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DAVAO CITY PROFILE
Culture
The solemn rituals of the tribes, their rythmic dance steps and chanting music. are intimately interwoen with the rich customs and traditions of migrants. There are two mainfestivals, the Araw ng Dabaw celebration every March and the Kadayawan Fesitval in August.
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Geography
Davao City is the capital of Region XI or the Southern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Considered as one of the fastest growing regions in the country, it consists of the provinces of Davao, Davao Sur, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur and South Cotabato an the cities of Davao and General Santos.
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Area & Population
Davao City is considered the world's largest city in terms of land area which is 2,443.6 square kilometers. It has an estimated population of 1,006,84 accounting to 19% of the entire Southern Mindanao region. It is the second biggest urabn market within the East ASEAN Growth Polygon.
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Climate
Davao is typhoon-free. The city enjoys fair weather, even rainfall, temperature, and humidity all year round. It has no pronounced conducive to agri-crop production. Average temperature is 32 degrees Celsius and average rainfall is up to 2,000 mm yearly.
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Economy
Davao City is not only the third largest city in the country (next to Cebu and Manila) but it is the single biggest factor responsible for the economic boom being experienced in Mindanao.
The fact that a significant part of the land is perfect for agriculture have led to the development of plantations and industries dedicated to the growth and nurturing of coconuts, coffee, pineapple and other fruits.
The export sector is another important instrument in driving Davao City's economy. Local products like the Durian, mangoosten, pomelo and bananas are distributed and sold to various countries all over the world. The business friendly environment has encouraged both local and foreign investors to set up business in the city, leading to a rapid expansion of industries and services.
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Tourism
There are several fascinating landmarks in Davao City, ranging from historical monuments to natural wonders to man made marvels.
These include the Fort of Datu Bago, where the Muslim ruler Datu Bago reigned over the River Tagloc, now known as the Davao River; there is also the Memorial to a Brave Son, in honor of Armando Generoso, who sacrificed his life defending the bridge that now bears his name.
Other tourist attractions in Davao are the Philippine Eagle Center, the People’s Park (designed by the local government to be a showcase of the culture of the indigenous tribes in the city) and Talomo Beach, a dive site sought after by scuba divers owing to the numerous sunken ships in the area.
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Cuisine
There are several delicacies in Davao that you should not fail to savor when you visit the city. One of them is grilled tuna, which is served in most of the restaurants there. Another one is kinilaw na malasugu, a sizzling mixture of raw marlin spiced with vinegar sauce.
Fish is served in a variety of ways: some are grilled over charcoal, or peppered with some lemon grass and ginger. Other favorites are fresh liempo, which are served with tuna panga, steamed rice, suka, and some chili. Other fine cuisines in Davao City are Guprito nga Tilapia, which are laden with mango ginger sauce; the Puso ng Saging Bola Bola is mixed with umami, and some ginger.
Desserts come in various shapes and sizes, and one of the most popular is Cassava Dumplings and Durian covered with cream and various fruits.
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Language
The most commonly spoken language in Davao City is Cebuano, A close second is Tagalog, the dialect spoken in Metro Manila. Most of the residents in the city actually speak an amalgam of Cebuano and Tagalog (called Bisalog). There are also a lot of people who speak and understand English well.
Other dialects spoken in various forms in Davao City are Bilaan, Bagoboo, Hiligayon, Manobo and Waray.
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Internet Service Providers (ISP) / WiFi Hot Spots
As one of the most prosperous cities in the Philippines, Davao City does not lag behind in Internet connectivity.
All the leading ISPs in the National Capital Region have branches in Davao City. These include Bayan Internet (or Sky Internet), Infocom Technologies (a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company), Philcom and Mozcom.
Besides these Internet providers, there are also more than a hundred Internet cafes found throughout the city, several of which utilize DSL and broadband technology.
There are tons of establishments in the city that offers free WiFi access. SM City Mall is a mall wide hot spot.
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Expats in Davao City
The adjustments that one has to make when living in another country can be daunting, but the friendly and secure atmosphere prevalent in Davao City has made it an attractive option for a growing number of expatriates.
If you are planning on living in the city, you should have no problems interacting with the people, as most can speak English and are friendly, warm and very hospitable especially towards foreigners.
If you plan to live in Davao City for a while, you have several options. You can rent a condominium unit in Ecoland near SM City Mall. Most of the units are brand new and furnished with all the necessities you may need.
Alternatively, you can choose to rent an apartment or purchase a two to three bedroom house. When purchasing a house, two factors will have to be considered: the location and whether it is furnished or not. The general rule is that the closer it is to the city center, the more expensive it will be.
While it is easy enough to determine a house that is not furnished or fully furnished, the semi furnished one can be difficult. Make sure that you meet with the landlord and everything is in writing to avoid confusion. |
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