Thanx!pero kanang bangkal uptown or downtown?

Pero Calinan is a sure uptown...hehehe

@ junex: that tall structure in toril is TCC or toril community cooperative.
calinan is another 'city' within a city. antayin namin pics mo ha. daghang salamat po. (mula sa nccc)

@ tj: thanks. an dami mong alam. keep them coming.

@ bustero: sure... anytime... hehe. kung sakaling magkatotoo, i'll serve sinugbang bulad, salad na talong, ferns, seafoods (tuna belly, panga, bagaybay, hipon, tahong, etc), tuba, kinutil, maybe ostrich and anything local. local kasi tastebuds ko. :)

talo lang si cass ni lia sa q&a.

@ don: kanang bangkal... midtown na. duol sa middle earth. :)

good evening to all!

wow, this thread is sure on the fast track. congrulations to everybody for making this as one of the most visible!

dave, hinaut nga makauli ko karong disyembre. kung matuman kaluoy sa Diyos, kitakits ta, those food you mentioned are sure salivating.

sure kuya pol. lets schedule ssc davao meet this december. anyway, si bustero ang financier nato. hehe.

@junax, thanks for those toril pics. i worked with midtown printing (from 88 to 95) in toril before being transferred to its bonifacio office. so those pics really struck me and are appreciated.

DAVAO's Business News!


DAVAO CITY -Biggest tourism job fair in Mindanao to begin in April
March 6, 2006

DAVAO CITY- THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Southern Mindanao has laid the groundwork for the 1st Mindanao Tourism Job Fair, which is touted to be the biggest job fair related to the tourism industry, on April 4-6 at the NCCC Convention Center.

Susan del Mundo, project manager, said that the job fair targets fresh graduates who want to build a career in travel and tourism regardless of their course.

The DoT is looking at 5,000 applicants and 200 exhibitors daily in Davao City, the tourism job fair hub for Mindanao.

According to its primer, the job fair would be a “one-stop venue” for employers and suppliers of tourism jobs and the potential labor force all over Mindanao.

The job fair intends to create an environment necessary for the labor force, both in private and government sectors to match the requirements of the tourism industry, and thereby qualify for a career in the travel and tourism.

It aims to improve the tourism education and would institutionalize training programs for trainers and trainees.

It will also tripartite dialogues with stakeholders to create tourism job banks available on line and would organize annual jobs fair.

Mary Ann Montemayor, Southern Philippines Tourism Council chair, said that the job fair does not put much premium on experience as a requirement to start a career.

“We would like to give jobs to the new graduates and to the unemployed as well as to the under-employed who are looking for job opportunities in tourism,” she said.

“We will also provide specific skill and trainings to enhance our tourism,” she added.

^^nice one! CDO and tagum in davao has the lowest poverty incidence, the poverty incidence of davao city is almost the same with cotabato city? updated ba yan? or baka year 2000 pa yang stats na yan.


this stat is misleading. you see, CDO may have lesser poverty incidence basing it on the graph than Davao. However, if you will consider the population, Davao has the lowest poverty incidence among all the cities in Mindanao. Why?

CDO has a total population of only 507,623 while DAVAO city has a total population of more than 1.2 million. Let's do the math!

DAVAO Business News!


PEOPLESUPPORT - Outsourcing provider opens recruitment center in Davao
March 7, 2006

PEOPLESUPPORT Inc., a leading business process outsourcing provider that offers customer management, transcription, captioning, accounts receivable management and additional BPO services, announced Monday the opening of their recruitment center in Davao City.

The facility is expected to support the company's initiative of tapping the southern Philippine workforce for its sites in Manila and Cebu.

The temporary recruitment site is located at A-301 Plaza de Luisa, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City.

The 146-sq.m. site would be the interim facility as the permanent office located at Luisa Avenue Square along Jacinto Extension in Davao City is currently being built. It is expected to open in the third quarter of 2006.

Leading the Davao recruitment team is Rommel Moldero, human resource officer of PeopleSupport Philippines.

"From our first Davao recruitment fair in 2004, we have regularly come back to Davao and have since hired close to 500 eReps. A lot of them have already been promoted to supervisory or leadership positions. We are very impressed with the skills of the young professionals here, and we would like to further open our doors to them. Opening this center is a testimonial of our belief in the Davao workforce," he said.

PeopleSupport offers free training to newly hired applicants as well as sustained training for their employees, competitive compensation and benefits package, an attractive relocation package and fast career growth.

The recruitment center will be staffed by five recruitment representatives who will be conducting the complete scope of recruitment -- from advertising job openings to assisting in training and relocation of successful applicants.

Currently, PeopleSupport is actively hiring eReps (Customer Service Representatives) for their sites in Manila and Cebu.

Applicants must have excellent English communication skills, computer and Internet proficiency, strong customer service skills and should be willing to work in a shifting schedule.

Other corporate positions are also available. For a complete list of job openings, visit the website at www.peoplesupport.com or get in touch with the Davao Recruitment office at (082) 227-9301 or send an email to davaojobs@peoplesupport.com.

@junax, thanks for those toril pics. i worked with midtown printing (from 88 to 95) in toril before being transferred to its bonifacio office. so those pics really struck me and are appreciated.

no probs paul! tnx for liking it. my next project is calinan...

Thanx!pero kanang bangkal uptown or downtown?

sa una pwede na sya midtown pero karon kung ako pangutan-on downtown na na. kung gikan ka cdo or bukidnon pag abot nimo BUDA davao city na pero border pa lang, pag abot sa ulas intersection makaingon gud ka ug "hay salamat downtown na gyud." hehe. same if you're coming from digos city, pag abot nimo toril, davao city na pero uptown pa ang feeling, pag abot nimo ulas kaingon na pod ka ug "at last downtown na!" ingon ana kadako atong dakbayan sa davao... 12 kilometers radius ang atong downtown! :)

From Davao next stop Palau!



http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/5282/palaugtsislands1nw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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3 times a week filghts from Davao to Palau and vise versa

Originally posted by junax
sa una pwede na sya midtown pero karon kung ako pangutan-on downtown na na. kung gikan ka cdo or bukidnon pag abot nimo BUDA davao city na pero border pa lang, pag abot sa ulas intersection makaingon gud ka ug "hay salamat downtown na gyud." hehe. same if you're coming from digos city, pag abot nimo toril, davao city na pero uptown pa ang feeling, pag abot nimo ulas kaingon na pod ka ug "at last downtown na!" ingon ana kadako atong dakbayan sa davao... 12 kilometers radius ang atong downtown!

Maayong buntag sa tanan!

kanang Ulas diay akong pasabot dili diay Bangkal.... :runaway: bitaw Junax wala ko kabalo asa ang Uptown ug Downtown diri kay puerte man lapara sa Davao City kay moingon ka Tibungco wa may musulti uptown na! mo ingon lang man sila diri layo man na!hehehe! :laugh:

DAVAO Business News!


PEOPLESUPPORT - Outsourcing provider opens recruitment center in Davao
March 7, 2006

PEOPLESUPPORT Inc., a leading business process outsourcing provider that offers customer management, transcription, captioning, accounts receivable management and additional BPO services, announced Monday the opening of their recruitment center in Davao City.

The facility is expected to support the company's initiative of tapping the southern Philippine workforce for its sites in Manila and Cebu.

The temporary recruitment site is located at A-301 Plaza de Luisa, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City.

The 146-sq.m. site would be the interim facility as the permanent office located at Luisa Avenue Square along Jacinto Extension in Davao City is currently being built. It is expected to open in the third quarter of 2006.

Leading the Davao recruitment team is Rommel Moldero, human resource officer of PeopleSupport Philippines.

"From our first Davao recruitment fair in 2004, we have regularly come back to Davao and have since hired close to 500 eReps. A lot of them have already been promoted to supervisory or leadership positions. We are very impressed with the skills of the young professionals here, and we would like to further open our doors to them. Opening this center is a testimonial of our belief in the Davao workforce," he said.

PeopleSupport offers free training to newly hired applicants as well as sustained training for their employees, competitive compensation and benefits package, an attractive relocation package and fast career growth.

The recruitment center will be staffed by five recruitment representatives who will be conducting the complete scope of recruitment -- from advertising job openings to assisting in training and relocation of successful applicants.

Currently, PeopleSupport is actively hiring eReps (Customer Service Representatives) for their sites in Manila and Cebu.

Applicants must have excellent English communication skills, computer and Internet proficiency, strong customer service skills and should be willing to work in a shifting schedule.

Other corporate positions are also available. For a complete list of job openings, visit the website at www.peoplesupport.com or get in touch with the Davao Recruitment office at (082) 227-9301 or send an email to davaojobs@peoplesupport.com.



Instead of braindraining Davao and bringing them to Manila/Cebu they should put up a call center there. Ay naku, davao is missing out of this boom because of the mindanao/terrorist label.

lisod i-confine atong downtown kay hastang dakoa hehe. sa ubang city, tuyok-tuyok gamay hurot na ang downtown. sa davao mag bitbit gyud ka ug mapa tanawa si bea ug john lloyd sa "close to you" nag bitbit ug mapa bwehehehe. kita mangud ko (di ko moangkon nga ganahan ko ug local movies hehe, gikuyog rako kay kung di ko mokuyog la koy date). basta para sa ako, downtown starts from lanang in the north, buhangin in the west, ulas in the south and boulevard in the east. border areas like toril, calinan and tugbok, tibungco and panacan-sasa are uptowns. diko kalimot atong bata pako (karon tigulang na hehe) nag lisod gyud ko ug gawas sa may obrero area padulong unta ko ateneo. niabot na lang ko ug agdao pagkahuman gawas napod ko bajada. nihilak na lang ko oi bwehehehe.


Instead of braindraining Davao and bringing them to Manila/Cebu they should put up a call center there. Ay naku, davao is missing out of this boom because of the mindanao/terrorist label.

i think tj_brewed posted the call centers of davao... we have call centers here, hindi nga lang masyadong binibigyan ng pansin.

CYBER CITY'S G-COM : THE FIRST CALL CENTER IN MINDANAO


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/cctl.jpg
This is Cybercity Telerservices Ltd || G-Com's building in Davao City

CCTL is a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) services and solutions including inbound and outbound offshore call center and business process outsourcing (BPO) services based in New Jersey and California, United States of America (USA).

CCTL is the largest CRM call center in the Philippines employing almost 5,000 agents for its operations at Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and its affiliate G-Com Limited in Davao City.

Last September 16, 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the launching of the P60-million G-Com/Cyber City call center expansion project in Davao City.

Today, the call center occupies a 5 storey modern building with advance facilities built to suit the needs for a call center operation. Please refer to the above pic for reference.

wow tj... di ko alam yon ah, first call center in mindanao pala ang g-com...
wdc, peoplesupport and this april, the local joji ilagan's... kulang parin call centers natin, to think mga yuppies natin kinukuha ng manila and cebu...

this stat is misleading. you see, CDO may have lesser poverty incidence basing it on the graph than Davao. However, if you will consider the population, Davao has the lowest poverty incidence among all the cities in Mindanao. Why?

CDO has a total population of only 507,623 while DAVAO city has a total population of more than 1.2 million. Let's do the math!

mao gyud na i was surprised to know na poverty incidence of davao is comparable with cotabato city w/c i think is very impposible. kitang kita naman ang kaibahan eh.

wow tj... di ko alam yon ah, first call center in mindanao pala ang g-com...
wdc, peoplesupport and this april, the local joji ilagan's... kulang parin call centers natin, to think mga yuppies natin kinukuha ng manila and cebu...

tj is one! hey bai tj, akong kuya kay naa na pud sa people support, grabeha diay ninyo ug mga perks uy! training pa lang gani pero almost 3x na sa minimum. no wonder halin kaayo ang mga celfone, ipod ug palmtop sa cebu, lol! makasuya man, too bad iba ang field ko, hehehe, pero ug saputon gali ko, mangapply sad ko dha, kaya lang i dunno if my credentials would fit, para-medical ang field ko eh.
with regards to davao, kailangan siguro mas maging aggresive ang davao in putting up IT zones. its more than the manpower kasi eh, hinahanap din nila yung place where they can have tax holidays and other perks (perks where you can only find in peza accredited IT zones) down to educational institutions that offers a crash course on call center employment. but the way i see it, d na magdugay davao will become the 3rd hub, and its on its way na gyud. paspas ang pag expand sa IT sector.

^^^ mao gyud. naa pod koy giganahan sa plano sa mga "silicongulf" people... instead of scrambling for call centers, their bent on pushing davao as the "programmer city", wa pa nauso call centers supplier na ang davao sa japan ug quality softwares. mas ganahan pod ko ana...

"A key vision of Silicon Gulf is to transform Davao into a "programmer city". By generating a critical mass of new CS/IT graduates every year, the city will naturally attract local and foreign investments. It is also a way to harness the city's growing educated youth population towards economic development. Growing a programmer population will naturally lend itself to the growth of intellectual property because programming is a creative activity."

whats the website of silicon gulf? pakilagay ng link pls...tnx!

whats the website of silicon gulf? pakilagay ng link pls...tnx!

here it is...
SiliconGulf (http://www.silicongulf.net)

Origannly posted by Junax
lisod i-confine atong downtown kay hastang dakoa hehe. sa ubang city, tuyok-tuyok gamay hurot na ang downtown. sa davao mag bitbit gyud ka ug mapa tanawa si bea ug john lloyd sa "close to you" nag bitbit ug mapa bwehehehe. kita mangud ko (di ko moangkon nga ganahan ko ug local movies hehe, gikuyog rako kay kung di ko mokuyog la koy date). basta para sa ako, downtown starts from lanang in the north, buhangin in the west, ulas in the south and boulevard in the east. border areas like toril, calinan and tugbok, tibungco and panacan-sasa are uptowns. diko kalimot atong bata pako (karon tigulang na hehe) nag lisod gyud ko ug gawas sa may obrero area padulong unta ko ateneo. niabot na lang ko ug agdao pagkahuman gawas napod ko bajada. nihilak na lang ko oi bwehehehe.

tan-aw di ay kag Close to You junax!salida pa ba hangtud karon!hehehe!Tama ka lagi bai! Sa mandug panagsa lang ko maka adto dia ,labi na sa Paquibato wa jud ko ka adto dia(hadlok man ko)! unsa pa kaha ng lain na mga distrito na hantud karon di pa nako ma hinumduman!

"A key vision of Silicon Gulf is to transform Davao into a "programmer city". By generating a critical mass of new CS/IT graduates every year, the city will naturally attract local and foreign investments. It is also a way to harness the city's growing educated youth population towards economic development. Growing a programmer population will naturally lend itself to the growth of intellectual property because programming is a creative activity."

creating a critical mass of new cs/it graduates every year doesnt necesarrily translate to making a place a viable investment hub for IT, proper infrastructure and at least a local government support is one pillar. even if you have millions of CS and IT graduates every year, without the proper infrastructure and support, there will still be no big-ticket IT investments, and there will be no jobs for these graduates, these graduates will just look for other places in the country where IT investments and job offers are prevalent. and these graduates will in turn help the place where they work (be it manila or cebu) because they will be in the mainstream consumer market, and in turn, helping the retail sector of the place where they work.

creating a critical mass of new cs/it graduates every year doesnt necesarrily translate to making a place a viable investment hub for IT, proper infrastructure and at least a local government support is one pillar. even if you have millions of CS and IT graduates every year, without the proper infrastructure and support, there will still be no big-ticket IT investments, and there will be no jobs for these graduates, these graduates will just look for other places in the country where IT investments and job offers are prevalent. and these graduates will in turn help the place where they work (be it manila or cebu) because they will be in the mainstream consumer market, and in turn, helping the retail sector of the place where they work.

i have to disagree on some points... the CS and IT graduates "silicongulf" is referring to, are the hardcore programmers not just the "finished the course graduates", you know what i mean. many are called IT zones but go deeper and you'll find no "hardcore programmers". that dream of silicongulf i think is by using the ICT resources and the incubator in brokenshire, davao could produce these workforce to turn this city into a "programmer city", and bcoz the nature of the job is creativity, infrastractures are just supporting factors only not vice versa. if it spills over to other cities, then that's not bad. coz if there is a spill, that just means davao had enough. i think its a noble idea.

this stat is misleading. you see, CDO may have lesser poverty incidence basing it on the graph than Davao. However, if you will consider the population, Davao has the lowest poverty incidence among all the cities in Mindanao. Why?

CDO has a total population of only 507,623 while DAVAO city has a total population of more than 1.2 million. Let's do the math!

The bar graph represents the percentage of a population in poverty... check it... the philippines for example, more than 30% of our population is in poverty line. It means Tagum's and CDO's population in poverty line is less than 10%. In Davao's case, more than 10% of it's population is in poverty line. Given the Davao's population of almost 1.5M, the # of people here in poverty line is more than the people in cotabato(in poverty line) given their population of less than 400K.

It's the percentage actually, not the actual # of people...
Gets? Try to analyze the graph.

The bar graph represents the percentage of a population in poverty... check it... the philippines for example, more than 30% of our population is in poverty line. It means Tagum's and CDO's population in poverty line is less than 10%. In Davao's case, more than 10% of it's population is in poverty line. Given the Davao's population of almost 1.5M, the # of people here in poverty line is more than the people in cotabato(in poverty line) given their population of less than 400K.

It's the percentage actually, not the actual # of people...
Gets? Try to analyze the graph.

yes. i think the census in the year 2000 is really true. 6 years later, that's another story. we have to consider also the people living in BUDA down to marilog district (mountain side), those are the bulk of considered poor i think, coz if they will refer inside the downtown areas the considered poor here are those living in low cost subdivisions and squatter areas, my goodness squatters in agdao are owners of jeepneys. let's not forget the quality of life, the considered poor people in canada are way way much richer than our so called "rich" here i think. so just like any other surveys, the residents are the real "judges" in determining who's poor, a palengkera in bankerohan selling vegetables is not poor, my goodness nakita ko sa "KUYAW" tv they are getting 700 a day selling vegetables there yet they are considered "masa". in my case and my neighbors i guess we are poor here coz i don't live in posh villages and i can't get 700 bucks a day. but i can live with it, i have a decent job, got a 2nd hand car. but i would like to be rich and live in ladislawa or insular village someday of course hehe. in short, the quality of life should be the basis of determining the poor not the income, coz a thousand a day earner in manila is just as "masa" to a 270 a day earner in the province, davao in my case. sinong mas pobre sa dalawa?

i have to disagree on some points... the CS and IT graduates "silicongulf" is referring to, are the hardcore programmers not just the "finished the course graduates", you know what i mean. many are called IT zones but go deeper and you'll find no "hardcore programmers". that dream of silicongulf i think is by using the ICT resources and the incubator in brokenshire, davao could produce these workforce to turn this city into a "programmer city", and bcoz the nature of the job is creativity, infrastractures are just supporting factors only not vice versa. if it spills over to other cities, then that's not bad. coz if there is a spill, that just means davao had enough. i think its a noble idea.

"A key vision of Silicon Gulf is to transform Davao into a "programmer city". By generating a critical mass of new CS/IT graduates every year"

given that the nature is creativity, how can you use your creativity if facilities and infrastructures are absent? they train people to be programmers but there is nothing to program because investors are nowhere in sight, and you cant be a programmer right away, you need experience and training, which i think is the real purpose of silicon gulf, to train people, but right after training, can the city support and sustain the workforce? there are other cities in the country that are aggresive in their IT sectors, and if davao dont make itself agressive in this area, these people who they train in davao specifically silicon gulf will still find themselves working in other places. incubators are not only found in davao, there are many incubators in metro manila, and i think cebu/subic/clark at least has one each.

"A key vision of Silicon Gulf is to transform Davao into a "programmer city". By generating a critical mass of new CS/IT graduates every year"

given that the nature is creativity, how can you use your creativity if facilities and infrastructures are absent? they train people to be programmers but there is nothing to program because investors are nowhere in sight, and you cant be a programmer right away, you need experience and training, which i think is the real purpose of silicon gulf, to train people, but right after training, can the city support and sustain the workforce? there are other cities in the country that are aggresive in their IT sectors, and if davao dont make itself agressive in this area, these people who they train in davao specifically silicon gulf will still find themselves working in other places. incubators are not only found in davao, there are many incubators in metro manila, and i think cebu/subic/clark at least has one each.

oh my, you're not getting the point, in the first place davao has enough IT facilities and infrastractures than any other places outside MM and Cebu that's for sure. in fact, even before this IT craze, davao city is already featured in tv being suppliers of softwares to japan. the only lacking in davao is the term "zones" that's it... now bcoz davao people should find their way creatively that's why the term "programmer city". and why work outside davao if i am a hardcore programmer? what's the use of the internet? entrepreneur is the key not having employed. i would rather sell my programs 200T each than being paid 50T a month. see what i mean?

given that the nature is creativity, how can you use your creativity if facilities and infrastructures are absent? they train people to be programmers but there is nothing to program because investors are nowhere in sight, and you cant be a programmer right away, you need experience and training, which i think is the real purpose of silicon gulf, to train people, but right after training, can the city support and sustain the workforce? there are other cities in the country that are aggresive in their IT sectors, and if davao dont make itself agressive in this area, these people who they train in davao specifically silicon gulf will still find themselves working in other places. incubators are not only found in davao, there are many incubators in metro manila, and i think cebu/subic/clark at least has one each.

Hello people of beautiful Davao. I'd like to post my comment on the message above and I'd say I have to agree Junax with his sound opinion on the subject matter. Davao is "simply" thinking outside of the box. This is in reference to the latest "fad"- call centre business and it's mushrooming everywhere and in this regard Davao is benchmarking a different environment (at least in the Philippine setting) - the programming aspect of the IT phenomenon. Listen to this. About 4 years ago while I was still living in Davao and was mulling the idea of switching to another industry ( I got bored and stressed out with pharmaceutical sales) I happened to attend a conference that took place at the 8th flr. of the JS Gaisano Corporate Centre, of which subject was IT. One of the host companies was Lane Systems owned by a returning Davaoeno or maybe in partnership with a top honcho, (business was previously based in the capital city) and back then they were already exporting either the finished programs or the skilled IT people to either Japan or many parts of Europe. These are the programs which were made by homegrown talents to be marketed and thrown into the hightech market of the above-mentioned parts of the globe. Davao was and is really into programming and it makes sense a lot other than slug it out with the more armed Manila and Cebu which are your call centre labs in the Philippines..at least for the time being. In this case, Davao employs a 2-pronged strategy, on one hand is the call centre and the programmind on the other. Davao is SMART!

2006 is better for city’s business

THIS year will be a better year for the business sector in the city based on indicators, among them the hosting of the city of the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF), said Engr. Roberto Teo, Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief.

Teo said the hosting of the international event is a proof that foreign countries already have the confidence of investing and coming to our country which was labeled before as a haven of terrorists.

“Davao City proved that it is really a safe place. Anyway that is what we want to project. They will not have second thoughts that they can invest here for tourism or in any other field,” he said.

He said the sales pitch has projected the city as having good investment climate and has more potentials to be explored.

He said among the added attractions is the high crime-busting efficiency rate of the police and infrastructure facilities like the Davao International Airport.

Teo said they are presently working on establishing the city as an information and communications technology (ICT) haven. However, he said it will be come as a joint undertaking of the private, academe and the government sector.

“We are still discussing its details because we just cannot simply do it. It will take time. But we can do it if we work as one,” he said.

Earlier, the DCIPC submitted to the city government a proposal to amend the Investment Incentive Code to include ICT as a primary investment area to allow investors to apply for incentives.

Teo also added that the management of the Landco Corporate Center in Bajada has already inquired before the city government on how it could develop the building into an information technology park as a source told the Mindanao Times that several industry players are stationed in the building.

The building management has also started coordinating with telecommunications companies for Internet connectivity.

Teo added the source of manpower is hardly even an issue if Davao City pursues its dream of becoming an ICT haven.

“Davaoeños are exported to Cebu or Manila as call center agents. Our graduates are good in communication skills. We have a big number of (graphic) designers,” he said.

Last year, Meno Gaia, a Japanese company registered its P11 million investments for graphic designs and business process outsourcing.

DAVAO's ICT!


Updates!

Japanese firm opens graphic design business in Davao last November 2005

A Japanese investor has opened an outsourcing business with an initial investment of P 11 million in Davao City.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) city director Teolulo Pasawa said the business is engaged in graphics design that will served its client back in Japan.

Pasawa named the investor as Meno Gaia whose main business is on home improvement.

He said once the Meno Gaia Davao branch is able to come up with the graphics design, it will confer with its client where the corresponding cost estimates will be discussed.

The investor will employ an initial 50 workers who have background on architecture and skills on computer designs and has future plan of increasing its employees to 200 as soon as they have already established regular operations. It is also engaged in other diversified business.

"Right now they are still in the organizational stage and recruitment of manpower is on-going " he said.

He said they also have project dubbed as ESLI or English as Second Language Instruction where instructors will teach the language back in Japan through outsourcing even as he said that this will be their future project.

Among the reason why Meno Gaia opened a branch here is because of the skills that they could get aside from a much cheaper manpower cost compared in Japan where the cost is very high, he said.

"The ICT is one priority industry cluster that is being developed in the Davao region and in fact many are interested of setting up here with the number of queries that we received," he said.

Pasawa also said that a smaller group has also opened an outsourcing services here located somewhere in Ecoland where its operation will look at the final quality of the software that will be distributed by a known and established computer company.

Pasawa however did not name the company but said that it could boost the skills of people here because the product will pass through them for quality check before it gets to the market.

DAVAO's BUSINESS

Updates!

U.S. Companies Mean Business in Davao City


In keeping with the Show's theme, CS Manila showed Davao that "We Mean Business!" at the Davao Trade Expo (DATE) last year. From October 14- 16, CS Manila successfully marketed the products and services of ten (10) US companies through actual display of their products and services and more than 140 companies through their catalogs and brochures at DATE 2005 held at the NCCC Mall, Davao City.

The event, organized by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., is one the biggest trade events in Davao and Mindanao, showcasing the products and services of major businesses in Davao. The U.S. Pavilion highlighted the products of 3M Philippines, Cooper Power Systems/Kim Lighting Systems (represented by Electrobus Consolidated, Inc.), Federal Express Corporation, Kimberly Clark Philippines, Kraft Foods Philippines, Inc., Marsman Drysdale Corporation, Mary Kay Philippines, Omana Group, LLC, Sara Lee Direct Selling Philippines, Stanfilco, a Division of Dole Philippines and Ford Philippines. The U.S. Pavilion also showcased the products and services of the more than 140 small to medium sized companies offering products ranging from agricultural equipment, telecommunications and information technology to medical, environmental equipment and water resources.

CS Manila also conducted a "Doing Business with the United States" seminar at the show on both days. The business seminar featured topics on doing business with US suppliers, financing options, business visas, and international air express transportation. The speakers were US Embassy Officers and the Country Manager for FedEx Corporation located in Manila. Business seminar attendees totaled to more than 80 for each day.

Capping the event was a cocktail reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy in honor of the US exhibitors on October 14 at the Marco Polo Hotel. With about 80 guests, the reception provided additional outreach opportunities for CS Manila and for the US exhibitors. The Davao City Vice Mayor and other local government officials, members of the Davao City and American Chambers of Commerce and several Davao businesspeople attended the reception. Commercial Attache Brent Omdahl gave brief remarks to welcome the guests and to introduce the US exhibitors.

Over the course of the three-day event, CS Manila demonstrated that Mindanao is an important market for US companies. This highly successful event generated significant trade leads for the US exhibitors and the catalog participants, and will no doubt lead to increased U.S. business in Davao City.

DAVAO ICT!

Davao pitches IT Services offer to Japan
Dec. 2005

BANKING on what it says is the city’s sizable Japanese-speaking population, Davao City’s information and communications technology (ICT) businesses are enticing Japanese firms to outsource to the region, an industry association based in the southern Philippine city said.

Despite its distance from the capital Manila where many ICT industries are located, Davao City has a flourishing ICT business community, according to the Association of Solutions Integrators in Davao (ASID).

ASID executive director Oliver Robillo said Davao’s ICT firms are hoping to fulfill some of Japan’s outsourcing requirements in software design, animation, call centers, and data transcription.

He said some Davao companies already provide ICT-related work to Japan firms, mostly in transcription and translation.Robillo said Japan and Davao have long-standing ties.

“Davao already has good relations with Japanese traders. After the end of World War II, many Japanese and their families stayed in Davao, so there’s a good number of people who can speak the language,” he said.

He also said many Davao colleges and universities offer Japanese language courses and about 1,000 out of 12,000 local college graduates can speak Japanese fluently.

Robillo said most of ASID’s 15 members are systems integrators, though several are also engaged in graphic design, animation, and mobile phone applications development.

There are also other ICT companies that offer development of multimedia material, Internet advertising, and customized applications development.

Ei guys.... drop by lang ko kadyot. Mangumusta lang ko kaninyong tanan!

Davao Updates!

DAVAO's LRT - Study for light rail transit in city okayed
March 8, 2006

THE City Council approved Tuesday a memorandum of understanding between a private consulting company and the City Government to conduct feasibility for a light rail mass transit in Davao City.

Vice Mayor Luis C. Bonguyan proposed the "memorandum of understanding to be entered into by and between the Javlon International (Philippines) Inc. and the City Government of Davao."

City Councilor Jesus A. Zozobrado authored the resolution.

Zozobrado said the study would be conducted without any monetary consideration on the part of the government.

According to Zozobrado, if approved, the study would be finished in six months time.

But he said the approval and acceptance of the results would still depend on the council.

"The council also has the right not to accept," he added.

Zozobrado said the result of the study would undergo examination and scrutiny by council members and experts.

Meanwhile, Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus said if the project would be implemented, it would help a lot in solving the city's traffic congestion problem.

"It will be an alternative transport system," Mahipus said.

Javlon, as stated in the Tanikalang Ginto Philippine human-edited directory, is a private consulting firm engaged in the development and implementation of various foreign-funded projects for and with Philippine government agencies.

with all these it and callcentre developments, davao must really be gearing up. i wish i could be there to witness, but i'll do the applauding from a distance.

i remember something about a japanese company setting shop there and will be hiring graphic designers, any new developments on that?

On the Medical Front (again):

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f195/bel1river/ddhct.jpg
Davao Doctors’ Hospital already has Somatom Sensation Cardiac 64, the world's fastest CT scanner. This state of the art machine was blessed and inaugurated last Monday.

One of only 2 in the Philippines, I was told. Same machine used by premier cardiac care hospitals in the 1st world. :)

with all these it and callcentre developments, davao must really be gearing up. i wish i could be there to witness, but i'll do the applauding from a distance.

i remember something about a japanese company setting shop there and will be hiring graphic designers, any new developments on that?

They are already in Davao na po! They opened last November 2005. Initially, they have invested P11 M.The company's name is Meno Gaia. I have posted a related news above. :) HOwever, i really dont have any idea what's happening within the company :runaway: ehehehehhehe..ala kc me contact from within eh.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/menogaia.jpg

D lang yan, another call center (though it isnt that popular) opened as well. WDC International's center is located in Rizal St. Some of its info can be found in my posts sa previous pages.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/_wdc.jpg

Then my company ( ehehehhe i mean the one im with now) opened a recruitment office in Davao.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/ppl.jpg

PeopleSupport! we do not have a PeopleSupport callcenter site yet in Davao. However, setting up a recruitment office in Davao is a good sign kc before we opened our branch in Cebu, the company opened its recruitment office first. I asked one of my friends (from the management) if we will be opening a center in Davao. She said that Davao is on top of our list! As a matter of fact, its the preferred site of our company's president. We were supposed to open another center in Davao last year however the management prioritized our expansion in Cebu first. Also, during our Christmas Party last 2004 - bukang bibig ng president (Bong Borja) ang Davao City. And also, there is a huge number of Davoeños in PeopleSupport Makati from Davao! so who knows.....maybe we will open one in Davao anytime soon! (let's just keep our fingers crossed!)

Anyway, its a good thing that the ICT sector in Davao is not solely focusing in the call center industry. As what our coforumer posted above, DAVAO is thinking out of the box! While most of the Philippine cities are busy attracting call center operators, Davao is positioning itself in the field of software and hardware development, web designs and network solutions, programming, and computer aided designs / animations. Davao is following the footsteps of its big bro Cebu!

Before the call centers came here in Cebu, the ICT here was so upbeat na with a number of IT companies around Cebu! And kahit mawala na ang call center fad (due to some factors like US politics, competition with China, etc.) still the IT industry here in Cebu will survive kc d sila nagdepend sa callcenter alone! yan ginagawa ng Davao ngayon!

OT - Anyway, im sooooooooo excited with the DAVAO LRT Study. Last 2001, I heard about this proposal. And now it has been revived! So this means that the local government is really serious when it comes to putting one! diba the LRT is part of the long term goal ng Davao Integrated Development Plan? although the implemenation of such projects are slow, but still our local government is consistent with its plans!

Ive read this news before that Mayor Duterte wants the Davao's LRT to be patterned from Taiwan's LRT. whoa......... :)

On the Medical Front (again):

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f195/bel1river/ddhct.jpg
Davao Doctors’ Hospital already has Somatom Sensation Cardiac 64, the world's fastest CT scanner. This state of the art machine was blessed and inaugurated last Monday.

One of only 2 in the Philippines, I was told. Same machine used by premier cardiac care hospitals in the 1st world. :)


Wow! only 2 in the Philippines? :eek2: for real? so one in Davao and the other one is located where? well i wish there are three in the Philippines - One in Metro Manila, in Metro Cebu, and in Metro Davao.

^^ seen it on tv just this morning... yehey LRT will be pursued by duterte admin, and also this week mindanao politicians will meet at CDO for the mindanao republic plan (initially they would try the constitutional way, but in case revolts in the metro continues and then the setup of junta gov't succeeded, mindanao will bolt out of the philippines by hook or by crook - duterte and nograles on local tv)

samantala, palamig muna tayo, lamig ng hangin dito,
shrine hills parish snapshots... 3 minute ride from NCCC Mall.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine2.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine3.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine4.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine5.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine6.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine7.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine8.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/shrine9.jpg

:)

That's good news on the LRT, at least they're serious enough to put money on the table. They should make a north south line with a feeder line eventually from Calinan and another one from buhanging to cabantian.

One problem of BPO for Davao right now is the silly perception and classification of Mindanao in General and Davao in particular as terrorist/unsafe area. I'm not sure this has been lifted by the US State Deparment. Considering that the Philippines biggest market is the US this is a key impediment to our growth for this particularly bright sector. I helped epixtar and cyber city take a look at davao. Cyber city eventually put up one because George Sorio the "american" local partner is pinoy and he understands Phil. risk well. , Expixtar actually said they believed Davao was an even better place to put BPO services than Cebu but in the end they and many others ducked out due to the official advisory. This does not reflect Davao's reality which is a very safe place and the foreign investors have seen it with their own eyes too , but in a big company the pervading thinking is ussually "cover your ass" so this will be at the backburner for the moment I think. We'll have some small guys put up a few hundred seats, but we need the accentures and convergyses to come down as these will have a huge effect if they do. I think all davaoenos should make changing this perception the number one challenge to tackle as it's un uphill marketing job otherwise!

i salute the local government of davao... with all the bad perceptions, still crawling inch by inch to the top. that's why i like investors from BIMP-EAGA, coz they know the real score and meaning of "peace". to hell with those who believe that davao is not peaceful. sometimes i prefer non christian countries like malaysia, indonesia and brunei helping davao coz others are bent on pushing us into the dark instead of helping us get out and yet they call us brothers.

I hope that the LRT project will materialize in the near future. In fact they should built it at the soonest possible time if they are anticipating for the future growth and development of Davao city in the future. Space is still plenty and there aren't much right of ways.

Maayong hapon sa tanan!

Yes it's a good news about LRT ,but this project it's a small 1, i heard it before they will pattern it like in Taiwan.my vision is it's like the old tram in San Francisco but its more longer and modern coz they are planning it to put it within downtown, dunno if its on the street or overhead. But i think we also need that coastal road which President Arroyo promise maybe Digong like to ask Arroyo if possible,coz his so lakas to her!

maayong gabii...

its raining here since yesterday. there were reports that typhoon is coming to davao tonight. unfortunately, di natuloy ang bagyo. kinancel nya ang davao trip. sayang...

re: LRT. mejo dugaydugay pa na. kay for study alone 6 months... nya daghan pang proseso hangtud sa actual operation. basig 5 years pa na.

re: davao-palau flight. even before, economic cooperation between palau & davao already exist. talks about airlinks were discussed as early as 1998. unta mabalik na ang davao kota kinabalu & sana matuloy na rin ang davao-darwin. btw, palau consulate is located in anda st, davao city. naa pud diay cosulate ang czech & spain diri. alam ko lang dati indonesian, malaysian & japanese. so total of 6 consulates here. cebu has at least 20 countries, of course manila have them all. http://www.embassypages.com/list1.php?id=philippines

@ tj: behind The Venue theres underconstruction with peoplesupport billboard informing that their recruitment office is in Plaza de Luisa in Oyanguren. duda ko ato ah basig mao natong call center ang ginatukod.

i salute the local government of davao... with all the bad perceptions, still crawling inch by inch to the top. that's why i like investors from BIMP-EAGA, coz they know the real score and meaning of "peace". to hell with those who believe that davao is not peaceful. sometimes i prefer non christian countries like malaysia, indonesia and brunei helping davao coz others are bent on pushing us into the dark instead of helping us get out and yet they call us brothers.

i feel the same way...

^^but it's nothing to do if a country is christian or non christian naman.

OT: malamig ba kamo ang hangin jan @junax...
musta panahon diha mga bai sa Davao, I'm sure right now it's raining with gusty winds. A weak tropical depression kase is crosing General Santos as of this moment, just south of Davao City. Southern Mindanao was last visited by a tropical cyclone more than 50 years ago pa. Ingat mga bai.
http://www.typhoon2000.ph/X01W06_trak.gif

btw, palau consulate is located in anda st, davao city. naa pud diay cosulate ang czech & spain diri. alam ko lang dati indonesian, malaysian & japanese. so total of 6 consulates here. cebu has at least 20 countries, of course manila have them all. http://www.embassypages.com/list1.php?id=philippines



i checked the spanish consul is a brias, can this guy be the husband of a former client of mine? she's a floirendo. kaso that guy was hehehe, pala-utot. i remember the husband came to her office, and left a stink bomb after. hehehe. bwrkkk.

maayong gabii...

@ tj: behind The Venue theres underconstruction with peoplesupport billboard informing that their recruitment office is in Plaza de Luisa in Oyanguren. duda ko ato ah basig mao natong call center ang ginatukod.



Yes and No! yes thats PeopleSupport alright! and No, that's not the callcenter site. It is just our (PS) recruitment office in Davao. Our permanent recruitment office will be located at Luisa Avenue Square along Jacinto Extension. Currently, the site is underconstruction. Our temporary recruitment site is at Ramon Magsaysay Ave aka Oyangoren.

Currently, the only callcenter expansion that we (PeopleSupport) have is in Cebu. Our second facility in Cebu will be located just across our existing site.

But don't worry, Davao is the top choice of PeopleSupport in case we will be expanding outside of Cebu. Sykes Asia and PeopleSupport started the exodus of callcenters to Cebu from Manila. When we opened our site in Cebu, our only competitor is Sykes Asia. After a year or so, Etelecare, Convergys, TouchAsia, and others followed.

Now that PeopleSupport opened a recruitment office in Davao (which we did before we opened a site in Cebu), I'm sure that others will follow.

And why am I so excited with PS being in Davao? its because PeopleSupport's head is the chairman of CCAP (Call Center Associations in the Phils.) and BPO-Philippines. a Nasdaq listed company with more than 3,500 e-reps in Makati and more than 1,000 ereps in Cebu. That means that PeopleSupport is bigger compared to the other existing callcenters in Mindanao like Link2Support (which is just a small local based company with its main office in Libis).

PeopleSupport always set a trend! Having PeopleSupport in Davao will surely attract other giants as well like Convergys, Etelecare, Teletech, Ambergris, Accenture, Teleperformance, etc.

How did i know all of these? Well, I am from PeopleSupport for years now! ehehehheehhehe :)

good morning dave, paul, slerz, dinabaw, bustero, askal, junex, junax, bel1river, and dextertexter

howdy tj. glad that davao forumers are increasing.

oh my, you're not getting the point, in the first place davao has enough IT facilities and infrastractures than any other places outside MM and Cebu that's for sure. in fact, even before this IT craze, davao city is already featured in tv being suppliers of softwares to japan. the only lacking in davao is the term "zones" that's it... now bcoz davao people should find their way creatively that's why the term "programmer city". and why work outside davao if i am a hardcore programmer? what's the use of the internet? entrepreneur is the key not having employed. i would rather sell my programs 200T each than being paid 50T a month. see what i mean?

oh my! there no need for such a line highlighted above, its totally uncalled for, chill out bro, napipikon ka ata.

all im saying here is davao could have a bigger share of the pie, than mere fractions of what other places in the country are having in their IT investments IF we only have IT zones. IT zones brings jobs, not just to some selected individuals but to the mainstream workforce bringing a ripple effect on consumer products. we have to admit, the philippines is a poor country and these investors will not invest in areas where they dont have a little advantage like tax holidays etc. its a give and take situation. you gain from me, i gain from you. if i am an IT investor and i see davao vs. other potential places for investment, i will choose the area where better perks are offered., I will just build my site/company to areas where I can have perks, the needed manpower can be sourced by opening recruitment centers to areas where the pool of manpower is big. And sad to say, these perks are only found in peza-accredited IT zones. so not unless the local govt of davao city along with the private sector become aggresive in promoting IT zones and push the government to declares areas they endorse as IT zones. davao will never see big caliber IT investors and will continue being a manpower supplier of top IT investment areas.

davao has these IT investors, like the ones posted here, but imagine how big IT investments in davao could be if we have an IT zone.

DAVAO's LRT UPDATE!

Davao City Council approves study on LRT construction
March 8, 2006

Traffic jam and transportation problems could be solved with the construction of a Light Railway Transit in the city.

Members of the city council unanimously approved on second reading a six-month feasibility study of the Davao Transport Strategic Project, which includes the construction of a Light Railway Transit (LRT) yesterday.

Councilor Jesus Zozobrado said Javlon International Philippines, Incorporated, a Philippine-based company has volunteered to make the study without any expense on the part of government.

The study would start as soon the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be signed between the two parties with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte representing the city.

He said though that Duterte has the prerogative to approve or decline the conduct of the study even it is passed by the council.

The study’s aim is to primarily look into the viability of possible transport facility and other infrastructures that could be applicable to the city.

He said after the study is conducted, it would be returned to the local government for review and verification and it could either be approved or rejected.

“Actually the scheme there is after the conduct of the study it would be sold to prospective investors provided that the city approves it,” he said.

Zozobrado said the study is the first step in realizing a dream of a cheaper and a more convenient mode of transportation for the people of Davao and the nearby places.

He said the benefits of having an LRT are evident in many places around the world. According to Zozobrado, in Chicago, United States of America the traffic flow is regulated because of LRT.

He said owners of cars from the suburbs would have to leave their cars in the station and ride the LRT to the city. Those who bring their cars are made to pay hefty rates.

“If we can do that here, we would have a smooth flow of traffic and the government will earn at the same time,” he said.

Zozobrado also clarified to Councilor Diosdado Mahipus that the MOU does not fall under the Built-Operate and Transfer scheme in favor of Javlon and would be open for bidding for various institutions in the future.

DAVAO's BUSINESS NEWS!

FilInvest Land to open Tagum residential estate.
March 8, 2006

Davao City- Filinvest Land, Inc. the leading property developer, has signified interest to develop quality residential subdivision by entering into a joint venture on the 8.5 hectare property located in Visayan Village, Mangga District , Tagum City owned by Philcrest Development Corporation.

A contract signing between Filinvest Land, represented by FLI's Vice President Tristan D. Las Marias, and Philcrest Development Corporation President Noe B. Taojo, was witnessed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, together with the City Councilors and other representatives from Filinvest: FLI's Davao Branch Manager Alan J. Barquilla and FLI's Business Development Officer Carlo A. Chavez. Signing was held during the celebration of Araw ng Tagum last March 6.

Filinvest Land, Inc. is the developer of Orange Grove Subdivision located in Matina-Pangi, and Fuente De Villa-Abrille in Tulip Drive, Matina, both in Davao City.

:)

DA develops hilly farming research center in Marilog
March 8, 2006

THE Department of Agriculture in Region XI is developing a research center in Marilog District for hilly farming.

It is situated within the 500-hectare Marilog stock farm in Marahan, Marilog District, Davao City which serves as a satellite station for its hilly farming program.

Dr. Alfredo Cayabyab, Southern Mindanao Agriculture Research Center (SMIARC) chief said that the Marilog stock farm is an extension area of SMIARC and will focus on the development of hilly lands.

“The establishment of the center is in line with DA’s twin goals to establish new agribusiness land and reduce prices of wage goods through enhanced agricultural productivity,” said Cayabyab.

Marilog district is suitable for vegetable production, including high value fruits such as durian, mangoesteen and lanzones due to its cool climate. Its proximity to urban centers, particularly Davao City, is another advantage since it would be easier for farmers to transport and market their products.
Moreover, the presence of indigenous community in the area is another reason for establishing the research center in Marilog, he said.

“Despite the vastness of idle land, most of these indigenous people still depend directly in Kaingin system and forest resources for livelihood,” Cayabyab said.

“With poor agricultural management practices, natural resources are rapidly deteriorating,” he added.

Noel Estellena, research project leader said that the establishment of research center for hilly land will showcase the technologies and agribusiness ventures wherein nearby community and other stakeholders would adopt sustainable farm practices.

“The projects lined up starting this year up to 2010 includes hedge grow farming, orchard, pasture and foliage, integrated farming and vegetable production,” he added.

:)

11 products to be bannered by Davao City under OTOP
March 8, 2006

DAVAO CITY has identified 11 products that will become its priorities for development under the one-town-one-product (OTOP) concept.

Teolulo Pasawa, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao City Field Office director, said this would allow each of the districts to develop a product.

Pasawa said his office has so far identified four products, one of them already included in the OTOP program.

Approved as banner product of the city is banana chips production, although officials of Davao del Norte argued that the city does not have any reason to identify banana chips as major product because the province is the main producer.

However, Pasawa argued that the city hosts all the major banana chips producers in the region, although these processing plants source their raw materials from Davao del Norte and other areas of the Davao Region.

Other products that might get included in the program are cutflower, meat processing and information and communications technology (ICT) industry. The city government has already started discussion on the inclusion of the ICT as priority development area of investment.

“We need more products to develop because the city is big. Each district will have one banner product,” Pasawa told the Mindanao Times, explaining that the program also carries help from the national government.

Pasawa has started discussing with city government officials about the plan so that this will get enough support from the city government. “We have to coordinate with the city government because this is their program. We are still waiting for their response on this proposal,” he said.

With 11 banner products, the city government will have plenty of assistance from the national government to develop these products. “And we can really diversify our development efforts,” Pasawa added.

OTOP is a program aimed at encouraging areas to focus their development on programs they identify for entrepreneurship for job and revenue creation. Under the program, a municipality, a district in the case of Davao City, will promote a product which it has a built-in competitive advantage both in local as well as international market.

The program motivates industry players to intensify the development of their focused products and services through the use of local raw materials and human resources. The identified product, based on the handout from the DTI, is chosen also because of its impact on its host community.

Investors in these products will be supported by concerned government agencies through design and development, skills training, marketing assistance and introduction of appropriate technology.

This concept is part of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) for 2004 to 2010 with the goal of at least creating between six to 10 million jobs until 2010 based on the pronouncement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her inauguration in 2004.

Product developers will also be able to access funding mechanisms from government financing institution like the Small Business Corp. through the SME (small and medium enterprises) Unified Lending Opportunities through National Growth.

DAVAO's TOURISM UPDATE!

Davao's post-ATF image still rosy
March 9, 2006
PIA

Davao City - Despite the recent disturbances that happened in Manila particularly the discovery of supposed plot to overthrow the government and the declaration of a state of national emergency, the sweet image of Davao City, which it earned after it's successful hosting of the Asean Tourism Forum remained intact.

According to Mary Ann Montemayor, Chairperson of the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council, the recent brouhaha in the nation's capital failed to taint the image of Davao as a peaceful and vibrant City.

"It did not erase the positive memories of the ATF. Many foreigners are still communicating with us, if our image is tainted then they would stop supporting us." she said.

Davao City put up a grandiose celebration in hosting the 25th Asean Tourism Forum, which was attended by an estimated 3,000 tourism players from around the world. Montemayor said that the visitors had such a wonderful experience that many are still interested in coming back.

"The wonderful experience was so great that not even the declaration of a state of national emergency and the recent disturbances that was covered by the international media did not erased the good impression earned by the City." Montemayor added.

Montemayor also cited the support extended by Singapore to Davao City.

"Singapore is still very much interested in Davao. They are very supportive of us as they had continued to acknowledge that our time as a premiere tourism destination had come." she said.

:) Thanks to the support from our Singaporean friends!

ei guys, check this out : http://www.singapore2006.org/sections/travellers/regional_destinations.html

Singapore2006.org is a website for the upcoming Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Also, it offers travel packages around Asia. and guess what? they have only promoted two cities from the Philippines! sino pa? tayo! DAVAO and our brother city CEBU! :rock: :rock: :rock:

below is a screenshot from the website...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvosing.jpg

from Davao to Palau!

"do'nt you know its cheaper for the people in DAVAO to go to Palau in Micronesia than to go to boracay?"


Palau - In an effort to entice tourism traffic between Palau and the Philippines, Asian Spirit executives are offering lower airfare for the Davao-Koror route.

"We want to entice tourism between the two places," Jack Po, Asian Spirit executive vice president, said in an interview. "It is cheaper for the people in Davao to go to Palau than go to Boracay."

Po said for their Davao-Koror flight service, the airfare would be US$250 to US$270.

He said this would be the first international venture of Asian Spirit in cooperation with Palau Micronesian Air.

Four Asian Spirit executives arrived [in Palau] last week and attended a public hearing at Longshoremen in Malakal [south of the capital city of Koror] where officials such as Paramount Chief Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons, various senators, former President Kuniwo Nakamura and businessmen discussed the new flight service.

"There was no opposition at the public hearing," Po said.

He added that in principle, "it’s all systems go for our target maiden flight on April 2."

Po said the company’s application for permit is already being processed.

While there are other things that need to be prepared, he said the airline plans to fly three times a week starting April 2006– every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 a.m. Palau time.

Travel time from Koror to Davao is one hour and 40 minutes.

"This is just a start – eventually we would introduce flights to Yap and Chuuk [in the Federated States of Micronesia]," Po said.

from - http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org

you can also check www.visit-palau.com for further info!

:) :) :)

And it is a lot safer for aircrafts to fly from Davao to Palau coz there will be less turbulence than flying from Davo to Boracay where there are a lot of mountainous areas along the aircrafts route.

maayong buntag sa tanan... way labot si...

oh my! there no need for such a line highlighted above, its totally uncalled for, chill out bro, napipikon ka ata.


:runaway:

unsay gibuhat sa mga checkpoint/TMC/task force davao nganong nakasulod man ni sya diri? time sa, itext sa nako ang DDS. :jk:

here are some shots i took way back 1999 to 2000. sorry for the quality, medyo naabugan na ang mga slides.

somewhere in bukidnon-davao boundary.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/more/bukidnon1.jpg

arrghhh, tesa lang, ningreklamo ng photobucket.

oh my! there no need for such a line highlighted above, its totally uncalled for, chill out bro, napipikon ka ata.

all im saying here is davao could have a bigger share of the pie, than mere fractions of what other places in the country are having in their IT investments IF we only have IT zones. IT zones brings jobs, not just to some selected individuals but to the mainstream workforce bringing a ripple effect on consumer products. we have to admit, the philippines is a poor country and these investors will not invest in areas where they dont have a little advantage like tax holidays etc. its a give and take situation. you gain from me, i gain from you. if i am an IT investor and i see davao vs. other potential places for investment, i will choose the area where better perks are offered., I will just build my site/company to areas where I can have perks, the needed manpower can be sourced by opening recruitment centers to areas where the pool of manpower is big. And sad to say, these perks are only found in peza-accredited IT zones. so not unless the local govt of davao city along with the private sector become aggresive in promoting IT zones and push the government to declares areas they endorse as IT zones. davao will never see big caliber IT investors and will continue being a manpower supplier of top IT investment areas.

davao has these IT investors, like the ones posted here, but imagine how big IT investments in davao could be if we have an IT zone.



ok valium, got your point and nobody's gonna disagree with you about that. but you know why davao is unique from the rest? it creates diversion roads instead of lining in the congested avenues. bcoz of the "war torn" mindanao image that we got from the rest of the philippine media, davao's arsenal are the entrepreneurs, bcoz "peace freak" investors shy away most of the time. of course it has effects, but for decades davao city survived with that. in malls for example, other cities are like chicks crying "please SM and Ayala, invest in our city please! we are nothing with out you." not in our city, with four big local malls, SM (already in) and ayala's coming wont get the red carpet treatment, just a welcome banner.

the scenario is the same with these IT zonings. of course it is a plus factor having a PEZA zone, but it's just a matter of applying for it. even without it, davao has the infraastractures and local IT companies (blingue, cerveo, cube pixels, filmindsoft, hubport interactive, ids-media, kwik release, lane systems inc., mtto transcriptions, philamerican, silvercup, ssp transcript, digital interface, etc) generating income more than "some" of those declared zones. remember, and i quote, many large, successful firms today started out as small entrepreneurships that anticipated a particular need, not tried to meet one. They include Microsoft, HP, and Dell. All were founded in very inauspicious surroundings. All overcame great odds against success. that's what davao is dreaming to achieved. we want our local Lane Systems to grow and invest in other areas rather than make foreign investors suck our resources. that's why the term "programmer city". i don't know which successful city you come from, valiant... but here in davao we do it differently with pride. if your place is blessed with an investor friendly atmosphere, then you have to thank god for that and pray that it will stay that way. if investors wont come? davao invests...

maayong buntag sa tanan... way labot si...

:runaway:

unsay gibuhat sa mga checkpoint/TMC/task force davao nganong nakasulod man ni sya diri? time sa, itext sa nako ang DDS. :jk:


oh oh, sleep, you are one of the most respected forumer here, but after the post above, me thinks im wrong.

"many large, successful firms today started out as small entrepreneurships that anticipated a particular need, not tried to meet one. They include Microsoft, HP, and Dell. All were founded in very inauspicious surroundings. All overcame great odds against success. that's what davao is dreaming to achieved"

so what yore saying here is that these companies are trying to replicate the success of microsoft, HP and Dell? with the presence of BIG names sorrounding the country today, its a noble dream, but its a hard one. but oh well, hard dreams are sweet success.

well i think davao is applying for some zones and buildings to become peza acrredited, but theyre having problems with its approval. i just dont know why. could be the mindanao stigma? i dont know. and i dont think so, one area in mindanao already has an IT zone.

"please SM and Ayala, invest in our city please! we are nothing with out you." not in our city, with four big local malls, SM (already in) and ayala's coming wont get the red carpet treatment, just a welcome banner.

no matter how you gulong and cry out loud to these investors, if they dont see your place as a feasable area for their investments, nothing will happen. katakot takot na studies are made regarding the trend of the market and the consumers.

if investors wont come? davao invests...

thats the spirit! :okay:

hello to my friends here in SSC! :)

ei...wag na kayo mag-away pls? :cry: :cry: its evident naman na both of u got one dream in mind eh...Davao City's development.....

so what yore saying here is that these companies are trying to replicate the success of microsoft, HP and Dell? with the presence of BIG names sorrounding the country today, its a noble dream, but its a hard one. but oh well, hard dreams are sweet success.

well i think davao is applying for some zones and buildings to become peza acrredited, but theyre having problems with its approval. i just dont know why. could be the mindanao stigma? i dont know. and i dont think so, one area in mindanao already has an IT zone.

at least we have companies like that. saan ba nagsimula ang BIG names na sinasabi mo di ba sa SMALL? and if an IT company is afraid of the BIG names that only means it's not owned and based in davao. that's why i said davao is different. let's put a stop on this, you are happy with sole foreign big investors, fine, and we are happy with our local investors and of course some foreign investors like japan and BIMP. the locals dictates the trend.

and about the accreditation, do you know the word politics? i am happy with the pueblo de oro IT park in cdo at least mindanao is gearing up. now let's talk qualifications... we have pryce business park with 3 buildings (2 high rises) occupied by ICT companies with the infrastractures, applied four years ago and get disapproved and didn't bother again. we have high speed connections. we have good tel cos, numerous IT people, we have an incubator with 8 companies for the moment, if it is some city, it will be flooded with tears. but not davao, with or without PEZA it will become an ICT haven in the very near future just next to cebu and manila. the government is doing something, hindi lang kasi bread and butter ang IT coz davao is blessed with numerous industries. but wait for few months and it will change, the government is doing something.

now do you think all approved IT zones can surpass davao's qualifications face to face? wait till the companies inside those zones withdraw, it will be like a pentium 4 board without the processor.


no matter how you gulong and cry out loud to these investors, if they dont see your place as a feasable area for their investments, nothing will happen. katakot takot na studies are made regarding the trend of the market and the consumers.

that's true to places with poor resources, ibahin mo ang davao. it can compete globally without outside investors paano na kaya kung meron pa?

at least we have companies like that. saan ba nagsimula ang BIG names na sinasabi mo di ba sa SMALL?

well that issue is applicable to these BIG companies because they were pioneers in their field, and at the time when they were still starting, there are no BIG names yet. the situation now is DIFFERENT.

it will become an ICT haven in the very near future just next to cebu and manila

just next??? we should never confine ourselves by just being next to manila or even cebu. next thing we know, were next to cag. de oro, and then next to even dumaguete. aww, i dont like that that to happen. granting that the local government is doing something, do you think it is enough? i mean, davao is not the only place doing something about the situation, other places are more agressive, and to think that IT is not the sole bread and butter of these places.

now do you think all approved IT zones can surpass davao's qualifications face to face?

what are davao's qualification that other places (places with existing zones) dont have aside from manpower?

that's true to places with poor resources, ibahin mo ang davao. it can compete globally without outside investors paano na kaya kung meron pa?

it came from you, what i have been saying all along. paano na kaya kung meron pa? but why dont we have them? dont you think it would be a positive catalyst if we have them? we have been saying that davao is actually thinking "outside the box" but it seems that we are confining ourselves "inside the box"

^^ that's it... nonsense talking davao's style of progress to a non davaoeño coz i think you're not. as i have said, do it your style and we do it our way. davaoeños lifestyle is above standard why should we bother about other places. make your own heaven. we're already in cloud nine with our style of economics. :)

Junax :nocrook:

Fellow Davaoenos ,way labot ng 1 dia, hehe! see the new Davao city online website very very cool :nocrook: :nocrook: :nocrook:

^^ that's it... nonsense talking davao's style of progress to a non davaoeño coz i think you're not. as i have said, do it your style and we do it our way. davaoeños lifestyle is above standard why should we bother about other places. make your own heaven. we're already in cloud nine with our style of economics. :)

heh, chill bro, so you cant really talk about davao's progress to a supposedly non-davaoeño like me? is that one of your "standard"? im just sharing my punto de vista of an outsider looking in at davao. and i guess a lot of people share my views, i surfed the link here of the silicongulf website and the message board actually shows some views, opinions, errr... ok, lets call it concerns that i have. no need to raise hell here. and if i appear to you as anti-davao, lets clarify things here, IM NOT, so chill out coz its summer.

Well, Silicon Valley didn't start out as an IT zone either. It was first a pioneering community of computer engineers, researchers and scientists. In fact its only in 1971 when the moniker 'Silicon Valley' came into existence describing a region in San Francisco where every piece of technology we take for granted were getting discovered by leaps and bounds during the flourishing years of digital revolution. It is not rigidly structured along government lines and zone designation for its own development. Silicon Valley's increasingly technlogical complexity and industrial expansion is organic. Induced IT parks just came in recently as an attempt to recreate the success Silicon Valley had during its time.

heh, chill bro, so you cant really talk about davao's progress to a supposedly non-davaoeño like me? is that one of your "standard"? im just sharing my punto de vista of an outsider looking in at davao. and i guess a lot of people share my views, i surfed the link here of the silicongulf website and the message board actually shows some views, opinions, errr... ok, lets call it concerns that i have. no need to raise hell here. and if i appear to you as anti-davao, lets clarify things here, IM NOT, so chill out coz its summer.

you sound like "someone" very popular in SSC... no wonder. hey man, i salute you, we need people like you in our country nowadays. iraq used to have this kind of man in the presence of...

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/images/07-minister.jpg

praise and destroy kind of person...

silicon valley is a pioneer, thats why it was able to establish itself and be on the world map. before there was silicon valley, there was none to be talked about as a general standard or pattern for IT growth and development.

you sound like "someone" very popular in SSC... no wonder. hey man, i salute you, we need people like you in our country nowadays. iraq used to have this kind of man in the presence of...

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/images/07-minister.jpg

praise and destroy kind of person...

^^ i wont retaliate to this kind of immature acts. i wont attack you personally cause im not like that and i know its irrelevant and absolutely a violation of the forum rules. i admire you with the kind of rebuttal you were giving me here previously, but i never thought you can be so low. too bad its gone in a sec. and dont worry, i wont get personal with you here because i dont wanna offend the mods, if they review the thread, they know who to warn. take my word brotha!

^^ i wont retaliate this kind of immature acts. i admire you with the kind of rebuttal you were giving me here previously, but i never thought you can be so low. too bad its gone in a sec. and dont worry, i wont get personal with you here because i dont wanna offend the mods, if they review the thread, they know who to warn. take my word brotha!

oh no... i'm not attacking you. i'm just giving you a taste of your style... praise and destroy... i was in fact praising you when i compared you to the iraqi information minister. but you sense an attack why?

very well said by askals82...

"Well, Silicon Valley didn't start out as an IT zone either. It was first a pioneering community of computer engineers, researchers and scientists. In fact its only in 1971 when the moniker 'Silicon Valley' came into existence describing a region in San Francisco where every piece of technology we take for granted were getting discovered by leaps and bounds during the flourishing years of digital revolution. It is not rigidly structured along government lines and zone designation for its own development. Silicon Valley's increasingly technlogical complexity and industrial expansion is organic. Induced IT parks just came in recently as an attempt to recreate the success Silicon Valley had during its time."

and yet you came up with...
"silicon valley is a pioneer, thats why it was able to establish itself and be on the world map. before there was silicon valley, there was none to be talked about as a general standard or pattern for IT growth and development."

who's more immature than that? you can never start something original if that is your prevailing principle, you can only be a good innovator not a good inventor. visit davao, you need some remedial class maybe in ateneo or U.P. here.

oh no...
and yet you came up with...
"silicon valley is a pioneer, thats why it was able to establish itself and be on the world map. before there was silicon valley, there was none to be talked about as a general standard or pattern for IT growth and development."

who's more immature than that? you can never start something original if that is your prevailing principle, you can only be a good innovator not a good inventor. visit davao, you need some remedial class maybe in ateneo or U.P. here.

first, i dont think theres anything wrong with what i have said about silicon valley, askal i think dont even have a problem with what i said there. and youre calling me immature? and with the bold statement above... theres only one thing i can say to you, and im gonna post it again and again if you continue attacking me personally, ciao ciao!

"i wont retaliate to this kind of immature acts. i wont attack you personally cause im not like that and i know its irrelevant and absolutely a violation of the forum rules. i admire you with the kind of rebuttal you were giving me here previously, but i never thought you can be so low. too bad its gone in a sec. and dont worry, i wont get personal with you here because i dont wanna offend the mods, if they review the thread, they know who to warn. take my word brotha!"

first, i dont think theres anything wrong with what i have said about silicon valley, askal i think dont even have a problem with what i said there. and youre calling me immature? and with the bold statement above... theres only one thing i can say to you, and im gonna post it again and again if you continue attacking me personally, ciao ciao!

"i wont retaliate to this kind of immature acts. i wont attack you personally cause im not like that and i know its irrelevant and absolutely a violation of the forum rules. i admire you with the kind of rebuttal you were giving me here previously, but i never thought you can be so low. too bad its gone in a sec. and dont worry, i wont get personal with you here because i dont wanna offend the mods, if they review the thread, they know who to warn. take my word brotha!"

hehe. read above ^^ there's no "immature calling" there from me. it came from you. and i think you're enticing the mods to kick me or this thread why? is that what you are really up to?

^^ as much as i wanted to rebutt, the essence is not right for a rebuttal.

that post (and this reply) can and may be generally viewed as a PM, and totally unrelated to the thread. and i should refrain from doing a reply directly concerning you without regards to the topic. ciao ciao!

^^ thank you! now can we have the davao thread again? i think you have your thread to attend to also.

oh oh, sleep, you are one of the most respected forumer here, but after the post above, me thinks im wrong.


thank you. but let me check. theres only one instance i lost temper here in ssc. that was last year. lam mo na to. kaw ang dahilan.

@ junax: wag mo ng patulan. dont let valium get into your nerves.

peace everyone!

Fellow Davaoenos ,way labot ng 1 dia, hehe! see the new Davao city online website very very cool :nocrook: :nocrook: :nocrook:

http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/

ok karon kay mas simple. nya updated na. pero naa pay mga link nga dili mogana.

ok pud ang www.samalcity.gov.ph

here are some shots i took way back 1999 to 2000. sorry for the quality, medyo naabugan na ang mga slides.

somewhere in bukidnon-davao boundary.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/more/bukidnon1.jpg

arrghhh, tesa lang, ningreklamo ng photobucket.

murag duol siguro na diri:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/davao%20highlands/camiguin3007.jpg

dave, what is weird with that shot is, i had to climb something and then on that landing was a very deep cliff. so from the road, you can't relly see it. but the view was so overpowering.

old samal shots, second one is from the cloased samal casino. more to come, when i have the time to scan the slides over the weekend.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/more/tosamal.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/more/samala_casino.jpg

^^davao buda road, is sibol right, wala pa ring titulo haha, too bad, within my lifetime as far as the eye can see, puno ito ng kahoy, oh well! Maybe we can grow cows here :)

oh yah, dont let valium get into your nerves....... valium is addictive!

DAVAO BUSINESS NEWS!

BIMP-EAGA officials to join Davao anniversary celebration

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 9 (PNA)-- Senior officials and high level private sectors of the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will arrive in Davao City this week to join the 12th BIMP-EAGA anniversary celebration on March 13-17.

The Philippines' acceptance of the chairmanship of the BIMP EAGA Business Council (BEBC) from Malaysia on March 15 at the Marco Polo, Davao, will highlight the celebration established in 1994.

BEBC, which was granted the fifth country status by BIMP-EAGA, is the coordinating arm of the private sector to the four- member countries. It plays a critical role in the realization of the actual conduct of trade, investments, and tourism activities within the member countries.

Incoming Mindanao Business Council chair Romeo Serra who will automatically act as BEBC chairperson will formally assume his twin positions on March 15.

Aside from the induction of the BEBC 2006 officers, meetings of the small medium enterprises (SME), the Natural Resource Development (NRD), BIMP working clusters and briefing on Mindanao and BIMP-EAGA will also be held during the week-long celebration.

DAVAO BUSINESS NEWS!

Australia opens trade portal for BIMP-EAGA


DAVAO CITY March 2006 – The government of Northern Territory (NT), Australia has sponsored a business portal where traders from the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) could market products globally through the web.

Quentin Killan, Assitant Director of the Department of Chief Minister, NT led the project roll-out of the “BIMP-Eaga Business Portal” Monday at the Marco Polo Hotel here.

The portal is a community-based Internet application that would widely promote products and services available within the BIMP-EAGA region.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-11 (DAVAO) Director Merly Cruz said the portal is an opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within BIMP-EAGA to market and match their products and services in a “virtual” arena.

“This is a sustainable channel for marketing. It would particularly improve the market penetration of our SMEs within and outside EAGA,” said Cruz, who also chairs the BIMP-EAGA SME Cluster.

The business portal also provides access for international buyers to check on the array of products and services offered by EAGA countries as well as that of Northern Territory.

The BIMP-EAGA Business Portal, which will officially open on May 23 this year, could be accessed through the website “www.bebp.org.”

Meanwhile, Killan said they have tapped the premier software firm Microsoft to develop the Internet site that can house as many businesses from the sub-region.

Killan said the portal provides SMEs with a free business site, which is a big help, considering the high cost of maintaining an individual business website at present.

“Our objective is to remove the cost and aid the development of as much small traders in the BIMP-EAGA-Northern Territory area,” Killan said.

In Mindanao, the portal is jointly facilitated by DTI, Mindanao Economic Development Council and Mindanao Business Council. Interested traders could sign up through these agencies.

DAVAO TOURISM UPDATE!

Davao City Council - Dad pushes more local flights in ASEAN

DAVAO CITY March 2006- A lawmaker here is pushing for tourism transport links with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) to attract more foreign airlines’ flights to the city.

“After the successful ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), we should now put the rhetoric into concrete action, and if we are true to the vision to develop the ASEAN as a single destination, then we should adopt the slogan “Wag maging dayuhan sa ASEAN,” (We should not be foreigners to ASEAN), city councilor Peter Laviña said.

Laviña, committee on trade and commerce chairman, said the city needs to open links with ASEAN’s tourism mega hubs like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

“And we should also strengthen the link with Singapore where we are now serviced by Silkair and to the south, the Manado-Bali route. This would put Davao in the ASEAN tourism circuit,” Laviña said. He said Davao City serves as the de facto center of the

East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) and it should position itself as the transport hub for the sub-region.

Laviña also proposed air links with Bangkok not only because it is a truly international air hub, but it is a vital link to the whole Mekong Delta Region composed of ASEAN members like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he said, should be the city’s link to the Middle East.

“Our Asean neighbors have plenty of budget air carriers. We should lure them to service Mindanao and not only Manila and Clark. Also, we should work out to include Davao City in the fast growing cruise market,” Laviña said.

Laviña pointed to the upcoming Kadayawan festival as a good tourism product that the city could promote with the ASEAN neighbors.

“I hope the organizers would take this into consideration to follow through on the success of the ATF. I am sure that many Aseans are interested in Davao and its allures like our cultural festivals and our natural attractions,” he said.

He urged local travel operators to explore the possibility of packaging tours to the Asean for Davaoeños to be exposed to the attractions of other counties in the region like the Borobudur in Java, the Angkor in Cambodia or the Kampong in Brunei.

KUDOS! :)

Davao Norte grabs most “Gawad Saka” awards

Davao, March 2006 - Davao del Norte grabbed four awards and a citation in last year’s search for “Gawad Saka”, conferred in recognition of best efforts shown by farmers and fisherfolks in raising agricultural production.

In a convocation ceremony Monday at the Provincial Capitol, Jimmy Bergonio representing Regional director Roger Chio, lauded Davao del Norte for capturing the award previously held by South Cotabato.

Southern Mindanao bagged six national outstanding Gawad Saka recognition in the smal animal raiser, small farmer/fisherfolk organization, high value commercial crops (HVCC) processor, RIC-Young farmer, Agricultural Scientist, and fish farmers categories.

Of the six, four national Gawad Saka awardees as outstanding small farmers organization, small animal raiser, HVCC processor, and fisherfolk adopting integrated farming system (IFS) are from Davao del Norte which also received a special citation.

But Bergonio noted this year’s performance of Southern Mindanao in hauling Gawad Saka awards is not the first because the region had been consistently bringing in numerous farmers’ recognition since 1999.

The Gawad Saka search has evolved from a modest and simple search for outstanding rice and corn raisers in l970s. From merely two, the search now has 18 categories being contested nationwide.

“While this program has been called by different names, they have common goals to document success stories and provide incentives to fisherfolks and farmers to enhance their technologies,” Bergonio said.

Bergonio gave credit to local government units which have given priority to the agriculture and fisheries sector.

“The success of this program largely depends on the local governments being in the frontline of implementation not only of Gawad Saka but other flagship programs in fisheries and agriculture,” he said.

Gawad Saka was institutionalized in late 1990s as a joint undertaking of the DA, LGUs and agriculture and fisheries councils. “From then on, the LGUs have assumed greater responsibilities in implementing this program,” Bergonio added.

nice shots kuya pol. fronting samal casino is talikud island particurly isla reta beach at brgy sta cruz.

@ bustero: baka, u mean ipol, malapit sa seagull valley.

@ tj: northern territory's back. they were agressive in helping mindanao and BIMP EAGA dati pa. lahat naglaho nung asian crisis. sana matuloy na rin yung davao-darwin flight.

check this out:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/ssc/davaopalau.jpg
http://www.asianspirit.com/
pump up the valium! hehe.

ei sleepwalker! mustah!!!!!! wow...san tayo this summer? uhmmmmm boracay? nah! para maiba....PALAU naman tayo! ehehehehehehehehe

DaVaO!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvoscram.jpg

DaVaO!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvokada.jpg

Hi! Dave junax and T_j maayong gabii kanang isa diya ngano wala pa na uban sa bagyo gahapon!hanginon man kaayo na! anod na unta na sa baha hahaha! baligya nalang nato na!

@ tj: wahaha! im packing my tent na...

palau, here we come!

http://www.northbeachcottages.com/index.html


http://www.palau.biodiv-chm.org/upload/bai%20copy.jpg

http://www.airchive.com/airline%20pics/GUAM%20PALAU/PALAU%20CURB-2.JPG

http://www.pref.mie.jp/KOKUSAI/hp/sistercities/palau/photo/gov_bldgs/airport.jpg

http://www.harlemdiver157.org/images/bai.jpg

parang may similarities ang davao & palau as to architecture.

@ don: sagdihi lang kay nakatira na og baygon nga naay vetsin.

maayong gabii ninyong tanan!

davao traditional architecture:

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

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/air/05021005.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/air/IMAG0492.jpg

"kanang isa diya ngano wala pa na uban sa bagyo gahapon!hanginon man kaayo na! anod na unta na sa baha hahaha! baligya nalang nato na!"

"@ don: sagdihi lang kay nakatira na og baygon nga naay vetsin"


the need for such side comments? hmmm, do you know what happened to iloilo thread the past few days? ok, nuff said...

nye gising ka pa? kelan mo ba kaming lubayan? jowk.

dont get too serious. cheer up!

peace?

ok guys, enough now. this tread is supposed to be davao. so let's all concentrate on that.

dave, that shot was on the bukidnon side i think. probably way past mountain view. i have some more but it's all dated kay before 2000 pa man. i saw lots of beautiful sceneries from buda all the way to the centre of bukidnon. if i do go home, i have to find time to retrace everything on that end, plus a side trip to mati. one place that i'd love to go back is gov gen. but take a lantsa, the views are spectacular from the sea. the beach on cape san agustin is very good to explore. if you're there try view the sea on the tip of the cape (where pujada and davao gulf meets).

with all this brouhaha about IT investments, i think naay responsibilidad ang city government sa davao why it has not been getting the investments. but im happy to say to VALIUM that it has recently been addressed by the city government by updating the city's investment code. read the following.


Davao City works on IT incentives

"Mr. Teo said that one of the SGV's recommendations is to apply the current incentive to IT investments unlike the past Code where incentives are only applied on investments in telecommunications.

In the proposed amendment, incentives that includes 3-years exemption from Mayor's permit and 2-year exemption from paying Real Estate Taxes would be given to investments falling under the ICT sector like call centers, medical transcriptions and IT parks."

more here (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060107.htm&no=19)

thanks, but why do you have to mention my nickname? and at ALL-CAPS? are you trying to intimidate me? that article is fine, and explains why davao seems to be trailing behind other areas in the country (in terms of IT) good thing the city government finally realized their shortcomings. why only now? but oh well, its not yet late anyway. another thing that struck me in that article is the "possibility" of wi-fi investments, you mean there are no wi-fi hotspots in davao city yet???

^^ What do you mean? Davao have already many informal wi-fi hotspots mostly in cafe's and restaurants. Besides, try to visit Davao first to see it in your own eyes before you prejudge that it's not IT competitive. Either with or without government intervention, Davao is poised to be one of the country's major IT hub anyway.

Telecommunications

Communication links within the key business areas are adequate. With the deregulation and privatization policies of the Philippine Government, the number of telecommunications player is projected to increase as well as offer affordable telecommunications services to subscribers/clienteles. Mobile phone operators, Internet service providers, Internet cafés, and cable TV operators have now proliferated in the city and even in the rest of the localities within the country to keep the people in-touch and informed of the latest developments around the globe.

From Wikipedia:

In Davao City, you can enjoy the best of cable TV, your choice of movies, 24-hour world news reports, documentaries, sports, and coverage of significant events. On the other hand, there are 5 Internet Service Providers operating in Davao City offering dial-up, dedicated and broadband types of service. The City has over a hundred Internet cafés operating in strategic areas where one can surf, chat, games, send and view e-mails, and engage in e-commerce using the latest computer innovation and technology. Most hotels and major business establishments are now considered as wi-fi hotspots.

Davao has the most number of wi fi spots in Mindanao.

Here are some of Davao's wifi hotspots:

Formula Pete’s Sports Café at Wheels and More Building J.P. Laurel Ave.
K1 Coffee Shop on F. Torres Street
NCCC Mall
Davao International Airport
Blugre Coffee Branches (MTS and Landco Building)
Basti’s Brew in Victoria Plaza
Marco Polo Hotel
Insular Hotel
Grand Regal Hotel
Casa Leticia Hotel
Apo View Hotel
etc....

General Santos City's wifi hotspot

East Asia Royale Hotel

Cagayan de Oro City's wifi hotspot

The Site Coffee Shop at Limketkai Mall
Bo’s Coffee Club

Iligan's wifi hotspot

Area 51 Net Café, Keema Arcade, Quezon Avenue Extension

:) :)

WiFi Investments

WiFi is not limited to putting up hotspots alone. The wifi industry includes hardware and peripheral development, solutions, software development, and the list goes on....

:) :)

@sleepwalker_uno ...ayos mga pics bro! I especially like the one wherein the plane has just taken off tapos nasa bkg ung old Davao Airport. Nice nice nice! Try pud nimo kuhaan tong Heritage Baptist Church sa may Buhangin Flyover... traditional Malayan design pud to. And, if i remembered correctly, ung Davao Museum sa Insular Village... i think that's built on Malayan Design too. D na kaayo ko sure kay bata pa ko kadtong last ko nibisita didto. Ayos bro. Keep it up.

@TJ_brewed ...Great IT info! Hope Davao keeps up with Cebu and Manila pagdating sa IT. Keep it up bro. Will try to contribute more d2 sa forum in the coming days... hopefully in the week after next... will just have to finish all my exams. I still got 4. LOL. Ingat bro.

@Everyone ...Yo!

good morning dexter! and to all...

kang oliver dorado ng old airport pic, ang uban ako. try ko rin ang heritage baptist church next time.

:)

DAVAO Gulf Infrastructure Support :) :)

Business Parks in Davao City.

1. Pryce Business Park
2. Riverfront Corporate City

PEZA approved Industrial Parks.

1. First Oriental Business Park (192 ha) in Davao City, 4 km from Sasa Wharf and 6 km from the international airport.

2.ILAIECO Industrial Park (30 ha) in Ilang, Davao City.

3.Darong Industrial Estate (475 ha.) in Davao Sur, which hosts the state-of-the-art San Miguel Brewery Complex

4.The proposed Panabo Industrial Estate (562 ha.) 39 km north of Davao Cit

5. Apo Estates Special Economic Zone (on going construction)


Airports

The Davao International Airport is Mindanao's busiest with 10 daily flights to and from Manila, regular air services to other major cities, and twice-weekly direct flights to Kota Kinabalu, Manado, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Soon to open are routes to other BIMP-EAGA cities, Australia, Japan, and the Pacific Rim.

And this April, a new route will be introduced - DAVAO to PALAU!

Seaports

Davao City's Sasa Wharf can berth large international container ships.

Sta. Ana pier serves domestic vessels.
Smaller municipal ports service the eastern coastal areas.

Road Networks

Well-paved roads link Davao Gulf to Cotabato City, Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Zamboanga City, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Gen. Santos.

Power and Energy

Electric power generated mainly by hydroelectricity is distributed by local cooperatives. Davao Light & Power maintains a 76.7 Mw back-up generating facility for Davao City.

Water Supply

Water sources are abundant; daily production capacity for Metro Davao alone is over 300,000 cubic meters. Davao City water ranks among the top three cities in Asia for quality, purity, taste, pressure, and quantity.

Communications

Standard systems include IDD-NDD, fax, telegram, cellular, wifi, Internet service providers, and satellite broadcast reception.


:) :) for reference only!

NEDA sees DAVAO as top economic performer this year (2006)

March 2006- National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Nicasio Agustin believes the P14 daily wage increase issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) XI will not severely affect Region XI's economy.

Agustin said in fact, given the sharp increase in capital infusions in last year and present year industry indicators, NEDA expects DAVAO Region / Region XI to top other regions in the country in terms of economic performance this year.

A NEDA XI survey showed Region XI obtained a 100 percent increase in capital infusion last year compared with the previous year, Agustin said.

DAVAO Region also stood out in terms of tourist arrivals last year and is projected to remain in the lead this year, Agustin said.

He is also confident the agriculture sector will continue to soar high this year with the impending transfer of the Department of Agriculture (DA) central office to Davao City.

"An improved growth in food sector is seen this year and the transfer of the DA office in the city is also seen to strengthen further the agriculture sector," Agustin said, adding the food sector specifically banana will continue to pull up the region's exports.

Davao Region is a region to watch this year because of the vast mineral deposits in Mindanao, Agustin said.

He said the recent approval of the amended Mining Act is expected to shore up the mining industry in Mindanao, provided mining industry key players continue to practice a sustainable mining approach.

"Mining ang bubuhay sa atin, not much on manufacturing," Agustin said.

Aside from mining, service sector is at an upward trend due to the apparent growth in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. Davao City is projected to rank second to Cebu City on ICT growth for 2006, Agustin said. DM

hala ga lalis-lalis lagi ni ngari..

Maayong buntag ! sa tanan !

Hi dextertexter! long time no see ,aw unsa diay no reply diay. cramming finals bai? katong sa Davao musuem murag dili man malayan ang motif sa design but i know they already renovated before the ATF, seen some pictures of some exhibit impressive man but anyway kung ka agi ko check lang nako.

Nice Pics Dave! :rock: :rock: :rock: naa diay ko palihug dave naa pa batong durian coffe nimo na pic kay naa lang ko pakitaan na bista kay abi nag binuang lang ko thanx in advance!

maayong buntag sa tanan davaoeño! sleep, dinabaw, tj_brewed, junex, paul, dexter2, bustero, ug uban pa.

hala ga lalis-lalis lagi ni ngari..

naa man gud mi bisita dri bai nga lisod kayo pasabton, nia o gipabasa ug article, imbes nga positive ang pagsabot gi negative nasad, ang tubag niya...

"that article is fine, and explains why davao seems to be trailing behind other areas in the country (in terms of IT) good thing the city government finally realized their shortcomings. why only now? but oh well, its not yet late anyway."

hehe... pataka lang ug comment wa pa gani sya masuheto sa davao. trailing behind daw ang davao sus ginoo. wa pa nauso ang IT zoning naa intawon mi ICT companies dri. unsa man diay pag walay zone peke ang IT industries. lami ikatawa.

nia pa...

"another thing that struck me in that article is the "possibility" of wi-fi investments, you mean there are no wi-fi hotspots in davao city yet???"

karon pako ani, ang wi-fi investments diay hotspots ra? hehe. kung hotspots lang, di na intawon maihap.

binisay on na lang nako kay mora di man gud kasabot ug manenglish. sorry sleep kay di ko kapugong mo comment hehe.

uswag davao!

maayong adlaw junax. hala pasagdi na na. padayon ta para sa ikalambo sa atong syudad.

hello to all

hehe dave correct ka diyan!

Paul, di ba the cape is treacherous, I heard many people have been lost there! I think sa may Gov Gen (or was it pujada) was also where my uncle and his party had a shark incident, isa sa kasama nila was bitten( not eaten) by a shark but he lost too much blood and he did not make it! this was a long time ago. The last time I saw a shark(or maybe dolphin:) in Pujada was over 10 years ago!

junax, do not despair, weder weder lang iyan, Davao was in worst shit in the 80's and who could have guessed it would be what it is today! (still in the shits but at least it's our shit hehe joke) I'm sure Davao will have it's own place in the sun if not IT, then biotech for the fruits and crops , tissue culture to grow more bananas (walang katapusang saging economy!), Bigger suha (like the ones in vietnam parang buko ang laki - iyun lang nga walang lasa!) and more pungent durian (ngi1! - papayagan lang sa durian air). GMO anyone?:)

btw there is wifi in davao, i was in this coffee shop last week but I don't remember the name, kadikit siya ng family style karaoke, it's along torres, iyung lugar used to belong doon sa asawa ni JIB gani (Joji Ilagan Bian), anyway my cousin and her boyfriend hangs out there all the time with their laptops and doon sila nagiinternet and hangout, libre and access!

^^ i thought so too. but viewing it from the cape (cliff) can be awesome and overwhelming.

^^ok padalan mo na lang kami ng pix next time pumunta ka doon! I think that's the first place in the RP to get sunshine right? I'm sure it's nice parang katakot lang!

hello to all
btw there is wifi in davao, i was in this coffee shop last week but I don't remember the name, kadikit siya ng family style karaoke, it's along torres, iyung lugar used to belong doon sa asawa ni JIB gani (Joji Ilagan Bian), anyway my cousin and her boyfriend hangs out there all the time with their laptops and doon sila nagiinternet and hangout, libre and access!

Hahahaha. If you discover where our house is in Davao you should be able to also surf the net from the wi-fi hotspot I installed last year with a Linksys wireless router. I'll have to disable the firewall first, siyempre. We subscribed to PLDT's DSL service. :)

Uyyy naa diay epal diri...ipa dds na... :jk: hehehe..

Neway, i didn't know naa diay gamay falls sa Tamayong, Calinan:

SICAO FALLS TAMAYONG,CALINAN,DAVAO
CITY,PHILIPINES:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Onibag1072001/sicaofalls.jpg
I first thought it's IPOL in Marilog but its not.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Onibag1072001/sicaofalls1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Onibag1072001/sicaofalls2.jpg

Originally posted by Bustero
btw there is wifi in davao, i was in this coffee shop last week but I don't remember the name, kadikit siya ng family style karaoke, it's along torres, iyung lugar used to belong doon sa asawa ni JIB gani (Joji Ilagan Bian), anyway my cousin and her boyfriend hangs out there all the time with their laptops and doon sila nagiinternet and hangout, libre and access!


Maybe that's K-1 family videoke bar , former Shaolin videoke bar coz tha building is owned before by Joji Ilagan.

Caught an article on today's Philippine Star that ranked QC, Manila and Makati as the top 3 cities in revenue (inclusive of IRA etc.) The following website, http://www.blgf.gov.ph/downloads/lgudata/year2004/City_2004.xls breaks it down. It contains YE2004 data.

You should be able to draw your own conclusions as to what the priorities of the different LGUs are. You'll note that our local Davao City government is fiscally responsible as it has a budget surplus of over half a billion pesos. Its spending in education and other services to the public far outpaces the other cities outside NCR.

What should Davao City do with half a billion pesos?

^^ promote itself? support the private sector? no, dont let it fund the DDS, i think davao should focus more on its economy rather than exerting its effort more on its peace and order because obviously it has already paid-off. its high time for davao to REfocus its priorities. other areas in mindanao are having a property boom, davao is missing a lot, and so many opportunities have been slipping away. with what i have read in this forum, cdo is having its own ayala business park, we dont wanna wake up one day and see davao overtaken by cdo. we dont want that to happen. no. revising the city's investment code is a step ahead, but it shouldnt stop there. now you may call this attack and praise, take this negatively or positively, i wouldnt mind at all, and i wont have any problems with that. ciao ciao!

^^ we dont wanna wake up one day and see davao overtaken by cdo. we dont want that to happen.

Don't be too heavy about this bro, after all there is only one Mindanao. Whatever happens to CDO benefits Davao, and vice-versa. :)

^^ thats good, but what im trying to point out there is that some potential investors that could have invested in davao are investing somewhere else, now this could bring us back again to davao's develoment as different from other areas, but do you think this model, this kind of davao's development is doing any good? there arent any big davao investors investing in davao, and big-shot-top-of-the-line-heavyweight national investors (like ayala) are looking at other areas instead of davao. and davao is left with what? riverfront and pryce? i have been to davao and these supposedly business parks are nothing more than some good looking two half-empty high rises and nicely paved roads with well painted gutters.

^^

There are a lot of investors coming in to Davao right now. Just because the Ayalas built their business park in CDO doesn't mean that Davao lost a big potential one. Don't underestimate the power of the small business players. These are what really drives the economy of a true progressive city. For me, I would prefer having IT Zones, Business Parks, and commercial establishments like malls owned and developed by locals. That would surely mean that the locals are oriented to entrepreneurship. And that's good.

Davao should even be proud that its very popular mall is neither SM or Ayala but NCCC, which is owned by a local.! Having lots of these kinds of guys will surely propel the local economy. Who knows, the locals of today will become the tycoons of tomorrow. I'm from Cebu City and the big gigs in business like PLDT, SMC, etc.. were not the one who drove it during the early 90s but the small ones (with small eyes, hehehe) that even up today still maintain their creaky stalls and somewhat dilapidated stores in downtown. Even some of our big tycoons today started that small in Colon like Gokongwei and Lucio Tan.

DAVAO BUSINESS NEWS!(again eheheheheh)
March 11, 2006

Joint efforts to promote tourism in Eaga pushed

Davao City- KEY government agencies and private sector players engaged in tourism and transportation development under the Philippine-Eaga cluster are pushing for joint strategic efforts.

The move is to actively promote tourism, transportation, infrastructure, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) development for Mindanao and Palawan targeting the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) and to its external markets in the Asean.

At the joint meeting of the Philippine-Eaga Cluster on Transport, Infrastructure, and ICT Development (Tiid) and Cluster on Joint Tourism Development (JTD), Philippine-Eaga transportation and tourism industry stakeholders underscored the need to strengthen BIMP-Eaga'ss competitive market advantage in tourism, transportation, infrastructure and ICT.

The meeting was held in Davao City on Wednesday.

"It's about time that we come up with a specific program that will jointly promote tourism, transportation, infrastructure and ICT in BIMP-Eaga so that the economic targets set within the five year economic roadmap for the sub-region are accelerated," Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, chair of the Philippine-Eaga Joint Tourism Development Cluster, said during the meeting.

Government agencies like the Department of Transportation and Communications led by Assistant Secretary Robert Castañares, Maritime Industry Authority, Air Transportation Office, Department of Tourism regional offices, Mindanao Business Council, as well as key transport and tourism leaders in the private sector, converged at the joint JTD and TIID cluster meeting.

They took part in workshops to formulate the P-Eaga Tiid Action Plan and Validation of the P-Eaga JTD Action Plan in support of the implementation of the BIMP-Eaga Roadmap to Development for 2006-2010.

During the workshops, priority programs, projects and activities aimed at increasing tourism and mobility of people, goods and services across borders in the sub-region were identified and mapped out.

These include the establishment of Davao-Kota Kinabalu air route and sustainability of Zamboanga-Sandakan sea linkages.

The two clusters also discussed collaborative measures and complementation strategies that might be undertaken to further promote mobility within the sub-region.

In a statement, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza noted that "with the renewed interest to revitalize BIMP-Eaga, it is imperative that development approach to enhance its competitive advantage in the world market be galvanized."

On March 13 to 17, the sub-region is set to mark its 12th Founding Anniversary, coinciding with the 14th Anniversary of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, with a series of activities that highlight the gains of Mindanao and the sub-region over the past decades.

One of the major highlights of the weeklong celebration is the turnover of the chairmanship of the BIMP-Eaga Business Council from Malaysia to the Philippines on March 15 in Davao City.

:) :) Good morning to all my Davaoeño and Cebuano friends

well i think davao lost a big fish when ayala decided to have their first business park in mindanao to be put up in cdo, and its not just big, its a giant one! youre in cebu and i think you know what happened to cebu when ayala started their developmnets there, and i think everybody knows makati and ayala's role in the development of the area, and with regards to IT zones, business parks and commercial establishments being owned by locals are concerned, put out the commercial establishments because there is a given proof that locals can be big-shots in developing these kind of establishments (gaisanos and NCCC) but IT zones and business parks? there are no local investors that were able to develop a decent IT zone and business parks, most of these are national names like megaworld, filinvest, sta. lucia ayala etc. locals being oriented towars entrepreneurship i agree though is an excellent quality. though i dont think cebu's case can be replicated in davao. there is enough local investors in davao but i think its time for davao to have the big ones, but what is happening instead is that smaller cities with smaller local investors are having the big names.

well i think davao lost a big fish when ayala decided to have their first business park in mindanao to be put up in cdo, and its not just big, its a giant one! youre in cebu and i think you know what happened to cebu when ayala started their developmnets there, and i think everybody knows makati and ayala's role in the development of the area, and with regards to IT zones, business parks and commercial establishments being owned by locals are concerned, put out the commercial establishments because there is a given proof that locals can be big-shots in developing these kind of establishments (gaisanos and NCCC) but IT zones and business parks? there are no local investors that were able to develop a decent IT zone and business parks, most of these are national names like megaworld, filinvest, sta. lucia ayala etc. locals being oriented towars entrepreneurship i agree though is an excellent quality. though i dont think cebu's case can be replicated in davao. there is enough local investors in davao but i think its time for davao to have the big ones, but what is happening instead is that smaller cities with smaller local investors are having the big names.

Hi valium! thnx for all of ur insights...ive been reading all of ur posts. I do appreciate your concern. And i also believe that just like us, your main concern is the economic development of Davao. Kudos for that bro! :)

I agree with some of your posts, however I hope you wont mind if i ll disagree with the others...First stop, the IT Parks and ZONES...

I can hear your discouragement over the absence of an IT Park or zone in Davao City. Ive been working within the IT Industry since i was 19 yrs old (now im 23 by the way ehehehhehe) - I agree that putting up such infrastructure in Davao would be a plus and an invitation for IT investors. Forgive me though for being naive to all of the tax incentives being offered to the companies within the IT zone. However, one thing that I am proud of is that Davao was able to attract IT companies without the presence of an IT PARK! It became one of the IT Hubs in the Philippines with or without the IT Park! And i agree with your other posts before...its about time for Davao City to build one! But having an IT park is not an assurance that these investors will come and will capitalize in Davao. Let's take STA LUCIA's Rizal TechnoPark located in Taytay Rizal. Currently, im also working as a freelance property consultant of RoyaleHomes - a marketing arm of Sta Lucia. (in other words, we sell their properties!) We have been marketing this IT Park for more than 2 years now. Its located near Metro Manila (an hour drive from Ortigas to be exact) It has been approved by PEZA! And we have invited big companies in Metro Manila such as Teletech, Ambergris, and Teleperformance. Our target before were the call centers. However, none of these tried to invest in Rizal Technopark. Teletech opened another call center site in Pasig (which is not an IT PARK), Ambergris expanded within Ortigas Center ( a condo building which is not an IT ZONE) and Teleperformance - well it didnt expand anyway..ehehehehhehehe :) .

I am happy for CDO to have its own IT Park. The first of its kind in Mindanao. How i wish Davao will have one! I can still remember the IT convention held in Davao four years ago. There were talks about putting up an IT PARK in Davao. The first of its kind outside Cebu and Manila. It became a headline to most of the IT dailies and e-news such as ITMATTERS, COMPUTERWORLd, etc. I didnt know what happened next. At that time, Pueblo Park was not an IT Park yet. It's being marketed as a residential and commercial estate. Then they applied for PEZA accreditation, was approved, and now became the very first IT PARK!

:) :)

Next stop.....The Ayala Business Park!

Well.....how i wish they invested in Davao. Well you are right, its a giant investor indeed. And yeah, we all knew what happened to Makati and Cebu (which were improved because of the Ayalas.)

I am currently in Cebu right now....And i can see alot of investments in Ayala Business Park. Here are the following which are under construction:

- upcoming Lexmark Research and Development Center (8 storeys)
- Lexmark's own building (21 storeys)
- The Tower Palace ( a condo , around 19 storeys)
- The Cebu Towers and Business Center (across Pagibig Tower)
- Ayala Center Expansion

Excluding those which have already been erected like the Ayala center, 2 condos, a sportsclub, one hotel, 4 highrise business centers, 1 midrise business center, and 3 (2-3) storeys business centers.


Wow..ang dami diba? But please, dont discount the fact that there are HUNDREDS of infrastructures being built outside the AYALA BUSINESS PARK! Most of them are owned by local and Cebuano companies.

Investments not by the AYALAs but by local Cebuanos. Investors who did not depend on the Ayalas!

- Taft IT Zone (an IT Park in Mandaue)
- Club Ultima Tower
- Crown Regency Tower
- GV Hotel
- Cebu International Convention Center
- ACT IT Mall
- Expansion of Mango Square Mall at the defunct Rustans Building and construction of "TheVenue - which is a Davaoeno owned establishment"
- EGI Highrise Condominium at Guadalupe
- Vistamar mid-rise condominiums
- Citylights Gardens Towers 3 and 4
- Winland Tower 2
- Cebu Doctors' University Campus at Cebu Boardwalk
- Cebu Boarwalk
- SRP Subway Tunnel
- SRP Seafront Development Park (near Subway)
- BigFoot
- Commonwealth's new residential estate in Mactan
and the list goes on......

what am i trying to say? The Cebu's economy does not merely depend on the Ayalas. You said that Davao cannot replicate what Cebu is doing? How come? why not?

I have lived in Ortigas Center before I transferred here in Cebu. And the entire business district is not developed by the Ayalas.

My bestfriend in Metro Manila lives in Alabang...and the entire business district is not owned and developed by the Ayalas...

You have mentioned that there are no local investors who can develop a decent IT zone or park and most of these developers are the Ayalas, Megaworld, filinvest and stalucia?

Well the Riverfront Corporate City located in Davao is owned and developed by STA LUCIA! didn u know that?

I respect all your views...And thank you for all your posts though. Forumers in SSC login everyday to promote and see the development of each cities. And all of us are proud of whats happening within our cities...

Thank you for being a constructive critic! But u cannot blame us if some will react to it. I guess it is best if you send those directly to the city office and not here in SSC since this is a place where we want to read the good news coming from our cities.

You can rant all you want...but who can hear these? Can we, from this forum do something about it? Instead, your hurting the pride of all of us Davaoenos in and outside Davao. Send your comments to the local government unit office! I would willingly sign my name up as a support!

Hi. I found out about Skyscraper City forums by tracking the referral to the Silicon Gulf site. It feels good to see an ongoing discussion on Davao's IT.

I was wondering if we can have the Silicon Gulf forum activity started as well by having discussions there.

http://www.silicongulf.net/?q=forum

Registration is open to everyone. Thanks!

Hi. I found out about Skyscraper City forums by tracking the referral to the Silicon Gulf site. It feels good to see an ongoing discussion on Davao's IT.

I was wondering if we can have the Silicon Gulf forum activity started as well by having discussions there.

http://www.silicongulf.net/?q=forum

Registration is open to everyone. Thanks!

Silicon Gulf! good thing you've dropped by! can u pls give us any comments about the current postings here in SSC.

Hi valium! thnx for all of ur insights...ive been reading all of ur posts. I do appreciate your concern. And i also believe that just like us, your main concern is the economic development of Davao. Kudos for that bro! :)

I agree with some of your posts, however I hope you wont mind if i ll disagree with the others...First stop, the IT Parks and ZONES...

I agree that putting up such infrastructure in Davao would be a plus and an invitation for IT investors. Forgive me though for being naive to all of the tax incentives being offered to the companies within the IT zone.
I am happy for CDO to have its own IT Park. The first of its kind in Mindanao. How i wish Davao will have one! I can still remember the IT convention held in Davao four years ago. There were talks about putting up an IT PARK in Davao. The first of its kind outside Cebu and Manila. It became a headline to most of the IT dailies and e-news such as ITMATTERS, COMPUTERWORLd, etc. I didnt know what happened next. At that time, Pueblo Park was not an IT Park yet. It's being marketed as a residential and commercial estate. Then they applied for PEZA accreditation, was approved, and now became the very first IT PARK!

:) :)

Next stop.....The Ayala Business Park!

Well.....how i wish they invested in Davao. Well you are right, its a giant investor indeed. And yeah, we all knew what happened to Makati and Cebu (which were improved because of the Ayalas.)


what am i trying to say? The Cebu's economy does not merely depend on the Ayalas.

I have lived in Ortigas Center before I transferred here in Cebu.

Well the Riverfront Corporate City located in Davao is owned and developed by STA LUCIA! didn u know that?

I respect all your views...And thank you for all your posts

Thank you for being a constructive critic! But u cannot blame us if some will react to it.


thanks for that insightful reply, a reply thats totally different from the previous replies that i have been getting lately (most of them are childish, immature, and are not intellectually stimulating)

your reply basically contains two main meat, as you can see from the edited quote above. one is the IT parks and zones, and another one is the business park

regarding the IT parks, as what i have said before, an IT park is good (actually the best) form of investment if you want your IT sector to really take off. davao's IT investment is actually fine and ok, and i think its doing good, but it could have been much better if it has an IT zone/park, it could have offered more jobs to more people, and you, i think is working in cebu right? in IT field? imagine if davao could only have an IT park, who knows, theres no need for davaoeño's to leave davao at all just to work in IT firms in manila or cebu. you are one good example why there are davoeños working in other areas because there arent so many oppurtunities being offered back home (much like the case of flip nurses migrating abroad).

now about the business parks, im guilty of not knowing that riverfront is actually a sta. lucia development, this could be the reason why the ayala's choose cdo instead of davao, sta. lucia tested the market, and it became a big evidence of failure, and IF the property sector in davao will take off, i dont think ayala will risk competition with sta. lucia head-on in a small market like davao (now dont be angry with the word small, the property sector in davao i think is not yet mature and ready to face 2 giants in property development, its cannibalistic and predatory approach, with the size of market in davao which is not as big as makati, cebu even has only 1 decent business park) i think riverfront will be revived than just being a mere racetrack, a business park in its fetal stage, if i may say.

"IT zones and business parks as catalyst for growth"

and you tallied the different developments in cebu, which im particularly unaware of, and actually surprised to know such huge developments there. but i did not say that cebu's development actually depended on the CBP and ayala. its just a mere catalyst, a catalyst of growth, much more like the IT zones

Davao City, the capital of the Southern Mindanao Region, is one of the world’s largest cities in terms of land area, spanning 244,000 hectares.

In recent years, the sprawling urban metropolis has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for southern Philippines, winning the hearts and minds of its visitors through its people’s gentle smiles and its diverse cultural and natural riches.

The gateway to the East ASEAN region, Davao City is a melting pot of diverse migrant and indigenous communities, resulting in a unique charm and culture that is woven into a rich tapestry of ethnic and contemporary styles.

Davao City’s slogan, “From Islands to Highlands” perfectly captures its wealth of attractions. The city boasts some of the finest beach and mountain resorts in the country, and close proximity to the Philippines’ most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mt Apo.

An ideal tourist destination, Davao has it all - cultural interludes, beautiful beaches, fascinating dive spots, and myriad opportunities to commune with nature at its finest.

Welcome to Davao! Experience Davao....from Islands to Highlands! :)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/021dc0fc.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/davaobeach21.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/dvobeach2.jpg

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

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

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/f4b06a62.jpg

Its time to say bye bye....i hope to see ya all in our next thread....

CONGRATS DAVAO!
:applause:
HATAW DABAW!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/f3f235f5.jpg

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

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/efb0aa30.jpg

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

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

Buddies! Im inviting you all in our next thread. Experience Davao - from Islands to Highlands (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=7626867#post7626867) I guess it's time to close this thread. Hope to see ya all there! :)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvokada.jpg

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

GIMME 5!!

:dance:

Hey guys,

March 15 is Araw ng Dabaw, translation: Davao Day. Hehehe!!! Unsaon, tagalog-bisaya man gud dha... Anyway, you can make "Duaw Dabaw" anytime and I'd be happy to tour you around... I'm working there but I'm from Cebu gyud!

Howdy Markii, Askal, and dive-cebu! Thnx for your posts! Gee...how i wish to be there in Davao this Araw ng Dabaw! Too bad i missed the 10 peso fare of Cebu Pacific! ehehehehehhe! Your currently working in Davao dive? Well I was born and grew up in Davao, lived in Manila, and now residing in Cebu!

:) :) :) Anyway, the Davao 5th thread is officially open! :) :) :)

Do you have any New Davao airport interior pics?

Do you have any New Davao airport interior pics?

As per your request, im posting some pix of the New Davao International Airport. These are pics courtesy of other Davao forumers and dave (SleepWalker)

The pic below is the airport's exterior right before its completion.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/a7.jpg

This is the new Davao International Airport today
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/a8.jpg

Some pics of the airport

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

You can also refer to our previous thread for more pics of the airport! thnx for ur post! keep 'em coming!

^^ Thanks! A progressing city like Davao really deserves a modern and decent airport like that!

thnx for that comment Jamaicus! but we will make it sure that our local government will not just sit on its laurels and will still work hard for the development (not only socially but economically as well) of Davao City! I hope you can visit Davao sometimes! Take care...

[COLOR=MediumTurquoise]thanks for that insightful reply, a reply thats totally different from the previous replies that i have been getting lately (most of them are immature, and are not intellectually stimulating)

your reply basically contains two main meat, as you can see from the edited quote above. one is the IT parks and zones, and another one is the business park

regarding the IT parks, as what i have said before, an IT park is good (actually the best) form of investment if you want your IT sector to really take off. davao's IT investment is actually fine and ok, and i think its doing good, but it could have been much better if it has an IT zone/park, it could have offered more jobs to more people, and you, i think is working in cebu right? in IT field? imagine if davao could only have an IT park, who knows, theres no need for davaoeño's to leave davao at all just to work in IT firms in manila or cebu. you are one good example why there are davoeños working in other areas because there arent so many oppurtunities being offered back home (much like the case of flip nurses migrating abroad).

now about the business parks, im guilty of not knowing that riverfront is actually a sta. lucia development, this could be the reason why the ayala's choose cdo instead of davao, sta. lucia tested the market, and it became a big evidence of failure, and IF the property sector in davao will take off, i dont think ayala will risk competition with sta. lucia head-on in a small market like davao (now dont be angry with the word small, the property sector in davao i think is not yet mature and ready to face 2 giants in property development, its cannibalistic and predatory approach, with the size of market in davao which is not as big as makati, cebu even has only 1 decent business park) i think riverfront will be revived than just being a mere racetrack, a business park in its fetal stage, if i may say.

"IT zones and business parks as catalyst for growth"

and you tallied the different developments in cebu, which im particularly unaware of, and actually surprised to know such huge developments there. but i did not say that cebu's development actually depended on the CBP and ayala. its just a mere catalyst, a catalyst of growth, much more like the IT zones


Madayaw na adlaw sa mga davaoeno! (pardon my lack of skill in writing a spanish N-as in eniea. Help!!!)

I have been religiously following this forum and honestly, a lot of times I've wanted to do a rebuttal on most of the posts done by you- valium. I make no bones on your attempt at passing judgements on the affairs of Davao as those strong words can be perceived as merely your way of pricking our senses. However, for the most part you are merely scratching the surface as you haven't really probed more deeply into the subject e.g. Davao's lack of effort in luring the biggies in IT, real estate big players (Ayala) and I could go on and on.


Tj brewed summed up his facts in answer to your rhetorics and I laud his effort-makes me all the more proud I'm a Davaoeno with all the (including the other Davaoeno forumers here) savvy showed in this discussion.

Let me form my own opinion at your posts by threshing them one by one.

"imagine if davao could only have an IT park, who knows, theres no need for davaoeño's to leave davao at all just to work in IT firms in manila or cebu."

Brother, this is a game of numbers. Imagine the number of IT grads we produce every year-thousands I should say. Davao being one of the top producers naturally has an over-supply of this skill and so the diaspora to other cities foremost would be Manila and Cebu and lets not forget that these Davao-grown talents figure much in this field overseas e.g. Singapore, China, Japan and the US. Many of my batchmates from ADDU (eons ago though) who had BS Management Eng. tucked under their sleeves were easily offered fat paying jobs in Japan and the US. Like I said this was eons ago- and to be clear 18 yrs ago. Population of ADDU then was only 13 grand and pretty much this number is so meager as compared to its current state and the IT division pop growing leaps and bounds. You think Cebu and Manila are any different following this argument?

"now about the business parks, im guilty of not knowing that riverfront is actually a sta. lucia development, this could be the reason why the ayala's choose cdo instead of davao, sta. lucia tested the market, and it became a big evidence of failure, and IF the property sector in davao will take off, i dont think ayala will risk competition with sta. lucia head-on in a small market like davao (now dont be angry with the word small, the property sector in davao i think is not yet mature and ready to face 2 giants in property development, its cannibalistic and predatory approach, with the size of market in davao which is not as big as makati, cebu even has only 1 decent business park) i think riverfront will be revived than just being a mere racetrack, a business park in its fetal stage, if i may say. "

This one really struck a nasty chord in me. Wow! I thought you were a good debater but I will take that back. For one, your claims are devoid of palpable facts. It's flat out appalling. Sta. Lucia (Tj Brewed refreshed you on this first and let me say it again) literally moved the earth for the River Front in conduit with the Dizons as the property owner. And this is only one of the huge, upscale projects they have in Davao. Rancho Palos Verdes in Mandug, South Pacific in Tugboc, Toril, Sun City in Buhangin Diversion Rd., and Alta.....something in Bo. Tigatto, Buhangin. You to say Davao is a small market? Why in the h... are other real estate players are scrambling to buy big parcels of land to develop in Davao. Filinvest, DM Consunji, Robern Devt., Alsons, JG Summit (Gokongwie) to name a few.. and more to come for heaven's sakes. You might wanna change your position (which I think you won't) on the Ayalas. It's their loss, not Davao's and definitely the gain of the "other" biggies in the industry.

"i think riverfront will be revived than just being a mere racetrack, a business park in its fetal stage, if i may say. "

You sounded like a goofy oracle here. It's as if the River Front is doomed to fail. We Davaoenos lift our benches for the pioneering spirit of our leaders and the business sector. This translates to us not waiting till the manna comes down from heaven. We make things happen (benchmark) and work for the others to emulate and take good advantage. 911 Emergency Response System, No- Smoking Ordinance, Pyrotechnique Ban on holidays and on and on.. this string of landmark policies are high level achievements worthy of praise.


"(much like the case of flip nurses migrating abroad)."

This is a cheap shot. How dare you call the nurses names. I don't have a nurse for a family but I have several friends working either here in Canada or the US and I bet my fortune (granting I have some) the decision they made even when they chose their course more so with working abroad is an intelligent if not the most.. decision they made in their life. Man, you are a magnet...albeit for a big fight with the nurses abroad and the wannabes. You're waging a war!

Well, we Davaoenos want a redress of grievances. Just like an unwritten rule in Davao, no criminal (offender as in your case) comes out alive in Davao. I rest my case and I hope (on bended knees) for you to KNOCK IT OFF!

Howdy Markii, Askal, and dive-cebu! Thnx for your posts! Gee...how i wish to be there in Davao this Araw ng Dabaw! Too bad i missed the 10 peso fare of Cebu Pacific! ehehehehehhe! Your currently working in Davao dive? Well I was born and grew up in Davao, lived in Manila, and now residing in Cebu!

:) :) :) Anyway, the Davao 5th thread is officially open! :) :) :)
That's right TJ, I'm currently working in davao as a trainer in one of the life insurance companies in the country. just like you, been transfering to many places. Born and raised in Bohol, studied in Cebu, worked in Manila then Cebu then back to Manila and now Davao. But I'm currently in Cebu for an official business trip. be here til sunday next week.

Wow! thanks tj brewed for this new thread. kugihana nimo uy! Maayo ni kay mabawasan atong kamingaw gamay sa pagbasa sa mga posts unya apil2 pud ug posts gamay pag dili busy.

Let's live our dreams for the Lovely Davao!

Wow! thanks tj brewed for this new thread. kugihana nimo uy! Maayo ni kay mabawasan atong kamingaw gamay sa pagbasa sa mga posts unya apil2 pud ug posts gamay pag dili busy.

Let's live our dreams for the Lovely Davao!

welcome davao eagle!

before lets close this thread, i'd like to share this old article on the philippine star during kadayawan festival... well, the spirit of dabawenyos...

DAVAO

Manila, August 22, 2003 (STAR) By Edith Regalado - TO THE BEAT of the gong and the rhythm of the thousands of feet that take to the streets, mortals raise glorious thanksgiving to the gods, not only for the bounty of the land and the seas, but more importantly for the gift of a strong spirit, overcoming the days when events were just so bad for everyone in this Southern metropolis.

"You just don’t give up. Not the Dabawenyo, who has long been known to be a survivor. There is always that will in the Dabawenyo," quips Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he is poised to lead the pack in showering the gods with gratitude when the city marks this week the much-awaited Kadayawan sa Dabaw cultural festivities, also dubbed as the "festival of festivals".

Shedding off his tough-talking stance for a while, the 58-year-old Duterte ventures that there is indeed so much to thank the heavens for, especially after four months since the last of the recent twin bombings ripped through a busy row of food stalls at the entrance of the passenger terminal in Sasa Wharf, leaving 16 people dead and 59 others wounded.

Barely 28 days earlier was the explosion that went off at a crowded waiting shed outside the Davao International Airport that claimed the lives of 23 people and left 160 others injured.

"The spirit of the Dabawenyo doesn’t crumble easily," the mayor repeats. "It has been tested many times over. The Dabawenyo is a trail blazer who is very resilient, having displayed grit and strength in the face of other adversities before."

Duterte explains that the recent bombings tested once again the resiliency of the Davao City populace.

"We have gone through a lot of catastrophic events before, a lot of heartaches and pains," the mayor tells STARweek. "In the 1970s, we saw the unfolding of heartbreaking events during the communist insurgency. So, these things are not new to the Dabawenyo."

Davao City, from the 1970s to the early years of the following decade, became the experimental laboratory of the New People’s Army, earning a reputation as the "killing fields" of the communist rebels. A complete turn-around took place when the residents took it upon themselves to fight back, which gave birth to the "Alsa Masa" movement that put a stop to what the npa rebels were doing.

"We can always dig deep into our psychological reserve," he muses. "We have the strength and resolve to continue what we came here for, as we are all sons and daughters of migrants who arrived here and helped shape the community Davao City has become."

The more than 1.6 million Dabawenyos are thus encouraged to gather as a people to collectively show there is a reason to celebrate Kadayawan festival that starts tomorrow and ends on the following Sunday, inspite of the twin bombings that struck the city.

"With or without the bombings, Kadayawan will continue. We have to move on inspite of the setbacks. We have to go on with our lives. We cannot let anyone deter us from doing so. This is in celebration of us as a people," the mayor insists.

The city is endowed with countless blessings, with rich harvests from both land and sea. It boasts of being home to the endangered Philippine Eagle as well as the country’s highest peak, the majestic Mt. Apo, and is the largest city in the world in terms of land area.

But the real treasure, Duterte says, lies in the heart of its people. Coming from deeply diverse ethnic origins, Davao City is home to several tribes and cultures, including migrants from other regions in the country like Ilocanos, Boholanos, Cebuanos and Batangueños. Ethnic tribes like the Bagobo, Tagabawa, Guiangan and Clata also reside here in the same way that Christians and Muslims co-exist peacefully.

Himself a doting grandfather to three Muslims kids–his son Paolo is married to a Muslim princess–Duterte says he abhors discrimination.

"That is why I am totally against profiling in finding the suspects to the recent bombings here. I do not agree because it is not fair for Muslims to be generally pictured as the perpetrators. Majority of these people just want to live a decent life," the mayor says.

Susan Durano, this year’s chairman of the Kadayawan festivities, tells STARweek the activities slated depict the different rituals performed by the tribes such as the pamukaw and the horse fight, among others.

Contingents from different parts of Mindanao have also signified intention to participate in the much anticipated Indak-Indak sa Dalan street dancing on August 23 and the floral float parade the following day.

Assistant City Tourism Officer Precy Sacriz recounts how the annual cultural festival was conceived in 1986, first as the Apo Duwaling festival–referring to Mt. Apo, durian and waling-waling, the very things Davao City has always been famous for. It was then renamed Kadayawan, from the Dabawnon word "madayaw", meaning the good and the beautiful.

"Kadayawan" was used when Duterte assumed his first term as city mayor in 1988, and continues now that he is on his fourth term,with the three years he spent as First District congressman from 1998 to 2001.

"There were actually tribal festivals in the city before 1986 but these were not celebrated as one, encompassing the other tribes. Kadayawan then came to cover the cultural activities of all the tribes," Sacriz shares.

Duterte, who minces no words when he thinks he has to speak his mind, admits that indeed security is a main concern not only during the Kadayawan festivities but also in the everyday life of the Dabawenyo. The reality of the recent twin bombings hounds Davao as it also puts a heavy burden on the law enforcement agencies in the city.

"It is a reality that we have to face," the mayor says. "But we have to be prepared for it and we are doing everything to make the city not only peaceful but as livable as it can get."

The pistol-packing Duterte himself patrols the city streets at night on board his Harley-Davison. At times, he disguises himself as a taxi or jeepney driver just to get the feel of the situation on the ground.

Actually, the strength of Duterte’s bid to return to City Hall during the May 2001 elections was his peace and order program.

"You cannot stop a determined terrorist. But we are doing everything to prevent what happened before from recurring again," says Duterte, who was designated by President Arroyo as crisis manager for both Regions XI and XII. This is aside from his having accepted the appointment as presidential consultant on security and peace and order concerns.

He tells STARweek he is in touch with the President almost everyday about what is going on in the city.

"I get to talk to The President almost every night, most of the time between 10 to 11 pm. She would just ask how everything is in the city, especially after the bombings," the mayor reveals, adding that the city government has put the necessary security measures in place especially with the creation of the military-led Task Force Davao that complements the already existing institutions such as the Philippine National Police.

"I am calling on the understanding of all the people, including the critics," he says. "This matter of security doesn’t rest on one man alone, nor only on a certain group, but on all of us in the community. It is a collective effort the same as in the other aspects of our existence as a community, as a city."

They traveled a long way to seek the proverbial greener pasture which we found here in Davao. This is our plce and we have to emerge triumphant over those who want to rob us of what should rightfully be ours," the mayor pronounces, emphasizing that along with peace, development also comes in in his administration’s two-pronged approach.

Although there has been a slowdown even in the holding of business conferences here, next month signals the revival of activities in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (bimp-eaga) geo-economic grouping as its Senior Officials and Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Davao City in the second week of September.

The Kadayawan festival is expected to draw in thousands of tourists which will in a way serve as an economic indicator during these times when business opportunities are hard to come by.

Duterte has lately done the rounds of dialogue with the various sectors in the city with regard to recent events, stressing that government would do its best to pave the way for the private sector to further fuel the engine of growth.

"Davao City will keep growing, even at a slow pace," Duterte emphasizes. "Davao City will always be Davao City. You just keep pushing and yes, praying."

And celebrating everything good and beautiful about a land that is blessed with so much.

@sleep>> wow..thnx for that article dave! its really inspiring! Indeed, davaoeños are resilient people!

@davaoeagle >> Ei welcome to Davao's thread...we hope to have u there in our new thread as well! thnx din pala sa post mo kanina! tc!

hello dabawenyos! nice job tj.

Thnx sleepwalker! ei were glad to have you here davaoeagle! thnx davaoeagle for your post! keep em coming!

Maayong gabii sa tanan!

Welcome Davao eagle, i think Ayala Corp. are putting Ayala Center here. i heard that if the negotations push through between them and the Dacudao's they are pursuing the Lanang Country golf area! But to me if big corporations don't come for now, i won't feel bad .Hey! were a young city just been chartered in 1936 and look at where we are now! we are already the 3rd largest city in the Philippines and the largest city in the world in land area! my opinion let's take care of our environment first before making big buildings that could change our "god-blessed" environment. my motto "environment first before progress" .Happy 39th Araw ng Davao!!! 69th diay!

welcome davaoeagle. wow, was so busy for 2 days and boom! a new davao thread, no 5! we're growing guys just like our beloved city. if one says, you miss this or that, no worries, there's still plenty to come. to all, keep up and posting!

news break...

International tourism jobs fair to be held in Davao

Davao City (11 March) -- The first BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) tourism jobs fair will be held in Davao City this coming April 4-6 at the NCCC mall Convention and Exhibition Center. According to Mary Ann Montemayor, chairperson of the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Committee. Said that the tourism jobs fair is part of the 1st nationwide tourism jobs fair, which would also be held in the cities of Manila and Cebu. But it is in the Mindanao leg, in which the jobs fair would have an international flavor.

"Employers coming from the BIMP-EAGA would be participating, so this is not just local employment," said Montemayor.

Montemayor said that the jobs fair would have around 200 employers coming from the tourism industry and also tourism-support firms. The fair is also showcases an online features where employers and prospective applicants are requested to register on the the jobs fair website. The objective of the online registration is for the companies to have an access to a database for further employment needs.

"What is unique with the online jobs fair is that the employment opportunities doesn't end with the conclusion of the jobs fair," Montemayor added.

Participants are invited to register at the website of the tourism jobs fair, which is www.tourismjobs.ph.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Francis Domingo said that POEA will participate in the jobs fair, where they would have a booth to assist the international employers and also the applicants. "The participation of POEA is only ion the Davao fair since it is only here where there are international employers," said Domingo.

The tourism jobs fair is part of Department of Tourism program to tap the booming tourism industry for its employment opportunities. The program is a part of President Arroyo's 10-point Agenda of bringing a million jobs to the people. (PIA/RG Alama) source (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060311.htm&no=1)


City's post-tourism forum image still rosy

AMID recent disturbances that happened in Manila, particularly the discovery of a supposed plot to overthrow the government and the declaration of a state of national emergency, the positive impression on Davao City, which it earned after the successful hosting of the Asean Tourism Forum, has remained intact.

According to Mary Ann Montemayor, chair of the BIMP-Eaga Tourism Council, the recent brouhaha in the nation's capital failed to taint the image of Davao as a peaceful and vibrant City.

"It did not erase the positive memories of the ATF. Many foreigners are still communicating with us, if our image is tainted then they would stop supporting us," she said.

The city put up a grandiose celebration in hosting the 25th Asean Tourism Forum, which was attended by an estimated 3,000 tourism players from around the world.

Montemayor said that the visitors had a wonderful experience that many are still interested in coming back.

"The wonderful experience was so great that not even the declaration of a state of national emergency and the recent disturbances that was covered by the international media did not erase the good impression earned by the city," Montemayor said.

Montemayor also cited the support extended by Singapore to Davao.

"Singapore is still very much interested in Davao. They are very supportive of us as they had continued to acknowledge that our time as a premiere tourism destination has come," she said. source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/03/10/bus/city.s.post.tourism.forum.image.still.rosy.html)

Davao Good News!

Singapore to join Davao's tourism Job Fair
March 11, 2006.
DailyMirror

THE event organizer of the recently-concluded 25th Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) has signified its intention to hoin the 1st Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) tourism jobs fair.

The Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) based in Singapore which was hired by the Department of Tourism (DoT) for the biggest tourism affair in Asia in January already inquired on how to join the fair.

Mary Ann M. Montemayor, chair, BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council, said her group is working with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) to find out the rules and regulations for foreign companies such as TTG so they could join the event.

Montemayor said the council is also expecting the participation of major airline companies in the Asian region which the jobs fair invited. Among these airlines are the Philippine Airlines, the Royal Brunei Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Garuda Airlines.

Local resorts are also among those who are joining the event, she added.

Montemayor added they would convince many tourism-related businesses in Malaysia because the country could help in generating jobs for the Filipino people especially because they have a zero-unemployment rate.

The organizers are targeting tourist transportation companies, overseas employment agencies, cruise companies, hotels, travel agencies, retail and entertainment establishments and exhibition centers and organizers and local government units.

She also said indirect tourism players like caterers, laundry services, food suppliers, wholesalers, accounting firms, etc.

“We want to open the door of opportunity to people and help them realize that there are many available jobs out there,” she said.

About 200 exhibitors are expected to join the fair while 5,000 applicants are expected to throng at the NCCC Mall when the fair happens on April 4-6, 2006.

:) :)



NEDA sees Davao Region as top economic performer this year (2006)
March 10, 2006
Dailymirror

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Nicasio Agustin believes the P14 daily wage increase issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) XI will not severely affect Region XI's economy.

Agustin said in fact, given the sharp increase in capital infusions in last year and present year industry indicators, NEDA expects Region XI to top other regions in the country in terms of economic performance this year.

A NEDA XI survey showed Davao Region obtained a 100 percent increase in capital infusion last year compared with the previous year, Agustin said.

Davao Region also stood out in terms of tourist arrivals last year and is projected to remain in the lead this year, Agustin said.

He is also confident the agriculture sector will continue to soar high this year with the impending transfer of the Department of Agriculture (DA) central office to Davao City.

"An improved growth in food sector is seen this year and the transfer of the DA office in the city is also seen to strengthen further the agriculture sector," Agustin said, adding the food sector specifically banana will continue to pull up the region's exports.

Davao Region is a region to watch this year because of the vast mineral deposits in Mindanao, Agustin said.

He said the recent approval of the amended Mining Act is expected to shore up the mining industry in Mindanao, provided mining industry key players continue to practice a sustainable mining approach.

"Mining ang bubuhay sa atin, not much on manufacturing," Agustin said.

Aside from mining, service sector is at an upward trend due to the apparent growth in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. Davao City is projected to rank second to Cebu City on ICT growth, Agustin said.

:) :)


NEDA XI, DCCCII ink dev't partnership
March 11, 2006
Dailymirror

The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc (DCCCII) has vowed to work hand in hand with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XI in trying to boost the economic climate in Davao Region.
NEDA XI regional director Nicasio Agustin said NEDA XI and DCCCII entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to put their commitment in official writing.

Under the memorandum, DCCCII will support NEDA XI in assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for better growth and development.

Agustin said DCCCII will also assist NEDA XI in intensifying investment promotions in the region.

The partnership is expected to strengthen development efforts in Region XI and achieve or even surpass this year's economic targets, Agustin said.

Agustin said Davao Region, with its sufficient food supply and lower prices, has a higher investment potential than Metro Manila.

A current NEDA XI survey shows Davao Region ranking third as a region of better living throughout the country, he said.


:) :)

That's right TJ, I'm currently working in davao as a trainer in one of the life insurance companies in the country. just like you, been transfering to many places. Born and raised in Bohol, studied in Cebu, worked in Manila then Cebu then back to Manila and now Davao. But I'm currently in Cebu for an official business trip. be here til sunday next week.

sus ginoo! makalipong man imong study, work og business adventure bai :D

:dance:
MADAYAW DABAW
:dance:

DUAW DABAW
:dance:

FLY HIGH DAVAO
:dance:

davaoeagle, a newbie, really made my day, you came out of nowhere butting in and being critical with my reply to TJ, i cant stop laughing.

Madayaw na adlaw sa mga davaoeno! (pardon my lack of skill in writing a spanish N-as in eniea. Help!!!)!

press ALT 1-4-6 :bash:

Let me form my own opinion at your posts by threshing them one by one.

Brother, this is a game of numbers. Imagine the number of IT grads we produce every year-thousands I should say. Davao being one of the top producers naturally has an over-supply of this skill and so the diaspora to other cities foremost would be Manila and Cebu!

so what youre saying here is that davao, has thousands of IT grads that its giving you an oversupply of people with these skills so theyre now looking for other areas to work? and they find work in manila and cebu because what? manila and cebu lack these kind of graduates??? santa banana!!! why are my IT friends from davao back in manila are saying otherwise? most of them cant find opportutnities back in davao so theyre working in areas outside davao. most of them are saying "IF only davao has this and has that etc." and i think TJ can best answer you with that why he's working in cebu.

This one really struck a nasty chord in me. Wow! I thought you were a good debater but I will take that back. For one, your claims are devoid of palpable facts. It's flat out appalling. Sta. Lucia (Tj Brewed refreshed you on this first and let me say it again) literally moved the earth for the River Front in conduit with the Dizons as the property owner. And this is only one of the huge, upscale projects they have in Davao. Rancho Palos Verdes in Mandug, South Pacific in Tugboc, Toril, Sun City in Buhangin Diversion Rd., and Alta.....something in Bo. Tigatto, Buhangin. You to say Davao is a small market? Why in the h... are other real estate players are scrambling to buy big parcels of land to develop in Davao. Filinvest, DM Consunji, Robern Devt., Alsons, JG Summit (Gokongwie) to name a few.. and more to come for heaven's sakes. You might wanna change your position (which I think you won't) on the Ayalas. It's their loss, not Davao's and definitely the gain of the "other" biggies in the industry.

AH oh! brotha, were talking about business parks, not golf clubs or residential investments, residential projects, be it upscale or low-end are everywhere in the country, dont be too overwhelmed by these projects in davao because theyre everywhere! not only in davao, now, i think i should remind you again that we were talking about business parks, BUSINESS PARKS, ok? got it? got it now??? manila has countless of business parks, cebu has one, and ok, davao has the riverfront, which is nothing but some glass models the size of lego toys. but the only "functioning" business park in davao now is the pryce business park. business parks are huge investments, and as what i have said, and explained earlier, i dont think davao will be able to sustain 2 big-shot giant bussiness parks if ayala decided to put up its business park in davao along with sta. lucia in one city... its suicide. cebu is ok and fine with the CBP and i dont think theyre gonna need another private funded business park in the near future. though most of the lots there are sold, its not a built up area yet. and you have to admit that cebu is a bigger market than davao, your existing business park as i said doesnt look like a business park at all, and these two high rises in pryce are both half-empty. but you still want to believe that you can sustain more biggies??? good luck!

This is a cheap shot. How dare you call the nurses names. I don't have a nurse for a family but I have several friends working either here in Canada or the US and I bet my fortune (granting I have some) the decision they made even when they chose their course more so with working abroad is an intelligent if not the most.. decision they made in their life. Man, you are a magnet...albeit for a big fight with the nurses abroad and the wannabes. You're waging a war!!

i dont know if youre just trying to be cute here or what but what i meant about flips are filipinos, read FLIPS = FILIPINOS, FiLIPinos, got it? GET IT!

its ok to be a real hardcore-i-love-this-supercity thing but lets be real here, its not an excuse to be in another dimension, get in touch with reality. and stop levitating. ciao ciao!!!

Welcome davaoeagle :cheer: Nitungha na sab ko..hehe

Guys... relax. mag away bah..horse :horse:

Thanks a bunch Tj, sleep and dinabaw. I'll be happy to engage in an exchange of ideas with you guys. The Davaoeno in me is screaming to put forward the Davao advantage. See you all in the next thread.

Tsk tsk. I must have been gone for too long a time to not notice a new Davao thread. Nice nice nice. Congrats to us! :cheers:

There seems to be a little (little nga ba?) scuffling going on in this thread. Too bad, I have always found Davao threads relaxing and refreshing with its beautiful pictures, encouraging news and warm forumers. :eek2:

Anyways, i'm just dropping by, still got a lot to do kc.

Hello TJ, sleepwalker, dinabaw, and the rest. Let's keep this thread informative, warm and friendly. And let's be happy with the meager developments (meager as compared to other big cities in the Philippines) Davao City is getting. They may come in trickles, but maybe that's all we need at this moment.

With half-a-billion in surplus, I sure hope davao improves its (already sufficient) infrastructure, put up maybe an LRT/MRT system, more paved roads to the suburbs and more bridges.

Kudos, TJ for this new thread. :cheers:

hi dextertexter! good morning!

Elow to all.

@Davaoeagle ...ellow. Hope you'll enjoy your stay in this thread. Pansin ko lang, murag duna na dayun ka kasumpaki ah. Hahaha. Hope you understand Bisaya.

Good morning peeps! To those who want to visit Davao, you may add this activity in your itinerary! First stop...is a visit to Malagos Garden Resort. Well we have posted this in our previous thread, however this time let me give you further info like the resort's location, how much you may spend, and other info you need in advance before visiting Davao.....I hope this will be of great help....and I hope to see ya guys in Davao!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/malagos.jpg

Discovering Malagos.....

Breathe in the cool mountain breeze at the wondrous Malagos Garden Resort, a 12 hectare garden resort in Davao. Enjoy the comfort of its cottage accommodations, amidst tall and stately pines. It is the 1st property in the Philippines and the 39th in the world to be certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Business and Properties of Audubon International, a worldwide environmental organization based in the USA. Malagos Garden Resort is also an accredited wildlife farm, hosting butterflies, indigenous birds and other wildlife species. On the resort grounds you'll find the world's only waling waling forest, considered to be among the most important Philippine Orchid species. Its fantastic landscape is strewn with collections of assorted plants, orchids, fruit trees, palms and other native ornamental plants. Malagos is also home of the first and only full production bird show in the country, Malagos Garden's Interactive Bird Show. Other features include hosting a long running exhibit of sculptural artworks of National Artist of Napoleo Abueva. Come to Malagos Garden Resort, a unique blend of art and nature. You deserve nothing less.

Resort Attractions:

- The interactive birdshow - the first and only full production birdshow in the country.
- Bird park and feeding dome
- waling-waling forest
- butterfly sanctuary
- orchid farm
- mushroom growing
- petting zoo
- abueva sculptures

Fun Activities:

- Animal encounters
- Horse trail riding
- Adventure playground
- Petting zoo
-swimming and games

Now for those nature lovers outthere, this is the resort for you! If you want to spend a day in tranquility and be one with nature.....and go gaga over orchids and birds...then Malagos Garden Resort is one of the best choices!

How much the resort may cost you?

If you opt to stay in the resort or rent a whole cottage, one multiple cottage will cost at Php 450 or around $9 per people for 4 people per night. Each large, comfortable room has two single beds and two pull out beds, and can take 4 people, and up to 6 with extra matresses.

For daily rate, an entrance fee of around Php 100 per person or around $2 only.

For further info you may contact the resort directly at +63-82-221-1545 or send an email to sales@malagos.com. You may also visit www.malagosgarden.com


How to reach the resort?

Daily flights to Davao City.

Manila to Davao City - through PAL, Airphilippines, and Cebu Pacific.
Cebu to Davao City - through most major airlines mentioned above

International flights to Davao City

Singapore to Davao City - everyday (check www.silkair.com for full sched)
Palau to Davao City - three times weekly starting April 2 2006 (pls check www.asianspirit.com for details)
Manado, Indonesia to Davao City - through Bouraq Airlines (check your local travel agency for updates) every Monday. And through Merpati Airlines.

From downtown Davao, go to San Pedro St. Extension of Bankerohan Public Market at jeepney station to Calinan Proper.

A. Take jeepney going to Calinan Proper @ P 30.00 per trip.
B. Take tricycle, multicab or motorcycle going to Malagos Garden Resort @ P 5.00 per trip.

Or

Any point from downtown; go to San Pedro Extension of Bankerohan Public Market at Bus Terminal or L300 van beside I-Bank going to Calinan Proper.

a.Take a Bus or L300 Van going to Calinan Proper @ 30.00 per trip.

b.Take a tricycle, multicab, or motorcycle going to Malagos Garden Resort @ P 5.00 per trip.

Or

By Taxi

Any point from downtown take a taxi @ P 400.00 per trip or $8 per trip.

by the way peeps....you may also want to check www.silicongulf.net We've been invited by the webmaster himself. And there's a note for all of the SkyScraperCity Davao Forumers. Hope to see ya there too!

Hello dexter. Murag di ko katulog sa mga gibuhian na estoria sa isa nato ka participant ani na forum. Murag gina thrash niya ang Davao. Kita pa na die-hard dabawenyos he he. Murag hapsay dalan na akong nakita..murag davao traffic.

Padayon sa pag avante Davao!

hi mers! where have you been? muztah na?

One Network Bank - 'Pera ng Mindanao... para sa Mindanao'
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0010.jpg

Ilustre cor Gov Duterte Sts
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0014.jpg

Newly-opened Metro Lifestyle along Torres St
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0020.jpg

Krua Thai beside Metro Lifestyle
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0021.jpg

somewhere in Chinatown...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0030.jpg

Good morning to all!

hapit na summer mag cebu-davao meet nya ta.. hehe para maka-anha sad ko ug davao.. :D

congratz sa inyo bago thread..

BIMP-EAGA tourism jobs fair goes electronic


DAVAO CITY -- The tourism jobs fair organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in major cities in the country is the first step to quantify the “real needs” of the tourism industry in the Philippines.

Chair of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Tourism Council, Mary Ann M. Montemayor, said the 1st BIMP-EAGA Tourism Jobs Fair is a form of data banking to ascertain the number of establishments that are into tourism and the manpower they need.

The Mindanao leg of the jobs fair will be on April 4-6, at the NCCC Convention and Exhibition Center in Matina.

The jobs fair is not the run-of-the-mill type as it has an electronic component. Establishments and job seekers who want to participate should register online to www.tourismjobs.ph.

For employers, they should go to the Employers Registration where they are asked to fill-up an Employers Application form.

The job applicants, meanwhile, should go to the Jobseekers Registration. The information such as employment status, personal profile, preferences and skills are asked. Then, a Unique Identification Number (UIN) will be given to each applicant.

The UIN would enable the applicant to browse the website for available jobs and would serve as their entry card to the BIMP-EAGA jobs fair.

Montemayor said the website would also store the information from the employers and the applicants even after the fair is over and becomes part of the tourismJOBS data bank.

Applicants who were not hired during the fair can update their profile and continue to look for opportunities. The employers could also post their vacancies in the future.

“They can do the matching for business and applicant needs on-line. That is why it is better to pre-register for pre-matching,” she said.

Montemayor said they choose to do this scheme as tourism is a very dynamic industry involving people who could help in generating more jobs, opportunities and businesses.

She said any business related to tourism has a big probability of expanding and of hiring more people like the hotel industry.(PNA)

Congrats to Davao on its 5th thread:applause:

hapit na summer mag cebu-davao meet nya ta.. hehe para maka-anha sad ko ug davao.. :D

congratz sa inyo bago thread..

sure! why not... shating nya tag shoktong. bitaw, pahibalo lang kung kanus-a and we'll make ourselves available. dad-a nya imo camera... i-tour ka namo sa hideout sa mga DDS. hehe.

^^ nang hagad bya to ako migo karon summer ky iya uyab ky tagadavao man.. pero agad rako ako wawarts ani..

sige ky kuyugon sad nako mga vigilante ngari sa cebu para mag acquaintance party sila sa DDS..

Blogging + Social Networking Engine Made in Davao

This is not a news article. I just wanted to use this opportunity to promote a blogging and social networking site I made. It's going to be launched in Malaysia soon. Just wanted to announce it to Davaowenyos first... It redirects to a temporary address, but it's fully functional.

If you don't have a blog yet, I hope you'd like to try making one here. And even if wala kayong blog, just come in for the social networking part. It's going to be fun. :)

www.funchain.com

Maayong gabii sa tanan!

Welcome Davao eagle, i think Ayala Corp. are putting Ayala Center here. i heard that if the negotations push through between them and the Dacudao's they are pursuing the Lanang Country golf area! But to me if big corporations don't come for now, i won't feel bad .Hey! were a young city just been chartered in 1936 and look at where we are now! we are already the 3rd largest city in the Philippines and the largest city in the world in land area! my opinion let's take care of our environment first before making big buildings that could change our "god-blessed" environment. my motto "environment first before progress" .Happy 39th Araw ng Davao!!! 69th diay!
69th? pariha diay sa Cebu 69th charter sd...hehe

Wow! Davao looks very, very nice.

Blogging + Social Networking Engine Made in Davao

This is not a news article. I just wanted to use this opportunity to promote a blogging and social networking site I made. It's going to be launched in Malaysia soon. Just wanted to announce it to Davaowenyos first... It redirects to a temporary address, but it's fully functional.

If you don't have a blog yet, I hope you'd like to try making one here. And even if wala kayong blog, just come in for the social networking part. It's going to be fun. :)

www.funchain.com


Is this yours silicongulf? you will be launching it in Malaysia soon? Know what, i have a suggestion...since pop culture (music, movies, friendster, and this time... BLOGS) knows no boundaries, how bout make this site as a tool to promote Davao to Malaysia and other countries? Its divide and conquer kung baga! first we'll influence them - using your site for example, they'll get to learn about Davao - our city, pop culture, etc. Target the young market and the oldies will follow. Just like how MTV conquered us pinoys before! promotion is the name of the game! let's promote Davao City! no need to wait for the local government's actions or the local business sector!

:) :) i guess its time for us Dabawenyos to be proactive! ako i adore our local government's effort! but i guess its time to help! most of us are not in Davao now. some are in US! others are located in other cities here in the Philippines! Let's promote our city!! :)

^^^ great idea, TJ.

Any major projects for Davao?

Any major projects for Davao?

Infrastructures? skyscrapers? none so far.....the projects the local government currently have are for social, peace, and economic development.

Though the talk of the town right now is the upcoming LRT feasibility study that has been approved by the local government. However, this is just a study pa.

But let me post the developments in Davao since January of 2006 after the Asean Tourism Forum.

- A local callcenter owned by one of Davao's business leaders Joji Ilagan Bian will be opened by April 2006.

- Two major call centers from Manila will be relocationg within the year.

- Saint Albans College of Technology (a medical transcription school) to be put up by March 2006.

- Swiss businessmen show interests on agritourism.

- Thai businessmen plan to put up a hotel in the region.

- Davao City launched RP’s first barangay business chamber.

- More Davao City hotels providing wi-fi hotspots--Globequest

- Davao SMEs to develop software for computerization program .

- Davao hospital to pursue expansion (12 storeys medical center)


Upcoming Investments in Davao this 2006

- P300 million oil filter plant project

- P150 million marine processing plants

- P100 million Vapor Hot Treatment (VHT) plant

- P100 million seaweeds expansion project

- P30 million castor oil plantation development

- P20-million banana chips processing plant

- 240-infrastructure projects (roads and bridges) are up for completion

dabawenyo - I think you're right.

wow this thread is moving , just left for the weekend when I come back there a new thread on it's third page, so different from times back when dave did all the work , then his sister (simply where are you), Dave and I would cheer. Good to see so much dynamism with the newer guys!

Davao hosts Rotary Int'l District convention
March 2006
Daily Mirror


After successfully hosting the historic 25th ASEAN Tourism Forum, Davao City again plays host to Rotary International District 3860 Convention participated in by over 100 Rotary Clubs from the Visayas and Mindanao, which starts today, March 9 and ends on March 11.

Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to speak before 800 Rotarians at the opening Cere-monies at 1 p.m. today at the Davao Convention Center. He will be joined by Past District Governor Jason S.C. Hsu of the Rotary Club of Taoyuan, Taiwan, who is repre-senting Rotary International president Carl Wilhelm Stanhammer.

Mayor Duterte congratulated District Governor Evelyn Abellera-Magno of the Rotary Club of Down-town Davao for bringing honor to Davao City as the first ever elected woman district governor of Rotary International District 3860.

"In celebration of International Women's Month, I believe it is just fitting that the first woman district governor will host the Rotary International Convention in Davao City, the leading city in the country today in advancing women's rights and welfare," Mayor Duterte said.

Mayor Duterte also noted that more and more women now are joining Rotary, which used to be an all-male club, and recognized women's contribution to the growth of Rotary International in serving communities worldwide.

This year's convention carries the theme: "Rotary: A Beacon of Compassion to People in Need." It is hosted by the Rotary Club of Downtown Davao, an all women service club, and co-hosted by the Rotary Club of East Davao.

bravo davao! :)

These are just few of the scenes you'll see in Davao! Care to savor the moment for real?


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvoscram.jpg


Experience Davao from Islands to Highlands!

Through Air

Reach Davao from Cebu for just Php998+ airfare
Reach Davao from Manila for just Php1,250+ airfare

Through Land
Davao is accessible from major points in the island (CDO, GENSAN, BUTUAN, ZAMBOANGA, ETC)


See ya all in Davao this Summer!!!!!! :)

@ bustero: simply_me gina is busy these days... as a mother to her 3 kids and other matters (personal, small business & legal issues). minsan bumibisita pa rin sya sa ssc to say hi.

btw, id like to share this long article... on history of davao & mindanao...

Mindanao History: Confronting the Legacies of Colonial Rule
and the Continuing Search for Peace

by MACARIO D. TIU

(Paper read at the Mindanao History and Peace Education Convention, Davao
City,

24 September 2004)

- First, a clarification regarding positionality. In viewing Philippine
history in general, and Mindanao history in particular, I take, what I
believe, is a Filipino position. It works this way. When there is a conflict
between foreign colonial powers and Filipinos (or Philippine tribes), I take
the side of the Filipinos or Philippine tribes. No ifs, no buts. That is my
positionality.

- History is a complex process, and I find that many situations call for a
more careful positioning. For example, what if it is a matter of two
Philippine tribes or clans fighting each other, and one of the tribes asks
the assistance of a foreign power to fight the other tribe?

- We are all familiar with this tactic. That was how colonial powers
operated, and continue to operate: divide, then rule. All colonialists are
masters of the art. They exploit local conflicts, dynastic wars, and ethnic
rivalries to advance their colonial projects. They don't care who is right
or wrong. All they want is to weaken, crush, and subjugate their targets of
colonization. And they will use any method to achieve their ends: lie,
cheat, bribe, and attack.

- A colonial project is a brutal and vicious project of landgrabbing and
plunder. The colonialists find all sorts of justification for colonialism:
true religion, real democracy, war on piracy or terror, and whatnot. But
nobody should be fooled: the ultimate objective of colonialism is ruthless
oppression and exploitation of subjugated peoples.

- Now let us complicate the matter. What if the colonialists happen to side
with the oppressed tribe against an oppressor tribe? That is how standard
Davao historiography depicts the conquest of Davao. Most local history books
celebrate the conquest of Davao by Jose Oyanguren who wrested it from Datu Bago.
Datu Bago is described as a pirate and an oppressor getting tribute
from the other tribes. And the Samals, the books say, went over to the
Spaniards to get back at the Moros at Bankerohan.

- That is an example of seeing history through Spanish eyes. I take a
different view. To me, Datu Bago is the hero.[1] Davao was the last
territory in the Philippines to be conquered by Spain, [2] and Datu Bago
valiantly defended Davao Gulf against Spanish colonial expansion. Oyanguren
was an adventurer, a landgrabber, a colonial state-sponsored pirate. He is
not my hero; he is the hero of the Spaniards. He did what was good for
Spain, expand its colonial territory.

- As for the Samals, we have here a case of divide and rule, bribery, and
lying.

To seize Davao Gulf, the Spaniards divided the Kalagan Moros and the Samals.
I do not know if the Spaniards used other coercive methods, but to get the
Samals to their side, the Spaniards promised that they would liberate the
Samals from the Moro tribute, and that the Spaniards would not impose the
tribute on them. This is a simple case of bribery to secure collaboration.
But once the Spaniards won, they reneged on their promise to the Samals and
tried to collect tribute from them. Lying is a tool of colonialism.

- In some cases, the Spaniards did keep their promise to reward certain
groups of people for their collaboration, creating a privileged class among
the local tribes. But for the majority, it means vassalage of the worst
kind. The Spaniards imposed the tribute on the conquered people, forced them
to work and to fight for them.

- This is not to obscure the fact that there were real conflicts between and
among the tribes, and that the Kalagan Moros, with their Magindanaw allies,
dominated the other Davao tribes. This internal system of domination is
something we also need to recognize. The intertribal conflict was a weakness
exploited by the Spaniards. The tribes failed to realize that they needed to
unite against a common enemy.

- And so the Spaniards gleefully used one tribe to fight another tribe. In
1609 Pampango troops were sent to garrison Tandag in old Caraga.[3] In 1648
Christian Lutaws (Samals) were used to suppress the Sumuroy revolt of
Samar.[4] The Zamboanga volunteers were highly praised by the Spaniards for
helping conquer "Jolo, Cotabato, Parang-parang, and Lanao in Mindanao," and
the suppression of rebellions in Luzon, Negros, Cebu, Cotabato, Tucuran, and
Tumbao."[5]

- All this exacerbated mutual hostility that characterized the relationship
between and among the tribes which later narrowed down to hostility between
the Christianized north and the Moro south. As the Spaniards relentlessly
expanded their territory by using Christianized native troops, the Moros
retaliated with attacks on Spanish-controlled settlements. The Christians
have genuine grievances against the Moros, and the Moros have genuine
grievances against the Christians, with the Spaniards emerging victorious.

- In Mindanao, the first areas to be colonized by Spain was in the north,
such as Dapitan, Butuan, and Surigao. They tried to make Cotabato an
encomienda in 1596, but this failed, with the head of the Spanish
expedition, Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa, killed by the Magindanaws under
Silongan. We know that the Spaniards failed to defeat the Moros throughout
much of Spanish rule in the Philippines, although they succeeded in reducing
Moro territory over time. They did this by using the attack-negotiate-then
attack strategy. The Spaniards were definite about their objective:
colonize. When Moro power was weak, they would extort territorial
concessions from them.

- It should be stressed that the Lumads also fought the Spaniards but were
generally overwhelmed, and those who refused subjugation simply vanished
into the interior.

- From Surigao the Spaniards continued to advance south by garrisoning east
coast towns in the old Caraga District; while in 1635, they fortified
Zamboanga which they used as their base in attacking Jolo and Magindanaw. To
control the Moros, the Spaniards thought of diluting the indigenous Mindanao
population with settlers from the conquered tribes who would act as their
frontline troops. This is an ancient colonial strategy used by many colonial
powers: transfer people to a hostile territory, make the different tribes
fight one another, and they would then be easy to control by the colonizing
power.

- This is what I call civilian warfare. Make civilians fight civilians. In a
letter addressed to the Jesuit Superior and to the Governor General of the
Philippines, Valeriano Weyler, Jesuit priest Pablo Pastells suggested that
the policy to follow with regard to the Moros was to isolate them completely
in the interior by means of (Catholic) missions and military posts, and
establish villages "formed, either with people living in the locality, or by
fomenting the immigration of people from Bohol or from Ilocos." Married
soldiers and deportees were also encouraged to settle in these
territories.[6]

- From the 17th century up to the end of Spanish rule, 60,000 persons from
Luzon and the Visayas were deported to Mindanao or the Marianas.[7] These
deportees had either criminal or political cases. Many of them were
prisoners. There were also soldiers, called disciplinarios, who committed
some offenses like desertion. In most cases, these deportees, prisoners, and
disciplinarios were in the frontlines in suppressing the uprisings of the
Moros and Lumads.

- The Revolution of 1898 also affected Mindanao, and many Christianized
natives, deportees, and disciplinarios also took part in the fight against
Spain.[8] This is a significant development because these persons coerced to
defend Spanish rule in Mindanao finally turned their guns on the hated
Spaniards. During this glorious period of our history, the Muslims, the
Lumads, and the Christians were finally fighting a common enemy.

- But we know what happened to our revolution. The Americans came, saw, and
conquered. This is another part of our history that needs retelling. They
were very successful colonizers. They lied, cheated, bribed, and attacked.
And they succeeded in making us their friends, in making us think and talk
like them. In short, we became the perfect colonial subjects.

- To be sure, our forefathers put up a good fight, but American superior
firepower was just too much. To make us believe their good intentions, they
cannonaded and burnt our towns, massacred entire villages, tortured and
watercured guerrillas, and conducted germ warfare to frustrate our
aspirations for freedom and independence.

- When the Americans saw Mindanao, they were simply amazed at the fertility
of the soil. They called Cotabato the "land of promise,"[9] and Davao the
"garden of the gods."[10] Some 200 American adventurers descended on Davao,
grabbed the land of the natives,[11] and established abaca and coconut
plantations. They also forced the Lumads to work in the plantations, so that
by 1905, unrest was sweeping Davao Gulf.

- On 6 June 1906 Davao District Governor Edward C. Bolton was assassinated
in Lacaron, Malita, Davao del Sur by Mangulayon, the deputy leader of the
Tagakaolo Tribal Ward. The Americans retaliated with a terrible huwes de
kutsilyo in the Malita area not mentioned in our history books. All that the
Americans met they killed, whether old or young, women or children, Kaolo,
Blaan, Manobo, cat or dog, according to the Lumads of Davao del Sur.[12] The
Americans would only stop the massacres when Mangulayon was reported killed
in August 1906.[13]

- According to the Kalagans of Hagonoy in Davao del Sur and Lupon in Davao
Oriental, the Americans also conducted mass poisoning in Davao Gulf
affecting mostly the Kalagans. I have reason to believe it was germ warfare.
Its objective was to decimate the native population, and thus facilitate
American ownership of Davao land.[14]

- What the Spaniards failed to do in fifty years in Davao, the Americans
succeeded in only ten years. They established their hegemony and exploited
the land by expanding the abaca and coconut plantations. As there was an
acute shortage of labor in Davao, the Americans began to import labor,
including Japanese labor.

- Abaca made Davao what it is today, particularly during the time when the
Japanese dominated the industry. Settlers from various parts of the country
flowed into Davao in search of work and land. In the 1930s, some 10,000
settlers were arriving in Davao every year, and soon the demographic profile
of Davao changed in favor of the settlers, principally the Cebuanos.

- The same was happening in other parts of Mindanao during the American
colonial period. Settlers established villages deep in Moro and Lumad
territory. Soon, the original inhabitants of Mindanao became the minorities
in their own land. What Pastells had suggested to isolate the Moros had
finally become a reality. And that situation is the root cause of the
conflict in Mindanao today.

.

- Mindanao became a battleground because of its rich land and abundant
resources. Colonial powers coveted the island; and since the Spaniards and
the Americans could not fully garrison it, they used civilian warfare to
control the land and the resources. So today even if the colonialists are no
longer around, Mindanao remains a battleground. But the problem has assumed
new dimensions, making it a highly complicated problem.

- If this were a matter between foreigner and Mindanawnon, then my
positionality on the issue would be simple. But the problem is not that
simple anymore. There are now three local players: the Moros, the Lumads,
and the Christian settlers. We don't have foreign troops anymore, we have
troops of the armed forces of the Philippine Government. But let us not
forget the foreign element.[15] They are represented by big
agro-corporations and mining firms who exploit our land and resources.

- We know that there is so much unhappiness in the relationships among the
various ethnokinship groups in Mindanao. The original inhabitants have many
grievances. They are the least developed in the country and the least
educated. They do not enjoy the benefits of progress that the other groups
enjoy. And as they look around them, they are now constricted to a very
limited territory. Listen to this lament of the Mandaya:

"All our land is gone/ O gone is our pristine world. Our dignity is trampled
upon/ O we have become worthless/ O they have become powerful/ These aliens
in our land."[16]

- Many Lumads can only lament, although some have waged pangayaws to seek
justice. But their rebellions have been short-lived, and their
minoritization and marginalization continue.

- However, in the case of the Moros, their rebellion has persisted, and we
continue to experience war until today. We have tens of thousands of
evacuees in Mindanao. According to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), as of January 20034, there were 69,000 families who have
been displaced, representing 355,000 persons in 68 municipalities, 3 cities
and 12 provinces.[17] You can just imagine the social costs and human
misery of unpeace. Some people have become so desperate they have resorted
to terroristic means to get even, making our communities unsafe.

- In the meantime, among the settlers, not all is well among them. They also
have their own complaints that feed insurgency in the countryside.

- As peace advocates, how do we deal with the issues raised by the Moros,
Lumads as well as the settlers? How do make Mindanao a zone of peace?

- Obviously it is not an easy matter. To make Mindanao a zone of peace, we
must confront the tensions and conflicts that divide us. It is easy for us
to call each other brothers, and fellow Filipinos, but unless we are able to
make our relationship just and equitable, the rhetoric is empty. We must
therefore open our minds and our hearts in a dialogue that seeks to achieve
a just peace, a just peace that respects all the interests of the
stakeholders in the development and progress of Mindanao.

- First, an observation. The present situation has entrenched the settlers,
and they now consider themselves Mindanawnons. As Rudy Rodil puts it, the
three of us now share the land. Is this a matter also accepted by the Lumads
and Moros?

- I am aware of the privileged position of the settlers in Mindanao. My
question to the majority is: how far are we going to give back some of the
privileges we have gained in Mindanao? What is the hati-hating kapatid as
applied to the Mindanao situation so that we can live together in peace, all
of us enjoying the bounty of the land?

- As we are a product of a vicious colonial project, we must recognize past
injustices and correct them where possible. We should have the courage to
rearrange and modify power relations within Mindanao so that all of us are
empowered. Then we can bring the past to a close, and we can proceed to
build a better future where all of us will enjoy genuine peace and
development. -0-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

[1] Datu Bago is a controversial hero only for those who take the Spanish
view of history. It would take a Davao native, Mayor Elias B. Lopez, who
was a Bagobo, to recognize the greatness of Datu Bago by creating the Datu
Bago Awards to honor people who have contributed to the progress and
development of Davao.

[2] Some parts of Jolo and Cotabato were intermittently occupied as far back
as the 1600s but the Tausugs and Magindanaws were not conquered.

[3] Peter Schreurs, Caraga Antigua, the Hispanization and Christianization
of Agusan, Surigao, and East Davao, San Carlos Publications, Cebu City,
1989, 117.

[4] H. dela Costa. The Jesuits in the Philippines, the University of
Cambridge Press, Cambridge, 1961. 413.

[5] Schreurs 1998, 227.

[6] Peter Schreurs, intro, trans. annot. Mission to Mindanao (1859-1900)
vol 111 (from the Spanish of Pablo Pastells, SJ. Claretian Publications,
Quezon City, 1998, 428.

[7] Information from Mr. Encomienda of National Historical Institute, 14
September 2003, Davao City.

[8] The first revolt in Davao, if not in Mindanao, that was connected with
the 1898 Revolution was led by head of the disciplinarios in Baganga, Davao
Oriental, Prudencio Garcia.

[9] Mindanao Herald (MH) 10 August 1907, MH 27 June 1908. Available
documents show the term

"Promised Land" was first applied to Cotabato, and later extended to
mean
the entire island.

[10] MH 22 April 1905. Davao attracted the most number of American
planters.

[11] The Americans themselves conceded they were squatters but a land law
favorable to them was finally implemented in the Moro province that
legitimized their ownership of the land.

[12] For details, see Macario D. Tiu. Davao 1890-1910: Conquest and
Resistance in the Garden of the Gods. University of the Philippines-Center
for Integrative and Development Studies (UP-CIDS), 2003, 235-240.

[13] Mangulayon actually outwitted the Americans and lived to a ripe old
age. See Tiu 2003, 167-221.

[14] For details see Tiu 2003, 240-265

[15] The descendants of American planters are of course Filipinos already.

[16] Mga Awit at Tugtuging Mandaya, song tape album, Development Education
Media Services Foundation (DEMS), Davao City, 1989.

[17] Napoleon C. David 11 and Edward Tombo 11. "The Effects of the Radio
Program Mindalinaw on the Internally Displaced Persons of Kabacan, North
Cotabato," Undergrad Thesis Proposal, 2004, citing Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Need for Speed?!?


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


Race with the Davao daredevils @ the SpeedCity Race Track....Just one of the things you can do and experience in Davao ---- From Islands to Highlands..




Through Air

Reach Davao from Cebu for just Php998+ airfare
Reach Davao from Manila for just Php1,250+ airfare

Through Land
Davao is accessible from major points in the island (CDO, GENSAN, BUTUAN, ZAMBOANGA, ETC)


See ya all in Davao this Summer!!!!!! :)

Davao's Current BIMP (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Phils.) Trade Partners.

While Japan and US have been major investors and trade partners of Davao, the city of Davao is also a major trade partner of some of the cities in the BIMP region including Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Republic of Palau in Micronesia, Manado and Jakarta in Indonesia, Singapore, and Darwin in Australia.

Davao has an existing sea and air linkages to most of its trade partners in BIMP-EAGA. And lately, there are on going negotiations for transport links to other areas such as Australia, Korea, and especially Bangkok - (which is the priority of the local government and business sector since it is an effective link to the whole Mekong Delta region composed of ASEAN members like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.)

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


Davao's role to these international cities:

- Davao is the major supplier of Palau' basic commodities.
- Davao is Palau's new major tourism partner with the opening of flights from Davao to Palau and vice versa this April 2006.
- Davao is a major trade partner of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Manado in Indonesia. These cities have been so active with local and international trade fairs (DATE and Mindanao Trade International Expo) being held in Davao City every year.
- Davao is one of the education providers of Manado Indonesia as a number of Indonesians are currently enrolled in Davao City's universities and colleges.
- Davao is one of Manado's health providers (hospitals, health center, etc.) as Manado is nearer to Davao than its capital city - Jakarta.
- Davao is a major exporter of Dawin, Australia.
- Davao is one of Singapore's tourism partners with direct flights from Singapore to Davao.
- Davao is one of the major suppliers of manpower to Singapore.


Latest BIMP - EAGA News

North Sulawesi Boosts Ties With Davao City
January 2006
ASIAPULSE

MANADO, N Sulawesi, Asia Pulse - Indonesia's province of North Sulawesi is strengthening its relations with The Philippine city of Davao in sub-regional cooperation among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and The Philippines - East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), an official said.

The cooperation, however, is focused on marine and fishery affairs, and the handling of some ten thousand Indonesian workers hailing from North Sulawesi, chief of economic affairs bureau of the North Sulawesi provincial administration, Gemmy Kawatu said here Monday.

This is the implementation of the directives given by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the governors of the eastern parts of Indonesia during their meeting in Manado recently, Gemmy said.

Regarding the fishery sector, North Sulawesi province and Davao will focus on the prevention of illegal fishing, and the two sides will conduct a joint sea patrol in the border area, he said.

In addition, North Sulawesi has also studied how Davao had managed its tourism industry, he said, adding that one to two million foreign tourists visited Davao every year.

"North Sulawesi will also focus on solving the problem of its 10,000 workers in the Philippines because only half of them are legal," the official said.

The provincial administration is trying to cooperate with the Philippine government by meeting the country's regulations with a view to legalizing their status, he added.
:)

Sabah International Expo 2006
March 2006
SIE06

Davao City's business sector will be part of Sabah's International Expo 2006 this coming August 9 to 13, 2006. Davao's Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation is one of the international exhibitors along with top notch associations such as New Zealand Development Board and Korea Trade and Investment Center.For more info, you may call the SIE2006 Secretariat at +60-88-250 961 or visit their hq at located at 1-6-E6, 6th Floor CPS Tower, Centre Point Sabah, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

^^ good morning guys! mabuhay tayong lahat... madayaw davao! good job TJ_BREWED...

this is the nearly completed joji ilagan's call center academy (as what TJ mentioned above)... it's not only a call center but an academy as well. nasa labas kasi nakalagay initial 500 seater call center and offering call center classes. LOCAL po ito mga peeps as in local not national not foreign but LOCAL.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/callcenter.jpg

OT: davao doctor's hospital is expanding secretly? aside from it's existing tower, sa likod kasi me nakita akong construction ... already in its 7th level and still going up...

another OT: meron tayong bisita dito VALIUM ang pangalan, you can read all his posts sa previous thread at dito narin. paki ignore na lang sa kanyang mga posts kasi sa tingin ko wala tayong makukuha sa kanyang mabuti. siguro dismayado lang sya kanyang lugar, i don't think he's from metro manila or cebu, thinking only MM, cebu and davao are major cities in the philippines, kung saan man sya nanggaling, his opinions on how a city should be run is not valid kasi dapat unahin nya city nya para mapansin naman. get the idea? davao has nothing to prove coz nasa top three metros na ito. if his city is getting all the investors (ayalas and all his IT business parks fine!). he can never accept the reality that davao is expanding from within (ex: NCCC to tagum to palawan, VENUE to cebu, BLUGRE to other areas in mindanao)... so mga peeps he has to change nickname now, alam ko naman marami syang ganyan, bcoz his gonna be ignored from now on. kasi iraqi information officer lang ang hindi sumusuko kahit napapalibutan na ng US bwahahaha.

@davaoeagle... you hit valium in the crotch ouch!

Good Article Dave, very interesting reading.

tj brewed - that's a good map, you can see how close palau is that's why they air connect with davao.

This Valium THING is really getting into my nerves. Duh! I don't even have any clue where is going and he has the knack for name calling. Yeah, Dude I am really a newbie and I must yell straight at your face that I am no tech savvy but I'm no techno phobic either. Well, you might wanna pose yourself as a whiz but let's just say this is a fast-paced world of techie and before you know it what you have in your hands has slipped away in a jiffy. So stop the make believe that you have the monopoly in the learning process and consider the idea that your eccesses in one area (technology) would translate to a big void in another and whatever that is I hope you are not oblivious to it either.

Yes, I must agree with you, albeit with contempt that we have a business park with reference to the Riverfront and the half-empty twin towers at the Pryce but unless you can provide me a stat wether in a way of occupancy report as in the case of Pryce and property sales report with Riverfront then I have to concede to you that indeed the developers of these properties were downright nimcompoops in as far as these investments are concerned. Then, we, the LEVITATING Davawenyos will crack some sense into our heads so as to realize we are in coud nine.

FLIPS? wow am I missing something in the field of linguistics? Yeah, I've heard some other nationalities refer to us as FLIPS and even a couple of our compatriots gladly responding to this kind of branding but it never registered to me that seriously. Who the h.... would be glad if someone slapped your face with some shit? Well, you might be of the same flock with them and I'm completely sorry that I don't dignify the mockery even if Thesauros would go out of his way to stamp it as another word/coinage worthy of a space in his dictionary.

In addendum to what Junax has said in his latest post, and I agree with what his take on your posts-- but I would not be as nice as in the fashion he said it--that you are so frustrated with the goings-on in your own barrio (Timboctu?). that all these super BRILLIANT ideas that you so exude have no place in it and that since you might be either a visiting critic of Davao and yet you find it as the perfect place for these exploding plans in your head, and out of frustration and envy you just thrash this ever dynamic, high-soaring (levitating if you may), top metropolitan city which I call LOVELY DAVAO. Bar none! I must be dreaming... geeez, it's time to wake up! I must have had an overdose of VALIUM. Whatever you say dude!

Sorry tj, sleep, junax, mers, dexter, dinabaw, paul and whoever soul I forgot to mention, for the tirades I have just made. I just thought no one has the right to undermine the efforts of any Dabawenyo and I felt that whenever our passion for Davao is put in harm's way, we have to put our foot down on it.

I wish I could whisk myself back to Davao in time for the Kadayawan Festivities. In mean time, I have to sign of to enjoy the sunday night with my cool, mild-mannered, self-effacing dabawenyos together with some Filipinos from other cities like Cebu, Tacloban, Bacolod, Cavie, Batangas etc.

I hope I could contribute more to this thread as I want to but I have to go out more to earn more he he. But let me assure you guys, I love it here in spite of some flies on the icing and you know what I mean.

Daghan kaayo salamat kang Sleep sa picture sa Metro Lifestyle. Nabasa ko na ni sila sa feature article ni Ian Garcia sa on-line Minda Times pero there was no mention on the address and link to the picture. Mao nga salamat kaayo kay gi post nimo pics. I'll post this picture to add to my all Davao pics at Friendster.com. My Bacolenyo friend wants to come to Davao after seeing my pics there. He just said today I should go with you to see all the places i showed in my account. Mga grabbed pics nako to diri sa thread including the montage nga gihimo no tj ug uban pa nga nga kugihan.
Again, salamat.

Dugang pa, my business partner- a mexican wants to come to Davao with me next year kay gusto daw kaayo niya makita ang akong gipanghambug e.g. lowest crime rate, worlds 2nd best-tasting water, no-nonsense mayor, beautiful senyoritas, squeaky-clean sorroundings, and MILD Mannered, self-effacing people.

Unta kauli ko next year. In mean time, kayod ng kayod muna.

Good morning and haller to all :wave: ....WHAAAT its thread 5 na diay? congrats everyone :applause:.....I'm also thankful to bro tj_ for the effort...

Mo-agi lang usa ko ron ha kay maninda pa kog balut hehehe....hope to contribute soon.

Maayong buntag sa tanan!Naa naman diay mo dri mao diay mingaw sa pikas! :runaway:


Nice pics T_j,dave and Junax

Hi to dextertexter human na finals bai!sabit na ta ug garland!hehehe!
Hi to junex!
hi pud dia kaydavaoeagle!

"he can never accept the reality that davao is expanding from within (ex: NCCC to tagum to palawan, VENUE to cebu, BLUGRE to other areas in mindanao)... so mga peeps he has to change nickname now, alam ko naman marami syang ganyan, bcoz his gonna be ignored from now on."

my oh my! why would i want to change my nick for your sake? you must be dreaming... or having an overdose of valium i think? valium is dangerous, see the result? people forget their logic and tend to say things they have no idea about. and about these davao "businesses" being out up in other areas... let me see it from another point. why are they expanding in other areas? while other businesses from other areas are NOT expanding in your own backyard? could davao be having a bit lower purchasing power than other areas? and these establishments are expanding to areas where than can have more profit? maybe other establishments in other areas dont see davao as an attractive market for expansion? well.. just sharing my thought.


another OT: meron tayong bisita dito VALIUM ang pangalan, you can read all his posts sa previous thread at dito narin. paki ignore na lang sa kanyang mga posts kasi sa tingin ko wala tayong makukuha sa kanyang mabuti

and so sorry to say that not all people here are listening to you, or even taking your recommendation, because davaoeagle, got a big boost of his mirage-like ego by your cheap remarks like "you hit him in the crotch, ouch".... poor thing.

and now we get to einstein...

Well, you might wanna pose yourself as a whiz. So stop the make believe that you have the monopoly in the learning process and consider the idea that your eccesses in one area (technology)

do i really have to react to this??? :bash: first, i didnt know that my posts here gave you the idea that im posing as a whiz or even having a "monopoly" in what you call the "learning process" but since you shared that, i now know why i seem to be getting to your nerves, heh, valium getting in davaoeagles nerves...

but unless you can provide me a stat wether in a way of occupancy report as in the case of Pryce and property sales report with Riverfront then I have to concede to you that indeed the developers of these properties were downright nimcompoops in as far as these investments are concerned. Then, we, the LEVITATING Davawenyos will crack some sense into our heads so as to realize we are in coud nine.

i dont wanna provide a stat for things that most davao city residents (you here excluded for not being in davao) knows already. you just might wanna go back in davao and see the place. and why would i bother providing you with these data's? ive seen it for myself, why dont you just provide me YOUR data? that its not just a half-empty piece of concrete and glass...


--that you are so frustrated with the goings-on in your own barrio (Timboctu?). that all these super BRILLIANT ideas that you so exude have no place in it and that since you might be either a visiting critic of Davao and yet you find it as the perfect place for these exploding plans in your head, and out of frustration and envy you just thrash this ever dynamic, high-soaring (levitating if you may), top metropolitan city which I call LOVELY DAVAO

youre a good storyteller, but it just needs a little convincing power... and you dont get people convinced if you dont know how to properly spell things, its TIMBUKTU.

looking forward for your next story...
ciao ciao!

list of not competitive areas in the philippines...
1. spratlys
2. tawi-tawi
3. davao city

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f368/badith/newcollage.jpg


4.
5.
6.
7.
fill your hunger...

up close with...
Lane Systems: Making it big in IT industry


HERE's a success story of a Dabawenyo who is gaining popularity in the field of information technology (IT) in the United States.

Davao City-based Lane Systems, Inc. is one big name in the IT industry, not just in the local scene, but as well as abroad.


One of the persons behind the lofty success of this IT firm is Rodney Jao.

Lane Systems, which has its business office in San Francisco, is comprised of a team of highly competent IT experts, offering software development and consulting with wide range of software and hardware solutions.

Jao is a graduate of Bachelor of Science major in Computer Science (BS Computer Science) at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) in 1995.

During the early part of that year, Jao met Marlyn Couchman, a Dabawenya who is married to an American, at Digital Interface, where Jao was a faculty member.

"Actually, Marlyn and I are not friends. We just met there, nagkakuwentuhan. At I don't know what happened kung bakit napunta sa pagtatayo ng ganitong business ang usapan. Year 1995 was the start of Internet era in Davao," he said.

In September, 1995, they established the company, both in the US and Davao City, which they first called Lane Systems Analysts.

"Ginawang Lane kasi it is the middle name of Donald, Marlyn's husband. Analysts kasi everybody was a partner during that time. Wala pa kaming employees kasi noon," Jao said.

When they put up Lane Systems, Jao was no longer connected with the Digital Interface. He was already a Computer Science instructor at ADDU.

"Since I was teaching at the Ateneo at that time, we had to look for an office na malapit lang doon. Maalala ko pa super pangit ng aming office noon kasi nga hindi pa naman kami successful. I was the one who was doing everything here because Marlyn and Don were in the States attending to our office there," he said.

Even if the company was only in its first year, it managed to get clients from the US. One of Lane Systems biggest clients in 1995 was Sesame Street Retail Store, the distribution arm of Sesame Street products such as stuffed toys of the famous characters (e.g. Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Elmo) in the said children's show.

With clients like Sesame Street, the company started to grow slowly, prompting Rodney to quit from teaching.

In 1999, the company changed its name to Lane Systems, Inc. since it already had a number of employees who were helping them address the needs of its clients.

In January of 2000, Lane Systems transferred its office to Landco building in Bajada.

"Actually, fourth office na namin 'to. Galing kasi doon sa may Ateneo, lumipat kami sa may harapan ng Gaisano Mall. From there, nag-Landco na kami pero hindi dito sa unit na 'to. Mas maliit 'yong dati," he said.

The transfer of Lane Systems to a bigger and better office unit only signifies its growth.

To date, the company is actively promoting IT development in the city and is closely working with government agencies in building solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and encouraging them to automate their business processes.

Lane Systems exists to provide an ever-increasing level of quality software, consultation, service, and responsiveness, to its customers.

Lane Systems is unique in several aspects. One of them is the unparalleled ability to examine a business challenge, apply appropriate technology solutions, and effectively articulate the solution to its own teams.

"We guarantee customer satisfaction as we go the extra mile to see that our customers know we mean business when we say we are committed to them," Jao said.

Among the major services of the company are telephony (e.g. call center telephony solutions); business systems for accounting, point of sale, inventory management, etc.; auto-ID such as barcode and biometrics wherein the iris or thumb is being used as an identification for a person to have an access over entering a certain vicinity; and IT consulting and services such as planning, implementation, and maintenance of servers and hosting and server co-location.

The company is presently addressing the needs of local industries such as the NCCC Supermarket, Del Monte, Dole, Emcor, and even the Department of Education (DepEd). This is just a small chunk of the company's huge market.

Lane Systems' superior service has already been recognized worldwide as Jao was chosen as the Most Valuable Professional of Microsoft from 2002 until 2005. The MVP award is a recognition of somebody's exemplary achievements in the field of IT.

For more details about lane Systems, Inc. please call 221-3344 and 221-6923. You can also visit them at 14F Landco Corporate Center, Pryce Business Park, J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City. (JMM)


does davao really need IT zones to the bones?

Davao is on the I.T map

Annually, a high-octane event called the e-Services Philippines exposition, brings together IT companies from all over the country to showcase their products and services. It is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions. The more than 300 companies and institutions that took part in "e-Services Philippines 2005: The 5th IT Outsourcing Conference and Exhibition" are involved in the delivery and acquisition of electronic business solutions, from software applications to animation to medical transcription and contact center services.

From 17 to 18 February 2005 at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila Hotel, big-name corporations such as Microsoft Philippines and Trend Micro, plus a sizable number of mid-range solutions providers, were in attendance. Small- and medium-sized IT enterprises were in full force as well. For the third straight year, Davao City's e-services outfits, under the banner of the Association of Solution Integrators in Davao (ASID), have participated in the Expo. This commitment has proven beneficial not only for these companies, but also for Davao's entire IT industry.

The ASID is a non-profit organization of IT services companies based in Davao City. It was registered with the S.E.C. in July of 2002. Currently comprised of fifteen companies, the Association represents the e-services sector, which is recognized by the DTI as one of the country's priority investment areas.

In its commitment to the DTI, the Association endeavors to formalize the sector it represents by encouraging independent providers to become formal companies that contribute to the local business community. Furthermore, membership development is one of the thrusts of the Association. Membership in the ASID entails the following requirements: applicants must be a duly-registered corporation, partnership or single proprietorship; must be based in Davao; more than 50% of the business must be in IT services. IT services are categorized into the following broad areas: software development; animation and graphics design; wireless applications development; medical transcription services; and, call/contact center services.

This year, the Davao companies that participated in the Expo are: Cubepixels Design Studio, Hubport Interactive Inc., ids-media, and Lane Systems Inc. The services that these companies were able to showcase included, among others, automated telephony systems, web applications, animation, corporate image design, and custom software applications development. The other member-companies of the ASID that were not able to go to Manila for the event were represented by the Association's executive director.

The Davao Pavilion in the e-Services Philippines 2005 was made possible by the Davao City Mayor's Office, through the Davao City Investment Promotions Center, headed by Engr. Bobby Teo; and, the Davao City Information Technology Center, headed by Engr. Ricarte Franco Jr. Instrumental in the financial assistance extended by the city was a resolution to allocate funding, passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, sponsored by Hon. Pilar Braga. The Davao City Tourism Office, through Mr. Ian Garcia, provided promotional materials such as brochures and maps, as well as useful information for tourists and businessmen alike. The Association is proud of its local government unit because it now recognizes the importance of the IT industry in the city's economy.

Innove Communications (formerly GlobeQuest) likewise provided valuable cash sponsorship towards the fulfillment of the Association's bid to participate in this year's Expo. This firm has been supportive of developments in Davao's IT industry ever since 2001 when the Association's members--then part of the IT Society of Davao--organized the most successful One Internet Day celebration in the country, through the full support of GlobeQuest.

After three years of being part of the e-Services Expo, Davao IT companies have proven that their product offerings are as excellent as those delivered by Manila- or Cebu-based companies. This can be seen from the total number of contracts now under negotiation between ASID member-companies and corporate buyers, a number of which are foreign-based. These potential contracts amount to P15.6 million, as estimated by the DTI-Davao City Field Office. In last year's Expo, the ASID brought home P13 million worth of potential contracts. These figures do not take into account the projects that these companies have garnered from ripple effects of their unwavering involvement in the Expo.

Rodney Jao of Lane Systems, current president of the Association, believes that, due to its continuing presence in the Expo, their Luzon- and Visayas-based counterparts have come to respect the position that Mindanao-based IT companies now hold. Foreign buyers, especially Japanese companies, are also now taking a more serious look at the capabilities of ASID members. This is evidenced by the huge potential that Davao companies now have in tapping the Japanese market. During the Expo, ASID members met with Japanese corporate representatives in several business-matching sessions. This resulted in at least two negotiations that are expected to come to positive conclusions within the year.

The Japanese delegation have expressed their interest in Davao IT providers due to the ASID's thrust in the promotion of the Japanese language as a tool for business. The Association in fact conducts professional Nihongo courses for the benefit of its members' employees, as well as all other interested parties. And since Davao has a sizable population of Japanese speakers and students of the language, these Japanese companies appear confident that their requirements will be met, not only technologically but also linguistically.

The ASID, with the dedicated support of DTI-Region XI and DTI-Davao City Field Office, is now finally realizing the achievement of one of the goals it set at its inception: that of putting Davao City firmly on the country's IT map

Davao’s best-kept secret

DAVAO has always been known to be the land of waling-waling, the exotic durian, the majestic Mt. Apo or the Philippine Eagle. What many don’t know is that when it comes to technology, the city is also home to several companies responsible for developing world-class applications. This used to be Davao’s best-kept secret but now I think we’re ready to let everyone in on that secret.

For the first time, Davao City, represented by five companies from the Association of Solution Integrators in Davao (ASID) joined CITEM’s eServices Expo held last February 13-15 at the World Trade Center in Manila. The expo focused on promoting the country’s capabilities in IT and eServices and featured top IT companies all over the country. A lot of people who attended the event were surprised to find out that the IT industry is growing in Davao and that these Davao companies have been servicing US and European clients as early as 1995. They were even more surprised to see the range and quality of software developed and the software tools used from Microsoft Technologies such as .NET, Java and GIS. The five companies which took part in the expo were Automata Interactive, CDR Software Studio, Ids-Media, Nth and Lane Systems.

The participation of ASID was made possible through the efforts of Councilors Frances Mabel Acosta-Laman and Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz and the funding assistance form Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. And the group’s participation in the eServices Expo was a success. It not only generated more contacts and projects for the five participants but it also put the spotlight on the growing IT Industry in the city.

When it comes to outsourcing, Davao not only has agricultural products to boast of but also software development. And because of the lower overhead expenses, these Davao-based solution integrators are able to offer lower rates without sacrificing the quality of the software. And technology and infrastructure support in Davao have made these companies accessible to their clients everywhere.

Vol. XIX, No. 163
Friday-Saturday, March 10-11, 2006 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Focus

BY ANNA BARBARA L. LORENZO, Reporter
He brings ’em back live

Danee Samonte started in entertainment in the 1970s when, at the age of 16, he became a disc jockey using "Steve O’Neal" as one of his stage names. More than two decades later, he still brings music to fans of his and older generations, this time through live performances.

Producer Danee Samonte with his musical idols The Cascades.

Since early 2004, Mr. Samonte’s Steve O’Neal Productions has brought in at least 10 artists and bands, including The Cascades and Gary Lewis and the Playboys, whose music now fall under the "retro" genre that remains appealing particularly to a market of 30-year-olds and above.

"When I started, people were laughing at me. They said I’m just going to lose money," Mr. Samonte said in an interview with BusinessWorld.

He first brought in Pat Upton for a Valentine’s concert in 2004. At the time, his concert was competing with newer artists like Brian McKnight, and other older singers like Toto and Patty Austin.

"I did not know anything about promotion. I learned by the kapa [feel] system. I just got in and I took the plunge. I did not promote very well but we sold out [the concerts at] the NBC Tent and the Hard Rock [Cafe]. Doon ko na-realize na kahit minimal ang advertising, kapag magaling ang artist mo, pupunta talaga ang tao (That’s when I realized that even if your advertising is minimal, if your artist is good, people will go to see him)," Mr. Samonte said.

He added that his success with Mr. Upton gave him the courage to continue bringing in artists to cater to mature audiences.

In May of the same year, he produced a concert of The Searchers. Friends of Distinction came in August, and the Chad and Jeremy duo in October.

The Valentine’s concert he staged in 2005 was also promising to be a success with artists like Gordon Waller, Chris Montes and John Fort in the lineup. Unfortunately, Mr. Samonte said, a fatal bombing near the venue, Hard Rock Cafe in Makati’s Greenbelt, sent people running out of the concert.

Mr. Samonte’s biggest success yet was the April 2005 concert of The Cascades. It was the group’s second visit to the Philippines since their heyday in the 1960s. Over 10,000 concert tickets were sold, with performances at the Araneta Coliseum, Hard Rock Cafe and Cebu. The members may be wrinkled and gray but they were such a hit that the Steve O’Neal partners wanted them back just three months after their successful gig.

"Sabi ko, at most kikita ka na lang dito ng mga 30% dahil kakatapos lang nila magconcert (I said, at most we will earn 30% of what we did before since they had just performed here). But I was wrong. We sold out Araneta again," Mr. Samonte said.

Gary lewis and the Playboys horse around with concert producer Danee Samonte.

The Cascades have such a strong following among Filipinos that the band is scheduled for yet another concert here when they go on an Asian tour in June.

Being instrumental in the reunion of The Cascades after roughly 13 years of separation, Mr. Samonte now manages most of the group’s tours in other countries, including those in Europe.

He also reunited the ’60s duos Chad and Jeremy, and Peter and Gordon.

But Mr. Samonte’s success with The Cascades goes beyond sold-out tickets in the biggest venues here and abroad.

" These were my idols when I was young, and today they are my companions, I joke around with them," he gleefully said in the vernacular, adding that it was on Cascades vocalist Jean Claude Gummoe’s suggestion that he shaved his hair. For the longest time, Mr. Samonte was combing up his hair to cover a bald spot. "I said I would shave my head when he shaved his. After Christmas, he sent me a photo. He was bald. So I also went bald," Mr. Samonte said.

MORE CONCERTS TO COME

Aside from The Cascades, Steve O’Neal has lined up a variety of foreign artists to perform in the Philippines this year. Rex Smith is coming in April; blind musician Jose Feliciano is scheduled for May; and Spandau Ballet is expected to come by July or August. The Zombies, who came for a series of concerts here during the Valentine’s season, are set to fly back for another performance towards the end of the year.

Mr. Samonte said successful concerts usually reap as much as 40% to 60% in profit. Producing concerts include expenses such as talent fees which start from about $20,000. Promotions cost at least P2 million. Then there are venue rental fees of as much as P500,000, plus business class plane fares and high-end accommodation for the artists, equipment, and permits.

"If you invest P5 million and you sell out [the show], you’d be lucky and treble [your investment] and earn 100%. At most it’s 40% to 60% kapag successful. But there are more failures than successes," Mr. Samonte said.

To at least ensure a favorable turnout, Mr. Samonte said he only gets artists who have popularized at least six songs in the Philippines. To control costs, he also makes sure that the artists do not bring a huge entourage.

Mr. Samonte also taps strategic partners such as Solar Entertainment, the Manila Bulletin, and the Manila Hotel to cushion expenses, which, in turn, results in lower ticket prices.

"Of course, everyone wants to make a profit. But what I really want is a regular client buying tickets for the show. Filipinos have a resistance level for tickets [which is about] P2,500, unless it’s a dinner show," Mr. Samonte said.

He said it pleases him to see people from various walks of life being able to enjoy yesterday’s music through the concerts he produces. Politicians may debate in congressional sessions in the morning and jam together during a Steve O’Neal concert in the evening.

While Mr. Samonte has seemingly filled up his calendar for concerts this year, it would not be surprising if new, well, old folks come to perform for his productions. After all, if the artists are still alive, he brings them in, live.

Any news on that cbd of davao?

Maayong gabii sa tanan!
Welcome Davao eagle, i think Ayala Corp. are putting Ayala Center here. i heard that if the negotations push through between them and the Dacudao's they are pursuing the Lanang Country golf area!


You're right dinabaw, Ayala has been negotiating with the Dacudao's and I think this existing golf course is pefect for the business park they plan to set up in Davao. I hope they can walk past the minor kinks happening within the Dacudao circle. Once everything is clear then the Ayalas will go ahead with the project.

why are they expanding in other areas? while other businesses from other areas are NOT expanding in your own backyard? could davao be having a bit lower purchasing power than other areas? and these establishments are expanding to areas where than can have more profit? maybe other establishments in other areas dont see davao as an attractive market for expansion? well.. just sharing my thought.


How crazy can it get. Very myopic view! Just because SM expanded to the VISMIN area in the 80's and 90's respectively didn't mean people in Manila suffered shrinkage in their purchasing power. If they did expand then they had to face market saturation and mar..saturation might only be temporary and that's why as the market dictates they have to bring this success to some areas where this type of business holds promise.


Valium really has a problem with this thing about convincing. I mean, it's a case of 'the boy who cried wolf". Do I need to correctly spell TIMBOCTU for people to take me seriously? You are talking here about improper noun and I don't know what "improper" means to you. It's ticking me off. You are way off the rails with your off-tangent rebuttals. I tell you you are in the wrong forum. We don't need to convince anyone here for we Dabawenyos know where we are going and what we want to lay our hands on.

[QUOTE=valium]davaoeagle, a newbie, really made my day, you came out of nowhere butting in and being critical with my reply to TJ, i cant stop laughing.

Look who's talking here. You came out of the blue too pummeling the Dabawenyos in this forum when they were just sharing ideas about Davao.
Between me and you it's pretty obvious who's invading territories here.

so what youre saying here is that davao, has thousands of IT grads that its giving you an oversupply of people with these skills so theyre now looking for other areas to work? and they find work in manila and cebu because what? manila and cebu lack these kind of graduates??? santa banana!!! why are my IT friends from davao back in manila are saying otherwise? most of them cant find opportutnities back in davao so theyre working in areas outside davao. most of them are saying "IF only davao has this and has that etc." and i think TJ can best answer you with that why he's working in cebu.

I will just try to keep it short and simple (KISS) with my sentences as Valium really has trouble with reading comprehension. I have to clarify though that when I said "we are producing thousands of IT grads" 'we" meant the nation as a whole not singling Davao out. Just the same, they poor guy is missing the big picture.

I'm in stitches just reading this post.

Hi Guys,

Just when you thought the sports centre in UP Min will never see the light of day, here is some answer.

Duterte: Silent worker in sports
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey

BACK in December of last year, during a ceremony he hosted to honor Davao City athletes who garnered medals in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte delivered an emotional speech that left those in attendance in total silence.

"From the bottom of my heart, and in behalf of the people of Davao City, I would like to thank you all for making us proud and for bringing honor to the city," Duterte said in a manner seldom heard from him, his voice crackling in every word uttered.

The mayor was overwhelmed by the performance of the Davao athletes, and the people in attendance at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, the athletes' parents and the media understood how the local chief executive felt that Thursday afternoon.

It was a sporting victory for Davao as the local athletes contributed 11 gold medals of the 113 golds captured by the country in the SEA Games just weeks earlier.

So proud and thrilled no end, it was just fitting that Duterte handed out cash incentives that day to the deserving Davao athletes, led by diver Shiela Mae Perez, who bagged no less than three golds in the biennial sports conclave.

Delighted by Duterte's gesture, the athletes and their parents in turn let out a rousing applause to express their gratitude to the city's No. 1 sportsman and supporter.

Yes, Duterte, criticized by political opponents before for allegedly giving less priority to sports is a friend, an ally, and champion to every athlete and to the sports community in general.

"For years, the mayor has silently worked for sports," said Christopher Go, the city sports coordinator and the mayor's executive assistant. Go was reluctant at first to be interviewed he wants to remain behind the scene in the implementation of the city's sports projects, but obliged when pressed by Sun.Star Davao.

Go said handing out cash incentives to deserving athletes and providing financial support to those who are in need of funds every time a national tournament comes around is just part of Duterte's program to push sports development in the city.

There is the regular basketball clinic for children, the Duterte Basketball League that draws the participation of all the 180 barangays, the All-Muslim Cup and the Elderlympics for the seniors citizens, which has been running for three years now.

The free cage clinic for kids conducted by the Duterte Agilas basketball team alone is a successful project. Since the clinic started, it has covered 49 barangays and benefited a total of 7,350 children.

The beneficiaries are boys and girls with age ranging from six to 12.

"We are happy to have reached out to a lot of kids through our free basketball clinics in the barangays," Go said.

All these, and all other cash assistance to various sports groups, are being provided by the City Government all these years despite the meager budget of the Sports Development Office, which operates with an allotment of only P1.4 million annually. When asked how his office works effectively with the tight budget, Go said all they need is to look for other source of funds when implementing all the directions set by the local chief executive.

Go also pointed out a few steps undertaken to realize their goals. "First, we reviewed some policies with regards to areas on how we can help the sports community better. Second, we made some reengineering in our personnel and placed people who have the capacity to do the assigned tasks better," Go said.

He said City Hall had also tied up with the media and made the sports division become transparent with regards to the development activities of the mayor.

Go explained that when the sports development division was established in 1996, it was an indication that sports is part of Duterte's administration.

This year, the local government, as in the previous years, have already provided cash incentives to the Davao medal winners in the 3rd Asean Para Games in Manila, and has extended financial assistance to various sports activities like the 1st DIA Manaer's Cup badminton tournament and 5th JT Pingoy taekwondo tournament.

The Holy Child School of Davao, the Davao Football Association and the regional office of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines based in Davao City were also the initial beneficiaries of cash assistance.

And with the 69th Araw ng Dabaw fast approaching, the City Government has organized a number of sports activities not only for the athletes and regular participants but also for the government employees.

Go is also happy to announce that the Philippine Sports Commission thru the initiatives of no less than the chairman, William "Butch" Ramirez, and commissioners Ritchie Garcia and Joeyu Mundo, is donatating a boxing ring and a skeet and trap equipment to Mayor Duterte as part of the agency's reaching out program to the local government units.

But there is one major project that Duterte is planning to put up, and that is the realization of the proposed Elias B. Lopez Sports Complex in Mintal, Tugbok this city.
But Go would rather have the mayor make the announcement himself in the days to come. So far, everything is coming into place for the Davao City government in as far as sports development is concerned, Go assured.

"The sports development division will continue in its efforts to deliver the needed sports services to the Dabawenyos as humanly as possible," Go said.

Here's some more info in Davao-Palau flight.

Asian Spirit starts Davao-Palau flights on April 2
Asian Spirit makes aviation history on 02 April 2006 with the inauguration of its Davao-Palau flights utilizing their latest state-of-the-art British Aerospace (BAE) 1 46 Jet Aircraft.
Asian Spirit will connect the City in Bloom to the Dive Paradise of the Pacific 3 times weekly.

For only US$230.00 roundtrip (Davao-Palau-Davao) airfare (exclusive of applicable taxes, no visa requirements for Filipino tourists), Davaoeños and Mindanaoans can now experience the beauty of this Micronesian paradise.

Located 7 degrees north of the equator in the Western Pacific Ocean, a mere 500 km South East of the Philippines, Palau is only an hour and a half trip from Davao City. It consists of the high islands of Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur in the south, the low coral atolls of Kayangel to the North East and Ngeruangel and the limestone Rock Islands of which there are more than 200.

Only eight of the republic's islands are inhabited by its population of 20,303, consisting of Palauans, Carolinians, other Micronesians, Filipinos, Chinese, and other Asians.

Besides having a sunny climate all year round, Palau is also located outside the typhoon zone.

As a major tou rism destination in the Pacific, Palau prides itself with a unique culture, fascinating historical spots, numerous pristine islands, unspoiled coral reefs, excellent dive havens, a "stingless" jellyfish lake, and various adventure and leisure activities to keep guests engaged during their stay.

Asian Spirit flies from Davao City to Palau every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (departs from Davao at 8:30 p.m. / arrives in Palau at 11:00 p.m., Palau local time, 1 hour ahead of Philippine time).

Palau to Davao City flights are on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (departs Palau at 3:30 a.m., Palau local time / arrives in Davao at 4:00 a.m.).

For reservations, visit Asian Spirit ticketing offices located at NCCC Mall, Gaisano Mall of Davao, Victoria Plaza and SM City Davao or inquire from local travel agents.

hello to all my davaoeño / dabawenyo friends! Thanks to those entrepreneur Dabawenyons who expanded their businesses not only in Davao but to other areas in Visayas and Mindanao. Atleast, d na ako mahohomesick! ehehehehehehe. Currently, The Venue will have its second branch here in Cebu. There's a HALO na rin and NETEXPRESS. May Holiday Spa na rin dito! yepeeee!

But i think there are a lot of Cebuano businessmen who expanded their businesses in Davao City too. Here are the following businesses from Cebu which I've also noticed in Davao:

1. K1 Family Entertainment Bar
2. Gaisano Mall of Davao
3. Gaisano South
4. Aboitiz (Davao Light Corp)
5. Waterfront Hotel
6. Liberty Pacific Realty
7. ChrisMaq Marketing
8. and other SMEs.

by the way guys......when i was still in Davao...(3 to 4 years ago) Ive noticed a lot of Indonesians! I even got an indonesian barkada! ehehehehehhe but I never thought that there are a lot of Koreans na rin pala there in Davao!

I was talking with a friend last night who told me that there are a lot of koreans now in Davao not only because some are studes or tourists but coz of the existence of the Philippines-Korea Vocational Training Center - the only in Visayas and Mindanao / one of the three in the country. and i said huwwwwwwwwwaaaat? what the heck is that! I tried to dispute his claim telling him na here in Cebu, wherever i go, there is always a group of koreans roaming around the street. so i did my research and found out that what he's telling me is valid din naman pala!

So, here are the articles i found about the Philippines-Korea Vocational Training Center (Davao City). This was inaugurated last year lang pala! March 9 2005.

:) :)

NewsFile
GMA inaugurates P500-M RP- Korean center
news.ops.gov.ph
March 9 2005

DAVAO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally inaugurated yesterday afternoon the P500-million Philippines-Korea Vocational Training Center (PKVTC) in Tibungco district here.

Accompanied by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Yu Myung Hwan and Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) Executive Director Sungho Choi, the Chief Executive inspected the modern complex which stands on a 6.5-hectare compound.

Armando Aquino, PKVTC administrator, said the center aims to establish a quality technical-vocational training system for Mindanaoans to help uplift their technical skills and accelerate agro-industrial development in southern Philippines.

Aquino said the PKVTC offers state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and Korea-trained instructors.

The center, he said, has seven training workshops, a 200-seater auditorium, and a 200-bed dormitory.

Roberto Barajan, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 11 regional director, said the center is a big boost to the government's poverty alleviation efforts.

"In PKVTC, we don't only offer trainings but generate jobs as well," he pointed out.

With new productive skill, he said, poor folk will be encouraged to engage in micro-finance enterprise.

He said the center will also provide opportunities for indigenous folk to improve their lives through training scholarships pledged by their local government units.

Construction of the PKVTC began in March last year. It is one of three such training center projects to which KOICA has extended a US$5-million grant-aid package as part of the Philippines-Korean Friendship Agreement in 1983. The other two are in Quezon City and Bulacan.

:) :)

Now after a month of its inauguration, here's another press release....

Korean firms to hire all TESDA-trained Pinoys in RP-Korea project
gov.ph news

DAVAO CITY, April 19 (PNA) - Prominent Korean firms will hire the first batch of graduates of the state-run Philippines-Korea Vocational Training Center (PKVTC) in Tibungco district here (Davao City).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally opened the P500-million training center here last month. It was funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency as part of the Philippines-Korea friendship agreement in 1996.

Mafel Negrido, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 11 information officer, said the Korean government has assured them that it will accommodate for employment all of the 240 graduates of the PKVTC for schoolyear 2005-2006.

Among the training courses being offered are Agricultural Machinery Maintenance and Repair; Automobile Maintenance and Repair; Mechanical Processing; Welding and Pipefitting; Refrigeration and Air-conditioning; Food Processing; and Information Processing.

Negrido said apart from the technical skills, the students will also be taught the Korean language to prepare them to become effective employees in Korea.

During the one-year training course, 10 months will be set aside for in-center training. The remaining two months will be for on-the-job training, he said

:) :)

Any news on that cbd of davao?

Hi jamaicus, thanks for your inquiry....you mean Riverfront Corporate City? Or Pryce Business Park?

The Riverfront Corporate City is being developed by Sta Lucia Realty and being marketed by Orchard Properties. As far as i know, may nakabili na sa most of the residential lots jan sa Riverfront. With its commercial lots, meron na rin but obviously, (and sad to say) most of these are the speculator kind of investors. Like what happened sa NRA (North Reclaimation Area) here in Cebu.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/callcenter.jpg



Wow! :eek2: this is Madam Jojie's call center? And to think its locally owned! amazing! If this will be properly managed and marketed, im sure it will become one of the giants in the call center industry here sa pinas!

PeopleSupport started with less than 10 people only in Makati. And before that, its owner started the company as a homebased call center in LA, California. Look at where the company is now! And to think this center started just 5 years ago!

:rock:Go Madam Jojie ! :rock:

by the way guys, ive sent an email to Ms Jojie Ilagan. If you got some comments, suggestions, or whatever have you - about Davao, you can share this to her....the email addy is jojibian2@yahoo.com

good evening to all davaoeños and davao friends... news muna tayo...

Monday, March 13, 2006
City eyes experts to think through drainage problem

City Hall will tap hydraulic experts from the public works department to help the city construct a viable drainage program. But this does not mean total solution of the flooding problem in the city.

Mayor Duterte said the consultants are now doing the final review of the city's current drainage situation. This is expected to be finished in May.

"But this does not mean we will not have a flooding problem anymore! As along as there is a continued heavy downpour in the hinterlands, water will automatically flow down to the rivers and to the sea, and we do not have enough river to absorb all these waters from the mountains. This means, as long as there is excess water, water which cannot be easily absorbed by our Davao River, water will always find its way," Duterte explained.

"We cannot stop the rain, it is a reality. We need five more rivers to accom-modate the heavy flow of water from upstream, and we do not have that many rivers. Maskin kinsay molingkod diha sa City Hall, dili na lang magpatoutou kay impossible nga naay total solution sa drainage. That is im-possible, even in first world countries which are equipped with technology they are flooded," Duterte explained.

In 1994, Dr. Manuel Quebral, an archeologist and professor of the University of the Philippines told city officials that no amount of drainage can totally solve the flooding problem of the city given its topography.

Quebral said the city's soil is near the sea bed, which means that during a heavy downpour the capacity of the sea to absorb the drainage water is very low.

Source (http://bond.lanesystems.com/sitegen/article.asp?wid=125&cid=451&aid=36028) : EDITHA Z. CADUAYA



Knowledge is BIMP-EAGA’s major milestone - DTI

By Mai B. Gevera

Davao City (14 March) -- "We may not see outright successes but the knowledge accepted and absorbed by the people is the biggest accomplishment of the BIMP-EAGA.”

This was the assurance of Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Merly Cruz in time for the 12th Anniversary Celebration of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Established in March 24, 1994 in Davao city, the BIMP-EAGA goal is accelerating the economic development of the focus areas of the sub-region.

The four member countries saw the significance of cross-border cooperation among selected regions in order to facilitate rapid increase of trade, investment, and tourism within the EAGA.

Cruz bared that the said regional economic group has given small and medium entrepreneurs familiarizations of certain industries by providing them knowledge about the restrictions, limitations as well as potentials before engaging into a particular business.

“We are now using all these information, knowledge and we included it in our database for future use as we come up with solutions on our problems,” she said.

In time for the 12th anniversary, BIMP-EAGA’s celebration is also significant as this year also marks the turn-over of chairmanship of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) from Malaysia to the Philippines which will be held on March 15 this city.

With the Philippines chairing the BEBC, Cruz also announced that the Philippines is eyeing to export more four major and potential industries in the said region: the seaweed industry, palm oil, virgin coconut oil, and the “halal” foods.

It was explained that the country is going to maximize virgin coco oil production as the Philippines and the Indonesia are the countries that dominate such production.

"What we are seeing here is to come up with product standards and specifications since we are talking about a new product like the virgin coco," she added.

With the palm oil industry highly dominated by Malaysia, it is also tapping the Philippines for expansion.

"We have determined 380,000 hectares of land available for palm oil production. This is such a good number that means a lot in providing more jobs for the Filipinos," Cruz said. (PIA) source (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060314.htm&no=3)



Finance chief hails Davao

By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (14 March) -- Finance Secretary Gary Teves hailed the local government unit of Davao for its strong collaboration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs and other government entities in increasing the revenue collections of the government.

Secretary Teves challenged government revenue generating agencies to strive harder to colllect more taxes to fund bigger projects that would benefit the Filipino people.

In a dialogue last week at the Waterfront Insular Hotel with BIR XI Director Marcelinda Omila-Yap and Davao Collector of Customs John Tan, Yap informed secretary Teves of the unified effort being undertaken by the BIR and the city government of Davao to improve tax collection in the city.

She attributed the good working relationship between the BIR and LGUs and the BIR’s personnel’ as the major factor in achieving their target goal.

Director Omila-Yap also reported that for the first two months (January and February) alone, the BIR has exceeded its target goal by P43.6 million or five percent of the assigned target of P6.3 billion. Last year, its target goal was P4.7 billion or an increase of 34% over the previous year.

“Compared to last year’s collection, we have exceeded by P213.4million or 30.57% for the same period," she said.

Director Omila-Yap said the region is among the very few that was given a very high target goal and that the BIR office is doing its best to beat or exceed this year’s revenue target.

On the other hand, Customs Davao region collector Tan also reported that the bureau is pursing revenue enhancement measures to achieve its collection target for the year.

Earlier, the Bureau of Customs nationwide reported that it has surpassed its P12.083 billion January collection target to P12.38billion despite low volume of imports.

The January 2006 BOC collections, which exceeded the target by P297million, was also P1.8 billion higher than last year’s January collection, this was reported by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales to Secretary Teves.

Secretary Teves expressed his gratitude to the BIR and BOC for their maiden performance hoping that this would be the template that would be followed for the rest of the year.

The Finance Chief was in Davao to grace the Mindanao Cooperative Summit spearheaded by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) headed by Director Rosalinda Villaseca. (PIA) source (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060314.htm&no=4)

But there is one major project that Duterte is planning to put up, and that is the realization of the proposed Elias B. Lopez Sports Complex in Mintal, Tugbok this city.

Good project name. Elias B Loez, the first Bagobo Mayor and one of the best mayor we had.

@ tj: true, dami indonesians here in DC. di lang gaanong halata kasi they look like pinoys. i attended their independence day cocktails in august 2004 & 2005. their tradition and culture are very close to mindanao. as to koreans, minsan sa beach (paradise) or sa mga malls or sa casino, parami nang parami na rin.

@ don, junax, junex, dexter, bustero and to all: la lang. kelan ang ssc davao meet? hehe.

Indonesians Flock to Davao to Enroll in TVI Courses
March 2006
Tesda XI

DAVAO CITY - Indonesians are flocking to this Southern Philippines trade and education center to undergo technical vocational trainings (TVTs), specifically on automotive mechanics and electronics, because studying here are higher than in their own country.

The assessment was made by Egmedio Valdez, officer-in-charge of the Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center (KPVTC), in the wake of increasing interest among many Indonesians to study at KPVTC in this city.

Last September 12, 2005, the first batch of 20 Indonesians arrived in Davao City for the two-month training on vocational courses.

The Indonesian trainees did an on-the-job training (OJT) for two weeks in the city’s industrial plants after completing the course.

Valdez said only 20 of the 60 Indonesians who underwent the prescreening at the KPVTC passed the assessment examinations.

He said most of the examinees failed both in theory and practice.

“This indicates that Davao is ahead of Indonesia in terms of technical vocational skills, specifically on industrial automation and mechatronics,” Valdez explained.

The Korean government provided a grant aid of $5 million for the construction of the training center complex in Davao City.

heres relaunching of DAVAO MUSEUM at Insular Village...

pics courtesy of www.davaodoctors.edu.ph

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic18.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic11.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic15.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic17.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic07.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic33.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic28.jpg

http://www.davaodoctors.edu.ph/gallery/photos/atfdm/pic24.jpg

hi mers! where have you been? muztah na?

Hello! Nandito pa rin ako sa davao...medyo, busy lng talaga lately.. :)

Taken at ISLA RETA RESORT
Davao is indeed beautiful....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla3.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla5.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla6.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla7.jpg

hala! kafuti!!! sa faa.hehe. Suya ko niya da kay wana jud ko kaadtog dagat :D

Taken at ISLA RETA RESORT
Davao is indeed beautiful....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Celine05/isla2.jpg



and so are you. :)

gwapa gyud! ;)

Madayaw! Happy Araw ng Dabaw!


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvo.jpg


Eventful week for 69th Araw ng Dabaw
March 14, 2006
Sunstar

MONDAY marked the four-day countdown to the much-awaited 69th Araw ng Dabaw celebration with various events expected to attract both locals and visitors.

Monday was also the Pagdiriwang ng mga Empleyado, the celebration of City Government employees for the charter anniversary of Davao City. From 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., civil servants from different departments held various competitions at Rizal Park, such as the Hataw Sayaw Pop Dance Contest, Hataw Sayaw Cheer Dance Contest, and Kantahan Amateur Singing Contest.

Monday night saw the grand finals of Huni sa Dabaw where 10 songwriting entries by Dabawnyo composers competed for top prizes at SM City Davao Entertainment Plaza at 6:00 p.m.

Energy FM will have a free concert from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at Rizal Park.

Today, Kasikas sa Garbo will fill the Centennial, Quezon, Rizal and Osmeña parks with various musical and cultural simultaneous performances. This will run from 2:00-8:00 p.m.

The annual Datu Bago Awards will hold their ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, honoring Dabawenyos who have brought honor and contributed to the development of the city. RMN will also hold their free party with Pop Fiesta show at PTA Grounds.

On Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., the eve of the grand celebration, will also be the Coronation Night of the 2006 Araw ng Dabaw at the CAP Auditorium.

The entire city will finally come together and celebrate Araw ng Dabaw on Thursday, with a series of exciting outdoor and street events starting with the Parada Dabawenyo and Banda Hudyaka along the major streets of the city from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Banda Hudyaka will have its showdown performances at 2:00 p.m. in Rizal Park.

SM City Davao will host a show for the famous Pinoy Big Brother housemates. All 13 original cast of the reality show will be in Davao including our very own Cassandra Ponti and matinee idol Sam Milby.

Gaisano Mall will also hold their Munting Mutya Coronation Pageant at 3 p.m. while MOR will have their Kapamilya Concert at the PTA Grounds featuring various
ABS-CBN stars and local talents at 7:00 PM.

As a gift to the Dabawenyos, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will sponsor Alay Konsyerto ni Mayor featuring popular pop band Hale and actress Anne Curtis, a free concert at Rizal Park.

The celebration continues with various continuing and post-Araw ng Dabaw events, such as the 1st Davao Great Outdoor Week at Riverfront Corporate City (March 6-12), Piging sa Da'n at Roxas Avenue and Agro Industrial Trade Fair at the PTA Grounds (March 10-16), City Government Services Expo at SM City Davao (March 11-18), Bangka Rally at Times Beach, Randy Santiago Mall Tour at SM City Davao and Araw ng Dabaw Street Party at SM City Parking C (March 18), 1st Invitational Airsoft Competition at SM City Development Area (March 18-19), and John Lloyd Cruz Live at SM City Entertainment Plaza (March 19).

hi there mga pare...good morning...im new here. and im definitely from davao...

i have read many a thrashing of our beloved city in this forum..tsk tsk tsk...they dont know a thing about our city.

it may have its negative side by it definitely has a positive one!!! more positive than any other city in the phils...

hi there mga pare...good morning...im new here. and im definitely from davao...

i have read many a thrashing of our beloved city in this forum..tsk tsk tsk...they dont know a thing about our city.

it may have its negative side by it definitely has a positive one!!! more positive than any other city in the phils...


Ei xzibit! welcome to SSC - Davao! We're glad to have you here!

Davao Doctors Hospital and Davao Doctors College buildings


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/dvodocbldg.jpg

A Davao City’s call center to hire more employees
ITMatters.com.ph
March 2006

DAVAO CITY -- Going full blast this year, the city’s first call center has announced hiring additional employees to fill up seats.

G-Com Ltd., operated by US-based Cyber City Teleservices Ltd., has set up a hiring booth at the SM City Davao to recruit at least 175 call center agents in the next two months, the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry said. It said the hiring of new agents is part of the company’s plan to go into 24-hour operation. The 175 seats would be added to the 140 seats that have been occupied since the company opened in 2004.

James Down, Cyber City Teleservices Ltd. service excellence director, was in the city to evaluate the applicants who lined up during the weekend at the company’s booth inside the mall.

He, however, said applicants are limited to females who are college graduates, fluent in English or Spanish, know how to reason out and must be friendly, upbeat and courteous and willing to work on a shifting schedule. The applicants should also be professional and good worth ethic, he said.

Before the company opened in the city, it recruited employees, which it trained in its call center in Clark, Pampanga.

Mr. Down said his company has continued expanding because the Filipinos’ hospitality has become a plus factor in the call center business. He said Filipino agents "even go an extra mile" in dealing with customers.

Although the Philippines has a lot of catching-up to do in the industry currently paced by India, Mr. Down is confident the country will soon have a multi-billion dollar business because its people "are able to understand the problems" of their customers and are capable of dealing with them. --


G'com's by CyberCity Teleserv Callcenter facility in Davao

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/cctl.jpg

Haller xzibit31: welcome to this thread....yeah thrashing is certainly no use...any cities really crop up with negative and positive sides and its up to the city planners on how to manage and work-out to improve on. Demeaning the capability of a City to evolve is worthless bcoz every urban has its own outline...and Davao in particular has a chart and setting up on how to exercise its advantage.

Btw: People reach out for pineapples used by the Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation on their float during the 69th Araw ng Davao celebration in Calinan District. Barangays held their pre-Araw celebration, which saw various activities all over the city since the start of March. (source: Sun.Star Davao/Seth delos Reyes)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Onibag1072001/pineaple-2.jpg

Maayong buntag sa tanan! Welcome xzbit31 Welcome to the pugad ng mga Dabawenyo!

Dave ganda pala ng Davao Museum! Unsa na nahitabo adtong sa proposed Davao Museum sa rotonda discontinued na kay naayos naman nang sa Insular?

The City Government's Call Center - Davao 911

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/_dvo911.jpg



Davao City 911 adapted the concept of 911 that originated in the United States of America. They did not only adapt the concept but the call numbers 911 as well. It is the brainchild of the City Mayor Honorable Rodrigo R. Duterte as part of his peace and order program.


The power of numbers
By Rene Ezpeleta Bartolo
Mindanao Times


Six centuries before Christ was born, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras wrote: “The world is built upon the power of numbers.”

There is both mathematical sense and nonsensical myth in the belief that numbers exert powerful influence on human life. But throughout the centuries, the pseudo-science of numerology has persisted.

In the Hebrew Torah, for example, and even in the New Testament, the number 40 is powerful. A ritually impure Hebrew must immerse himself in 40 measures of water for cleansing. The rain poured 40 days and nights during the time of Noah; Moses stayed in Mt. Sinai for 40 days; the Jews wandered in the wilderness for 40 years; Jesus Christ fasted 40 days in the desert. According to the Hebrew Talmud, it takes 40 days for an embryo to be formed in its mother’s womb.

Another powerful number steeped in sense and superstition is seven. There are seven days in a week; Seven Deadly Sins (avarice, envy, gluttony, lust, pride, sloth and hatred);

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Seven Sisters, Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man, the Seven Levels of Hell, and the Seven Dwarves.

The soft drink 7-Up, invented in America in the 1920s by C. L. Griggs of Missouri, was originally called “Bib-label Lithiate Lemon-Lime Soda.” Naturally it had poor sales although the drink tasted good. Griggs changed the name six times; on the seventh try – 7-Up, sales went through the roof.

Belief in the power of certain numbers has survived the centuries, like the “master numbers” 11, 22, and 33. When the letters of a person’s name correspond to any of these numbers, he is considered “superior.”

The number 13 is considered both lucky and unlucky, depending on which side of the road you are when the lightning strikes. So we avoid traveling during the 13th day of the month (especially if it falls on a Friday), the 13th floor, the 13th guest (including the 13th-month pay?). In Sweden, however, women wear the number 13 as a lucky charm to attract men.

To Pythagoras, often called the father of numerology, all numbers are powerful: the numbers 1 through 4 equaled the sum of 10, and all numbers larger than 9 can be reduced by a single digit by adding the digits together. To Pythagoras, the entire universe could be expressed numerically, in single or combination digits. Modern physics has proven him correct.

Speaking of combinations, among the Greek oracles and the Roman soothsayers, the number the number 888 represented the “Higher Mind.” The Greek variation of “Jesus,” “Iesous,” equals 888. The number 666 represented the “Mortal Mind.” In the New Testament, 666 is called the number of “the Beast”, while 777 is the number of God.

The number 555 is, of course, a brand of sardines.

But seriously, there’s another number I wish to discuss here. It is a number that has been exerting a powerful influence on the life of Davao City for the past four years now with its subdued, soothing but strong, presence.

I’m talking about 911.

As Dabawenyos, we have reason to be proud of Davao Central 911. It is a unique Philippine phenomenon. Davao City is the only city in the country and the third in the world – after the United States and Canada – to use the fast and easy access 911 numbers for police, fire, medical, and emergency assistance.

Since 2002, the number 911 has been part of the city’s daily life, as silent and strong as its chief operations officer, retired colonel Mario Verner Monsanto. Davao Central 911 has 24 round-the-clock call-takers, 30 paramedics, 30 emergency response team members, 30 firefighters, 45 mobile cars, 5 ambulances and 2 firetrucks, always on tip-top shape, always ready and raring to go to give police and medical assistance, respond to fires and emergencies.

In 2005, Davao Central 911 received and responded to a total of 31,380 calls – that’s an average of 86 calls a day.

Of these, according to Monsanto, 911 hotline emergency received 6,700 calls complaining of public disturbance; 3,241 for vehicular accidents; 2,056 for domestic problems; 1,720 reported troublesome drunks; 1,641 for theft; and 1,594 reported suspicious circumstance.

Reflecting the Filipino psyche, 40 percent of the calls were prank. But Monsanto is not complaining. He said residents of far-flung barangays prefer calling 911 instead of the local police in the vicinity.

By national standards, the budget for 911 is measly. The operations cost P73 million in 2005, and P50 million each in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. The amount spent by the city in 2005 is less than 10 percent of the fertilizer fund that disappeared in 2004; less than half the money spent for the Arroyo entourage in New York.

I agree with Pythagoras. Numbers can be powerful. To paraphrase him: “The peaceful sleep of the people of Davao City is built on numbers.”

The security blanket that covers Davao City like a benign shroud is expressed in a number: 911.

Btw: People reach out for pineapples used by the Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation on their float during the 69th Araw ng Davao celebration in Calinan District. Barangays held their pre-Araw celebration, which saw various activities all over the city since the start of March. (source: Sun.Star Davao/Seth delos Reyes)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Onibag1072001/pineaple-2.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/fruits.jpg
That's another thing that I like with Davao City.....Abundant sa fruits! It's sooooooooooooooooo plenty, pinamimigay na nga lang sa dami eh! ehehehehehehe! Davao = Fruits! Fruits = Davao!

Good morning dave, xzibit, junax, junex, dinabaw, bustero, be1river, dexter, davaoeagle, askal, rusty, sugbuanon, slerz, marki, paulkp, merz,jamaicus, silicongulf, and all of my Davao and Cebu forumer friends!!!!!! :) :)

Maayong buntag sa tanan! Welcome xzbit31
to the pugad ng mga Dabawenyo!
Dave ganda pala ng Davao Museum! Unsa na nahitabo adtong sa proposed Davao Meseum sa rotonda discontinued na kay naayos naman nang sa Insular?

I hope the Davao Museum near the rotunda will be pursued too! I prefer that one coz its more accessible! It's within the city's tourism belt as well (the San Pedro Church, the SK building, the City Hall, City Parks, and the downtown area)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0020.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/IMAG0021.jpg



nice architecture! :) :) :) simply lang but it rocks! ehehehehhe

nice architecture! simply lang but it rocks! ehehehehhe

T_j that's the Annie restaurant before corner F. Torres St. and Jacinto Ext. it's a mix-used building w/ restaurant,coffee shop ,massage and a health club

Cool!!! It's similar (except the color) to the other new buildings here in Cebu like the St Patrick Square... Here are its pix :

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/stpatrick2.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/stpatrickcebu.jpg
from the Cebu thread

It's like Southwestern architecture in the US aight? :)

by the way, I remember someone mentioned before that there are new constructions along F.Torres St. Is this the one? or there are other constructions going on?

Yup t_j ! that southwestern archtecture in the USit can also be called Pueblo design.

Yup t_j ! that southwestern archtecture in the USit can also be called Pueblo design.

Are there any constructions going on? Junax posted regarding the expansion of Davao Doc (now on its 7th floor na plus going up pa!).

Then, PeopleSupport is building its permanent recruitment office and training center in Davao (at the back of The Venue).

And the Mindanao Folks Center is underconstruction din. Are there any constructions pa po?

Kumusta na yung 12 storey expansion ng Medical Mission Tower sa may Bajada?

Oh by the way, Ive read about this $5 million (DOLLARS not PESOS) Philippine Korean Training Center jan sa atin! Whoa..it must be big! The center sits on a 6.5 hectares daw sa may Tibungco.

^^ good morning to all!

by the way, I remember someone mentioned before that there are new constructions along F.Torres St. Is this the one? or there are other constructions going on?

yup tj, you're right. but there are other finished constructions beside the davao convention and kibuwi. la lang ko ka take ug pictures mga first class restos... this torres st. is truly davao's very own restaurant complex. naglinya ang mga sosy restos diha. :)

ang victoria plaza complex ra morag kalaban niya ana nga title, resto complex.

^^ good morning to all!



yup tj, you're right. but there are other finished constructions beside the davao convention and kibuwi. la lang ko ka take ug pictures mga first class restos... this torres st. is truly davao's very own restaurant complex. naglinya ang mga sosy restos diha. :)

ang victoria plaza complex ra morag kalaban niya ana nga title, resto complex.

Good Morning Junax! Yup! when i left, the Davao Convention Center was still on its expansion stage! so mas dumami na now ang restos jan sa F.Torres? For me, its the only resto complex in Mindanao! I've been to other cities in Mindanao but never found a street like F.Torres na sunod sunod ang restaurants...and we're not talking about cheap carenderias but first class restaurants! If meron man sa ibang cities. those are streets which are not as developed and commercially planned like F.Torres na parang nakaarrange ang mga restos! It surely is another tourist destination in Davao. The only proverbial restaurant row in Mindanao :) :) I cant wait to go back! :) :) picturan nako tanan! ehehehehehhehe

Oh by the way, Ive read about this $5 million (DOLLARS not PESOS) Philippine Korean Training Center jan sa atin! Whoa..it must be big! The center sits on a 6.5 hectares daw sa may Tibungco.

yup, tj the Phil Kor Training Center is big. ang ilang facilities didto world class... gusto gani ko mag pa accredit did2 sometime pag naa nako money and time.

my spotted constructions (unknown ang height kay la pay billboard)...
1. building in Quirino avenue corner camus
2. building in Maa diversion road crossing just in front of the church
3. SAMULCO corporate center in buhangin
4. building in front of that SAMULCO
5. davao doctor's secret expansion at the back.
6. medical mission hospital expansion (gi kural na sa may bajada)
7. people support sa may venue
8 mindanao folk sa may rotunda
9. indonesian consul folk arts sa may juna
10. building atbang sa SM
11. building kilid sa SM (human na)

so far mao ray naabot sa akong pag suroy2, ambot ang uban area kay mahurot ako gas kung akong tuyokon tibuok davao bwehehehe.

damosa gateway random pics... (cellphone pics lang)
24 hour grocery...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa3.jpg

philipine nikkei jin kai international school in damosa..
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa2.jpg

:)

yup, tj the Phil Kor Training Center is big. ang ilang facilities didto world class... gusto gani ko mag pa accredit did2 sometime pag naa nako money and time.

my spotted constructions (unknown ang height kay la pay billboard)...
1. building in Quirino avenue corner camus
2. building in Maa diversion road crossing just in front of the church
3. SAMULCO corporate center in buhangin
4. building in front of that SAMULCO
5. davao doctor's secret expansion at the back.
6. medical mission hospital expansion (gi kural na sa may bajada)
7. people support sa may venue
8 mindanao folk sa may rotunda
9. indonesian consul folk arts sa may juna
10. building atbang sa SM
11. building kilid sa SM (human na)

so far mao ray naabot sa akong pag suroy2, ambot ang uban area kay mahurot ako gas kung akong tuyokon tibuok davao bwehehehe.

damosa gateway random pics... (cellphone pics lang)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa3.jpg

philipine nikkei jin kai internation school in damosa..
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa2.jpg

:)

:eek2: whoa!!!!!!!!!!! when i left, there was still no DAMOSA GATEWAY! is DAMOSA like a strip mall or something? ok ah!!!!!!! :) :)

Ang daming on going constructions! and to think yun yung mga madaling mahanap aight? how bout yung iba na nakatago sa ibang parts ng city! coooooooooool!!!!

Most of these constructions are financed by local dabawenyo entrepreneurs aight? that means that with or without any investments from the outside, Davao can and will progress! We dabawenyos - build our own city - develop our own metropolis - buhusan man ng manna o hindi! ehehehehehehehhe

Good Morning Junax! Yup! when i left, the Davao Convention Center was still on its expansion stage! so mas dumami na now ang restos jan sa F.Torres? For me, its the only resto complex in Mindanao! I've been to other cities in Mindanao but never found a street like F.Torres na sunod sunod ang restaurants...and we're not talking about cheap carenderias but first class restaurants! If meron man sa ibang cities. those are streets which are not as developed and commercially planned like F.Torres na parang nakaarrange ang mga restos! It surely is another tourist destination in Davao. The only proverbial restaurant row in Mindanao :) :) I cant wait to go back! :) :) picturan nako tanan! ehehehehehhehe

yup bai, labi na ug gabii ka mo adto nindot kay gwapo ang mga lights.... kadtong tapad sa davao convention mora nato didto ug victoria plaza resto complex, kahinumdon ka sa una mga durian vendors lang did2 karon mga dagko nga resto na. ang victoria pod diay daghan na pod resto did2 kung moadto ka sa luyo. i agree, torres st. can hold the title "high class restaurant complex" in this side of mindanao. di gyud ka magutman dinhing dapita, (of course kung dili mabuslot imong bulsa hehe). kung makaagi ko didto with my digicam i might take pictures. :)

daghan na kaayo bag-o sa Davao noh? and to think its just 2 months after ATF! A door has just been opened for Davao! Geee.....cant wait for the other new and exciting things to come! ehehehehehehe.

:eek2: whoa!!!!!!!!!!! when i left, there was still no DAMOSA GATEWAY! is DAMOSA like a strip mall or something? ok ah!!!!!!! :) :)

Ang daming on going constructions! and to think yun yung mga madaling mahanap aight? how bout yung iba na nakatago sa ibang parts ng city! coooooooooool!!!!

Most of these constructions are financed by local dabawenyo entrepreneurs aight? that means that with or without any investments from the outside, Davao can and will progress! We dabawenyos - build our own city - develop our own metropolis - buhusan man ng manna o hindi! ehehehehehehehhe

tumpak na tumpak bai TJ. ganahan ko sa on-going trend sa damosa ug matina, competing for night life's attention. damosa gateway is a complex. boutiques, bars, fastfoods, groceries naa pa gyuy college sa sulod hehe. dugang pa diay sa constructions atbang adtong 2nd picture sa damosa complex, tabok sa street is another strip mall like building hapit na mahuman. luyo na sya ani bai...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/dc/6.jpg

ug atbang pod ani...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/damosa3.jpg

further sa may lanang area near the waterfront... naa pod silay morag MTS did2 infact local tv programs often have their shows there. morag sprawling gyud ang progress sa davao, thinking these areas are almost 10 kms away from city hall. and of course all are LOCAL davaoeño investments.

Nice pictures of Damosa Gateway. When I was last in Davao, RF told me about their plans for their building. I didn't think they were going to convert their old DAMOSA building into something that would compete with another friend's place (Rizal Promenade). Hahahaha chalk it up to friendly competition na lang seguro. I hope both places are still doing ok. How's the Venue doing? Good to know Gene and Boboy are still the entrepreneurs in the true meaning of the word. All that "Metro" branded businesses are Bangayan family owned. At one time, even they owned one the larger fleet of taxis in Cebu.

On another subject..

The core of Davao's economy is agriculture and we should be proud of it. The infrastructure in place in our city should be one that supports agriculture - from the small farmer who needs to get his produce to market to the multinationals who need the ports to ship their products overseas. The IT sector should be there as part of the city's infrastructure to support that core industry and whatever excess output our IT sector can provide will be value-added. That would be incredible and the best of both worlds. I guess what I'm saying is that IT can't end all and be all.

tumpak na tumpak bai TJ. ganahan ko sa on-going trend sa damosa ug matina, competing for night life's attention. damosa gateway is a complex. boutiques, bars, fastfoods, groceries naa pa gyuy college sa sulod hehe. dugang pa diay sa constructions atbang adtong 2nd picture sa damosa complex, tabok sa street is another strip mall like building hapit na mahuman.

further sa may lanang area near the waterfront... naa pod silay morag MTS did2 infact local tv programs often have their shows there. morag sprawling gyud ang progress sa davao, thinking these areas are almost 10 kms away from city hall.

Mas ok na sya! MTS' market are those coming from the South (Toril, Calinan, Bangkal, and Matina) and DAMOSA and that other one near Waterfront Hotel serve those coming from the North (Lanang, Bajada, Buhangin, Panacan, etc.)

and dako man jud ang market sa Davao pud. To think na almost 1.5 million na ta diba? Davao City alone lang na! wala pay apil ang other cities like Panabo, Tagum, Digos, and IGACOS.

and dili lang na...market pud diay nato ang whole BIMP region! ehehehehhe diba we are its de facto capital?

Sayang talaga...I really miss Davao na...I fell in love with the place...Sayang di ako nkapunta sa Eden and Paradise when I was there for two months (Nov-Dec 2005...i work in a mall there). We were planning for the ATF then. . .

I love the place talaga...Effective implementation of No-smoking ordinance... The airport, the best...Casa Letecia, like the service, my home during my stay (I like it better than Royal Mandaya)...Lechoneros...wow sarap....Suka't sili at the Venue...MTS...Jack's Ridge...Pomelos....tamis...Panga, tuna belly, tuna kinilaw...May Mang Inasal na rin dyan (You should try it folks).... there's only one thing I don't like...non-aircon taxis...bakit ganun..sana the city government should reconsider their plans...Wow Davao talaga...babalik ako dyan...

Nice pictures of Damosa Gateway. When I was last in Davao, RF told me about their plans for their building. I didn't think they were going to convert their old DAMOSA building into something that would compete with another friend's place (Rizal Promenade). Hahahaha chalk it up to friendly competition na lang seguro. I hope both places are still doing ok. How's the Venue doing? Good to know Gene and Boboy are still the entrepreneurs in the true meaning of the word. All that "Metro" branded businesses are Bangayan family owned. At one time, even they owned one the larger fleet of taxis in Cebu.

On another subject..

The core of Davao's economy is agriculture and we should be proud of it. The infrastructure in place in our city should be one that supports agriculture - from the small farmer who needs to get his produce to market to the multinationals who need the ports to ship their products overseas. The IT sector should be there as part of the city's infrastructure to support that core industry and whatever excess output our IT sector can provide will be value-added. That would be incredible and the best of both worlds. I guess what I'm saying is that IT can't end all and be all.


oo nga! how are the other party enclaves in the city doing (Wheel's N More, The Venue, Rizal Promenade, and MTS)? d ba sila nalulugi coz of the other new players? Or is there really a market for this?

With the agriculture thingy, im confident na its still the top priority of our local government. As what i've read online, some of the supports provided by our city are the farm to market roads which are being constructed in various parts of the cities - pati outskirts. There are also private sea ports being developed and opened, like that owned by Uni Fruity ba yun? Then our local government inked with other cities like Manado, Palau, and Darwin. Our agricultural products are not only exported to Japan and US but to these BIMP neighbors din!

:runaway: Sayang talaga...I really miss Davao na...I fell in love with the place...Sayang di ako nkapunta sa Eden and Paradise when I was there for two months (Nov-Dec 2005...i work in a mall there). We were planning for the ATF then. . .

I love the place talaga...Effective implementation of No-smoking ordinance... The airport, the best...Casa Letecia, like the service, my home during my stay (I like it better than Royal Mandaya)...Lechoneros...wow sarap....Suka't sili at the Venue...MTS...Jack's Ridge...Pomelos....tamis...Panga, tuna belly, tuna kinilaw...May Mang Inasal na rin dyan (You should try it folks).... there's only one thing I don't like...non-aircon taxis...bakit ganun..sana the city government should reconsider their plans...Wow Davao talaga...babalik ako dyan...

Ako rin!! I miss Davao! bout the taxis (non-air and air) maybe because of the passengers..marami kc gusto sumakay ng non-air eh! ehehehehehe pero atleast may choice ang commuters diba? yun nga lang! dapat irregulate sana!

Once the commuter train will be approved and constructed...for sure wala ng mag nanon-air taxi! ehehehehehehe

Wheel's N More, The Venue, Rizal Promenade, and MTS are doing well!
iba-iba kasi ang crowd nila, aside from magkalayo talaga sila (location).
1. MTS caters the south people (kumpleto with children playgounds, lover's park (remember NOTHING HILL?), boutiques, bars, concert halls, complete night life, indoor or outdoor)
2. The Venue of course, bars, restos and very large indoor and outdoor party places
3. Wheel's N More, sa lahat ng may magagarang sasakyan ano pa nga ba
4. Rizal Promenade, caters the main downtown area and of course Dawn Zulueta
5. Damosa Gateway and Lanangs' Garaje, pride of the north no need to elaborate

about the non air taxis... don't worry guys it's only temporary. napag alaman ko kasi, wala pang new franchises tinatanggap ang ltfrb sa davao city, old franchises ang mga non aircon. ang mga aircon taxis nasa airport areas at hotels lang naka tambay. in god's time masisira din lahat ng mga yan hehehe. remeber the time when avis first introduce its taxi service? first time yan in the whole world sa davao nila ni launch. there's no way but up for davao taxis. at least pwede mong tawagan anytime free of charge. :)

Maayong hapon sa tanan. Pasyensya na ha nga ulahi ko maka agi diri na thread kay baliktas akong oras sa ato diha.

Katong diha pa ko, perte nako kalaagan, ug sa tungod sa akong trabaho as ahente ug tambal, perme ko byahe sa mga lain2 cities diha sa ato pero all the time I would always say, lahi ug mas guapo ra gyud Davao ug dili lang na tungod kay taga Davao ko, naa gyud na facts ngano. Ganahan pud ko sa Cebu kay daghan paarty animal didto ug daghan ko mga barkada na naa didto and when it comes to competition re: Davao VS Cebu, balo mi unsa ang weaknesses and strengths of both kaya wala discurso ug lalis ana.

Ug wa pa gyud koy nakita sa laing city na pareha anang Torres na ginganlan sauna ug food avenue, truely it is a food avenue or resto mile or something.

I hope guys di mo makapuyan ug pagkuha ug pics. Mao ra gyud na makatambal namo nga layo sa Dabaw.

Salamat kay sleep sa long shot of Metro Lifestyles, daan pa ko na mao gyud to and dating Annie's, unya gipulihan sa Pescadero (not sure which came first though) nga gidemolish para sa Gloria Maris pero wa madayon kay didto sila tukod sa Victoria Plaza Complex.

Salamat pud kang Junax for the long shot of Damosa Gateway. Lipay kaayo ko kay murag mabawasan akong mingaw diha.

tama si Junax, the days for the dilapidated non-air taxis are numbered. murag baliktad bitaw kay sauna we have the most high tech, sleek taxis in the city until nangadaan ug naguba ang mga air-con unya wa na na upgrade.

unta inig open sa franchise sunod, the investors will look at this opportunity.