Davao's topography dazzles with a variety of
picturesque landscape. Fruit plantations and orchid farms
mantle volcano-fed hills and valleys. Virgin forests and
nurture rare wildlife. Coral islands lie on mirror flat
water. And the country's highest peak, Mt. Apo,
magnificently lords lords over the hinterland.
Just as enchanting is its brilliant tapestry of
harmony, woven from the diverse cultural threads of its
people. In Davao, the contemporary fuses with the
traditional as migrant settlers from all over the country
peacefully co-exist with a sizeable expatriate community and
numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live as they did
century ago.
Davao is home to the majestic Philippine
Eagle, the country's national bird and considered the
largest eagle in the world. It is also boasts of the most
prized Philippine orchid species like the Vanda sanderiana
and some of the most prized fruits like durian and
mangosteen.
Davao is an anchor tourist destination, a
natural haven both sedate and daring pursuits. It is
jump-off point to satellite destinations on the island of
Mindanao.
|
Island Garden City of Samal |
The Island
Garden City of Samal is a group of islands in the Davao Gulf. The
largest, also called Samal, has a number of excellent resorts,
including one that was once a pearl farm. There are also many fine
beaches, with good opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.
|
|
Maragusan |
With its cool mountain
weather, Maragusan in the province of Compostela Valley is Davao's
tradition summer capital. The ethnic Mansaka community lives in the
coffee-growing valley amidst waterfall and cold springs. |
|
Kidapawan |
The provincial capital of North Cotabato, Kidapawan
City is two hours by bus from Davao City. It is the main gateway to
the ancient of Mount Apo and hosts the 10-day Kalibongan Festival, a
showcase of old ethnic rituals, songs, dances, and sports of the
Manoboand other Mindanao tribes. |
|
Davao Oriental |
The province of Davao Oriental has at least 40
tourist spots. The town of San Pedro is home to Tinagong Dagat (or
Hidden Sea), a mysterious lake; the highest waterfall in the
country, the 338 meter-high Aliwagwag Falls, is found in Cateel;
in the old town of Caraga is a moss-covered 17th-century church. |
|
General Santos City |
GenSan is the tuna capital of the Philippines,
where over 2,400 species of marine can be found, including the
yellow fin tuna, skpipjack, and mackerel. GenSan can be reached by a
3-hours bus ride from Davao City. |
LINP3 COST OF LIVING SURVEY:
|
NAME: |
Dan Vander May |
|
Location: |
Davao City, Cabantian |
|
Type of residence: |
House not in a subdivision. 600
square meter lot with another small house built mostly of native
materials, cooler too. |
|
Size of house: |
5 bedrooms, 2 CRs |
| Own or
Rent: |
Own |
|
Cost of Rent: |
None |
|
Electricity: |
P2600 One air conditioner,
seldom used |
| Water:
|
P620 I also use a rainwater cistern |
|
Gas: |
P500 |
|
Phone: |
P840 Phone and dialup Internet
combined |
|
Cable: |
Nearby but not available |
|
DSL: |
Nearby but not available |
| Power
Outages: |
Less than 1/month, very short |
|
DSL: |
N/A |
|
Air Quality: |
About 1/month, sometimes for
hours, “hard” water |
|
Noise: |
Rated 3 (Average) |
|
Traffic: |
Moderate, no traffic jams, congested rush
hours |
|
Public Trans: |
Nearby, Jeepneys and Taxis. I ride
my motorcycle and bicycle all over the city too. |
|
Stores: |
Downtown, 5km away, 5 malls |
Click on each link to see the survey:
|
