The Beauty Of Davao Weddings

Today, most of the provinces in the Philippines boast of their own vibrant wedding industry and their complete roster of wedding suppliers. One of the famous wedding destinations among soon-to-wed couples is the charming province of Davao.

Both local and foreign tourists flock to Davao for the province offers many attractions like no other place in the entire Philippines. Whether you are looking for a wedding venue to commune with nature or a place that exudes class and sophistication, Davao will definitely have something for you. Read more ...

Make Yours a Kadayawan Wedding

When talking about Philippine destination weddings, most couples think about heading out to a province located in Luzon or in the Visayas region. Unfortunately, provinces in the Mindanao region are often disregarded. In a positive light, this has allowed Mindanao to retain it mysticism and exoticness. As more and more discover its hidden beauty, soon-to-wed couples have now considered tying the knot here. And one of the most popular wedding destination in Mindanao is Davao City – the Crown Jewel of Mindanao. Read more ...

Davao del Sur - Land of Heights and Flights

Davao del Sur is one of the richest provinces in Mindanao in terms of natural treasures. Among its gems are the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo; Vanda Sanderiana locally known as waling-waling, dubbed as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids” and the country’s national bird, the endangered Philippine Eagle.

The capital of the Davao Region, Davao City, is geographically located inside the province of Davao del Sur. This highly urbanized city is considered as one of the country’s most progressive cities. But more than its economic stability, Davao City also boasts of historical, natural, and cultural wonders that will captivate any local or foreign tourist.

Demographics

1. Population – 2, 185, 743 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 6, 667.1 sq. km
3. Capital – Digos City
4. Language/Dialect –, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (2)

• Digos City
• Davao City

Municipalities (14)

• Bansalan
• Don Marcelino
• Hagonoy
• Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad)
• Kiblawan
• Magsaysay
• Malalag
• Malita
• Matanao
• Padada
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Maria
• Sarangan
• Sulop

Philippine Eagle and the Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center
The country’s national bird, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is endemic to the Philippine and is currently critically endangered. At the Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center, these creatures are propagated and are well-taken care of.

Mt. Apo
Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the country, towers at 9,692 feet above sea level. The “Grandfather of Philippine Mountains” is home to over 270 bird species and hundreds of rare, endemic, and threatened flora species.

Crocodile Park
The park served as the sanctuary for numerous species of crocodiles including the country’s largest, named, “Pangil’. Aside from crocodiles of varying ages and sizes, the park also houses various breeds of birds, from the Philippine sea eagle to kakatoe and Indonesian parrots

Cultural

Davao Museum
Location: Insular Village I, Lanang, Davao City
It houses artifacts of Davao's indigenous tribes and photographs of the city's historic events and history of its pioneering families

Tribal Villages
Location: Matanao, Digos and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
The B’laan, Tagakaolo, and Bagobo tribes have their own cultural tribal villages in the province. B’laan Cultural Tribal Village is located at Matanao while the Tagakaolo and Bagobo Cultural Tribal Village at Digos and Sta. Cruz.

T’boli Weaving Center
Location: Insular Hotel grounds, Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City
Tribal women brought down from South Cotabato demonstrate the traditional arts, crafts and skills of the colorful T'boli tribe. The women in colorful tribal attire, weave cloth from the fibers of the native abaca plant. These are colored with root and mud dyes, then finally, woven with the intricate figures and patterns depicting the folklore and religion of the tribe. The art is handed down from generation to generation.

Sulyap U.P. Mindanao Cultural Center
Location: Ladislawa Road, Buhangin, Davao City
The Center is an institutional embodiment of historical, cultural and social diversity and richness of Mindanao’s life. The center continuously provide a comprehensive view of Mindanao’s past and current cultural life and heritage by empowering the people through knowledge, reflection and arts.

Old Japanese Houses
Location: Mintal, Tugbok District & Toril District, Davao City
These houses and warehouses was where abaca processing and drying plants were held before and during World War II.

Japanese Museum
Location: Calinan, Davao City
The museum features historical accounts of the Japanese community residing in Davao before and during the war including their tools which they used in the abaca plantations, currencies, publications, among others.

Historical

Uyanguren Landing Site
Location: Rodriguez Park, Quezon Blvd., Davao City
This is the landing site of Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz of Guipuzcoa, Spain, the Spanish conqueror who later became the Governor of Davao.

Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine and Cemetery
Location: Catalunan Grande and Mintal, Davao City
A memorial shrine dedicated to the brotherhood of all men regardless of race, creed or ideology. It decrees the futility of war as means of settling international dispute. During the "Ubon Yasumi, " Japan's version of All Souls' Day held in August, Japanese war veterans and their kin take a pilgrimage to visit this memorial shrine.

Battle Memorial
Location: Mintal Elementary School, Mintal, Davao City
A historical marker of the longest-fought battle between the troops of the American & Filipino forces and of the Japanese Imperial Army

Memorial to a Brave Son
Location: Gov. Generoso Bridge (Bankerohan Bridge), Davao City
This memorial marker was built in recognition of the gallantry of Armando Generoso, who died in the very site of the bridge while defending it from the Japanese invaders during World War ll. The bridge has been reconstructed after it collapsed in April 2007.

Ottha Kyosaburu Memorial Shrine
Location: Mintal Elementary School, Mintal, Davao City
A memorial obelisk built in honor of Otha Kyosaburu who invoked the Public Land Act No. 926 of 1903.

Man-Made

Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center
Location: Malagos, Davao City
The center is a captive-breeding facility designed to help increase the eagle's number, thereby avoiding extinction. Aside from the Philippine Eagle, the center also is a home to a number of other birds such as White-Breasted Sea Eagles, Owl Eagles and hawks.

Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center
Location: Bansalan, Davao del Sur
The MBRLC was conceptualized in the mid-1960s but then implemented and officially opened on September 8, 1971. MBRLC is the originator of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) and its modifications, Food Always In The Home (FAITH) gardening, and other sustainable farming schemes. It also conducts training on community development, extension strategies and techniques, primary health care, and moral values.

Apo Golf and Country Club
Location: Dumoy, Davao City
An 18 hole golf course out on a plantation with different flowering plants with modern facilities such as Clubhouse, conference hall, swimming pool, pelota court, restaurant that serves native delicacies and golf sets.

Crocodile Farm
Location: Riverfront, Corporate City, Ma-a, Davao City
The only crocodile park in the region provides home to locally bred crocodiles including the country's biggest crocodile named Pangil (or fangs) measuring over 18 feet (5.5 m) in length. One can take pleasure from viewing, horseback riding around the park, or feeding the young fierce reptiles.

Natural

Mt. Apo Natural Park
Location: Davao del Sur
This majestic peak is one of the country's most popular climbing destinations. There are 629 of identified floral species 42 of which are endemic and 18 species are considered at risk, including the Vanda sanderiana (Waling-Waling) which is known as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids.”

Mt. Pispis
Location: Brgy. South Lamidan, Don Marcelino, Davao del Sur
It is famous for its preserved and numerous wildlife like deer, monkeys wild pigs and birds. It is considered and declared as the Municipal Forest Reservation Area.

Mt. Sumadel
Location: Don Marcelino, Davao del Sur
It became famous for its contour and formation as townsfolk called it “Babaeng Nakahiga’t Nakahubad”. Better appreciation of the mountain is when one is viewing from the Municipal Park and playground within the municipal hall premises. It is 100 meters above sea level.

Tudaya Falls
Location: Mt. Apo Natural Park, Davao del Sur
It is the tallest waterfalls in the Mt. Apo Natural Park. It is a 100-meter waterfalls from a rock cliff to a 50-meter diameter pool.

Kipanan Falls
Location: Malita, Davao del Sur
The Falls is multi-tiered consisting of ten (10) falls of varying widths and heights. The falls is actually a cascade which is a series of falls that goes downward the mountain forming a river.

Indalugong Falls
Location: Brgy. Pangaleon, Malita, Davao del Sur
Situated in the mountain forest, it is a big body of waterfall plunging from a height of approximately 80 feet and can be developed as a source of hydro power.

Baetiong Beach
Location: Sarangani, Davao del Sur
It has a spread of around 3,200 sq. m. of black-grained sand facing a shallow but grassy bottom seawaters east of it. More accessible during high tide and hard to reach during low tide.

Kawalan Beach Resort
Location: Don Marcelino, Davao del Sur
Its scenic and aesthetic scenery can be viewed in the main highway while riding going to the place.

Manando Beach
Location: Sarangani, Davao del Sur
Its corral and limed grained white sand beach of around 16,000 sq.m. has attracted a private entrepreneur to own this spot for his future profitable use.

Kipiya Cave
Location: Malita, Davao del Sur
Nestled by bats, it has a big deposit of guano of undetermined volume. No housing or rest facility can be availed of in the immediate vicinity.

Religious

San Pedro Cathedral
Location: C.M. Recto Avenue, Davao City
Davao City’s oldest church named after San Pedro, the patron saint of Davao. The church was built in the year 1847 during the Spanish period led by Don Jose Uyanguren, the Spanish Conquistador of Davao. The old altar of the San Pedro Church is preserved at the right wing of the cathedral featuring old/antique images of saint and that of St. Peter.

Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague
Location: Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City
It is an open air chapel with replicas of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague and that of Our Lady of Fatima. Facilities include a retreat house, seminar hall, canteen, children’s playground, pilgrim’s hall, restaurant, and a souvenir shop selling religious articles, rosaries, medals, pamphlets, novenas. During the Holy Week, the grounds are filled with devotees in doing the Stations of the Cross which are systematically placed along the path to the church.

St. Mary of Perpetual Rosary
Location: Cabantian, Buhangin District, Davao City
The church was built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The shrine features series of steps which leads to the main chapel.

Lon Wa Buddhist Temple
Location: R. Cabaguio Ave., Davao City
The biggest Buddhist temple in Mindanao is set in environment of candle trees and bamboo with an imposing statue of the Buddha and his life depicted in wood carving.

Araw ng Dabaw
Place: Davao City
Date: March 16
The event commemorates the filling of Bill No. 609 or Commonwealth Act No. 51, An Act Creating the City of Davao. The said bill, filed by Davao Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo, was signed into law by President Manuel L. Quezon on October 16, 1936. Annual highlights of the celebration include "Parada Dabawenyo ", "Datu Bago Awards", "Banda Hudyaka", "Kasikas", and "Mutya ng Dabaw".

Kadayawan Festival
Place: Davao City
Date: August 17 - 23
"Kadayawan", a Dabawnon expression for anything that is excellent and that brings great fortune. It is derived from the aboriginal word "dayao" which means good or "madayaw", things that are of great value or is profitable, superior or beneficial. Today, Kadayawan best describes the festival that reflects the ethnicity and nativeness of the celebration.

Dorong Festival
Place: Digos City, Davao del Sur
Date: June 14 - 18
Activities include agro-tourism fair/exhibit, cultural presentation, Bagobo ritual presentation, streetdancing, sportsfest, farmers’ congress, and livelihood seminar

Pista sa Kinaiyahan
Place: Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Date: Third week of April
Activities include agro-industrial fair/exhibits, clean up drive in Mt. Apo and coastal areas, tribal/cultural presentations/exhibits, and tribal forum.

Kapyaan Festival
Place: Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur
Date: February 18 - 20
Celebrates the founding anniversary of the creation of the municipality. Activities include agri-trade fair/exhibit, cultural presentation.

Sinab’badan Festival
Place: Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Date: September 5 - 6
A festival of oneness among the different tribes of the municipality. It showcases its indigenous art, music, and dances.