Libotero – Philippine Travel Photo Blog

Part 17 of a series

DAY 3.

After taking some night shots of San Pedro Street, I went back to my hotel room, checked my email, FB, chatted for a while, watched television and then went to sleep… Zzzzzzzz…..

DAY 4.

It’s a new day! Well, my last day in Davao. Sigh. I only had a few hours left as my flight back home to Cebu was at 3:30pm. For that, I started my day with breakfast, and then I headed to G-Mall to buy some souvenirs. Sir Ambie suggested that I check out Coed Clothing at Sunlab in G-Mall. Coed Clothing is Davao’s counterpart to Team Manila. I bought one shirt for my self and another one for my brother. The shirts are really really cool!

Coed Clothing Co. is a new clothing line local to Davao. The products reflect the things around Davao City, from local sports to everyday transportation, from the city streets to the highest peak – basically anything and everything seen, heard, built, created around the city. The designs also showcase all the things that every Dabawenyo grew up with. It’s a way of showing the young generations what was hip, what was hot back then and to remind the earlier generations of the glory days.

Coed Clothing Tees are available at Sunlab, at the 2nd floor of the Gaisano Mall of Davao. They’re also now available at Sunlab at the ground floor of Robinsons Place General Santos.

From G-Mall, I then took a cab to Aldevinco Shopping Center for some souvenir shopping. No tourist ever leaves Davao City without a visit to the shopping center. I bought some keychains and packs of durian candy for my brothers and a “convertible” bag for mom. Aldevinco is a premiere shopping destination in Mindanao. Located between Claro M. Recto and Roxas Aveues, it is where tourists and locals alike go for souvenirs such as Davao native products (durian candy, keychains, shirts, etc.), various Batik products (bags, dusters, slippers, table cloths, etc.), textiles imported from Indonesia and Malaysia, antique and brass items, and even indigenous musical instruments. It has become a major tourist attraction for its wide variety of ethnic products. Within the vicinity of the shopping center are several pomelo shops. Pomelo vendors line up to give you a free taste of their product. Among the variations of pomelo available in the country, Davao has the sweetest and juiciest pomelos I’ve ever tasted. Pomelos are priced according to size and variety. I bought three kilos of pomelo to bring back to Cebu.

After an hour of pasalubong shopping, I went back to the hotel and readied myself for my flight back to Cebu… At exactly 12 noon, I checked out of the hotel and immediately took a cab to the Davao International Airport. Within 20 minutes, I was already at the airport and I only realized then that I was too early! I was one hour ahead of the opening of the check-in counters! Good thing I had my laptop with me or else I’d be bored to death… As soon as the check-in counters opened, I lined up and checked-in. Usual procedures: show your air ticket and your ID. Deposit your check-in baggage if you have any and then go to the 2nd level to pay for the terminal fee and then, the final security check. I was quite impressed with the Davao International Airport security personnel as they really made proper use of the metal detectors. They won’t let you pass through until the metal detector doesn’t alarm! I had to remove my jacket and the belt of my loose jeans. Oh, you can just imagine the scene, I had to hold my jeans or else it’ll taken off from me. LOL! So, to avoid any inconvenience, take off ALL metals (jackets, wallets, belts, cellphones, etc.) and place them in your bags. I then had lunch at one of the food stalls at the 2nd level of the airport. It was not really a full meal though as I only had a clubhouse sandwich. After lunch, I just sat near the boarding gate waiting for our boarding call…

At exactly 3pm, we were already advised to board our aircraft. Gawd, I’m already missing Davao while I’m typing this post. For that, I’ll be back on the 25th Kadayawan Festival! Yey!

The Davao International Airport.

The old Davao Airport.

(…to be continued)

Part 16 of a series

DAY 3.

Feeling refreshed after a few minutes of relaxation at Blugre Coffee, we decided to call it a night. It was very kind of Sir Ambie to drop me off at My Hotel before he went on to go home. Once again, thanks and see you again guys!

I wasn’t feeling sleepy yet so I decided to walk around San Pedro Street and snap some night shots!

Being in the center of Davao City, San Pedro Street is teeming with activity during the day, but…

At night time, the street is a ghost town!

Most of the establishments along the street close before 9pm. By sundown though, there’s a massive proliferation of DVDs and other pirated media along the sidewalks of San Pedro. It’s early to bed and early to rise in San Pedro Street.

But despite the eerie silence, I still feel safe walking around with all my gadgets and I think everyone else feels the same.

Traffic lights at San Pedro cor. Pelayo streets are offline at 9pm.

(…to be continued)

Part 15 of a series

DAY 3.

G-Mall was huge and I wanted to explore but due to the power outage, I decided to transfer to NCCC Mall. Talk about mall hopping! So, I took a cab and I arrived in NCCC Mall in no time!

Since I was already very hungry, I stopped at the first fastfood outlet I saw, Greenwich!

So much about that… After lunch, I explored the mall and was surprised that it was too small. I mean, I knew that it was smaller than SM City Davao but I expected it to be bigger based on the photos I saw before my trip. Oh well, the mall was just one short line so after I walked from corner to corner, I got out and went back to the hotel.

At the hotel, I remembered that a SkyscraperCity Davao meet-up was scheduled for that day so I decided to text “dinabaw” asking if it was going to push through. He replied yes. He even asked me if I wanted to be picked up from the hotel but I said no and just asked for the name and address of the place where we’ll meet up and have dinner. Being the person that I am, I don’t want to be a hassle to other people. For that, I just googled for the place and I found it, yihee!

NAP MODE…

I had a very deep nap and I didn’t notice that my alarm was already ringing at 6pm! The agreed meet-up time was 6:30pm. So, I quickly got up of bed, freshened up and took a cab to the location. Phew, I arrived at C-Tres just a few minutes late.

Libotero, “Dinabaw”, “Xzibit31″, “Carrotz” and GF

CTres (read as “see-trehs”) is a fairly new “eat-all-you-can” restaurant and piano bar located at E. Palma Gil St., Barrio Obrero (fronting Urban Club), Davao City. For only P299, you get to enjoy to your heart’s desire a sumptuous array of dishes that includes lechon (roasted pig) and Cotabato crabs on selected days. The food and the ambiance is great and totally justifies the price. Buffet lunch and dinner is available everyday except Sundays. For inquiries, you may call them at 09083644637.

The SSC Davao guys were very accommodating. Thank you for the warm welcome! I was quite shy during the meet-up though as I’m always just silent and observant when I meet people for the first time but I hope to see you again next time! (Kadayawan? Hehe.) Part of the agenda of the meetup was the “premiere”/”reveal” of something that will totally change Davao’s landscape and lifestyle! It was such a bummer though that none of us brought our laptops so the “top secret” files couldn’t be opened. Grrr. LOL!

Anyway, after the dinner, the rest of the SSC-Davao peeps had to go on with their lives as it was a weekday of a busy work week, while Dinabaw introduced me to Blugre. We went to Blugre Landco, Blugre’s original outlet.

Before my trip to Davao, I once read in SkyscraperCity that Davao has this very deep and interesting coffee culture… It’s not just a small demographic that relies on coffee to either stay awake or keep them warm on cold days, it’s a culture, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a massive and wide adoption of coffee! There are tens of local/homegrown coffee shops all around Davao and there’s no Starbucks yet! Hmmm, I think Starbucks or any other multinational brand will find it difficult to enter Davao’s already-well-established coffee scene.

It is said that Blugre jumpstarted Davao’s Coffee Culture. It’s been there for 12 years now and it was actually the eve of their 12th anniversary celebration during my visit. Blugre Coffee is Davao’s first and leading specialty coffee shop, founded in 1998 by husband and wife, Gatchi and Larcy Gatchalian, both Manileneos but consider themselves Davaowenyos by heart.

Blugre Coffee has three branches in Davao: Landco Corporate Center, Matina, SM City Davao.

Established in June 1998, Blugre Coffee claim to fame is its signature drink, Durian Gatchpuccino, a hot cappuccino concoction that blends espresso and the fruit durian wonderfully. (Also available is Durian Larcepuccino, the cold version of Durian Gatchpuccino). It is dubbed as the king of all coffees (durian being the king of all fruits).

Durian Gatchpuccino (P140)

Sir Ambie (Dinabaw) made me try the Durian Gatchpuccino. I was quite hesitant at first but then, when I tasted it, my impression on durian has totally changed, LOL. It’s perfect! It’s heaven! A must-try when in Davao… Don’t overdo it though as the Gatchpuccino is quite strong.

Now, with three branches in Davao and now expanded in General Santos with their two franchise branches (JMP South Osmena and Robinson’s GenSan), I’d say good luck Starbucks!

(…to be continued)

Part 14 of a series

DAY 3.
After offering intentions and prayers of thanksgiving at the San Pedro Cathedral, I took a cab to the Gaisano Mall of Davao for lunch!

Located at JP Laurel Street in the Bajada Area (just a few blocks away from People’s Park), the Gaisano Mall of Davao or G-Mall, as it is more popularly known, is currently the largest mall in Davao City!

With 6 levels of shopping, dining and specialty choices, G-Mall basically has everything a Davaoeno would need..

It was just unfortunate though that the mall had a power outage during my visit. The temperature was quite unbearable and I’m usually not comfortable eating in places that are not so well-ventilated so I just decided to leave for NCCC Mall of Davao. Mall tour. LOL!

(…to be continued)

Part 13 of a series

DAY 3.

Just across the Davao City Hall is the San Pedro Cathedral. The church is bordered by San Pedro Street, Bolton Street and C.M. Recto Avenue.

San Pedro Street, the heart of Davao City

Built in 1847 during the Spanish occupation by Don Jose Uyanguren, the San Pedro Cathedral is the oldest church in Davao City. You’d think that the church was just named after the street where it stands (San Pedro Street), but aside from that, it’s actually named after its patron saint, St. Peter or San Pedro.

It is interesting to note that some Muslim elements have been incorporated into the Cathedral’s architecture.

At the right side of the Church are its bell tower and Candle Gallery.

San Pedro Cathedral’s bell tower, which also looks like a lighthouse.

The interiors. It is very heartwarming to see that even on a busy weekday noon, people of all ages from all walks of life drop by the Church to pray or light a candle.

The San Pedro Cathedral is now recognized as a National Cultural Treasure.

(…to be continued)

Part 12 of a series

While I was strolling around and enjoying People’s Park, my ever-killjoy tummy was grumbling again… Alas, it was already 9pm, waaay beyond my regular dinner time. So, I quickly exited the park and looked for a place to eat. When you’re in a new place, you should always try the local food and I saw Penong’s and Colasas, two famous homegrown establishments, but then, they were so packed, and I couldn’t wait any longer, so I had dinner at…. (guess where?)

After dinner, I walked back to the hotel and finally called it a day… Zzzzzzzz! End of DAY 2.

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DAY 3.

I set my alarm to 5:30am just so I could check out what’s actually happening during that time and here you go, the sun just rose and it’s still super dark!

I just snapped one photo and went back to bed without resetting the alarm to 9am.

FOR THAT, I was only able to wake up at 11am! LOL…

But that’s okay since I was left with nothing much to do for Day 3, having toured most of the destinations on Day 2. Day 3 is City Tour Day.

I started the day with breakfast at…. (nevermind)…

After breakfast, I went back to the hotel to get my things and immediately got out again, and walked all the way to the Davao City Hall, which is just 2 blocks away from My Hotel.

Davao City Hall

Built on the 20th century, the Davao City Hall is a classical building, sitting along San Pedro Street, in the heart of Davao City.

From the time of its construction, the building looks pretty much the same now with some improvements here and there but with much different surroundings.

In front of the Davao City Hall building is Quezon Park which features landscaped gardens and water features.

To the left side of the City Hall, meanwhile, is Rizal Park and its most obvious feature is a monument of National Hero Jose Rizal. It was quite sad to see some families of beggars at the covered court though, but, oh well, every big city has ‘em.

Further left of the City Hall is the Davao City Legislative Building.

The most dominant feature of the Legislative Building is the monument in front of it.

The Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity is actually another creation of Kublai Milan, the Dabawenyo behind those eye-popping sculptures at People’s Park. Unveiled in 1998, the monument highlights Unity in Diversity as Davao City is a melting pot of cultures with migrants from all over the country.

The Monument of Peace and Unity artfully depicts indigenous people of the country jointly raising the symbols of peace in detailed and commendable sculpture. Led by a woman in traditional saya—depicting Mother Filipinas—several men in various native outfits raise their hands together in approval and support as 3 doves are released from Mother Filipinas’ hands.

“Separation of Church and State”. Just across the Davao City Legislative Building is the San Pedro Cathedral..

(…to be continued)