Rough Groove

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.

CDO: Defeated

A pall of gloom swept through the country yesterday as news of Manny Pacquiao’s defeat filtered through the airwaves, SMS and word of mouth. Bets wagered were lost while some were reaping their rewards. At the local Shakey’s outlet in Ororama, Cagayan de Oro City, almost all tables were taken, pizza and beer flowed. Spectators were watching intently, clapping and cheering at the start but by the middle of the game, became sporadic. While the Mexicans were partying, shouting that Barrerra was vindicated, Filipinos were silent.

Well, there will always be a next time. And this next time, I hope Pacquiao is ready.

CDO: New Limketkai

Its good to be back here in Cagayan de Oro City since I was here last November. Yesterday was quite hot and sunny but now, it has been overcast and weather’s wet. Not so much has changed but the newly renovated Limketkai Mall, an institution in this city is making progress.

Cagayan de Oro has been considered as the fastest growing city in the country and much development has been going on in terms of infrastructure and opportunities in this northern Mindanao hub looks rosy. Henry Sy’s SM Mall has put up shop as well as the Gokongwei’s Robinsons. Limketkai, which is one of the pioneers in this city (the other is Gaisano) renovated its old and dilapidated commercial center into a behemoth, enclosed and airconditioned mall that is attracting again crowds and now offers different kinds of shops.

Entrance to the enclosed mall. A far cry from its original design that was open-air but old and dilapidated.

At the 2nd floor of the mall.

2nd floor, overlooking one of the wings of the mall.

The old Plaza Fair.

The underpass that connects the mall with Robinson’s Big R Supercenter.

Another mall across Limketkai.