Davao Region Travel Guide Directory
To explore the southern reaches of the Philippine archipelago is to step into a region where jagged, cloud-shrouded mountain peaks drop into crystalline Pacific breaks. The Davao Region stands as an exceptional example of this diversity, balancing booming urban hubs with ancestral domains and the great outdoors. This specialized Philippines Travel Guide serves as an index of my journeys across these provinces belonging to the Davao Region, highlighting exact field notes from my travel blog archives to guide your next exploration.
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| Mt. Apo, the perfect icon of the whole Davao Region |
The Geographic & Cultural Index
Davao City
Just when the bustling activities in Davao mirrors other big cities in the Philippines, the towering presence of Mt. Apo instantly looms and reminds visitors of the duality of Davao as an urban and countryside setting.
Read the rest of Davao City here.
Kadayawan Festival
Davao City is home to 11 indigenous groups, each with their own unique cultural heritage. These groups include the Maranaos, also known as the "People of the Lake," who are notable for their Torogan ancestral homes that were traditionally occupied by the noble class. Another group is the Maguindanaoans, who come from the province of Maguindanao. The Klata-Guiangans are forest dwellers and were once feared warriors.
Read the rest of Kadayawan Festival here.
Davao del Sur
Anecdotes encompassing historical origins and local legends shaped the roots of the various cloth creations of the Dreamweavers' T'nalak of South Cotabato, the Langkit of Maranao, the Dagmay of the Mandayas, the Tausugs's Habul Tiyahian, the Inabal of Davao del Sur's Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe, among others.
Read the rest of Davao del Sur here.
Davao Oriental
Little did I know that in the province of Davao Oriental, there is a municipality also called Caraga that claims its name from the word kalagan, which in native language refers to a "spirited person.”
Read the rest of Davao Oriental here.
Samal Island
With only a full day to spare before we head off to Samal Island, our group made the most by making a series of stops at a few of the landmark places in the city that best typify its character, which is rich in tradition, history, heritage, flora and fauna, and arts.
Read the rest of Samal Island here.
Aliwagwag Falls
Cateel is well known in travelers' circle because of an unusual waterfall located almost an hour away. Aliwagwag falls is a majestic multi-level waterfalls. Wide and surrounded by a forest. I've seen it in photographs before and the Pablo-aftermath image of it was heartbreaking.
Read the rest of Aliwagwag Falls here.
Dahican Beach
By the time we arrived in Dahican Beach, chill reigned over. Time flowed in a pleasant manner, as though seconds were passing by elegantly, like the strokes of a skilled painter. From the beautiful sky to the crystal clear waves to the motions of the skimboarders known as the "Amihan Boys," there was a sense of peace.
Read the rest of Dahican Beach here.
Mt. Apo
By the time I reached the boulder face of Mount Apo, I was already battling a sea of massive stones. These boulders, remnants of an undocumented ancient eruption, lay scattered like imposing obstacles one has to hurdle with both hands and feet, and an impressive balancing act, before reaching the peak.
Read the rest of Mt. Apo here.
Mandaya Weavers
As one of the 11 major ethnic groups in the Davao Region, the Mandaya people hold a cultural identity steeped in an artistry rooted in land and ancestry. Their iconic Dagmay — a handwoven, mud-dyed textile adorned with traditional motifs — is not merely a fabric.
Read the rest of the Mandaya Weavers here.
Bagobo Culture
Maa to Ro—a Lumad-themed restaurant serving traditional cuisines of the Bagobo Klata tribe is quickly generating positive word-of-mouth raves. Translated to “Let's eat” in English, Maa to Ro serves Mindanaoan tribal dishes aimed to preserve and promote the culinary culture of the tribe to diners in search of sumptuous bold flavors.
Read the rest of Bagobo Culture here.
B'laan Culture
All that plus being the gateway to the cultural wonders of the rest of Mindanao, makes Davao City a must inclusion to every curious traveler's itinerary.
Read the rest of B'laan Culture here.
