The Adobe guy
It is not uncommon to hear about Americans, Europeans or Asians falling in love with Davao and settling down here for good. Davao City has that special appeal even to other Filipinos who hail from other cities. And from time to time, you chance upon a gold nugget in the haul. What’s not very common — but always an inspiration to find — is a foreigner who not only assimilates himself into Davao society, but contributes to its growth as well.
I can name a few: Claude le Neindre, a Frenchman who has gifted Davao with exquisite French cuisine. Watch out for my feature on his French bistro, Claude’s Le Café de Ville. Another worthy mentionable is Bob Martin of Mindanao.com and LiveInThePhilippines.com, among other things. He has singlehandedly done so much to improve the image of Davao and Mindanao in the eyes of fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.
And then there’s my Japanese friend, Ichido Miyake. The first time we met, he could barely speak English. Today, he’s fluent in it and is now studying the local language. Ichido teaches Nihongo at the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, and I admire him for his selfless dedication. He goes beyond the call of duty in his desire to impart knowledge to his students.
And now Davao is blessed yet again with a recent addition to the fold. One more adoptive Dabawenyo, Ted Padova, has made a home in the Philippine South. But more than that, he is actively participating in the local I.T. industry. Among other things, Ted is currently encouraging Davao graphics designers and animators to band together into a special interest group that can help all stakeholders develop their skills.
Very unassuming and down-to-earth, Ted is in fact an accomplished writer and lecturer. To date, he has published 27 technical manuals and technology guidebooks, all in the field of computer graphics design and imaging. His main concentration is in Adobe® software — he’s actually quite the expert in Acrobat, AfterEffects and other Adobe programs.
Talking with him a few days ago, I could see in my mind’s eye a much brighter future for Davao’s creative I.T. professionals, thanks to Ted’s growing contributions. Our local designers (as well as digital photographers) would do well to take advantage of Ted’s wealth of knowledge and expertise. Coupled with his generosity and initiative, Davao is indeed lucky to have him!
Blogie, Ted and Tope Cubos at Fwendz Diner, 23 August 2007. Photo taken by Christian Te.
and shut it- you live in a nice area.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Hi Blogie - I met Ted a couple of months ago, and have gotten together with him several times since. Ted is indeed a great guy, and always willing to share his knowledge!
Thanks for the mention, by the way!
August 27th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I’ve heard so many nice things about Davao, kabayan! And I have been invited to spend some time there by my friends. One of them is actually the nice of a famous politician there. However, I can’t seem to find the time to go on leave and all. Well, hopefully, someday. And when that time comes, Davao will be one of the top picks! And I kid you not!
AnitoKid at http://www.anitokid.blogspot.com
August 28th, 2007 at 4:56 am
The first recorded foreigners in Davao aside from the Chinese were Indian and Lebanese traders in pre-Spanish conquest of the Davao Gulf.
Today, there are as many as 20,000 foreigners from about 50 countries in Davao. Yup I met, for instance, a missionary from Jamaica, a priest from New Zealand, a development worker from Nepal, a banana executive from Costa Rica. Of course, there are plenty of Americans, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese in the city.
I been trying to help organize the foreign community during the past decade. The recent one is the German Association of Davao headed by Mr. Frank Weis.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
i love to live in davao someday (maybe after six years starting from now). i heard a lot of good things about davao. thank you for sharing about this place
keep on writing 
November 20th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Hi,
I am impressed in the content of your site. You that there will be a big event for STEP - Student Technologists and Entrepreneur of the Philippines in Davao. The National Development and Skills Competition will be held there this coming 3rd week of Nov. I hope you guys become the judges in Web designing competition, Newsletter production and all other IT contest. IF you become the judges I am confident with the result because I know you have the knowledge , skills and experience in the IT field. Visit http://depedstep.co.nr for details.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
@Jobette — Hello! Thanks for your kind words. If you’re talking about the website design contest at Jose Maria College, yes, I’m going to be one of the judges there.