Rough Groove

Davao: Fruits

Eversince I arrived last Monday, eating durian has always been on my mind. That’s why last Tuesday, with Jem and Lou, my coworkers proceeded to the fruitstand along Ponciano Street, a few meters walk from the office and bought and ate two pieces of durian of the Puyat variety. Just delicious. Very delicious.

Durians of the Puyat variety

Pomelo and marangs at the fruitstand

Carts of pomelos line Roxas Ave. near Ateneo de Davao University. These are cheaper than those found at the fruitstands

Davao: Pasalubong

There are lots and lots of products from fruits to sweets to handicrafts that can be had from Davao City.

Other than fruits as frequent pasalubongs , durian candy, yema (sweet delicacy made from sugar and milk) and jams also make it to the top list of gifts for people back home and office. Lola Abons, the original maker of the ubiquitous durian candies that has bred many imitators is still the number one and most reliable to source out these sweets.

Another variation of the durian yema, this time, ube (purple yam) flavored

The famous durian candy

The Lola Abon’s store in Matina.

Aldevinco Shopping Mall, located at the corner of Claveria St. and Roxas Ave. is a handicrafts haven that sells items from Muslim brasswares, furnitures and decors, malongs, batik shirts as well as trade items from Malaysia and Indonesia. You can also change US dollars here.

Outside Aldevinco

The series of shops that comprise the handicrafts haven

Davao: Airport security check

Its the Lenten season again here in the country and, as usual, Filipinos are in a state of migration, going back to one’s provinces or vacation places as catholics nationwide celebrate one of Christendom’s foundation: the passion of Jesus Christ. With the recent arrests of top Muslim extremists from JI (Jemaah Islamiya) and the Abu Sayyaf, several bombing plots have been uncovered and the police and military are on red alert. Bus terminals and airports as well as churches have increased security due to this threats.

Yesterday, I was on my way to the Davao International airport for my flight back to Cebu and these security checks greeted me.

At the entrance to the airport, vehicles as well as passengers are thoroughly checked.

Bomb sniffing dogs do the routine luggage checks

Another luggage check, this time, by the police.

People were cooperative though.

Davao via Buda

For the past few days while I was in Cagayan de Oro City, I was a bit excited to travel again the almost 300 kilometer breadth, 6 - 7 hours travel from this city to Davao via the scenic Buda (Bukidnon - Davao boundary) that traverses three provinces (Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and North Cotabato - well a small portion of it) and two chartered cities (Cagayan de Oro and Davao cities). Verdant rice and sugarcane fields, majestic mountains - Kitanglad and Kalatungan Mountain Ranges as well as the Mindanao central conrdillera, limestone cliffs and gorges are just a few sceneries that this route offers. While I have passed this way for countless times ever since I was assigned in Davao then to Cagayan de Oro and back to Davao again, it always afforded me serenity and time to think. And so, last Monday, I hopped on the 0900H bus at the Agora bus terminal and enjoyed the trip.

The Rural Transit bus that I took to Davao City via the Bukidnon - Davao boundary (Buda) route.

Having lunch during a stopover at Valencia City, Bukidnon

Lady vendor at the Valencia City bus terminal during a stopover with her wares of mineral water, peanut brittle, ponkan oranges and junk food.

Man selling quails’ eggs during a stopover at a temporary bus station at Maramag, Bukidnon. It was curious that I haven’t seen any citrus fruits being hawked which I’ve always seen during my countless trips.

Duko Lanzones

I was able to buy some Duko lanzones at the back of SM Davao last Saturday and it really is delicious. The lady said that it came from Camiguin but I haven’t tasted this until now (must be a new breed). Its bigger than the usual Camiguin lanzones that I’m familiar with, thicker, leathery and rougher skin, less sap and really tasty, its sweetness is consistent and doesn’t have that hint of sourness.

50 pesos per kilo, and lots of black ants, a testament to its sugary taste!