philippines is perceived as under attack from political and security fronts. ATF would be a good opportunity for the country to show the world that it is really an ideal tourist destination and that media reports only capitalise on negative isolated incidents.”

National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) president, Ms Angel Ramos Bognot, did not see the short lead time before ATF 2006 as a problem. Ms Bognot said: “The Filipinos are known for working hard together especially on tight schedules.”

On whether the Philippines would continue to host ATF 2007, ASEAN technical officer for tourism, Mr Eddy Krismeidi, based at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta said, “When one country misses its turn at hosting ATF,
the alphabetical rotation will continue.

“Myanmar can only host ATF in the next round, which will begin in 2010 with Brunei. In 2006, ATF will be held in the Philippines; in 2007, Singapore.”

TTG ASIA SEP 2-8, 2005

TTG to run Travex for ATF
By Ollie Quiniquini

DAVAO – TTG Asia Media has been appointed by the Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) to organise the Travel Exchange (Travex) portion of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006 (ATF), which will held in Davao from January 13 to 21.

TTG has set up a 10-member full-time team headed by exhibitions manager, Ms Phila Anne Tan, and project manager, Ms Melanie Lee. A website at www.atf06.com – for buyer, seller registration, the programme and other information – will be ready next week. Buyers and sellers can immediately contact the TTG-ATF team at atf@ttgasia.com.

DoT undersecretary tourism services and regional offices and ATF working group head, Mr Oscar Palabyab, said: “I am convinced TTG Asia Media has the correct resources, experience and network to help us in marketing Travex in the remaining five months left before the show.”

Travex will be held at the NCCC Mall Exhibition Center. NCCC PR Council administrator, Ms Aileen Gajo, said the centre would refurbish its facilities and take out some columns in the 4,412m2 exhibition hall on the fourth floor to better accommodate corporate booths.

During the August 20 official announcement of Davao as the venue of ATF 2006, DoT secretary, Mr Joseph Durano, said he expected the event to propel Davao forward as an international tourist destination, similar to what ATF 1998 did for Cebu.

Mr Durano said: “ATF will give Davao unprecedented international exposure. We expect Davao to be the next pillar destination of the Philippines. There is a charm in Davao not seen elsewhere and this is captured by the city’s slogan – From Islands to Highlands.”

The DoT estimated the cost of hosting ATF at a little less than 100 million pesos (US$1.78 million). Funding would come from various sources, including sponsorships. Davao City will put up 20 million pesos towards ATF projects such as the opening ceremony, complimentary city tours for delegates and accommodation for 200 buyers. Another five to seven million pesos will go towards security arrangements.

The proposed theme for ATF 2006 is Celebrating the Many Faces of ASEAN.

TTG Asia will also be the official daily for ATF 2006. Look out for our ATF in Davao Special in our September 23 issue.

September 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Philippines is ready to host ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2006
Registrations pouring in at www.atfdavao.com
(MANILA, PHILIPPINES – 23 September 2005): It is all systems go for the Philippines as it gears up to host the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF) 2006 in Davao City from 13 to 21 January next year.

ATF will be held in the Philippines a year ahead of schedule. Myanmar, the original host of the 2006 event, announced in July it was giving up the 2006-2007 chairmanship of ASEAN. Each year, the hosting of ATF is rotated among ASEAN member countries.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed Memorandum Order number 189, directing the Secretary of Tourism to organise and create a Philippine Host Committee and/or an inter-agency task force to prepare and implement the activities and programmes for ATF 2006. The memorandum also enjoins all departments, bureaus, offices, national government agencies and local government units, and government-owned and/or controlled corporations to give full support, assistance and cooperation to the Tourism Secretary in organising the region’s premier travel trade event.

Preparations by the Philippine Host Committee (PHC) are now in overdrive. The timely turnover of ATF 2006 in the Philippines provides a strong impetus for the country to gear towards attaining ASEAN solidarity in spite of adversities. Department of Tourism (DOT) and Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) officials together with the Davao Tourism Host Council are highly optimistic that with the combined efforts, diligence, dedication and talents of their top-caliber staff experienced in convention event organizing and planning, the prospects are bright for ATF 2006 to be a breakthrough for Philippine tourism.

TTG Asia Media, which the PHC has appointed to organise the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) 2006, the travel fair component of ATF, has fast-tracked preparations for the fair and is assisting the Host Committee with ATF 2006 logistical and promotional requirements. TTG Asia Media managing director, Mr Darren Ng, said: “We are delighted to be part of this momentous occasion for tourism in the Philippines and the ASEAN region. TTG Asia Media has organised several ATFs in the past, including the 1998 event in Cebu. We are confident that, despite the very short lead-time to prepare for the TRAVEX in Davao next year, the synergies between the Philippine Host Committee and TTG Asia Media will result in a professional, productive, and well received ATF 2006.”

Davao City, the host destination for ATF 2006, is ready to put up the best show possible. The Davao Host Council, chaired by Davao City mayor, Mr Rodrigo Duterte, is preparing a weeklong celebration of the colours and flavours of Mindanao during ATF to change misperceptions in the international market about the city. Hotels are refurbishing their facilities to ensure a warm and hospitable stay for delegates. Fourteen properties have been designated as official ATF 2006 hotels. The Council’s beautification committee is looking at increasing the streetlights and widening the city’s roads.

The official ATF 2006 website, www.atfdavao.com, contains comprehensive information on all ATF activities. Registrations have been pouring in since the website went online last week. All registrations and bookings for ATF 2006 are fully automated, with the information being captured automatically for the appointment scheduling between buyers and sellers.

The theme of ATF 2006, “Celebrating The Many Faces Of ASEAN,” salutes ASEAN’s tremendous strides in bringing to life the principle of Unity In Diversity and highlights the need to follow through on initiatives to strengthen regional tourism cooperation while supporting the tourism aspirations of individual member countries.

TRAVEX will be held from 18 to 20 January 2006 at the NCCC Exhibition Centre, which is renovating its facilities to accommodate over 400 booths. TRAVEX 2006 is expected to draw over 800 seller delegates from the ASEAN region and 430 specialists from key markets as buyers and media.

The official media partners of ATF 2006 are TTG Asia, Travel Weekly, and Travel Trade Report. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the official air carrier of ATF 2006. Apart from providing courtesy and discounted tickets, PAL heads the ATF 2006 Air Transportation Committee.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes
About the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) – As the annual convention of the ASEAN tourism industry, ATF promotes the exchange of ideas, review of industry developments, and joint formulation of specific recommendations to further accelerate the growth of ASEAN tourism. ATF also provides a platform for the selling and buying of regional and individual tourism products of ASEAN member countries.

About TTG Asia Media – With offices and news bureaus in 23 cities across the Asia Pacific region and beyond, TTG Asia Media is Asia’s leading information provider and exhibition organiser for the corporate, business and leisure travel markets.

KulasKusgan

October 5th, 2005, 01:00 PM

thanks tj for the updates. i did re-post that in tourism phils thread. :)

paulkrps

October 5th, 2005, 03:57 PM

what would you like it to be? and explain.

me, i'd like it to be a light rail transit. i don't believe it will displace the pujs. only that it will limit their routes. south line will start from toril, then to the city centre, then it becomes a north line towards lasang. i'd like the stations to be at least a kilomtre or 2 each for easy fare pricing. the city centre station can also be an interchange with a line connecting it to the buhangin/mandug line. there should be an ulas interchange to connect it the calinan line.

the lrt will be part of a davao transit authority. shuttles/buses will part of it. there will be a standard fare for those taking the buses and the trains. connecting rides will pay less if taken within a certain amount of time. adults are full-fare. students and seniors paying 25% less. stores and restos will be part of every station to maximize earnings. smart cards are to be issued, and fares can be top up or purchased by debit/atm or credit cards. discounts can be given to these smard card holders to encourage them to purchase any item inside the stations.

KulasKusgan

October 6th, 2005, 12:31 AM

For me, it would a a mixed use marina complex from magsaysay park to bolton isla. the complex will house the LRT central station, government complex, a new waterfront CBD, yacht club, sports & entertainment center and an iconic structure that will serve as symbol of davao (could be a monument, cultural center or a tower). the architecture on lowrise bldgs will be filipino-malay-davao styles while highrise will be ultra-modern and glassy as possible.

anyway dream lang naman, walay mawala kung magdamgo maski gamata. :)

tj_brewed

October 6th, 2005, 01:40 AM

tj_brewed

October 6th, 2005, 01:42 AM

Below is one of the online news about this project......

Developers eye Davao seaport for BIMP-EAGA tourism
(Jowel F. Canuday / MindaNews / 22 January 2003)

DAVAO CITY -- A consortium of waterfront developers has offered the city government assistance in developing the historic Sta. Ana wharf here into a $40-million marine park complex to make it a major tourism site for Mindanao and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area.

The Davao-based F.M. Ibarreta Diving Co. Inc. and four Manila-based partners also proposed that this city’s first seaport be placed under their management upon the implementation of the planned Sta. Ana Port Development Project.

The proposal, however, faces legal obstacles. Fabian Ibarreta, president and general manager of F.M. Ibarreta Diving Co. Inc., said the memorandum of agreement between the city government and the Philippine Ports Authority on the development of the wharf prohibits local executives from hiring a third group to manage the property.

Ibarreta, however, said the consortium, which includes the Manila-based architectural group Palafox Associates, BK Asia Pacific, Halcrow and D.B. Gaon Associates, will negotiate with local executives and the PPA for an amendment to the MOA.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is amenable to amending the MOA but is yet to see the fine prints of the proposed agreement. He added the development and management of the wharf should be left to private hands “because the government is not good at managing business.”

A project brief of the proponents showed that hotels, commercial areas, restaurants, a ferry terminal for tourist, a landing area for inter-island barges and a breakwater will be constructed over the complex.

Felino Palafox Jr, managing partner of Palafox Associates, said they intend to market the marina not only to residents here but also to the rest of the country and the BIMP-EAGA.

He said they have already developed a strategy to promote the marina to counter the negative perceptions of investors and tourists about Davao and the rest of Mindanao. He said they will focus on projecting the marina as a major tourist destination that plays a big role in promoting the “connectivity” of various tourism sites in the BIMP-Eaga region and other parts of the country.

The consortium is also bidding to undertake potential waterfront projects in Subic Bay, Nasugbu in Batangas, Pasig River in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country.

KulasKusgan

October 7th, 2005, 12:15 AM

oo nga pala! any updates regarding the Sta Ana Wharf Development Project? when i was stil in davao, it was such a huge news that they will develop it to a marina tourism complex. they even got this blue print of the project displayed inside Sangguniang Panglungsod. they even bragged that once this project is completed, Davao will be the second Philippine City to have a yacht club - next to Manila and Subic. They said it will look like Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco. However it has been more 4 years now but i still havent heard any updates bout it. Naunahan pa nga ang Davao ng Cebu eh..atleast now, their Cebu BoardWalk is being developed na! I hope this project will be pursued.

me too, ive been waiting for developments of that proposal.

_________________________________________________________________

newsbreak:

Friday, October 07, 2005
Bike lanes soon to be established
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero

AMID continuous increase in the prices of petroleum products that triggered an increase in transportation fare, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 21 creating a technical working group (TWG) tasked to draft an ordinance establishing bicycle lanes in selected streets in Davao City.

Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III, author of the resolution to create bicycle lanes, said this will be an integral part of the Traffic Management System.

"Bicycle is a poor man's transportation. Mas paspas sa lakaw, mas barato sa pamasahe (It's faster than walking and cheaper than the fare)," Avila said during Thursday's I-Speak forum. "Here we recognize bicycles now as a cheap form of transportation and in transporting goods."

Councilor Jesus A. Zozobrado Jr., chair of the City Council committee on energy,
transportation and communication, said the bike lanes will pave way for a kind of exercise for the public, prevent pollution and save energy.

"Establishing bike lanes from the center of Davao up to the outskirts like in Lasang, Toril, Calinan or further will tremendously help the well-being of our constituents," Zozobrado said.

The technical working group will be composed of the following: city mayor as the chair; city administrator or his authorized representative as co-chair; and members include representatives of the City Planning and Development Office, City Engineer's Office, Traffic Management Center, City Legal Officer, chair of City Council committee on energy, transportation and communication, chair of the committee on public works and highways, representative of the Department of Public Works and Highways, proponent of the resolution.

TWG may also include representative of cycling groups in the city and other departments, agencies, organizations and individuals who may be identified and recommended by the group.

Under the executive order, the TWG is tasked to draft an ordinance establishing bike lanes in selected streets in the city, conduct an on-site inspection in different streets to determine feasibility of establishing the bike lanes, make a feasibility study relative to the viability of establishing the bike lanes and perform other duties and functions that are necessary with the drafting of the ordinance establishing these bike lanes.

"The TWG will meet for several days and draft an ordinance to be submitted to the city council. The group will study the advantages and disadvantages of the bike lanes," Zozobrado said.

KulasKusgan

October 7th, 2005, 02:01 PM

PIA Press Release
10/08/2005
Cine Europa opens on 7 October in Davao

Davao City (8 October) -- For the first time, Cine Europa 8 will go to Davao City this October 2005.

Cine Europa, an annual film showcase of the best European films, will open in Gaisano South Mall, Davao on 7 October in celebration of European culture and heritage. This festival is featuring 11 films from the European Union. Films are screened until 9 October 2005 in Victoria Plaza, Davao City.

Ambassador Jan de Kok, head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Commission and Ms. Gill Westaway, Director, British Council, will open Cine Europa 8 in Davao. Davao mayor Rodrigo Duterte will provide some welcome remarks.

This year's film festival is presented by the European Union Member States' Embassies, the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines and is supported by ETC, Duty Free Philippines, DHL, 24/7, Clermont-Ferrand, UP Euro, Tesoro's and Jollibee with Marco Polo Hotel as the official hotel partner in Davao City. The festival in Davao is also supported by the Society for the Advancement of Film Education (SAFE), City Government of Davao and the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools.

The films included in Cine Europa 8 continue to celebrate European Union's shared film history with the Philippines as the festival goes to Gaisano South Mall and Victoria Plaza in Davao City from 7 to 9 October. It will travel to Ayala Center in Cebu from 14 to 16 October 2005. In addition, Cine Europa will also present a selection of European short films from the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.

Film appreciation lecture on European films will likewise be conducted by Professor Ed Lejano from the University of the Philippines on 7 October at Holy Cross College of Davao from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission to this lecture is free, please coordinate with the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (phone 082-298-3317 or 297-0847). (PIA)

paulkrps

October 7th, 2005, 02:36 PM

wow sleepwalker, that's truly exciting!

KulasKusgan

October 8th, 2005, 01:30 AM

Jacinto Ext corner Quirino Ave
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/1.jpg

Pryce Business Park, Bajada
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/2.jpg

Buhangin Flyover
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/3.jpg

Gov Duterte St
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/4.jpg

KulasKusgan

October 8th, 2005, 05:26 AM

Saturday, October 08, 2005
Businessmen back Davao trade expo

THE 2005 Davao Trade Expo, which is slated on October 14-16 at the NCCC Mall Convention Hall, solicited support from various businesses in Davao City.

Some of these are the biggest establishments and companies in Davao such as the NCCC Mall of Davao, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) and Prime Advertising and Signs (PrimeAds).

Since the birth of the Davao Trade Expo (Date), SMC has been extending support to activities of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII).

In this year's exhibit, SMC is one of the minor sponsors along with the DLPC.

The NCCC Mall of Davao provides the venue for yet the biggest exhibition they would be hosting this year.

DCCCII and the NCCC Mall of Davao, represented by mall manager Jean Irene del Campo, already inked a memorandum of agreement on this arrangement.

The three Date billboards posted in strategic locations of Davao City (Ecoland, Bajada and in the Davao International Airport) were courtesy of PrimeAds.

This is a big help in strengthening and fortifying the promotion of the exhibit that would redound to the event's success as well as the businesses' who are participating.

Date 2005 is also brought to you by Business World, AJMR Holding Corp. Inc., Philippine Airlines, PLDT Business Solutions, Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (DAVCO), Vicente T. Lao and the US Commercial Service.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/10/08/bus/businessmen.back.davao.trade.expo.html

huistenmark

October 10th, 2005, 02:06 PM

How many International flights are in operation right now at DIA?? Is it only Silk Air now that Bouraq went under?

KulasKusgan

October 11th, 2005, 03:10 PM

^^ only two i guess. Silkair to Singapore. Bouraq and/or Merpati to Manado. there were plans for addl intl flights. (og nagpabiling plano gihapon ang mga plano hangtud karon).

paulkrps

October 11th, 2005, 03:12 PM

nice pics. samot na makamingaw na sad.

alex25

October 12th, 2005, 09:10 AM

nice city davao, I went there last year , I loved pearl farm....

tj_brewed

October 13th, 2005, 05:48 AM

one thing i beg for the city government to do is to start implementing their PLANS!!!! ang daming plans sa city pero ma-count ra ang nagmaterialized. when i was still in davao before...there was a plan to construct a LRT. may news nga na lumabas na contractors from here in metro manila visited the city regarding this project. i was darn to excited...but ei that was 4 years ago pa...grrrrrrr... there was also a plan to make Sta Ana Wharf as a Marina Complex comparable to San Francisco Fishermen's Wharf. Kita pa ko ato sa local tv" Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa", when mayor and vice were talking bout the project....ilang days and weeks din yun naging headline! may blueprint pa sa Sangguniang Panglungsud, illustrated by Palafox Associates. pero till now, 2005 na lang wala pa rin! Another plan was to create the very first IT Park in Mindanao to be patterned daw sa Asiantown IT park Cebu and Eastwood City Libis. At that time, Davao was the best place to build an IT park kc nga advance daw infrastructures natin. Naunahan na lang ang Davao ng Cagayan de Oro and Gensan. till now wala pa rin!

Marami pang plans na d namaterialized. The Samal bridge, modernization ng Bankerohan Market, new North and South Bus Terminals, new and advanced traffic lights, business parks, etc.

I have high regards with our local government. However, I wish they can look at all of those pending plans as well which I think will give Davao an edge once these projects are completed. Ok ang Peace! pero balance naman sana. PEACE and PROGRESS!

ryanr

October 13th, 2005, 07:21 AM

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/4.jpg

^^ So thats where all of MM's Kia Pride Taxis went!!

tigidig14

October 13th, 2005, 07:42 AM

^theyre all over cebu too

rustyboi

October 13th, 2005, 08:00 AM

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/4.jpg

^^ So thats where all of MM's Kia Pride Taxis went!!

speaking of Kia taxi, the last time i went to cebu, i noticed Kia's are getting less popular in the city apparently due to the riders' mapili attitude. especially callcenter workers who most of em ride a cab on their way for work. all taxi operators have already maintained/upgraded their units to the standard size.

by the way, does davao also has parang law similar to cebu that requires all taxi's should be white in color?

slerz

October 13th, 2005, 11:42 AM

^theyre all over cebu too

as of now, Kia taxi's are already dying here in Cebu.... unti unti nang nawawala....

paulkrps

October 13th, 2005, 11:51 AM

i would like to think that kias have served well in their time (just like the p.u. minicas before - remember them). bigger sized taxis are more needed to a growing city like davao.

wornout

October 13th, 2005, 12:20 PM

To Tj_brewed, you're from peoplesupport right? Is it true that peoplesupport is starting up there call center operations in Davao City next year? Convergys I heard (from an HR specialist friend of mine)initially planned to open a call center in Davao last semester of 2005 but they suddenly shifted there plans and expanded instead their Cebu center and developed other sites in Metro Manila. He said that there is a perception problem persisting among clients and their representatives saying that they are afraid of the peace and order situation in the area. He said that the country manager has been working double time to promote Davao to the Higher Management of Convergys to no avail. When the call center boom started last 2002-2003 it has been widely publicized that Davao City and Cebu City will be the first priority areas that will attract these type of investments but 2 years later I think Davao only has 1 major call center and 4 medium sized call center employing less than 50 employees. I wonder what happened to these plans but I hope that Davao will be able to buck this trend in the earnest time possible. Iloilo City is getting more share in this type of investment with EPLDT-VENTUS and ICT BPO SERVICES starting their operations in the city notwithstanding the infrastructure problems that ILOILO has and considering that Davao City has a far advanced infrastructure than Iloilo City. I do hope that peoplesupport will start their planned operations in Davao City soon and I hope that it will start before the planned expansion of the company in Cebu City in another building in the I.T. Park which you mentioned in the Cebu thread if I remembered it right.

Best regards to Dabawenyos!

KulasKusgan

October 13th, 2005, 04:11 PM

on kia taxi: yes true theyre flooding davao streets with those taxis. operators prefer kias since theyre known for fuel efficiency. theyve been here since early 90s after the phase-out of minicas. three known operators here are: holiday, maligaya & mabuhay. those operating in nissan, toyota & mitsubishi, they all retired. wala rin ganong sumasakay ng aircon taxi dito.

@ wornout: i dunno bat wala ganong call center dito. maybe because on the perception that mindanao is a war-torn island & training ground for terrorists. sige lang, davao will get its share in some other time. recently, ive heard on radio ad, another call center is opening and theyre hiring, i forgot the company's name.

Sinjin P.

October 13th, 2005, 04:15 PM

@sleepwalker : Oh! So you also have HOLIDAY there? Diba, they're the one that has a hotline for SUNDO purposes?

Sinjin P.

October 13th, 2005, 04:16 PM

as of now, Kia taxi's are already dying here in Cebu.... unti unti nang nawawala....

are you sure? :) As I saw, Holiday Taxi Operators are now having Kia's instead of Toyota's... Maybe, nasabi mong nabawasan kasi nawala na ung HR Taxi Operators.

KulasKusgan

October 13th, 2005, 04:24 PM

@sleepwalker : Oh! So you also have HOLIDAY there? Diba, they're the one that has a hotline for SUNDO purposes?

most operators here have hotlines. holiday taxi with checkered paint was here since early 90s and i guess its owned by the same people running holiday in cebu.

tj_brewed

October 13th, 2005, 04:38 PM

to Wornout - I have been asking our sups, team managers, friends in the hr recruitment department and even the friendly expats working here in PS Makati for one year now. Unfortunately, opening a PS call center in Davao is not in the company’s priority list. For now, PS only opened a recruitment office in Davao.

A year ago, there was this plan to put up another PS Center in Davao. However, this plan faded as time passes by. Right now, one of the company’s priorities is our Cebu expansion.

About Davao, I aint sure if “perception” is a major problem. Because, if it is, how come Link2Support invested in Cagayan de Oro? And E-telecare (as what I’ve heard from a friend working there) in General Santos?

tj_brewed

October 13th, 2005, 04:40 PM

ERRATUM:

to Wornout - I have been asking our sups, team managers, friends in the hr recruitment department and even the friendly expats working here in PS Makati for one year now. Unfortunately, opening a PS call center in Davao is not in the company’s priority list. For now, PS only opened a recruitment office in Davao.

A year ago, there was this plan to put up another PS Center in Davao. However, this plan faded as time passed by. Right now, one of the company’s priorities is our Cebu expansion.

About Davao, I aint sure if “perception” is a major problem. Because, if it is, how come Link2Support invested in Cagayan de Oro? And E-telecare (as what I’ve heard from a friend working there) is considering General Santos?

tj_brewed

October 13th, 2005, 04:52 PM

slerz

October 14th, 2005, 02:08 PM

are you sure? :) As I saw, Holiday Taxi Operators are now having Kia's instead of Toyota's... Maybe, nasabi mong nabawasan kasi nawala na ung HR Taxi Operators.

I think so coz I see few Kia taxi's here in the south now a days, I dunno in Mandaue and Lapu Lapu cities...I'm the one who gets a taxi for my mom everyday....

KulasKusgan

October 14th, 2005, 02:35 PM

to sleepwalker_uno : the perception may have been one of the factors. HOWEVER, it is not only main concern of call center operators. I bet its with the LGU's support to the industry. GENSAN and CDO is way too active in promoting their city as IT hubs (and to think Davao is far more advanced). With Davao, there are certain sectors promoting Davao as an IT hub (private sectors) however it is so evident that the Local Government is not as supportive as how the other LGUs are. Have we checked out tax incentives for these IT investors?

yeah true. tho "perception" maybe a minor factor, but local politicos here are not too agressive is pushing davao as IT hub. but still mindanao as a whole get only a handful investments. what makes the place dynamic its because of local businessmen and a few investors from elsewhere. sige lang baka papunta na rin dyan after the city is done on its priorities like peace & order, cleanliness and tourism.

tj_brewed

October 14th, 2005, 08:57 PM

Davao business group is RP's best chamber anew

THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) is once again adjudged as the best chamber in the country.

Former DCCCII President Sofronio Jucutan said this is the third time for DCCCII to win the best chamber in the Philippines and the seventh time as best in Mindanao.

Earlier this year, the DCCCII was also adjudged as the best local chamber in Asia-Pacific by the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) based in New Delhi, besting 21 others that included business groups in China and Japan.

Jucutan said the DCCCII has the edge over all the other chambers in the country.

Aside from promoting their advocacy, the chamber also help in the promotion of the BIMP-Eaga initiative, assist the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as conduct activities that are conducive to business and economy like the holding of the Davao Trade and Expo (Date) and the Davao City Business Conference.

All these, Jucutan said, makes the DCCCII above par. He added that the DCCCII is the first private organization that became the recipient of a grant from Australia.

Jucutan said normally Australia only deals with the Philippine government and not with any private enterprise.

"This is the first and it amounts to about P56 million for the development of human resources in the private sector," Jucutan said. (BOT)

KulasKusgan

October 15th, 2005, 12:20 PM

Im not really mall-addict, share ko lang Gaisano Mall of Davao:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmall2.jpg

with San Pedro Hospital at the back
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmall.jpg

G-Mall Carpark left with views of Davao Chinatown right
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmallcarpark.jpg

KulasKusgan

October 15th, 2005, 01:00 PM

Davao Medical Center, government-owned hospital

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/davao%20medical/IMAG0217.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/davao%20medical/IMAG0214.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/davao%20medical/IMAG0210.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/davao%20medical/IMAG0220.jpg

San Pedro Hospital, private

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/sanpedrohosp.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0104.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0117.jpg

Davao Doctors' Hospital, private

straight ahead...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0090.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/sleepwalker_uno/dc/IMAG0094.jpg

other hospitals no pics: Brokenshire, Medical Mission, Davao Sanitarium, CHDC & Limso Hospital.

KulasKusgan

October 16th, 2005, 12:02 AM

PIA Press Release
10/15/2005
Davao Trade Exhibit a platform for development - DTI

Davao City (15 October) -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director Merly Cruz acknowledged that the Davao Trade Exhibit (DATE) is one activity that helps government realize its medium term development plan.

As guest of honor during the opening of DATE 2005 Cruz said the exhibit is a platform towards enhancing competitiveness of the local industries.

"DATE is a one-stop fair that helps government in realizing the 2004-2010 Medium Term Philippine Development of President Arroyo," she said.

As DATE supports the small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), President Arroyo also believes that supporting the countrywide growth of local SMEs will stimulate the local economic activity and sustain the anti-poverty movement in the country.

DATE 2005 has about 150 exhibitors both coming from SMEs of Davao City and in Mindanao and some nine US firms with 140 other companies that can be accessed through display of actual products and on catalogue at the US Pavilion.

The SMEs Ctuz said is a big contributor to the economy where about 32 percent of the country's GDP can be attributed to them that comprise about 99 percent of the total businesses registered in the Philippines.

She said SMEs employ 69.9 percent of the country's total labor force and of almost a million SMEs in the country, two of every three workers are employed by them.

But there are challenges that SMEs must hurdle, she said.

Firstly there is no LGU plan for SME development, there is an inadequate database of SMEs, weak SME centers, limited credit access, and limited budget to jumpstart an enterprise which they want to engage into.

She said as government's support DTI will embark into an aggressive effort of providing assistance to the 140 SMEs in each province.

She said the assistance will come in the form of business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, marketing, and the introduction of appropriate technologies and even funding support.

Cruz said the task is great but with the creativity and openness of the private sector like the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. to help in this endeavor. There is no reason why our goal of maintaining an active economy especially in the countryside will not be realized.

The opening of DATE 2005 was also joined by Councilor Mabel Sunga- Acosta who represented Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, DCCCII president Atty. Bienvenido Cariaga, Brent Omdahl , commercial attaché, US Commercial Service, Simeon Marfori II, chairperson DATE 2005 Steering Committee and DCCCII Executive Vice President, Denise Calnea, marketing supervisor, Businessworld, Mary Jane Tesoro, DCCCII vice president for industry and Atty. Enrique Diola, Corporate secretary. (PIA/pdbanzon)

KulasKusgan

October 16th, 2005, 12:22 AM

Heres some pics of the on-going Davao Trade Exhibit (DATE) 2005:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date3.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date6.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date5.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date9.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date14.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date2.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date7.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date8.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date11.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date15.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/date/date13.jpg

paulkrps

October 17th, 2005, 08:49 PM

gleng gleng dave. more!

ryanr

October 18th, 2005, 02:46 AM

Davao hospitals look pretty good. quite impressive.

slerz

October 18th, 2005, 07:56 AM

WoW... Davao's hospitals designs are nice, looks like a hospital the US specially the Davao Madical Center.:okay:

simply_me

October 18th, 2005, 09:02 AM

^^ don't wanna sound negative, but don't be deceived by how it look like outside (don't judge the book by t's cover, ikanga)

slerz

October 18th, 2005, 10:24 AM

It is stated clearly..."the design"... nothin to do with the inside..:D

KulasKusgan

October 19th, 2005, 12:13 AM

^^ don't wanna sound negative, but don't be deceived by how it look like outside (don't judge the book by t's cover, ikanga)

if you're referring to Davao Medical Center (DMC), before it was the dirtiest. today, its the other way around... its clean & neat inside but still crowded since its a govt hospital.

One of the better hospitals in Davao is Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, a UCCP-run hospital. Ate Gina, baka may pics ka...

KulasKusgan

October 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM

Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Inter-agency body created for tourism forum

VARIOUS government offices in Davao City are tapped to assist the Department of Tourism (DOT) in preparation for the most important tourism event in the Asean region to be hosted by Davao City on January 2006.

Representatives of government offices were called to form part of the task force convened for the first time Monday along with the organizers and discussed salient issues of the said event.

DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab led the team in explaining to the body how each agency is expected to contribute to the preparation of the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF).

The Department of Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the Davao Host Council, is tasked to provide security arrangements for the ATF delegates.

The Department of Public Works and Highways committed assistance to construct and install arches, billboards announcing the event.

The Bureau of Immigration is tasked to provide special entry and exit arrangements for ATF delegates in Davao, Manila, and Mactan.

These are but few of the list of government agencies working together with the DOT to prepare and implement the activities and programs for ATF 2006.

Palabyab grouped the different agencies through committees to oversee similar functions and responsibilities.

One of the reported concerns of the group is security, which led the body to come up with a crisis management plan including communication, safety, and security, as well as emergency.

Palabyab clarified that the host country is not building fear among the foreign participants.

"In any big activity, there is always a contingency plan prepared for worst scenarios, the host country is said to be prepared if incase an emergency takes place securing safety of the visitors," Palabyab said.

Nevertheless, Palabyab explained that the plan is not a tool to steer fear and cause withdrawal of the expected 3,000 foreign participants and some 400 foreign buyers and over 150 international media practitioners.

At the moment, the ATF Philippine Host Committee is conducting a dry run in the various areas where the participants are expected to pass through.

"We now inspecting the airport and the venues where the big activities will take place," he said.

With the good number of government agency representatives present in the meeting expressing their commitment of support and assistance, Palabyab is confident that the preparation stage has become lighter on the DOT's part.

KulasKusgan

October 19th, 2005, 11:40 AM

Monday, October 17, 2005
Davao exploration project yields high grade gold

DAVAO - The Sur American Gold Corp., a Canadian company that has been on a copper, silver and gold exploration project in Com-postela Valley for the past three years, has reported hitting high grade gold once more, this time in a creek.

A report from Sur American president Rennie Blair said the exploration continues to expand the size of its Batoto project in Com-postela Valley after they have hit high grade gold mineralization in Kopiat Creek around one kilometer north-northeast of the Batoto Creek.

"The gold mineralization in both areas appears to be open in all directions and, accordingly, channel sampling is being expanded with the objective to delineate the overall extent of the mineralization down the creek," the report from Blair said.

Most gold mineralization, the report added, is in the lower eastern section of the 1,500- meter-long creek.

Tunnel

The report further said that the company has completed rehabilitation and sampling of a 143-meter long-tunnel in the Sabena Tunnel under Batoto Hill.

It is also well into its "Community Information, Education and In-House Training" Drill Program as the company is using the "community managed-contractor supervised" approach to its drilling program.

Initial results of this drilling program by locals are expected next month, the report said.

New company vice president for exploration Nigel Maund, who has mapped more than 200 gold deposits around the world, has completed his initial review of the East Batoto Zone.

In Maund's field appraisal, he has positively identified epithermal characteristics, such as collo-morphic banded veins, boiling zone textures, including carbonate replacement and also certain epithermal related minerals.

Zones

Maund believes that much of the gold mineralization might have been deposited at, or near, the epither-mal-mesothermal transition zone, within large shear zones.

Maund believed that these zones enclose extensive hydrothermal alteration envelopes of quartz--sericite--pyrite--clay alteration and associated structurally controlled stockwork quartz--gold veining.

Maund also adds that "this is highly significant as it helps explain the apparent widespread nature of the gold mineralization and higher than normal gold grades." (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

KulasKusgan

October 19th, 2005, 11:47 AM

Chinatown area with Metrobank Plaza.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/chitown3.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmallcarpark.jpg

KulasKusgan

October 19th, 2005, 11:50 AM

taken from Gaisano Mall carpark...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmall4.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmall3.jpg

tigidig14

October 20th, 2005, 07:42 PM

when's the last time Mt. Apo erupted, anyway.

kiretoce

October 20th, 2005, 08:39 PM

Samal-Davao bridge exploration talks resume
By Gigie A. Agtay Thursday, October 20, 2005

EXPLORATORY negotiations on the proposed construction of the bridge connecting Samal and Davao City have resumed after it was shelved for almost a year, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Administrator Cleto Gales said.

In an interview Monday, Gales said Chinese investors recently showed interest to fund the Igacos-Davao City bridge project as part of the P2 billion earmarked for projects in the country.

"Actually talks have been going on for almost a year now with representatives of the Senyang Bank of China," Gales said.

Gales expressed optimism that the construction of the bridge will soon be materialized.

The bridge construction plan floated after President Gloria Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2000 from deposed president Joseph Estrada who identified the proposed Igacos-Davao bridge as one of his flagship projects.

The proposed project, estimated to cost US$120 million, was among the six major infrastructure projects proposed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) masterplan study in 1999.

A Japanese group then conducted a study including a depth sounding test but the project had to be shelved after 2000 despite the Philippine Government's guarantee of a "build, operate, and transfer" arrangement.

"The proposed project is still part of the talking points of President Arroyo with the Japanese government. What is critical is the sovereign guarantee of the Philippine government," Gales said.

Gales added that with the present volume of traffic from Davao City to Samal and vice versa, he expects a Return of Investment within 11 years.

After which, he said the bridge operation will be self-sustaining and self-liquidating.

Since the proposed bridge will be connecting the cities of Samal and Davao, Gales said they are seeking the involvement of Davao City in terms of technical preparation especially of the areas of Maryknoll to the corner of the old airport fronting the Angliongto shipyard.

He said they have been in close contact with Davao City Administrator Wendel Avisado about the proposed bridge project.

Being DIDP executive director, Avisado has been supportive of the proposed Samal-Davao bridge and believes that the bridge will spur more business activities not only in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal but also in neighboring towns of Davao Oriental and the Davao Gulf.

"It (the bridge) will go a long way in uplifting the living condition of people, not only in Samal but also in outlying areas of Davao Oriental," Avisado was quoted to have said.

Gales also said with the Samal-Davao bridge comes the construction of an international seaport at Aundanao in Igacos and an ecozone area where light industries will be built near the shipping port.

The international seaport will meantime serve the local "Ro-ro" from Samal to Banaybanay that will cut short travel time from Mati to Davao City by almost two hours.

"The advantage of the international seaport is that big shipping vessels won't have to pass the 'Pakiputan Strait' as they have been the cause of a power blackout years ago they have been the subject of resort owners' complaints, Gales said.

KulasKusgan

October 21st, 2005, 12:47 AM

nice article kimber... sana matuloy na yan...

when's the last time Mt. Apo erupted, anyway.

kahapon lang. di mo nakita sa cnn?

tj_brewed

October 21st, 2005, 02:48 AM

are u for real?

bustero

October 21st, 2005, 07:00 AM

Lakas nga nang pagputok sobra... :crazy2:

That bridge ke tagal na, panahon pa ni cory at ramos, tumaas na ang ang presyo before PHp 500 million lang. We already sounded out the depth at the two closest points too.

Cut the travel time from mati to davao by two hours???? :llama: It only take me 2 hourst to get to mati from davao so ibig sabihim ... hmmmmm.

Well I hope it's a nice bridge na parang symbol ng davao , like the golden gate pero nicer. Maybe they should get calatrava to design it!

paulkrps

October 21st, 2005, 11:04 AM

another one that's doomed to be shelved due to political uncertainties?

bustero

October 21st, 2005, 04:24 PM

maybe not, but not as fast as we'd like :)

KulasKusgan

October 21st, 2005, 06:53 PM

are u for real?

nakalubog nga ako sa lava ngayon. knock on wood. simbako palayo!
i think the last time mt apo erupted was on 1800s pa. my ancestors property na nabenta na at ginawang subdivision stood on igneous rock parang nadaanan yata ng molten magma when mt apo erupted.

re: davao-samal bridge. samal LGU ang pag-asa para matuloy yan. iba kasi priority ng davao city LGU. even the mayor said on local tv, he doesnt have long term projects for davao city yet. what he got on mind are a handful of short-term projects. anyway, since it benefits primarily samal city, i hope mayor antalan would be able to convince the 'would be' financiers.

paulkrps

October 21st, 2005, 06:56 PM

if it's b.o.t. would it be a toll bridge then?

bustero

October 21st, 2005, 07:01 PM

a bridge with a troll??? hmmm

but I don't think so , wala masyadong tao sa Samal, so it could never get paid that way, even if there are a lot of people who will move there to live !

Most probably it's subsidized as there are a lot of aniclliary and multiplier effects for samal for these particular piece of infrastructure.

paulkrps

October 21st, 2005, 08:39 PM

exactly. these peeps will be thinking how will it pay for itself in the long run.

eazyboy

October 21st, 2005, 09:02 PM

building a bridge helped a lot in mactan, na sa ngayon ay may 2 bridges na, meron na ring high end resorts and spas sa mactan, if it helped mactan and cebu i dont see any reason why it cant happen with davao, i know bohol is replicating the "mactan model" with what they are doing now with panglao island, and with the status of tourism in bohol specifically panglao, their efforts seem to be paying well for them naman

though pangalao island is not very far from mainland bohol, iba ang case ng samal, pero pwede naman umpisahan with building a bridge, after the bridge pwede tayuan ng economic zones ang samal, then an international port kaya

fundraiser

October 21st, 2005, 09:13 PM

paulkrps

October 21st, 2005, 09:35 PM

rustyboi

October 22nd, 2005, 12:00 PM

although the "mactan-model" seems to be successful in panglao, i dont see a reason why would they build a bridge just to build an ecozone or an international port, ang laki laki pa ng lupa ng davao city, theres plenty of open space for ecozones and an international port, you dont need to expand to samal just to build these zones and spend big bucks for a bridge, though probably tourism would get a big boost in samal pag may bridge sana,pero ewan ko lang if the financial risk is worth it, dahil baka maging parang IV push ng epinephrine on a dying patient lang yan, na in the end, d naman talaga nakatulong.

You got a point fundraiser. i dont have any idea how big samal island is though. goin back to "mactan-model"... after the first bridge was built, the international airport in cebu city was transferred to mactan. and then the Mactan airbase, followed by the mushrooming of metro's biggest eco-zones, home to several 5-star resort hotels etc. but it wasnt meant to divert the progess of cebu city to mactan but instead expanded the area for development of the metro. in replicating the mactan-model, we have to consider other factors as well. cebu is just an island and space for development is limited unlike metro manila and davao. in my opinion, davao will grow steadily even without the bridge linking samal. the city has ample space for development, as they say, it's one of the biggest cities (in terms of land area) in the world ;)

but i have to agree with fundraiser... if Davao has the money, why not go for it? :okay:

KulasKusgan

October 22nd, 2005, 01:43 PM

Malipano Island, Samal

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/travel_philippines/davao/images/Samal2.JPG

paulkrps

October 22nd, 2005, 02:30 PM

wahhhhh, this is torture dave!

KulasKusgan

October 23rd, 2005, 03:12 AM

@ paul: sige lang... more torture to come...

for the meantime, news update muna...

Chinatown goes to Davao
Posted: 7:52 AM | Oct. 23, 2005

Germelina Lacorte, PDI Mindanao Bureau
Inquirer News Service

DAVAO CITY — Over 100 years after the first known Chinese migrant Lim Chuan Jun found his way to this city, the Chinese-Filipino community is finally setting up a Chinatown here.

It will rise from a 43.3-hectare Santa Ana district where over 500 families of Chinese Filipinos live and do business, says Davao businessman William Go, president of the Chinese Filipino group Davao Kaisa movement.

"This is an area bustling with activities by day but a virtual ghost town at night," says Go, whose father Go Hong Liong left China to set foot in Cebu before the war, and later on opened a buy-and-sell business and settled in Davao.

"We plan to put up night markets and hold the major Chinese festivals here, so that the whole area bustles with life even after dark," says orthopedic surgeon Romeo Regner Du of the Davao Chinatown Development Council.

The Davao Chinatown will be the country's second Chinatown to rise after Binondo in Manila.

It will have a Chinese museum, Chinese restaurants, and later on include areas in the city where Chinese temples stand, says Edgar Te, who worked with businessman Amado So in laying the groundwork of the plan.

Sebastian Angliongto, former chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), also says they are developing the place into a transshipment point of cheap electronics goods from China and other areas of the East Asean Growth Area—composed of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

But unlike those insular enclaves that used to typify the world's earliest Chinatowns, the Davao Chinatown will showcase how Chinese culture blended with everything in Davao, says Angliongto.

Four grand welcome arches (paifang in Mandarin) which come to symbolize most Chinatowns around the world—will soon be put up at both ends of the old streets of Oyanguren and Santa Ana, bordering the whole Chinatown here.

They will adopt traditional Chinese designs but with the icon and symbols of Davao, says Angliongto, whose father left China to set sail to the islands across the South Seas (Nanyang), referring to the Philippines, and eventually opened the first ferry routes in Davao.

"Indigenous fruits like durian and pomelo or bird species like the Philippine Eagle will be incorporated in the Chinese design to tell travelers they are in Davao," says Angliongto.

The four gates—which will cost around P2.5 million to P5 million each—will stand for peace, hope, unity and friendship, says Te, who heads the technical group designing the project.

Two of the grand arches will be set up at the opposite ends of the old Oyanguren street, a street lined up with shops owned by Chinese merchants selling grains, car tires and spare parts and cheap textiles.

This old street was named after Basque trader Don Jose Oyanguren of Guizpuzcoa, Spain who later became Davao's first governor-general.

But in 1963, to erase traces of the colonial regime, the Davao City Council changed its name to Ramon Magsaysay.

The new street name however failed to catch the people's fancy, because up to this day, the street continued to be called Oyanguren.

As a boy growing up in the 60s, Go says the name Oyanguren evokes the images of wooden houses with capiz shell windows lining the streets. The parallel street of Monteverde—where calesas used to ply—stretches all the way to the pier, known today as the Santa Ana wharf.

Another pair of arches will be installed at both ends of Santa Ana Avenue, which cuts across the old Hospital Avenue along C.M. Recto, and passes by the Chinese Davao Central School, where young Davao Chinese Filipinos first learn their letters.

Go realized only lately what language can do to connect a new generation of Chinese-Filipinos to their family in China. His father died in 1983, but his aunt arrived here from China in 1984.

She thought they could not understand each other and was only surprised to hear the same Fookien language that she grew up with is spoken so well by most Chinese here.

"We speak the vernacular Fookien Amoy although the pudong jua (national language) of China is Mandarin," Go says. Now, his aunt has visited Davao seven times.

Aside from the four arches, the Davao Chinese community is setting up road signs and billboards with Chinese characters. Red lanterns will adorn storefronts and lamp posts will light up the whole area at night.

But for Te, it was not that easy convincing the elders of the Davao Chinese community to open up to the idea of a Davao Chinatown.

"It took about four years of hard work by businessman Amado So before the Chinese elders here finally opened up to it," he says.

Reta, who chairs the City Council committee on tourism, authored the ordinance creating the Davao Chinatown, and a resolution setting up the Davao Chinatown Development Council, composed of government and private representatives, to develop the whole area into a world class travelers' destination.

As a result, the Davao Chinatown project has spurred revival of interest in Chinese culture, says Go.

He says they have started tracing family roots to find out who were the first Chinese migrants in Davao.

But at present, they can trace only as far back as Lim Chuan Jun, mentioned by Rogelio Lizada in his book "Sang-awun sa Dabaw" (Once upon a time in Davao) to have arrived in Davao in 1878.

"We're still digging up the archives," says Go. "So far, we can only trace as far back as the fourth generation."

But Angliongto is confident it can be done. "Those old people, they were very wise," he says. "They left traces. When a Spanish edict in 1904 made them change their names, they adopted the whole name, so that future generation can trace them. Some adopted totally new names because they wanted to vanish without a trace but my father, he adopted his whole name Angliongto, as if to tell the later generation what happened to him."

According to Lizada's account, the old Lim Chuan Jun later adopted the name of Francisco Villa Abrille, after the Spanish Governor General of Davao Faustino Villa Abrille.

Go says they are lining up at least five major Chinese festivals every year to celebrate here.

These include the Chinese lunar New Year, the Ching Ming or Spring Festival, the dragon festival in summer, the moon festival and the Chung Yung festival in honor of the ancestral graves.

But with the existing firecrackers' ban in Davao, they are using gongs to sound the festivities, and they are coming up with other ways to make the festivities merrier, says Go.

For the first time last month, the Davao Chinatown celebrated the moon festival, a Chinese festival at the time of the year when the moon is at its fullest and the Chinese share mooncakes.

In ancient China, during the rule of the Mongolians from the north, Angliongto says, the people overthrew the oppressive regime by baking a moon cake so large, it concealed their weapons. They launched their attack at 12 midnight when the moon was at its brightest and won.

Now that Chinese families are scattered around the world, the moon festival has assumed new meaning.

For the Chinese, it is the time for remembering one's family and to hold family reunions.

"For big families like us, living in different parts of the world, one only has to look at the moon to be reminded of home," says Angliongto.

Chinatown area with Metrobank Plaza.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/chitown3.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/gmallcarpark.jpg

paulkrps

October 23rd, 2005, 04:12 AM

it's a welcome torture dave, hihihihi!

fundraiser

October 23rd, 2005, 04:39 PM

You got a point fundraiser. i dont have any idea how big samal island is though. goin back to "mactan-model"... after the first bridge was built, the international airport in cebu city was transferred to mactan. and then the Mactan airbase, followed by the mushrooming of metro's biggest eco-zones, home to several 5-star resort hotels etc. but it wasnt meant to divert the progess of cebu city to mactan but instead expanded the area for development of the metro. in replicating the mactan-model, we have to consider other factors as well. cebu is just an island and space for development is limited unlike metro manila and davao. in my opinion, davao will grow steadily even without the bridge linking samal. the city has ample space for development, as they say, it's one of the biggest cities (in terms of land area) in the world ;)

but i have to agree with fundraiser... if Davao has the money, why not go for it? :okay:

my point exactly...

JoeyIncali

October 23rd, 2005, 09:47 PM

not to be negative about this. we've been hearing about the davao-samal bridge about 2 decades ago. if it moves to actual construction that we have to see. otherwise, most dabawenyos are excited but also exasperated as well.
Same with the coastal highways/bridges.
All talk.
I hope they never build the bridge to Samal.
It will ruin that island.
Why not just develop the Toril area?
Problem is, the free-flowing water from Dumoy/Toril are getting tapped too much now.

paulkrps

October 24th, 2005, 09:07 PM

what i need now is: the buhangin underpass/tunnel. you guys have it? thanks ahead of time!

Ating

October 25th, 2005, 06:48 AM

Wow!!! I have been searching the internet for 2 days to find photos of Davao and got lucky to find this website. Thank you everyone for sharing your photos!!!

It's been 5 years since I visited our town and I truly miss everybody and everything in Davao. Your photos made me want to a buy an airline ticket and head home, but that is not easy to do.

I almost did not recognize Davao City when I look at the photos. It has grown so fast, and by reading some of the infos, it will be the next Manila??? I guess the small city that I used to know is gone forever.

I support progress but I am just wondering where will the poor people, specially those who live in the squatter area of Quezon Blvd, go? If you see buildings rising everywhere, does anybody have information if there is any project planned for this area? Just concerned because my family still live in Quezon Blvd. and I planned to spend some money to renovate our house. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Well, kudos to everyone who made progress to our Davao and I hope our city will be the best city in Asia.

I will be stopping by to see more photos of Davao. In the meantime, you can visit my websites at: http://www.aboutkristine.com/gallery2 (my personal website) and my community website at http://www.goldcanyon.net

Madayaw sa inyong lahat!

Sarah "Ating"
Gold Canyon, Arizona

http://www.aboutkristine.com/gallery2/images/galleryLogo_sm.gif (http://www.aboutkristine.com/gallery2)

ryanr

October 25th, 2005, 07:25 AM

Welcome Ating! Make sure you view the first Davao thread too!:)
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=177036

simply_me

October 25th, 2005, 09:09 AM

Wow!!! I have been searching the internet for 2 days to find photos of Davao and got lucky to find this website. Thank you everyone for sharing your photos!!!

Welcome to the Davao Thread Ating..welcome to SSC.. :)

KulasKusgan

October 25th, 2005, 02:11 PM

@ ating: on blvd devt, dont you worry it would take decades before it'll push through. BTW, welcome to ssc!

paulkrps

October 25th, 2005, 02:45 PM

@ ating: welcome to the forum. explore the threads and post your thoughts/comments and enjoy the craziness of the people here.

paulkrps

October 26th, 2005, 02:46 PM

what i need now is: the buhangin underpass/tunnel. you guys have it? thanks ahead of time!

no takers?

KulasKusgan

October 26th, 2005, 03:19 PM

^^ its already passable right after the new airport terminal was opened. i am looking for pics. di ko makita sa files ko.

paulkrps

October 26th, 2005, 03:20 PM

^^ its already passable right after the new airport terminal was opened. i am looking for pics. di ko makita sa files ko.

good, good, looking forward to it dave.

paulkrps

October 28th, 2005, 03:21 PM

good, good, looking forward to it dave.

naghulat pa gihapon dave, hihihihi!

sugbuanon

October 28th, 2005, 08:22 PM

with the ongoing political noise in the capital.. hope davao and cebu will continue to prosper.. "pasagdan lng nato ang mga tagalog sa ilang gibati"

MABUHI ANG MGA BISDAK!!!!

KulasKusgan

October 30th, 2005, 02:51 PM

naghulat pa gihapon dave, hihihihi!

im back. mejo na-busy gamay sa panginabuhi. murag wala nako nakit-an ang pic kay giformat ang isa ka unit. sige lang, basi maka-agi ko didto puhon.

Animo

October 30th, 2005, 10:36 PM

http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9847.jpg

http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9848.jpg

sugbuanon

October 31st, 2005, 03:38 AM

http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9847.jpg

http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9848.jpg

is this in davao? wow!!! i like this one... modern ang dating!!!

Sinjin P.

October 31st, 2005, 05:01 AM

http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9848.jpg
I did not expect Davao to have this kind of road... :applause:
Wow Davao! Wow Philippines!

sloid

October 31st, 2005, 05:30 AM

[IMG]http://www.fotopaises.com/imagenes_a/PH/9848.jpg

wow, it reminds me of the highways here in canada. really lovely! and davao is so green! this place imo, has very big potential to be one of the world's biggest and best cities, there is still a lot of room for development and i heard davao is pretty peaceful, hehe, my friend lives there.

sugbuanon

October 31st, 2005, 06:37 AM

those old houses/structures along the highway should be removed and replace them with commercial buildings.. i wish cebu had one!!!

Animo

October 31st, 2005, 06:52 AM

^ I think the city is still undergoing it structural/commercial phase. I read that the city is still focusing in social issues and benefits for its inhabitants. In the future, Davao will be in the league of Manila and Cebu! I hope it will be plan and not to drastic, I really love the nature and greenery of Davao.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/Cebu/davao2.jpg

fundraiser

October 31st, 2005, 11:31 AM

i dont think davao is far behind cebu and manila naman, anyway, heres the ranking of davao in the latest AIM and DTI's philippine cities competitiveness index, 2003 pa ang latest kasi walang survey nung 2004 because of the elections.

Drivers of Competitiveness:COST OF DOING BUSINESS

How expensive is it to operate in the city compared to other cities?
Cost of power for industrial use
Average rent of commercial space
Average cost for acquiring phone services
Minimum Wage
General profitability of doing business*
Informal fees in the city*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Davao 5.83
Muntinlupa 5.32
Marikina 5.29

Drivers of Competitiveness:DYNAMISM OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Can the city attract and foster inward investments?
Average household income
Local inflation rate
Percentage of top 200 corporations
Pop’n vs. fast-food chain locators
Market size
Consumer Price Index
Tourism sector is vibrant*
Business revenues expected to increase*
Business access to financing*
Regulatory environment is conducive to business*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Cebu 6.99
Makati 6.90
Quezon City 6.87

Drivers of Competitiveness:LINKAGES AND ACCESSIBILITY

How easy is it to transport goods and services from the city?
Raw materials are located near the city*
Transporting raw materials from sources takes a short time*
International entry and exit points are located near the city*
Availability of business support services*
Benefits of business collaboration in the city*
If the level of national government agencies services is good*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Davao 6.48
Cebu 6.31
Las Piñas 6.28

Drivers of Competitiveness:HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING

How well equipped is the population to build and take advantage of opportunity in the locality?
Number of tertiary educational institutions
Number of vocational Institutions
Skilled labor availability*
Easily trainable workforce*
Appropriate academic programs for local industry*
Adequate IT training programs*
Eagerness of workers to skills development*
Importance of investing in skills development*
Availability of training programs organized by schools and industry partners*
Expectation on worker performance*
Constructive labor-management relations*
Availability of businesses that allows on-the-job trainess*
Effective management of workers*
Link between job satisfaction and worker productivity*
If poor labor practices are discouraged in the city*
Strong worker suggestion on business operations*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Pasig 7.32
Cebu 7.19
Makati 7.14

Drivers of Competitiveness:RESPONSIVENESS OF LGU

Can the LGU respond to systematic and short-lived issues with a well grounded and focused vision?
Percentage of IRA to LGU revenue
If securing a business is simple and efficient*
If the city government is transparent in its dealings*
If city’s administration of justice is fair*
If city policies and regulations are reflective of business needs*
If local government holds regular forums to elicit opinions from constituents*
If the city’s Clean and Green Program is effective*
If business taxes are reasonable*
If the city’s master development plan is appropriate to business sector’s needs*
If land use regulations are reasonable and flexible*
If LGU is involved in developing human resources*
If LGU programs to assist displaced workers are effective*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Marikina 7.15
Muntinlupa 6.35
Las Piñas 6.24

Drivers of Competitiveness:INFRASTRUCTURE

Are the necessary physical, telecommunications, technological, infrastructure, and knowledge support services present?
Number of banks
Road density
Vehicle density
Number of internet service providers
Well- managed road network and traffic*
Road clearance during peak hours*
Reliability of electric power services*
Abundance of water supply*
Easy connection of telephone lines from other service providers*
Adequate cellular phone signals*
Reliability of ISPs*
Adequate garbage management*
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Marikina 8.15
Pasig 7.54
Makati 7.36

Drivers of Competitiveness:QUALITY OF LIFE

How well-off are residents in terms of quality of environment and life?
Incidence of theft per 100,000 Pop.
Incidence of murder per 100,000 Pop.
Hospital beds per 100,000 Pop.
Life Expectancy at birth
Roads and public open spaces are clean*
Open bodies of water are clean*
Air quality is clean*
Rest and recreational facilities are adequate*
Conduciveness of the security environment to businesses.
(* Survey Data)

METRO CITIES (top 3)
Marikina 6.96
Mandaluyong 6.68
Las Piñas 6.40

Overall Competitiveness

METRO CITIES
1. Marikina 6.58
2. Pasig 6.36
3. Davao 5.89

ranking of davao city ( with 11 other cities, along with cebu city, lapulapu city, las piñas, makati, mandaluyong, mandaue, manila, marikina, muntinlupa, pasig and quezon city)

COST OF DOING BUSINESS
DAVAO CITY: 1 (first)

DYNAMISM OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY
DAVAO CITY: 4

INFRASTRUCTURE
DAVAO CITY: 6

LINKAGES AND ACCESSIBILITY
DAVAO CITY: 1 (first)

HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING
DAVAO CITY: 5

QUALITY OF LIFE
DAVAO CITY: 8

RESPONSIVENESS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
DAVAO CITY: 4

slerz

October 31st, 2005, 01:31 PM

Davao has better flyovers than in Cebu... infact Cebu has no circular flyover...

Sinjin P.

October 31st, 2005, 01:32 PM

Yeah, even thought that it was in Manila....

bustero

November 1st, 2005, 03:26 AM

slerz

November 1st, 2005, 03:17 PM

oh kewl.. HK and LA...

paulkrps

November 1st, 2005, 04:41 PM

a sprawl would nice, but controlled sprawl. my idea is to disperse development so as you have suburban centres, and with that you also disperse traffic and things like that.

chymera00

November 1st, 2005, 04:53 PM

chymera00

November 1st, 2005, 04:56 PM

those old houses/structures along the highway should be removed and replace them with commercial buildings.. i wish cebu had one!!!
as long as they are not "Heritage" houses, why not?

sugbuanon

November 1st, 2005, 05:15 PM

^^ sayang kase.. the flyover is modern but is lined with old buildings..

sugbuanon

November 1st, 2005, 06:43 PM

http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/3354/millenium7fv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

got this one from http://www.palafoxassociates.com/index.htm

visit this site and see some projects of Palafox Associates: the country's no. 1 architectural and design firm

KulasKusgan

November 2nd, 2005, 04:50 PM

PIA Press Release
10/22/2005
Internet facility for Mindanao farmers launched

By Rose Palacio

Davao City (22 October) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XI Director Madel Moran-Morados and Mobile Information Technology classroom project manager Dr. Edmundo Prantilla said an Internet-Enabled Training facility for farmers and entrepreneurs was launched Thursday (Oct 20) at Marilog Davao City to provide internet access and IT to farmers and other stakeholders in Marilog district.

The government saw the need to provide access on IT for farmers and remote entrepreneurs to be more competitive and use ICT in making business abroad.

In response to the agriculture extension workers and farmers' needs for ICT, Open Academy program director Roger Barroga, in his speech during the launching, said internet cafes are easily accessible.

Barroga said ICT's helps workers and entrepreneurs overcome their initial fear of the technology and jumpstart their learning on ICT.

"The government is now bringing ICT access to remote areas for farmers to be able to have access on the latest information on agriculture", he said.

Group of farmers were trained by using the DOST's Mobile ICT with built-in computers and modules. Hands-on experience on the use of computer from handling and manipulating the mouse to creating and saving documents then surfing and e-mailing the web greatly facilitated the agriculture extension workers and farmers learning process.

"We are already 10 years late in information," said Philrice executive director and Open Academy chair Dr. Leocadio Sebastian.

"There is a great need to fast-track information dissemination on agricultural development especially the agriculture extension workers, farmers and entrepreneurs", he added.

With Open Academy, farmers in Marilog district and its outlying areas can now download the latest information on rice and other crops with just a few mouse clicks.

Others who were present during the launching include: Christina Baluran (daughter of Councilor Conrado Baluran); Jun Evangelio of DOST XI; and other DOST staff. (PIA)

sugbuanon

November 2nd, 2005, 04:59 PM

^^ wow!!! so this means we could now buy Durian via the internet..

fundraiser

November 2nd, 2005, 06:30 PM

I think this was the survey done by AIM called "Philippine Cities Competitiveness Report 2003" they also made a similar survey in 2005 called "Pinoy Cities of the Rise" but I searched all over the internet for it but can't find it :( I hope you people know about it

yes chy, its the aim and dti survey, i said it in my intro before i plotted the rankings. i think you are talking about the "8 philippine dream cities" or the most promising cities, done by the institute for solidarity in asia (ISA) with the recognition rites at the makati shangrila last august 10, along with cebu city are tagbilaran, calbayog, iloilo, naga, marikina, samal and san fernando, the selection process was based on realistic goals in terms of local management, delivery of basic services, education and infrastructure, among others, which were presented by representatives of cities nationwide. ISA was established in 1999 as an autonomous non-profit foundation aiming for economic and financial reform, strengthening corporate and political governance, and conducting educational programs for local governments. now, with regards to the one done by AIM and DTI, i think meron silang ilalabas for 2005 pero wala pa akong naririnig or nababasa, siguro by december or later part of november na, pero if the survey you were talking about eh ang result nga for 2005, pls post it pag nakita mo, i wanna kno whos on the top spot for the mid-sized cities and the metro cities.

paulkrps

November 2nd, 2005, 09:17 PM

sugbuanon

November 3rd, 2005, 04:45 AM

^^ i agree!!! many big projects were badly affected by the crisis.. some just ended in blueprints while others were not completely finished like the Sheraton hotel in Cebu..

slerz

November 3rd, 2005, 04:54 AM

and the Gaisano Mall Cebu.... just the huge steel posts that was erected...

Sinjin P.

November 3rd, 2005, 04:56 AM

@slerz: Have you passed by the area lately? Any construction updates? :)

sugbuanon

November 3rd, 2005, 05:08 AM

and the Gaisano Mall Cebu.... just the huge steel posts that was erected...

yeah.. but they were saying that the construction was halted because SIT and CIT protested.. they dont want a mall near their schools.. if this information is true, they should have protested long before the first post was erected.. :)

Sinjin P.

November 3rd, 2005, 05:14 AM

yeah but Joseph Gaisano has already said that the whole plan will be redesigned and the construction will continue soon... I'm so excited... This mall is poised to be as big as Ayala Center...

sugbuanon

November 3rd, 2005, 05:27 AM

then this is good news.. especially for me! i dont have to go to SM or Ayala to window shop coz its just 1,502 steps from my house... hehe we should not be talking about this in this thread.. kasuk.an nya ta sa mga kada davao.. hehe sori guys

Sinjin P.

November 3rd, 2005, 05:29 AM

yeah...back to DAVAO! :D

bustero

November 3rd, 2005, 08:27 AM

no problem we have several gaisano's too here hehe

although JS has now been bought out by I don't remember which cousin.

But still a different faction from sila James Gaisano, who have a different mall.

ON another note.

Daba Daba have you guys seen any sign of mobilization for mining. This is going to be huge for Davao, a lot of peeps are going to base there for EAst Mindanao area mines. Probably at least till San Francisco.

Perhaps even Davao Oriental and southern Davao del sur will finally become 3rd world (from the stone age gani)

What else is new in Damosa Area, it's the hottest place now di ba.

KulasKusgan

November 3rd, 2005, 12:16 PM

i hope the govt will step into gold mines in diwalwal & decide its fate. recently, a tunnel collapsed with several miners buried alive. also, in pantukan ive heard huge gold deposits there.

yeah, damosa gateway is the latest addition to davao's nightlife. unfortunately, i havnt dropped by since its opening.

KulasKusgan

November 3rd, 2005, 12:42 PM

PIA Press Release
11/04/2005
NRMDC to proceed with mining operation if exploration turns positive - Disini

Davao City (4 November) -- After completing its exploration below the 600 feet level of Mt. Diwata, the Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation ( NRMDC ) will proceed with its actual operation two years from now if the result of the exploration turns out good .

In an interview with NRMDC president Artemio Disini after the regional disaster coordinating council (RDCC) briefing with President Arroyo at Apo View Hotel in Davao City, he said that NRMDC is also working on some settlements with the small scale miners in the area.

"If the result of the exploration work is good it will warrant a development," he said.

The NRMDC is tasked to convert the Diwalwal into a world-class mining area.

Disini however said they do not see the displacement of miners in the event that they operate because they will tap them to do some of the works.

"There are lots of work to do there and we are going to tap these small scale miners numbering between 4,000 to 5,000," he said.

Disini also said that they are helping Task Force Diwalwal to settle things after a disaster hit two of the tunnels which caused deaths and wounded others in an explosion that happened last October 26.

He likewise bared that with the help of some established mining companies ,they were able to tap the services of an expert in the person of Engr. Joel Son who will go to Mt Diwalwal with a gas analyzer called Drigger to determine the presence of toxic gas that caused death to more than a dozen miners.

As of press time rescue operation is still ongoing with the reported 13 miners still trapped, the RDCC said.

The government authorities however said that similar disaster will be repeated if no concrete measures will be put in place.

President Arroyo ordered Secretary Jesus Dureza to convene the Task Force Diwalwal to see to it that corresponding tasks of national agencies are acted upon and likewise to come up with a pro-active disaster management team.

The President also called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue to exercise its task of collecting the necessary taxes and the Department of Trade and Industry to look into the possible livelihood aspect of the people in the area.

The Department of Health meanwhile reported that a medical team has been stationed in the area while the Department of Social Welfare and Development is working for the transfer of families residing within the high risk areas to a safer ground.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council who was with the President during the RDCC briefing said they need to see the result of the investigation to find out what really happened.

He said the interest of the government must be protected insofar as the mineral resources is concerned.

"We have to protect the government interest and nobody but nobody should claim exclusive ownership (referring to Mt. Diwata)," he said. (PIA/pdbanzon)

paulkrps

November 3rd, 2005, 02:54 PM

KulasKusgan

November 3rd, 2005, 03:18 PM

hope you can find pics on damosa dave.

heres the main and old Damosa bldg.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/6.jpg

Wala akong pic ng Damosa Gateway. It is located across that main bldg near Phil Nikkei Jin Kai on Mamay Road.

Daghan na kog utang sa imo. tsk tsk tsk...

paulkrps

November 3rd, 2005, 03:34 PM

hihihihi, naunsa na man na oy. seriously, i had a client before at damosa (one of the old man's daughter who occasionally needed assistance with her mac.

KulasKusgan

November 3rd, 2005, 03:46 PM

hihihihi, naunsa na man na oy. seriously, i had a client before at damosa (one of the old man's daughter who occasionally needed assistance with her mac.

gi-renovate na para mohaum sa palibot. niagi ko last sunday, humana ang renovation. naa nay bangko sa kilid. ang atbang sa Damosa gwapo na. naay Swiss Deli & Chrysler sa Lanang side. Sa Mamay dapit ang Damosa Gateway naay Tsuru Japanese Rest, Avenue S, botika og mga tindahan.

imong cliente ang Floirendos?

paulkrps

November 3rd, 2005, 04:02 PM

ang isa ka anak ra. years ago, before facilitated some training at their computer department (packaging & design) in the now burnt packaging division.

KulasKusgan

November 4th, 2005, 06:16 PM

Friday, November 04, 2005
Antalan: Why not Davao
By Rogelio P. Antalan
Dateline Igacos

"It is high time to debunk the perception that Davao is not a safe place to visit and to hold conventions and seminars. In fact, without much fanfare and unknown to many, Davao City has been hosting conventions and other gatherings almost every other week."

THE Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) will be hosted by the Philippines from 13-21 January 2006 in Davao City. ATF is the biggest annual tourism event in the Asean Region. Its participants are top industry policy makers, tourism government authorities, private sector organizations, practitioners and suppliers of Asean-based tourism products and services.

Its major component is the travel exchange (Travex) between Asean sellers and international buyers from major travel markets. It is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Asean as a single tourist destination. The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 local and international participants and guests from the travel trade sector.

The indefatigable DOT undersecretary Oscar Palabyab is a regular visitor in Davao to lay the ground works for the ATF. In one of his talks to Davao businessmen, he mentioned in passing that some people questioned the choice of Davao ATF venue. "Why Davao?" Atty. Palabyab countered by saying, "Why not Davao?" He further stated: "We deem this is an excellent opportunity to showcase the fascinating and distinct culture of Davao as well as to project an image of a peaceful, progressive and hospitable tourism destination."

It is high time to debunk the perception that Davao is not a safe place to visit and hold conventions and seminars. In fact, without much fanfare and unknown to many, Davao City has been hosting conventions and other gatherings almost every other week.

Davao City has also been rewarded recently as one of the most livable and safest city in the country and in Asia.

The travel advisories against visits to the Philippines, especially Davao in Mindanao, are unfair.

In a way, the US is the more dangerous place to go to because of their foreign policy of intervention and their hard-boiled stance against terrorism. Threats have been openly expressed by those who hate the guts of the Americans. And yet, Filipinos still form long lines to get their at the US embassy.

Spain has its share of bombings by the local separatists but millions of visitors flock to sunny Spain every year. Bali used to be the safest haven for tourists but recently it has been spared from the terrible suicide attacks. But Bali and visitors will still go to that exotic place.

South America is also a favorite destination for some countries. Once a tourist asked a resident of one of the countries there: "What is your number one national pastime?" The answer was "Bullfighting." The tourist commented: "That's revolting." The native said: "That is our second national pastime."

There is no stopping of the coming and going of the brave tourists. A few years ago Pearl Farm Resort was attacked by pirates. Although two of the guards of the resort died, the pirates were repulsed and had to withdraw. At that time more than 50 Koreans were billeted at the resort. After the shooting, the Koreans calmly stayed. Asked why they did not move out, one of them answered with a shrug: "We're used to it. There is always shooting in Korea."

Today, Davao is peaceful and very tourist-friendly and ready. ATF is our big chance to get a bigger share of the tourist trade. Intense preparations are now being done by all the Davao provinces and cities, with Davao City as the hub of most of the ATF activities. Some major conferences will be held at the famous Pearl Farm Resort in Igacos. Davao del Norte is even writing a coffee table book on the different attractions of the province for the occasion.

The organizers are right when they choose Davao. Davao is going to be a unique and beautiful showcase--from the islands to the highlands.

KulasKusgan

November 4th, 2005, 06:21 PM

Saturday, November 05, 2005
Groundbreaking for UCCP church building

THE United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City broke ground for a new church building in appropriate ceremonies during the 10 a.m. workshop service on October 30. Led by Reverend Dr. Mariano C. Apilado, executive pastor; city councilor Diosdado Mahipus, chair of the church council; Eladio Aviola, chair of space maximization committee; Epenito Ursos Sr., chair of the centennial committee; and heads of the different boards and organizations of the church.

The worshipping congregation lay down a time capsule containing important documents of the church, symbolic of the commitment of the church upon the commencement of the construction of a new church building.

The new church building will be the third for the UCCP along Legazpi and Bonifacio streets. The first church was built of wood after the Second World War through the late Pastors Crispin Faune and Cipriano Malonzo. The second and present structure was built in 1950 under the leadership of Reverend Gregorio Gonzales and council chair lawyer Samuel Occena and with a generous donation from the late Senator Gaudencio Antonino.

The new church building, designed by Romeo Birrey and costing an estimated P50 million, is expected to complete in time for the church's centennial in 2008.

The UCCP in Davao City was established by Rev. and Mrs. Robert Black, missionaries of the Congregational Church of the USA in 1908, and has a grown to more than 3,000 members today.

The church conducts five English, Visayan, and Tagalog services every Sunday. On the second Sundays of the month, an Indonesian congregation and a Children's Junior Workshop services are also held in the church.

Apart from Worship Services on Sundays and Wednesdays, the church is engaged in several ministries including Evangelism in urban communities and campuses, Discipleship Education and Sunday School, Ecumenical relations, Stewardship, Fellowship building and Diakonia or services.

The UCCP also extends health, educational and social services to society through Brokenshire Hospital, Social Concerns UCCP foundation, Pag-ugmad sa Kabataan responsible for giving care to urban poor children; Brokenshire College and Paaralang Pag-asa.

Others present during the groundbreaking ceremony were: Rev. Wilmar Bongado, conference minister of Southern Mindanao District Conference; Rev. Dr. Fred Baliad, mission co-worker of the Presbyterian Church USA; Rachel Aquavera and lawyer Reggie Tama¤a, representatives of Sen. Manny and House Rep. Cynthia Villar, honorary chairpersons of the centennial committee; and church pastors Rev. Noel C. Villalba, Rev. Oliver T. Paraiso and Ptr. Roderick R. Raut.

Also present were Dulce Saavedra, Board of Elders and Senior Citizens Fellowship president; Dr. Rosita V. Fundador, Board of Christian Educators; Alex Barlis, Board of Deacons and heads of various organizations -- Putli Yu, CWA; Recter Gentindatu, UCM; Zaldy Solarte and Alysa Gonzales of Christian Youth Fellowship; Norma Sapaula, Mr. and Mrs. Diomedes Lim, lawyer Samuel and Dr. Chita Matunog, Christian Family Circle.

A special part of the ceremony was the prayer offered by children, 12 years old and under, for whose future spiritual life, the church building is specially dedicated.

bustero

November 7th, 2005, 10:35 AM

Tama si roger a. if only we could get a better image for Davao, so that more tourists could come.

paulkrps

November 7th, 2005, 03:09 PM

Saturday, November 05, 2005
the rendering looks grand...

but dave, where's the rendering?

KulasKusgan

November 7th, 2005, 11:04 PM

but dave, where's the rendering?

naa didto duol sa playground. utang na sad ang pics.

KulasKusgan

November 8th, 2005, 03:59 PM

heres a quote from fellow forumer in a davao forum...

How can one distinguish a Davaoeno to a Cebuano? Or to a Cagayanon?
Difficult? Easy. Davaoenos are one of the most unique people in the
world. We can easily stand out if we are placed in a crowd of
Filipinos from other parts of the country. And how, you say?
Language.

Davao City, aptly called the melting pot of cultures, is home to
many dialects. Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Chavacano, Moslem,
Bicolano. Name it, we'll speak it. If the Filipino language is a
composition of all the dialects and languages in the Philippines,
you might as well say that the language we speak in Davao City is the
real Filipino language, and not Tagalog.

However, since it is a hodgepodge of different tongues, it is
sometimes funny to hear our language "bastardizing", for lack of
better word, the other dialects. Strangely, that distinguishes
us from the rest.

Try these.

In stating a fact, Manilenos say, "Talagang mabait si Weng."
In Davao, we say. "Mabait bitaw gyud si Weng".

Too assertive? One asks, "Ano nga `yong pangalan mo?".
In Davao we say, "Ano gani `yong pangalan (or worst, ngalan) mo?".

When somebody commits a mistake or surprises someone, we always never fail
to say, "Halaka!". Duh.

We are fond of re-constructing the language.
There's the GI+ verb, such as,"Gisabi kasi ni Helen na mag-absent si Bernerd bukas", or "Ginanon ni Lalai si Belinda sa mukha".

You'll never find "ginanon" in any dictionary, I swear to God.
There's the KA+ adjective, as in,

"Kaputi gyud ng mukha ni Yang-yang" or "Kapayat gyud ni Jason
ngayon." The MAKA+ verb form, such as, "Maka-inis talaga si Albert,
uy!" or "Maka-uwi talaga ako ng matagal ngayon".

The NAG+ verb, as in,"Nagsabi kasi si Tita Prescy na pupunta daw
tayo ng airport" or "Hindi pa man siya nagdating, uy!"

Adding new words or new meanings to old words to the dictionary is
one of our favorite past time. NAKIN: "Alam man nakin `yan ba!",

"Saan nakin kita nakita gani?". KU-AN: "Ku-an daw ang gawin mo", "Si
ku-an kasi ano masyado". (No sense at all.)

ANO: "Na-ano ka diyan, Bryan!", "Ano man yan si Van, uy!".
HA: "Lake-ha na ng tiyan ni Lulu uy!", "Gwapa-ha niya uy!"
BEH: "Sige daw beh, dare!", "Pakipasa daw ng ballpen ni Tzaris beh".
KAY: "Huwag na, Wowie, kay nandito naman si Norma", "Umupo ka muna
kay nasa-CR pa si Elma."

To express disgust over someone, we utter,
"googoo kaba diay para maniwala sa kanya", or "Ano man yan siya uy!", or "Maka-inis man yan
siya, uy!", or when pestered when doing something, you'd quip,"Huwag lagi ba!"

On the other hand, when we praise somebody's extra special deed or talent, our Davaoeno tongue slips words like,"Kuyaw lagi `yan siya!", "Galenga niya uy!", "Ayusa niya uy!",
"Kuyawa ni Orly uy!" or "Hindi ako makatu-o sa ginawa niya!" . Hay,
makatawa talaga. Ooops!

There are just so too many words to mention. Just check out the
words you speak everyday. Sometimes you just laugh at yourself when you
realize that you've just said those very words. No matter
how long you stay in Manila or in the States, the moment you're back
to Davao, your tongue feels as at home as you do. Language is the
very soul of every being. You just can't do anything about it.

Or as how we say it, "Anohin man natin yan?"

ThisFire

November 8th, 2005, 04:20 PM

About Davao's safety, how could it be bad when their mayor's toughness is one of the best?

Jimbu

November 8th, 2005, 05:16 PM

I think Cebu and Davao will go into different directions in terms of development. Cebu because of it's small relative size and smaller land footprint will have greater density and high rises like HK. Davao will utilize it's cheap land and have much lesser density , much like an LA.

Metro Cebu is not actually short of land for development. The reclamable areas surrouding Mactan island to Danao City in the North and to Carcar in the South are more than enough land to develop up to 200 years. In Cordova alone they plan to reclaim about 3,500 hectares for ecozones.

sugbuanon

November 8th, 2005, 05:20 PM

Participating for the first time as one region in an international trade fair, the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) has made its mark as it highlights tourism as a major vehicle to economic growth during the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in Nanning, China recently.

The EAGA, which is composed of countries Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP), featured during the four-day fair the region’s diverse but united culture, its many exciting adventures and natural attractions.

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab who is also the national coordinator of BIMP-EAGA said that it is a joint decision of the four member countries to highlight tourism in the CAEXPO.

Conceptualized in 1994, the BIMP-EAGA was intended to boost trade, tourism, and investment within the region. It comprises the areas of Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines; the entire sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalamantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Irian Jaya; and Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia.

Tourism Regional Director Sohura Dimaampao of Cotabato, who is also Palabyab’s deputy chair, explains "Our participation to this event is more of an image building. Here, we showcase the culture, adventure, and nature that the EAGA as one region can offer."

According to Dimaampao, statistics would show that most international in-bound tourists to Mindanao are actually from the other three countries of the EAGA region. She added, "The movement of tourists within the growth area is overwhelming. This is the same reason why we give much emphasis to improving the present ‘connectivity’ of destinations within the region."

To assure the smooth movement of tourists within the area, EAGA’s recent undertakings involve increasing the flight frequencies to and from the different destinations within the region. Currently, South Phoenix caters to passengers flying the Zamboanga-Sandakan route and vice versa. By sea, M.V. Wissam Express and Alesson navigate the same route. Merpati carrier, on the other hand, services the Davao-Sandakan-Davao route.

In recent developments, the Joint Tourism Development (JTB) cluster has submitted to the Senior Officials Minister Meeting (SOMM) the proposal to beef-up flights servicing routes from and to Davao-Kota Kinabalu, General Santos-Manado, Indonesia and Palawan-Kota Kinabalu.

Some 39 local government officials graced the CAEXPO’s official opening and participated in the various conference topics prepared for both the local and foreign delegates.

"The attendance of governors, mayors and provincial board members from Mindanao is just a beginning of the LGU’s more active participation and support to tourism" said Director Dimaampao. She further added "We are so pleased with the support we have been showered by the past and present Tourism Secretaries. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has supported us in many of our present undertakings as Senator Dick Gordon in the past had been our most aggressive supporter."

The CAEXPO is an annual event held since 2004 and was conceptualized in the goal of providing business communities, not just from Asia but all over the world, a tremendous avenue for regional economic and trade collaboration. It aims to promote the building of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area which is envisioned to yield mutual benefits and shared success among its members.

The BIMP-EAGA, though a first time participant to the event, was already given recognition by the CAEXPO organizers as they bagged the "Best Support" award for its concept of presenting four countries in one booth.