Davao Gateway to the Cultural Wonders

Davao City is a modern metropolis bursting with life, verve and colour. It is located in a of land area of 244,000 hectares, which places it LAOAG among the world’s largest cities. Teeming with Banaue Getting There a vibrant populace, the city is a bustling hub of Davao Luzon Major Airport Gateway commerce, education, tourism, arts, culture PHILIPPINE SEA Davao International Airport. (DVO) and wellness in Southern Philippines. MANILAMANILA Distance between Davao and Manila is 1,545 kilometres. With a dominantly-migrant population, Davao Air Transport is a melting pot of cultures where diversities Various domestic carriers fly to Davao from several Mindoro are appreciated and nurtured in a harmonious points in the country while a few international carriers Boracay Aklan Samar and peaceful environment. As much as fly from several neighbouring Asian cities including Visayas Palawan Panay Iloilo Cebu Christians mix freely with Muslims and churches Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore and Seoul. Leyte CEBUCEBU stand alongside mosques, Davao is especially Water Transport Bohol famous as the home of colourful ethnic Major shipping lines service the Davao area from Negros minorities, some of which include the Bagobo, Manila and nearby southern points. The Davao SULU SEA B’laan, Mandaya, Mansaka, Manobo, and T’boli. seaport also serves as the shipping point of exit for Indeed, there is more cultural diversity in most of the agricultural exports of Southern and DavaoDavao Davao than any other part of the country. Southeastern Mindanao. Basilan

Mindanao Davao is a place of ideal balance. It is fast-paced Hotels and Resorts CELEBES SEA yet relaxed where the luxuries of cosmopolitan Davao offers a variety of lodging accommodations living complement the breathtaking beauty of for travelers to the region. These facilities range from San Pedro Cathedral the great outdoors. It serves as the gateway to affordable quality accommodations to serene resorts The Cathedral serves as the seat of the Catholic explore the pristine wonders of Mindanao. lying on secluded coves. First class business hotels are Archdiocese of Davao and the oldest church in the city. also available nearer the city centres of each region. The church was built in 1847 during the Spanish period and even its original altar is preserved to this day.

Fast Facts Puentespina Orchids & Tropical Plants Sports Activities and Exploration Time Zone: GMT + 8 What started as a hobby in 1977 grew to become one Mindanao is a host to an extensive collection of sport of the biggest producers of cut flowers in the country Visa: Only required if staying more than 30 days activities that range from recreational activities like today. Nowadays, it is a busy centre for the local cut Climate: November to February – cool and golf, horseback riding, beach combing, trekking to flower industry, supplying major cities nationwide mostly dry; March to June – warm and mostly dry; intense adrenaline fuelled sports including mountain with its beautiful floral products, especially the Vanda July to October – warm and mostly wet Sanderiana, or the Waling Waling. climbing, white water rafting, and surfing. Average Temperature Year-round: 24°C – 32°C Shrine of the Infant Jesus Attire: Light casual clothes all year round Located at the top of Matina Hill, this open-air shrine Major Attractions Money: Philippine Pesos. Check with the local with replicas of the Infant Jesus of Prague and Our Lady banks for current exchange rates. All major credit Mount Apo National Park of Fatima serves as a nice and quiet place to reflect At 2,954 meters, Mt. Apo is the country’s tallest peak. cards accepted and worship while also granting exceptional views of Every March, the local government organizes the Davao City, Davao Gulf, and Samal Island. Water: Bottled water available in resorts, Mt. Apo Trek, and hundreds of mountain climbers restaurants and convenience stores Crocodile Park Philippines Department of Tourism participate. Its natural wonders attract outdoor Communications: International and direct dial The park is one-of-a-kind in the region, and serves as a 10 -11 Suffolk Street London, SW1Y 4HG enthusiasts to trek to its towering peak while bearing sanctuary for locally bred crocodiles. One of its native phone and fax. Internet cafes are widely available Tel: 020 7321 0668 Fax: 020 7925 2920 witness to nature’s tranquility, including steaming inhabitants, measuring over 18 feet in length, is the What to Bring: Sun block, tanning lotions, E-mail: [email protected] blue lakes, geysers, sulfur pillars, thundering rivers and largest crocodile in the country aptly named “Pangil” insect repellant, personal medication, swimwear www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk waterfalls. Tuday Falls at 100 metres, is the tallest and accessories, etc. (Fangs). Other attractions include horseback riding, waterfalls that can be found in the region. swimming pools and a picturesque picnic area. Eden Nature Park Siargao Island Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, South Cotabato Useful Websites for the Region: Surigao Located in , Cagayan de Oro is faithful Situated at the foot of Mt. Talomo, Eden Nature Park Given its prime location along the migratory routes of Davao www.davaocity.gov.ph Bucas Island provides magnificent views of Davao City and the Gulf. Mainit for luring adventurers to its bountiful natural resources. Southern Philippines, “Gensan” has become the Tuna Capital www.clickdavao.com The park provides a relaxing venue in contrast to the It is famous for its selection of outdoor activities www.discoverdavao.com of the Philippines, and provides a rich harvest of yellowfin http://clickdavao.com/kadayawan/ bustling city life. L. Mainit including spelunking through the numerous exotic caves, tuna to a worldwide market. Other than this, Gensan is a index.php Cantilan traversing sky bridges along century old forests and white http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City Philippine Eagle Conservation Centre Carniguin water rafting along the mighty Cagayan de Oro River. It is well-known outdoor destination, with top-quality products Camiguín www.camiguin.gov.ph The centre is primarily dedicated to the conservation Tandag also the home of the Malasag Eco-Tourism Village, which like Kalaja Karsts Land (featuring Kalaja Cave and Kalaja Face), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camiguin of the extremely rare Philippine Eagle (Phitecophaga successfully captures the ethnic spirit of the indigenous Bunga Springs, Absekong Waterfalls and Nopol Hills. www.camiguin.redbearnet.com Jefferyi), first discovered by British ornithologist John Butuan tribes of the area. Samal www.samalcity.gov.ph Whitehead in 1896. It is the largest eagle standing Marihatag Festivals Siargao www.siargaoislands.com/ about one metre tall with a wingspan of two metres. Bayugan Araw ng Koronadal (second week of January; Koronadal); Zamboanga www.zamboanga.com In the wild, these eagles are found in the forests around Prosperidad To Tagum www.zamboanga.gov.ph Kahimunan (second week of January; Butuan); Mount Apo, while in the centre, you will see various Dipolog Oroquieta Cagayán de Oro www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph Calinan (second week of February; General Santos City); Philippine Eagles bred in captivity. Attractions within the Region Cagayan de Oro http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ILIGAN Hinatuan Davao International Cagayan_de_Oro_City Camiguin Province Airport Sibug-Sibug (fourth week of February; Zamboanga); GULF MOUNT APO Davao River Lying in the Bohol Sea some 90 kilometres north of Mindanao Sindangan Iligan Crocodile Park Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay Bukidnon www.bukidnon.gov.ph Bislig NATIONAL Samal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukidnon Representing the third largest river catchment in the is the pear-shaped volcanic island of Camiguin. It is an island Eden Nature (fourth week of February; Zamboanga); Labason Tubod PARK Park Davao Island General Santos http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/ entire country, it is currently the venue for the latest paradise known for its beautiful coastlines and rich marine Mt. Dapial Lingig Araw ng Dabaw (first week of March; Davao); Kaputian craze for adventure-seekers in Davao City. White water resources surrounded by natural wonders like hot springs, Marawi Mt. Apo Panagtagbo (first week of March; Tagum City); Sirawan Useful Contacts: rafting along the river is a three-hour run starting from waterfalls, volcanoes (of which there are seven in the island) Kabasalan Pagadian L. Lango Boston Kaamulan (first week of March; Bukidnon); the highlands of the Baguio District, going through MINDANAO Department of Tourism Offices: and exotic flora and fauna. Camiguin has two other attractive Malabang Compostela Talikud Banwahon (second week of May; Surigao); Calinan and then finishing in the lowlands. There are islets known as White Island, a 2 kilometre uninhabited white London +44 (0) 20 7321 0668 Island Pagsalabuk (last week of May; Dapitan City); about 30 rapids, varying in difficulty from class one sand bar and Mantigue Island, four hectares of forest fringed Siraguay Baganga To General [email protected] Mt. Ragang Santos San Juan Hibok-Hibokan (last week of June; Camiguin); www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk up to the extreme class five. white sand beaches. Also located in the island is the Old Tabina Parang Santa Cruz DAVAO GULF Ta g u m Davao +63 (0) 82 221 0070 Catamaran Church Ruins, remnants of the oldest Spanish Panabo Sirong-Sirong (last week of June; Surigao); Samal Island [email protected] settlement in the area destroyed by the 1871 Vulcan Daan Cotabato Midsayap Digos Sagayan (first week of July; Lanao del Norte); Located just 10 minutes from Davao City, Samal Island is Manay Cagayan de Oro (08822) 726 394 Eruption. The island’s most popular event is the Lanzones T’Nalak (second week of July; Cotabato); [email protected] lined with white sand beaches and provides a multitude Festival, held annually in the month of October. MORO Datu Piang Kidapawan Davao Bukidnon Province Kinabayo (last week of July; Zamboanga); Cotobato City [email protected] of activities both on and offshore. Inland tours to GULF Upi Mati Zamboanga Maganoy Mt. Apo Bukidnon is a highland haven in the heart of the island. Kalibongan (second week of August; Cotabato); Butuan City +63 (0) 85 341 8413 spectacular rivers and falls, heritage sites and a renowned Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte It is known as the Food Basket of Mindanao and is home Kayag-An (last week of August; Cagayan); [email protected] cave housing an incredible 1.8 million bats are popular Siargao is a teardrop shaped island located in the northeast Digos DAVAO of Mindanao. The eastern coastline faces directly out into GULF to the world’s biggest pineapple plantation. It is well Flomlok (second week of September; Cotabato); Zamboanga City +63 (0) 62 993 0030 with tourists. Aside from overland adventures, this Isulan [email protected] the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Trench, 10,057 metres Lebak Padada endowed with natural attractions like the Kitanglad Padigo San (second week of September; Davao); island is blessed with a multitude of dive sites to suit m u Airlines: L. Sebu g a Ranges that includes Dulang Dulang, the second highest deep. The island is primarily known throughout the world T Davao Medical (second week of September; Zamboanga); BASILAN o Zamboanga Hermosa all tastes and experiences. Names like Ligid Caves and Koronadal T Centre Philippine Airlines +63 (0) 2 855 8888 as a first class quality surfing location where international Lanang Golf & peak in the country. The province is also endowed with a Pinnacle Point in the northeast, to Mushroom Rock in Country Club Sambuokan (second week of Sepetember; Davao); www.philippineairlines.com rt competitions are held every October. Other activities Malita o very high concentration of endemic biodiversity. Palimbang Tupi rp the southeast, conjure images of giant gorgonian fans, Ai Kidapawan (first week of October; Kidapawan City); Cebu Pacific +63 (0) 2 636 4938 include sailing, spelunking and exploring the spectacular To Malaybalay City, the Provincial Capitol, plays host to the octopus, moray eels, jacks, dolphins and other pelagic 0 50 km General Lanzones (second week of October; Camiguin); www.cebupacificair.com seascapes through snorkeling and diving. Philippine Eagle Victoria increasingly-popular Kaamulan Festival every March. animals. There are also spectacular sights for snorkelers, Santos Conservation Centre Plaza Mall Air Asia +63 (0) 2 722 2742 Public Market Ting’Udo (second week of October; Cotabato); www.airasia.com San Pedro Hospital Lake Sebu, South Cotabato like the Marissa reefs where the hawksbill turtles are Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur Maasim Banayan (last week of October; Davao); Jose DAVAO Gaisano Mall SkyJet Airlines www.flyskyjetair.com “Zamboanga Hermosa”, or Beautiful Harana Magsaysay Recognized as one of the most important watershed areas regular visitors. Park Glan CITY The Helobong (second week of November; Cotabato); Zamboanga is also the name of the most Abad Venue in the country, Lake Sebu consists of many small streams, Kadayawan Sa Dabaw Festival City Triangle Department of Kalimudan (third week of November; Sultan Kudarat); Ferries: popular festival in the “Ancient City of Santos Davao Doctors Foreign Affairs creeks, rivers, and springs that provide irrigation water for Dencio’s Brokenshire Hospital The festival was originally called “Apo Duwaling,” a name Sa Hilltop Hospital Paseo de F Kadagyaan (first week of December; Cotabato); SuperFerry http://www.superferry.com.ph

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To Mount Apo a A D Cebu Ferry Corporation +63 (0) 32 232 4229 the country’s highest peak; durian, the king of fruits; National Park San Pedro V and the day-to-day way of life. Zamboanga Cathedral Ubo, make their home on and around Lake Sebu. The T’bolis Sarangani Matina Town A Square Davao D and waling-waling, the queen of orchids. Today, City is home to numerous historical sites City Hall in particular are known for their skill in weaving and making SuperCat Fast Ferry Corp +63 (0) 32 234 9600 NCCC N Island Mall s to Kadayawan has metamorphosed as one of the country’s dating back to the Spanish era, when n brassware. Wildlife is commonly observed in the region, a S l ra e biggest, honoring Davao’s artistic, cultural and countless battles were fought n and communities of birds such as cockatoos, swallows, Other useful Contacts: Ge o historical heritage through tribal dances and floral by the Spaniards against the Moros. T kingfishers, kites, herons, and egrets have made their British Embassy Manila +63 (0) 2 816 7116 SM City Davao parades in full regalia. permanent homes in the area. British Consulate Cebu +63 (0) 32 346 0525