Distinct dwellers of Davao City

Map of Davao del Sur (photo from the web)

In nature Davao City is clustered with the province of Davao del Sur and the center of Metro Davao, positioned in the southeastern section of the Philippines. Davao City is administered autonomously from Davao del Sur and acknowledged as the main commercial and industry hub of Mindanao. Apart from being the most crowded city in Mindanao area, Davao City is also considered as the largest city of the Philippines with respect to its territory.

Philippine eagle

Mt. Apo (photo from the web)

Waling-waling (photo from the web)

With its substantial land area, Davao City has distinct dwellers. For one, the place is home to the highest mountain of the country, Mt. Apo. Endemic to Davao is the country’s pride and considered the largest eagle in the world yet critically in danger of extinction, the Philippine eagle. Davao is also a habitat to Euanthe sanderiana, a flower of the orchid family known as Waling-waling in the Philippines and hailed as the “Queen of Philipine Flowers”. Waling-waling is said to be worshipped by the Bagobo, one of the indigenous tribes in Davao, as a “diwata” or fairy.  

Japanese tunnel (photo from the web)

Japanese tunnel (photo from the web)

Davao City was referred to as “Davaokuo” or Little Tokyo sometime in the past when there used to be Japanese dwellers in the city. In fact, one of the tourist attractions in the city is a tunnel that showcases the Japanese occupation in Davao. It is such an interesting trivia that the local officials want to relive to attract more tourists in Davao.

 

dancing fountain (photo from the web)

Other places of interest in the city include the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center that nurture this endangered specie; the Davao Crocodile Park which aside from crocodiles also showcases variety of wildlife; Malagos Garden Resort for the Waling-waling flowers; Eden Nature Park which offers activities such as camping, trekking, horseback riding, fishing and zip line; and the People’ Park, expansive and breezy that attracts visitors with its dancing fountain. And although not directly part of the city but part of Metro Davao, Samal Island, an island city situated near the city's coast in the Davao Gulf, is known for its beaches and the highly recommended Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

 The city is also known as the “Fruit Basket of the Philippines” and “Durian Capital of the Philippines” and fruits such as Durian, Pomelo and Mangosteen are plentiful and generally cheaper in the city. 

Durian (photo from the web)

 This particular city in Mindanao is very accessible to its visitors. Davao City airport is in fact the busiest airport in Mindanao and has direct flights to major Philippine cities like Cebu and Manila.