Ang Dabawenyo

Had a wonderful night-out with a close friend of mine last night. Pam’s been in Cagayan de Oro all these years, so we rarely see each other anymore. So we made sure to spend some quality time together yesterday.

We met up at my favorite coffee shop, Basti’s, then proceeded to Nezz74 Café for dinner. Someone had told me that the food there was good, so we checked it out. It’s a nice enough place… but the food’s nothing fantastic, sad to say. Pam had the lechon kawali, and it wasn’t really all that great. My sweet and sour fish fillet of malasugui was OK though. Their coffee? I’m sticking to Basti’s. Read more »

I had a very satisfying dinner with three very good friends at a private restaurant last week. Couple Mandy and Maej invited Alex and me to My Brother’s Kitchen, owned and operated by Richie Ferazzini. It’s located in the Ferazzini compound in Bajada. However, it’s not really open to the public, and that’s why I’m not writing about it on Davao Delicious.

It’s a simple, open-air affair, run like a home kitchen would be. The Ferazzinis also own the long-standing Merco bakeshops and restaurants in Davao. But for this one (Richie says he’s thinking of changing the name), it’s for friends only.

Too bad, because their food is fantastic! We had steamed pompano, paella negra, smoked sashimi, cuttlefish on a hot plate, and even kilawing kambing. The pompano was simply awesome! And the paella negra (for those who don’t know, it’s paella cooked in squid ink) was so rich in ingredients and tasted so good.

Thanks, Maej and Mandy, for inviting me!

A Japanese client invited me and a friend to a Christmas party last night, at Zakoya. I’ve never been to Japan, but I think I have enough Japanese friends to know that last night was a very Japanese get-together. My friend, Alex of Global Wings Travel, remarked that the party-goers didn’t behave in the ‘usual Japanese manner.’

The Japanese character is commonly known to be reserved and disciplined — some even term it Vulcan-like (from Star Trek). At work, yes, they’re pretty much like that. But when they’re relaxing and having a good time, they can be the total opposite. Read more »

The old PTA Grounds, which was recently renovated and given a major makeover, is now known as “People’s Park.” The winner of the name-the-park contest is Romeo Sardon, 75, of Matina. He won the P50,000 prize money for having his entry chosen to be the park’s name from now on. Sardon is a retired electrician and seaman. Read more »

Tonight I was invited to the Christmas party of two long-standing tourism associations in Davao City: the Davao Travel Agents Association and the Davao Association of Tour Operators. DTAA and DATO did a joint year-end celebration at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, and inducted their individual sets of officers for the following year.

I’d like to congratulate my good friend, Global Wings Davao’s Alex Divinagracia, who has been elected president of DTAA for 2008. Alex is the quintessential travel agent: well-traveled, street-smart, and possessed of a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He has been in the travel industry for many, many fruitful years, and is considered as one of the pillars of Davao tourism. Read more »

Grrrr!!! I was supposed to go to NCCC Mall this afternoon and show off my red WordPress t-shirt, but the rain decided to show me off. And it’s so rare for me to even think of going to NCCC — I go to Victoria Plaza most times (because Basti’s Brew is there).

Mondays are depressing enough.

Well, at least the weekend was perfect. Read more »

Last Friday and Saturday, Andrew, Ria, Migs and I took Aileen (who’s more and more loving it in Davao) out for rounds in the city.

Friday, we attended Christopher Cubos’ “I.T. party” at Fwendz Diner. That was part of Chris’s efforts in reviving the Silicon Gulf initiative. There were I.T. professionals present, and plenty of students, which was a good sign that Chris’ initiatives will soon bear fruit. Read more »

The air’s starting to get nippy already in Davao. Today I noticed it was much cooler than it was last week. So, the Christmas season has really set in finally. Time to think about Christmasy stuff again!

Speaking of which, it’s all about gifts this time of year. Receiving is a lot better, yes, but most of us find ourselves at the giving end now.

For those of you not in the city (or not in the country, for that matter) but want to send meaningful Christmas gifts to loved ones or business partners or whoever here in Davao, here’s the perfect Internet store at your service: WowDavao. Read more »