Ang Dabawenyo

After a morning meeting, fellow bloggers Andrew, Marc and I found ourselves near Chimes, so we decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants there. Against someone’s better advice, I opted for the Banana Leaf Asian Cafe — but only because I hadn’t tried it there yet. It was a regrettable mistake. ••• Read on »

Pretty soon the Comelec will be announcing the victors of the last Philippine elections. Namfrel Davao wrapped up its operations last Saturday, having canvassed almost 90% of the city’s 3,600+ poll precincts. It was a very successful effort, considering that we had only 5 days of lead time to organize the citizens’ quick count.

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My friend Ian brought me to this fairly new chicken place in downtown Davao, Papa Ching’s. I want to say straight away, their greaseless chicken is awesome!! It really was greaseless, and the taste was just heavenly. I don’t particularly enjoy chicken as much as, say, beef. But that experience last night made me reconsider… it was that good. ••• Read on »

This is the first of a series of personality features that will be published in this blog. I’ll be featuring Davao people who have somehow made a mark in their particular fields of interest, and in Davao. And what better way to embark on this series but with the Dabawenya herself, Jojie Alcantara.

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Tomorrow, 14 May, Dabawenyos will once again go out and catapult into power our city’s and our country’s elected government officials. I hope that the turnout will be considerable, so that the populace will have enough confidence in whomever assumes public office.

I have mixed feelings about this, though. I will go out and vote, definitely. But with a heavy heart. Even up to now I still don’t know whose names to write in my ballot…. The city councilors are a relatively easy deal: I get to see them a lot here in Davao. But what about the senators?

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When my aunt asked me for suggestions of names for their upcoming restaurant, that was way back in the very early 90s (or was it the very late 80s?). Tsuru is Davao’s longest-running Japanese restaurant (but not the first, which was in the old Hotel Maguindanao back in the 70s). The name that my aunt and uncle eventually decided on is very apt, because “Tsuru” is Japan’s national bird. ••• Read on »

Took this photo while in a cab, just before the ramp of Bankerohan Bridge. By now we all know the traffic situation in that part of the city due to the impassability of Bankerohan Bridge I. And look! Right above these jaywalkers is a pedestrian overpass…. ••• Read on »

All of us have something that we’re proud of in our families. Mine is the creative blood that courses through our veins. Our clan is populated with artistic people, from painters to writers. An aunt is adept at the canvass, and has done exhibits in New York and the Hague. While she modestly disavows being among the likes of Davao’s Ang Kiu Kok, Tita Didit is an accomplished artist in her own right. Other members of our clan are writers with portfolio: three of us have been published already. Yet another: a cousin, Celeste, a star pupil of the renowned Fernandez Piano School in Davao, is now a bona fide student of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. She is also a practicing doctor in the United States. ••• Read on »

Restless on a Sunday afternoon, I set off to do another walk of the city, since the afternoon weather was proving to be agreeable. At first I thought I’d check out the ongoing construction of the PTA grounds, but there wasn’t anything noteworthy (or picture-worthy) just yet. So I ended up at my favorite haunt to write my column for Sun·Star Davao.

Then I walked on from Victoria Plaza to The Venue, hoping to chance upon something there that might excite my palate. Alas! The whole compound is closed on Sunday. Darn… and a hefty serving of Space Burger was already sizzling in my mind! ••• Read on »

Here’s an update to a previous post on massage places. I was looking for another place to get a massage, but couldn’t bring myself to try Philosophy Spa just yet — no budget! So a friend of mine suggested I try this new place right beside Basti’s Brew. Perfect! ••• Read on »