Archive for the 'About Davao' Category

When you suddenly find yourself aching to stretch some muscles and have some serious water-fun under the sun, the city of Davao will never disappoint.

From long pristine shores to varied water sports to epic water slides, the city also boasts of indoor facilities that exhibit pools of Olympic proportions. And when you thought that was all, then you probably missed the latest water-sport sensation to hit the city and make a lot of waves.

The Deca Wakeboard Park

The first and only wakeboarding facility in Mindanao, the Deca Wakeboard Park, is located in Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City. That would be some 20 minutes away from Davao’s downtown; 20 minutes worth of slow-drip anticipation waiting to give away to a lot of mouth-watering fun.

The Deca Wakeboard Park opened its doors on August 2009 to a hefty number of wakeboarding enthusiasts. Both new and experienced wakeboarders were treated to a wild ride as they were introduced to the facility with an outstanding set of facilities and well trained personnel.

Since then, the park has seen an enormous following, with local and international wakeboarders flocking in and around the facility day in and day out.

Being one of the top running wakeboarding facilities in Asia to date, the Deca Wakeboard Park aims to make it even bigger especially on the international arena. The developers are reportedly keen on constantly developing the park’s overall facilities to suit international competitive standards. That, plus a number of amenities around the park to accommodate enthusiasts and visitors in style; expect a multitude of restaurants, sport shops and massage centers to bloom in the area to cater to every conceivable need.

Where In Davao

The Deca wakeboarding facility is actually located in a residential area, the Deca Home Resort Residences. This gives the place a sort of calmness, just like going to the beach on an easy-going weekend. However don’t be deceived by its uptown residential atmosphere, the non-stop action should leave you in awe.

Deca Wakeboard Park Is Waiting

So what are you waiting for? Gather your friends and experience the newest and hippest tourist destination in the city.

The Deca Wakeboarding Facility is open seven days a week, from 8:30 in the morning to 5:30 in the afternoon.

Rate starts at PhP 400 up to PhP 1,000 per person and it comes with the free usage of wakeboard, vest and helmet.

Discounts are available for Davao City residents and the residents of the Deca Home Resort.

Deca On Amateur Cam

This amateur video shows you some folks having fun at the Deca Wakeboard Park one unplanned summer day.

Contact Details

If that sounds like you wanna get some water fun this summer, get in touch with them at

Deca Wakeboard Park
Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City, Philippines

Email : info@xtremewakeinc.com
Phone : (082) 3046005 / (082) 2864078

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Wakeboarding in Davao is written by Randolph Reserva.

For tourists all over the world, there are a lot of typical activities that one can participate in, whenever wherever. Let’s say, going to beaches in the area, or visiting landmarks and museums. And then there are kinds of activities that only a certain place can offer in their fullness. This time around, we’re going to discover the special activities Davao City can offer you tourists who are looking for something fresh and extraordinary. Here we go…

Public Transportation Fun: Riding with the King of the Road

Only in the Philippines would you find the “jeepney”. Before you go on criticizing the King Of The Road for causing the most traffic in the Philippine Streets, let’s at least hear his story, okay?

The legendary component of the Philippine public transportation system sprang forth from the war remnants of the Second World War. What used to be mean and green war machines from the United States are now the most accessible and most favored ride for the typical Filipino — with a lot of tweaks of course. Although the hood still looks the same, the jeepney is a long, well decorated version of the old American wheels of war. Of course there are a lot of variants, but do look out for that all-original old-school face. People also love placing a horse on the hood as if to say they’re not only mean, but also fast.

The thing about the jeepney is that when you’re inside, you might find how intimate people can get. After all, people flock this mode of transportation because it’s cheap and very much accessible. When in the city, crowding can always happen.

But since this article is all about the unusual way of wandering, jeepney rides would qualify as one of the must-tries when in Davao City and or in almost major cities in the Philippines. Because the jeepney is an all-around all-over-the-place mode of transportation, why not visit the countryside while riding one. Aside from traveling the roads less traveled, you can also rent one at a cheap price. And then, say hello to the off-road world, Filipino style. It never fails to get your adrenaline flowing!

Going Bananas

If you’ve eaten a very delicious banana in a faraway land (other than the Philippines, of course) before, chances are, you’ve eaten a banana from Davao. And yes, the region is one of the best when it comes to banana production and export. When you’re in the city, never miss out on the banana plantations in the outskirts of town. You don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate the richness of the Davao flora. This endeavor is not only educational, it’s appetizing as well as bananas come in cheap and fresh the way you always wanted them.

Davao Traveler Tip #1 :Now that we actually awakened the fruit lover in you, why not go and try other Davao fruits as well. Davao is known for being a fruit basket, and the abundance is all year round. Aside from the banana, you can also get tasty mangoes and pomelos, as well as the renowned king of all fruits, the durian.

The Japanese Connection

Old school Davao has always been special in a lot of ways. For instance, the city is a melting pot culturally — having had a lot of influences to draw from. So don’t be surprised if the city seems to be a bit Japaneesy. It just goes to show how the Japanese love this city. In fact, Davao was once known as “Little Tokyo” — even though it was actually bigger than Tokyo.

Aside from the evidences at the present, you can also walk the memory lane and see what the Japanese left as a heritage for the city. Not far from the city (about close to an hour’s worth of travel) are ancestral houses made by the Japanese for the Japanese; that is, the Japanese that once inhabited the city for business purposes. Also in some parts of Calinan (road going to Cagayan de Oro), are the Japanese memorial shrine, a cemetery for the Japanese, and a museum among many others.

The moment you go back to town, there are also Japanese funded schools in the northern side of the city. There’s also this Japanese grocery (which should make you feel warped to Japan in an instant). And of course, how can we forget food. The city has a number of authentic Japanese restaurants for your convenience and pleasure!

There goes another Davao City travel feature. We hope that on your next visit, you’ll try out these unconventionally cool travel plans. There’s always that special excitement in everything new. Davao is always a fresh source of travel fun.

See you around town!

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Wanderful Davao is written by Randolph Reserva.

Year in year out, Davao City (or DC, as I fondly call it) proves worthy of being considered as a strong contender in the tourism arena. Why so? Apart from the urban destinations found in the city, you also get the wonders that only a tropical paradise can offer in ample proportions – the best of both worlds, as they say. And since not all urban centers succeed to retain their “au naturale” look at its best, believe me when I say Davao City is truly one of a kind.

So why don’t you give the ailing traveler in you the chance to roam the world and see places? This time around, you better be in one of Asia’s most livable city. But before that, here are some things you might want to know before gearing up and taking off. They might just eventually convince you to visit us in the soonest possible time.

1. Flight Schedules

First things first; let’s talk about how you can set foot on Davao soil via the skyline. The Davao International Airport caters to both domestic and international flights round the clock, seven days a week. This world class airport never misses the buzz when it comes to bringing tourists to town, welcoming them with a view of a young airport of the future nested in between the beautiful greenery the city is in abundance of.

For domestic flights, all airlines fly daily to-and-fro Manila and Cebu.

For international flights, Cebu Pacific flies from Hong Kong to Davao every Tuesdays and Saturdays. The return flight (Davao to Hong Kong) takes off on Mondays and Fridays. Cebu pacific also flies the Davao-Singapore route every Mondays and Fridays. The return flight (Davao –Singapore) leaves DC on Thursday and Sundays.

Singapore Airlines also flies the Davao- Singapore as well as the Singapore-Davao airways five times a week (except Tuesdays and Fridays).

Davao Traveler Tip #1: There are hotel shuttle services waiting in the airport ready to take you to your hotel of choice once you arrive. Ask the airport staff and they’ll gladly lead the way for you. Also, check out our Davao Hotels section for more information on Davao City accommodations.

2. Festivalandia

Like every region in the Philippines, Davao City is home to wonderful festivities. Not to mention the many festivals celebrated by communities all over the city, DC is known for two nationally acclaimed festivals – the Araw ng Dabaw Festival, and the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival.

The Araw ng Dabaw Festival is celebrated every 16th of March. This city-wide festivity is highlighted by a number of events including parades around the city streets by bands, dancers, and socio-civic institutions. However, this event’s spotlight would probably fall brightest on the Mutya ng Dabaw. The Mutya ng Dabaw showcases the beauty and intelligence of a true blue Dabawenya. This is one of the most anticipated event (if not the most anticipated) every Araw ng Dabaw.

During the second week of August, Davao City gears up for the country famous Kadayawan festival. What used to be a thanksgiving ritual for fertility among the citizens of Davao has now become a national attraction, and is slowly becoming a world class sensation by gaining endless plaudits from the traveling population.

Apart from the famous street dances and parades, as well as the Hiyas ng Kadayawan (another famous beauty pageant), the Kadayawan also highlights the indigenous tribes who serve as the foundation of what is now a modern metropolis. That is why the Kadayawan has this rustic feel to it. Witnessing it would mean witnessing the beautiful beginnings of Davao through the show of customs and traditions.

Davao Traveler Tip #2: These festivals include a week long stretch of various side events. So come in to town about a week before the day of the culminating event. Also, during these fests, touring packages are at their best while their prices are at a discounted rate.

3. The Booming Flower

As much as the land is fertile and provides us with abundant harvest all year round, DC has also established itself as one of the cities for the future. With BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and ITes (Information Technology Enabled Services) companies sprouting at a near frenzied rate in the area, the local economy is steadily experiencing booms (sonic-booms, to be exact). Sooner or later, everybody would want to jump in and ride Davao’s bandwagon to success.

With projects showing up as time goes on, it won’t be long until this city will become a go-to-destination when it comes to high tech business. So if you’re looking for a place to invest at the same time enjoy, don’t ever hesitate – visit Davao soon!

Davao Traveler says: Davao City is not only a growing field of science and technology, it also is a consistent player in the global import-export arena.

4. Dial 9-1-1

We love cities that offer us a sense of safety and security really well. That one factor sets Davao City as one of the best among the rest.

The city offers a centralized system of paramedical, fire, police, and other auxiliary services that can be contacted by dialing three numbers (I don’t need to say that it’s 911, do I?). With high-tech equipment such as the ECAD (Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch), highly efficient and professional staff, and state-of-the-art tools for the trade (i.e. ambulances and fire trucks), you never have to worry about getting help in case of emergencies.

Davao Traveler says of 911 : Unlike other cities in the world with the 9-1-1 system, availing the Davao version actually doesn’t cost a thing.

5. House Rules

Like every home away from home, there are some things you might want to get adjusted to once you step foot on Davao soil. For instance, DC strictly follows an Anti-Smoking ordinance. When in the city, smoking is illegal in public transportation, enclosed establishments and public places. However, establishments offer a designated smoking area if you need to smoke.

During big celebrations, including the New Year’s Eve, DC citizens follow a strict code known as the Fire-Cracker Ban. This code prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, sale and use of pyrotechnic devices as well as other similar devices and explosives. Don’t fret though. The celebrations are never dull even without explosions all around. After all, this ordinance was made for everyone’s benefit. And while the locals deemed it a little bit “uncomfortable” during the early years of the code, everybody now understands what good it has done to everyone’s welfare.

But house rules aren’t all about creating a limitation – they’re about the welfare of the general populace as well. And so Davao, being one of the most livable cities in Asia, has a number of codes that provide the city’s general populace the needed protection. Humanitarian codes such as the Children’s Welfare Code and the Women’s Code, and business related ones such as the Investment Incentives Code make the area a favorable environment for interaction.

For more information, visit Davao City’s official website at www.davaocity.gov.ph.

That’s it for now as another Davao feature comes to a close. We hope this one serves as a good guide for all you would-be Davao Travelers out there. Be sure to tune in regularly for the latest buzz around the hive.

Stay fresh everyone!

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Randolph Reserva sounds like a travel agent in this article. Maybe it’s because he loves the place so much to the point of knowing how to market it even without being a real travel agent.