Ang Dabawenyo

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 »

Not that I’m naïve, but it was a shock when I saw what results come out on Google when you do an image search for “Filipina”. I’ve been encouraging my friends to join Janette Toral’s “Filipina” Writing Project, and one of them showed me the current Google image search results. To put it very lightly, I was utterly dismayed. I don’t even want to describe it here, for fear of adding to the already negative connotation of the keyword.

The “Filipina” Writing Project aims to debunk the current search results associated with the keyword “Filipina” coming out of major Internet search engines. By generating more positive content related to this keyword, and via the pervasive effects of good SEO techniques, the Project hopes to spread an improved — and true — image of the Filipino woman. Read more »

Ever since I started meeting up with Davaoeño bloggers, I’ve come to find out a lot about SEO. Apparently, many bloggers here (or probably anywhere) are into search engine optimization as a way to make a few bucks. In my long absence from all things Web these past couple of years, I’ve not been able to keep up with Internet trends, so my idea of monetizing your blog was simply Google’s AdSense. Well, of course, apart from the traditional way, which is getting paid for writing. Read more »

It all started when GlobeQuest (later known as Innove) connected Basti’s Brew in Victoria Plaza to the Internet and broadcast Davao’s first public wireless Internet signal. The service was offered free to the customers — at first, only as a promotional offer, but then the offer lasted for about a year! So when another coffee shop, Formula Pete’s, opened, I guess they thought it wise to offer free wifi access as well. Good for them and not so good for Basti’s because Innove had started charging for access by then. Lo and behold! it became a trend in Davao. Soon after, free wifi access to laptop-toting patrons were being offered at new and existing coffee shops. Hotels and bars and even malls followed suit as well. (What’s remarkable is NCCC’s mall-wide wireless connectivity.)

I think that this phenomenon is unique to Davao, because as far as I know, most wifi hotspots in the capital and in other urbanized cities are being offered for a fee. In big-name cafés in Metro Manila, for instance, 3rd-party providers charge for wireless Internet access, and the fees aren’t all that cheap either. What happened in Davao was simply the positive effects of sound business competition. And it sure is working quite nicely for Davao folk!

Here’s a list of free wifi hotspots that I already know about. If there are other places you know about, do let me know by leaving a comment here.

51 Coffee Shop, Victoria Plaza compound, beside MetroBank & Buffet Palace; Basti’s Brew @ Victoria Plaza & Legaspi St.; Blugré in Landco, Bajada; Bo’s Coffee Club, F. Torres St.; Casa Leticia, Camus St.; Copa Bossa in Tiangge, Ecoland (in front of SM City); Cups & lowercase, F. Torres St.; Formula Pete’s in Wheels n’ More Drive; Holiday Spa, F. Torres St.; K1 Family KTV, F. Torres St.; Kanto Bar in MTS, Matina; Kasagingan, F. Torres St.; NCCC Mall, Maa/Matina; and, Royal Mandaya Hotel, Palma Gil St.

Most of the hotspots here have good Internet connections; if I’m not mistaken, all of them are on DSL: PLDT myDSL, Innove, Pisolutions, BayanTel. From what I gather, people seem to be happiest in places where BayanTel DSL is connected. And where PLDT myDSL is, somehow the connection isn’t very reliable. Which is a wonder, because SmartBro — which is virtually in the same network as PLDT — is awesome.

Now, if we were talking about coffe, well, my personal favorite is the Americano (mild blend) of 51 Coffee Shop. Basti’s comes next in my list. Hmmm… I think I might do a survey soon.