Davao Travel Guide, Philippines

Davao is a region in the Mindanao Islands and its capital city is Davao City.  Aside from this highly urbanized city, it has two other smaller provinces namely Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.  Just like Zamboanga, its culture is diversified and it has rich traditions that Davaoeños continue to live to these days.

Davao is a mountainous region with rolling hills and mountainous valleys and is home to the waling-waling (a type of orchid).  The place is also famous for embracing the highest mountain in the Philippines, Mount Apo.  At the foot of this mountain, you will find the endangered Philippine Eagle.  It has built a very strong, friendly relationship with its neighboring provinces and the evident fusion of culture in the area has made it the window to the Mindanao islands.

Climate

Davao’s mountain ranges have kept it typhoon-free.  The weather in the area stays calm for the entire year with a uniquely distributed rainfall, humidity and a very soothing temperature and air pressure.  It is unique in the sense that it is the only place in the Philippines where temperature and weather are individually distributed.

Clothing

With a typhoon-free climate, people are advised to wear light clothing when visiting Davao.  Take note also that there are certain places which do not allow people wearing sandals, shorts, and sleeveless shirts to enter their business establishments.

People

The Davao population is composed by a mixture of various cultural heritages not just from the Philippines but from other ethnic groups around the world.  Just like any other place in the archipelago, Davao is influenced by foreign traditions. 

The Davaoeños fluently speak Bisaya, Tagalog, Cebuano and are good English speakers as well.

Culture

Davaoeños adapt solemn rituals for different occasions such as birthday, weddings, and baptisms.  This is because of the influence they got from their ancestors.  The even mix of tribes made them become accustomed to several ceremonies.  These rites are virtually depicted in their festivities namely the Kadayawan Festival held every August and the Araw ng Dabaw held every March.

Prohibitions

Davao is a well-disciplined city and this characteristic can be seen in their daily undertakings.  There is an ordinance in the area which prohibits smoking in public utility vehicles, government offices and air-conditioned-business establishments. 

Davaoeños are accustomed with the law enforcement of the land.  Traffic rules and the anti-littering campaign are strictly enforced.  Anybody caught breaking the rules are punished accordingly.  Unlike other provinces in the country,   drug trafficking in Davao is punishable by death.

Festivals

The famous festival celebrated in Davao is the Kadayawan festival.  It is a ceremony held every August which depicts the Davaoeños’ celebration of life and thanksgiving for a very good harvest.  This is their way of showing other people that their way of living depends a lot on what nature gives them and that they have sustained life because of the blessings sent to them all year round.

Davaoeños are epitomes of people who are rich not just in cultural heritage but in beautiful attributes of a true Filipino.  They are proud of the province where they live, the island where they grew and the country that made a difference in their lives.

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