Davao Travel Related Tags

The South’s most extravagant and celebrated festivity is here again and once more Davao City will unravel the very reasons why it is considered a land of bountiful harvest and melting pot of people of diverse backgrounds.

The streets will once again show the colors, the sights, the sounds and the experience of Kadayawan sa Dabaw. This week-long annual festival speaks of the beauty of the Dabawenyo culture that made name throughout the globe and earned the admiration of millions.

From exquisite ethnic crafts, exciting destinations, beauty and glamour of the waling-waling and the majestic Philippine eagle — these and more is what Davao offers to local and foreign tourists and visitors who would take the time and have a glimpse of this cultural haven.

What To Expect In Kadayawan 2009

17th August. This year’s celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw has the same texture and appeal that made the former celebrations a thing to keep on coming back to for many tourists. On the opening day August 17, the celebration will feature Davao’s best fashion designers and creations at the Gaisano Mall in “Moda Mindanaw“.

18th August will as ever be exciting with an exhibit of Indigenous People’s photos to be shown in Hulagway sa Kaliwatan at the Museo Dabawenyo with the festival’s grand opening at the People’s Park during the afternoon followed by the Indigenous People’s Festival Opening themed “Lumadnong Kasaulogan” at night.

19th August. A thorough peek into the lives of the tribes will compose the whole day of August 19 with an exhibit of their crafts and traditions at Rizal Park that will last until the 24th, while beauty and brains continue to battle at the Search for the Hiyas ng Kadayawan during the evening to be held at the CAP Auditorium in Anda Street.

20th to 21 August. The World Music Competition will be staged August 20 at the NCCC Mall of Davao in Matina. SM City Davao will be the host venue for the World Dance Competition which will be staged the following day.

22nd August. The traditional Davao River Festival will be held on August 22 after which fashion designers will again set ramps on fire with Moda Minadaw’s Fashion Night in the evening at the Venue or music lovers may find the Evening Tugtogan at Rizal and People’s Parks more interesting.

23rd August. The popular Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan or the Street Dancing Competition will take place August 23. “Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan” has been flocked by people because of display of Davao’s rich culture depicted in colorful costumes and feisty music in which performers turned the highway to a dance floor despite the heat of the midday sun or haste of falling rains.

24th August. Beautiful and colorful floats will parade the street on the 24th with the Floral Float Parade and Competition dubbed as “Pamulak sa Kadalanan“. The festivity will be concluded with Mayor Rodrig Duterte’s free concert treat for the people.

Suggested Davao Hotels

In preparation for this momentous event, hotels, inns and suites have prepared the best for every visitor and are more than willing and ready to give you the care like you have never been far from home.

The Marco Polo Hotel. You may try the most luxurious hotel in Davao, The Marco Polo Davao — with its world class hotel service, amenities and facilities that is sure to give you the best of staying in Davao. Marco Polo is located at corner Roxas Avenue and Claveria Street and is the best place to witness the happenings, even when you are just inside your room.

The Waterfront Insular Hotel. If you want to enjoy the celebration but opt to stay away from the noise during the night to give you a more relaxing rest, try the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao at Lanang. They have the same amenities and facilities that are truly world class.

Other Small Hotels: Las Casitas, La Anclar, Microtel Inn and Suites

Staying in Davao for the Kadayawan festival does not have to be that expensive. If your budget is tight but still want to experience the thrills of the festivities, there are inns and suites that offer comfortable stay in less the cost. You may try Las Casitas along Rizal Avenue or La Anclar Hometel in Bonifacio and there are a lot more.

Another spot where big activities for the festival will be held is at the Damosa Gateway. Concerts, live band performances and night parties will be held there — the best for all the party people out there. If you wish to be stay at the Damosa Gateway, you may try the excellent service being offered by Microtel Inns and Suites, the best place to stay for young professionals and tourists who want a modern experience in Davao.

These exciting activities could only be seen and experienced in Kadayawan, so step in to Davao and indulge yourself with the Kadayawan fever.

~~~

This Kadayawan Festival 2009 article is written by Matt Regis.

Metro Davao prides itself with various food venues that truly appeals to both our appetite and cravings; truly a Land of Promise for Filipinos and foreigners alike. Title absolutely justified! Ask anyone from the city for their favorite restaurants and you’ll surely get excited to try every food destination being suggested.

There are several classifications of restaurants based on the menu style, pricing, preparation, as well as the way the customers are being served and certainly, one of the sought after restaurants in Southern Mindanao are the fine dining restaurants.

Defined as full service restaurants with a specific meal course, interiors of fine dining restaurants showcase higher quality and sophistication. The restaurateur employs highly trained staff featuring a more formal and decent attire. Fine dining is perceived to be a privilege of a select few, unlike fast-food, family style, and casual dining restaurants because of the classy ambiance and highly satisfying food choices.

Below are the three highly recommended fine dining spots in Davao:

Lotus Court, Marco Polo Davao

Located in the heart of the city; at the junction of Claro M. Recto Street and Manuel Roxas Avenue, is the Marco Polo Davao. Winning the 2007 Hotel of the Year Award, besting all other Marco Polo hotels in Cebu, and Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Wuhan in China, proves that Marco Polo Davao emerges as a true-world class hotel. You may choose any of the five restaurants serving exquisite cuisines from international buffet at Café Marco to Cantonese delight at Lotus Court.

Lotus Court, Marco Polo’s premier fine dining Cantonese restaurant offers the finest choices of fresh quality seafood, served in an elegant and stylish setting, highlighted with warm Filipino hospitality. With four private rooms that are truly perfect for private parties, family or social gatherings, and business meetings, the restaurant is located at the 3rd floor of the hotel. Also, it has a total seating capacity of 228 persons.

Lotus Court is open on:

Lunch: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

For inquiries and reservations you may reach them at (082) 221-0888 local 7232.

La Parilla, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao

Relax and dine at the La Parilla Grill and Restaurant, as you treat yourself to sumptuous food creations. Located at Lanang, Davao City and nestled all along the picturesque Davao Gulf, La Parilla never fails to satisfy every guests of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. The modernly designed Filipiniana interiors with luxurious amenities and of course a tropical taste to the flavors of Davao welcome every foreign and local guest to an exceptionally Davao dining experience.

The open-air Seafood Restaurant offers seasoned-inspired menus and signature entreés. Anticipation rises to a new level as everyone looks forward for the Lobster Night. Yes! Have your stomachs ready for a mouth-watering lobster dinner; great with chili sauce. Other well-remembered options are tuna kinilaw and the grilled prawns, among other savory specialties in the midst of a nightly live entertainment. A 90-person total seating capacity restaurant, La Parilla is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 5:00 PM – 11:00 pm. Dining at the “al fresco“, La Parilla will certainly bring the fond friendships and close family ties together and bolder.

For further information and queries, La Parilla Grill and Restaurant can be reached at (082) 233-2881 loc. 8701

Claude’s Café de Ville

In a quest for a more private and romantic restaurant, one can dine in a relative silence to complete the highly adored French and Continental fine dining. Davao takes pride for having Claude’s Café de Ville as the well-loved restaurant for French Provencal and Mediterranean Cuisine. Now on its 15th year of operations, Claude’s Café de Ville remains to enjoy a regular patronage from businessmen, executives, and tourists with Chef Claude Le Neindre and his wife Theresa Villanueva Le Neindre taking the role as the primary drivers of its success and legacy.

It’s a crowd-drawer for their steaks and Ceasar salad; remarkably the best in town. Few of the top favorites include the rib eye in mushroom sauce, Lamb Chops Vert Pré, shrimp cocktail smothered with light dressing, tomatoes and avocado, Crepe Samurai, Roast Chicken Forrestierre, and salmon patae with a slice of a lightly toasted French bread. Because of its quality food offerings marked with classiness and variety, Maurice Arcache, a well-known social arbiter and columnist featured Claude’s Café de Ville in his book entitled Cosmo Dine in 1997. Feature write-ups in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine F and B Magazine and other lifestyle magazines proves that it’s a dining place worthy to be regarded as the first and only authentic French and Mediterranean Cuisine in the South.

Claude’s Café de Ville is located at 29 Rizal St, Paseo de Habana, Davao City. You may call them at (082) 222-4287.

Other Options

Categorized as semi-fine dining restaurants, below are a few to consider:

Café Mediterranean
Chimes Bldg., Gov. Sales St. Chinatown District Davao City
(082) 225-0975

Bigby’s Café and Restaurant
Metro Lifestyle Center, Jacinto Extension, Davao City
(082) 221-0111

Ground Flr. SM City Davao
(082) 298-0111

Polo Bistro
4th Flr. Marco Polo Hotel Davao
(082) 221-0888

Swiss Deli Davao
Lanang, Davao City
(082) 2340271

Hola España Bodega de Vinos y Deli
Damosa Gateway, Lanang, Davao City
(082) 2346877

Above is just a part and parcel of what Davaoeños are adept of doing. Davao City has a lot more to offer to the Filipinos and to the rest of the world. Culinary expertise along with the much valued and appreciated services speaks something of Davao’s dedication in providing global productivity and efficiency.

~~~

This article is written by Julius Neil Piala. A true-blooded Davaoneo, Julius has earned a degree in Communications Arts from the prestigious Santo Tomas University in Manila. He has traveled extensively around the Philippines.

Nowadays, it’s hard enough to get a date, let alone figure out where to take him or her for an afternoon together or a fun night out. For most people, especially for the ladies, “date places” echo how special (or how interested) the other person is so it’s common to stress about where to eat and what to do just to break the jitters of actually going out on a date. Hopefully for those of us who do get to go out very rarely, dates in Davao should and always be primarily about going somewhere we can enjoy the company of the person we are with and, with a little luck and charm, snag ourselves a second date on the way.

So where do you take your date in Davao City? Here are some places you might want to check out:

Music, Fun and Drinks

Eagles at the Marco Polo is one of my favorites simply because you don’t have to leave after dinner. You and your date could enjoy your dinner then at about 9 o’clock pm, a Live Jazz band comes on.

If you’ve got the moves and your date is up for some dancing, Baile at the Grand Men Seng is definitely a must. You and your date could get caught up in dancing the salsa or the tango all night long. Even if both of you don’t dance, the professional dance instructors are always fun to watch and you both can start planning getting dancing lessons together.

The BMW Piano Bar at Jacks Ridge offers live piano performances from up and coming musicians and patrons can even step up to the stage and jam with the pianist. Plus, the Jack’s Ridge Compound has walkways and park benches which give you a wonderful view of the city if you fancy an evening stroll with your date.

Karaoke is a popular pastime among Filipinos. What better way to have fun and impress your date than to belt out a song or two? World Palace in Juna Subdivision in Ecoland allows you to serenade your date without having to worry about critical onlookers (who probably can’t sing anyway).

Whistle Top Bar and Resto at Matina Town Square is one of the trendier night spots in the city. Drinks and conversation could abound amidst a friendly game of billiards or darts.

Warm and Cozy Date Spots

If you really want to get up close and personal, the noisy night spots just won’t do. You need to go to those out of the way but laid back, cozier date spots which allow you to talk about more personal things. Who can go wrong with dim to soft glowing lights, a little wine maybe and soft soothing music?

La Piscine Restaurant in Palm Village, Bajada is definitely my favorite. This little out of the way restaurant boasts a pool where you and your date can enjoy a night of swimming. Plus, everything (and I do mean everything) on the menu is a must try.

The Italian ambiance is always a winner for the ladies. La Toscana along Quirino Street is a small ristorante which serves some of the most delicious pasta in the city. If you fancy pizza, osso buco or yummy calzone for lunch or an early dinner then you can drop by Picobello at the top floor of Gaisano South Mall (in Illustre Avenue).

If you wish to catch a whiff of ocean breeze and set the mood with the sound of waves then I recommend Pirata Bar at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. This place is definitely a good place for drinks after dinner where you and your date can relax and talk well into the night.

Krua Thai Restaurant, located along Torres Street, has become more popular with Davaoenos for its authentic Thai cuisine. The inviting interior allows for an exotic aura combined with some cosmopolitan chic, which I personally find quite relaxing.

Sarung Banggi is a cozy steak house along Torres Street and is part of the Harana group of restaurants which has established itself in the city for as long as I can remember. The atmosphere positively breathes the word “ROMANTIC DINNER”.

Of course in the end, having fun is key for any date. Taking the time to know and find out what your date enjoys will go a long way in assuring that whatever you plan for your date brings out the best in you and shows your date the best time ever.

~~~

DavaoTraveler.com Admin Notes:
February is popularly recognized as the Love month. This article is supposed to be written in time for the Valentine’s Day. Not according to the article writer, Monique “Nikki” Musni. Nikki is a versatile writer who has contributed articles for various magazines with global circulation. Thanks, Nikki for this nice, lovely and informative article on Davao’s best dating places.