Gateway to the Cultural Wonders of Mindanao Davao
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Davao Gateway to the Cultural Wonders Davao City is a modern metropolis bursting with life, verve and colour. It is located in a of Mindanao 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. Distance between Davao and Manila is 1,545 kilometres. MANILAMANILA 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, restaurants and convenience stores Mt. Apo Trek, and hundreds of mountain climbers 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, Misamis Oriental General Santos City, South Cotabato Useful Websites for the Region: Surigao Located in northern Mindanao, 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 Kalilangan (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 Bukidnon 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 Malaybalay 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.