INTRODUCTION

Endowed with a variety of picturesque landscapes, Davao’s topography

dazzles. Fruit plantations and orchid farms mantle volcano-fed hills and valleys.
Virgin forests nurture rare wildlife. Coral islands lie on a mirror flat water. And the
country’s highest peak magnificently lords over the hinterland.
Just as enchanting as its brilliant tapestry of harmony, woven from diverse
cultural threads of its people. In Davao, the contemporary fuses with the
traditional as migrant settlers from all over the country co-exist in peace with a
fairly large expatriate community and numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live
as they did centuries ago.
Davao is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7, 000 times more
islands that make up the Philippine archipelago. It is a natural haven for both
sedate and daring pursuits.

A Historical Glimpse of Davao

Local Historians of Davao claim that the word davao came from the
phonetic blending of the word of three Bagobo subgroups when referring to
Davao River, an essential waterway which empties itself into Davao Gulf near the
city. The aboriginal Obos who inhabit the hinterlands of the region called the
river, Davoh; the Clatta or Guiangans called it Duhwow, or Davau, and the
Tagabawa Bagoboa, Dabu. To the Obos, the word davoh also means a place
“beyond the high gounds”, alluding to the settlements located at the mouth of
Davao River which were surrounded by high rolling hills. When asked where they
were going, the usual reply is davoh, while pointing towards the direction of the
town. Duhwow also refers to a trading settlement where they barter their forest
goods in exchange for salt or other commodities.
Spanich influence was hardly felt in the Davao until 1848, when an
expedition led by Don Jose Uyanguren came to establish a Christian settlement
in an area of mangrove swamps that is now Bolton Riverside. Davao was then
ruled by a Muslim chieftain, Datu Bago, who held his settlement at the banks of
Davao River (once called Tagloc River by the Bagobos). After Uyanguren
defeated Datu Bago, he renamed the region Nueva Guipuzcoa, in honor of his
home in Spain, and became its first governor. Uyangueren’s efforts to develop
the area, however, did not prosper.
A few years after the American forces landed in 1900, private farm
ownership grew and transportation and communication facilities were improved,
thus paving the way for the region’s economic growth.
A Japanese entrepreneur named Kichisaburo Ohta, was granted
permission to exploit vast territories which he transformed into abaca and
coconut plantations, The first wave of Japanese plantation workers came unto its
shores in 1903, creating a Little Japan. They had their own school; newspapers,
an embassy, and even a Shinto Shrine. On the whole, they established extensive
abaca plantations around the shores of Davao Gulf and developed large-scale
commercial interests such as copra, timber, fishing and import-export trading.
Filipinos learned the techniques of improved cultivation from the Japanese so
that ultimately, agriculture became the lifeblood of the province’s economic
prosperity.
1967-Thirty years later, under Republic Act No, 4867, approved on May 8,
1967, Davao was divided into Davao Del Norte with Tagum as capital, DAvao del
Sur with Digos as the capital, and Davao Oriental with Mati as the capital.
On June 17, 1972, Congress approved Republic Act No. 6430, changing
the official name of the Province of Davao Del Norte to Davao only.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Davao del Norte has a population of 743, 811 as of the 2000 census,
making it the country’s 32nd most populated province. The population density is
215 per km². The main languages spoken are Bisaya and Davaoeño.
ECONOMY
Davao del Norte is primarily agricultural, but also engages in mining,
forestry and commercial fishing.
The principal crops of the province includes rice, maize, banana, coconut,
abaca, ramie, coffee and a variety of fruits and root crops. Davao del Norte is the
country’s leading producer of bananas, with many plantations run by
multinational Dole and Del Monte, and local producers such as Lapanday,
TADECO, and Marsman. Davao del Norte is also one of Minadanao’s leading
producer of rice.
Davao Gulf, to the south of the province, provides a living for many
fishermen. Some of the fish products include brackfish water milkfish, tilapia,
shrimp and crab; and the freshwater catfish and tilapia.
Davao del Norte is a major producer of gold, and its mining resources
include silica, silver, copper and elemental sulfur. Small-scale gold mining thrive
in several areas. There are also numerous active quarries of commercial
quantities of gravel, sand, and pebbles for construction.

TOURISM INDUSTRY

Davao City - The City of Royalties

Davao City was nicknamed The City of Royalties or The Royal City
because it has the existence of kings and queens, may not be persons but of
nature. Waling-Waling for example is the Queen of the Philippine Orchid and
they vastly thrive in Davao City. Durian, the King of Exotic Fruits can only be
found in Davao. In this city you will meet the King and Grandfather of
Philippine mountains - Mt. Apo. The king of Philippine atmosphere being the
largest in the world is also found in Davao and this is no other than the
Philippine Eagle.

Recently, Davao has emerged to be the business, investment and much

as a tourism center for the whole southern Philippines. It takes pride of both its
beaches and mountain resorts and probably for its attractive and breathtaking
diving spots and highest mountain, the Mount Apo.

Beyond Royalties

The city is also rich in cultural and historical heritage. Having different
dwellers, Davao has become appreciative of cultural differences and
practices. A great number of Christians dwell in Davao, majority of them were
Catholics. Thus, chapels and churches were all over the place along with
temples, mosques and other places for worship.

Davao City is also known as Mindanao's Crown Jewel. Just like other
cities all over the country, Davao City works on an economic scheme that is
future and profit oriented yet protecting the interests of its consumers.

Economic progress of the city is upheld by the existence of vital

establishments and infrastructure like the airport, harbors, roads, bridges,
telecommunications, condos, malls and even hotels considered to be first-
class rendering world class services. Some of the first-class hotels and inns
include Marco Polo Hotel which is a five-star hotel, and the Waterfront Insular
Hotel which is a four-star hotel. Three star hotels are also numerous such as
Microtel Inn & Suites, Apo View Hotel, the Royal Mandaya Hotel, the Grand
Regal Hotel, Grand Men Seng Hotel, Casa Leticia, Las Casitas Inn, Bagobo
Hotel, Galleria Hotel and Tower Inn.

The city houses a lot of shopping malls and commercial hubs as well.
Shoppers can choose from an array of shopping malls. Davao City has
Aldevinco Shopping Center, DAMOSA Market Basket, Gaisano Mall of Davao,
Gaisano Grand Citimall, Lachmi Mall, Makro, NCCC Mall Davao, NCCC Main,
SM City Davao, Victoria Plaza mall, the China Town 168 Mall, the Davao
Central Warehouse Club and the Robinsons Cybergate.

The city is also rich in tourism spots. Famous are the Battle Memorial,
Camp Domingo Leonor, City Hall of Davao, Crocodile Farm, the Davao
Museum, Davao Historical Society Museum, Fort of Datu Bago, Furukawa
Plantation, and Gap Farm. You can also visit the Japanese Museum,
Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine, Japanese Tunnel, Lon Wa Buddhist
Temple, Memorial to a Brave Son, Mindanao Taoist Temple, Mintal Historical
Marker, Mosques, Monument of Peace and Unity. Davao City is also a place
where you can find the following landmarks and destinations: The Museo
Dabawenyo (a museum run and owned by the government), Old Japanese
Houses, Osmena Park (a settlement of early Davaoenos), and the Ottha
Kyosaburu Memorial Shrine. The Uyanguren Landing Site, the San Pedro
Cathedral, Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, St. Mary of Perpetual
Rosary, Talomo Beach (where guests can find sunken warships), Eden
Nature Park, and the Philippine Eagle Center are also in Davao. With these
interesting tourists destinations you will probably enjoy as you start your
journey to discover Davao City at its best.

Tourism is a major part of the economy of Davao del Norte. There are a
lot of beaches on Samal Island, the most famous of which is the Pearl Farm
Beach Resort.

The Parola Wharf, Pearl Farm’s endearing symbol, welcomes guests to a showcase of
culture and warmth of the southern Philippines

Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of

Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land
area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, tranquil and exotic island with a
coastline adorned with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock
formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering
plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions
and flourishing flora and fauna.
Nestled on the quiet side of Samal Island, The Pearl Farm Beach Resort
is a mere 45-minute boat ride from the wharf. This fourteen (14) hectare spread
was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters transported from
the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. Today, the
resort beckons with the promise of a relaxing, private retreat, under the care of its
friendly and charming staff.