Amazing Davao!

Davao City is located in southeastern portion of the Philippines. Approximately 588 statute miles southeast of Manila and 241 statute miles to Cebu City. Traveling by sea, its location from Manila and Cebu is 971 and 593 nautical miles respectively.

DC is known as the worlds largest city (in area), it covers an area of 19,671.83 km². Its landscape consists of plains, mountains and a wide stretch of shorelines that contours the Davao Gulf.

Davao City is also known of its famous mountain landmark, the Mt. Apo. A large dormant volcano that stand tall 2,954 m (9,692 ft) above sea level. Mt. Apo is the tallest peak in the country.

All it takes is a 1 hr and 30 minutes air travel from Metro Manila, the country's capital, or 45 min air travel from Metro Cebu to reach Davao City.

Compared to other major cities in the Philippines, Davao City is very young. The city was formally inaugurated as a chartered city on March 1, 1937 by President Manuel L. Quezon.

Generally speaking, Davao City is a self-sustaining city. With a vast area for agriculture, Davao City is abundant in food supply. The land is fertile and the climate is great for fruit and crops farming all through out the year since Davao is outside of the typhoon belt.

Davao City is active in eco-tourism. Its landscapes offers a perfect place for mountain trail hikes and trekking. The mighty Davao river's surges are perfect for white water rafting and kayak. Fabulous shorelines, white sand beaches and beach resorts offers a paradise you will surely love.

Davao City is also known as the City of Royalties, here you can find the Father of the Philippine mountains, Mt. Apo. Durian, the King of Philippine fruits. Waling-waling flower, the Queen of Philippine flowers and the Philippine eagle, the world's largest eagle, also considered as one of the tallest, rarest, largest and most powerful birds in the world.

In 2006, Davao City hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). Visitors from the different ASEAN countries which includes Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Brunei attended the nine-day event which involved a series of ASEAN ministerial conferences, travel fair and business meetings in the city's various first class resorts.



Davao City was ranked by Asiaweek to be included in the 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia, and the Most Livable City in the Philippines. Foreign Direct Investment Magazine conducted a study which named Davao City as the 10th "Asian City of the Future".

In 2001, Davao City created its own 24-hour emergency system. The system was patterned from the 9-1-1 emergency systems in Canada and the United States. People can dial the 911 number to report emergencies and criminal incidents.

Below are some of the achievements and recognitions the Davao City has

• Most Competitive Metro City in the Philippines, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008


• Most Livable City in the Philippines, 1996-1999


• Destination of the Year, 1997 Kalakbay Awards


• Most Child-friendly City in the Philippines, 1999, 2000


• Most Outstanding Regional Peace and Order Council, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005


• Most Peaceful City in East and Southeast Asia, 1998-2005


• Best Police Office in the Country, 1999-2005


• The Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines, 1999-2005


• Most Outstanding Water Utility in Asia, 1996, 1997, 1998

Living in Davao City is enjoying the worlds finest. Davao City was ranked second that has the cleanest water sources in the world.

Residents of Davao City is also enjoying the best electric utility services in the country, Davao Light, the electric distribution company in Davao, is keeping an above the government set standards. Recognized as the number one in the country. The city is enjoying a 99.9% power reliability which means minimal power outages. In 2002, the American Electric Power (AEP) recognized Davao Light as the model electric utility in South-East Asia.

Davao City is reachable, mobile communication services and Internet services are available in the city. Internet Cafes and hot spot Internet access are growing rapidly in numbers all through out the city.

Davao City is Mindanao's Fitness, Beauty and Wellness hub, a haven for fitness-minded individuals. Here you can find many fitness establishments like the Holiday Fitness Center and Spa, Metro Lifestyle and Fitness, Smashville Fitness Center and many more.

Beauty centers are also found here in Davao. To name a few er have the Bio Essence, Oro Derm, Skin Doctors and Philosophy Spa.

Want to get pampered? Visit Mindanao's Fitness, Beauty and Wellness hub - Davao.

Davao offers a lot of beautify beach resorts and island hopping spots. I'll be featuring Babo Santa Resort, this resort is located at the south eastern portion of Davao City. Babo Santa is famous for its white-sand beach and tranquility.





To get to Babo Santa, you need to take a 45-minute boat ride from one of Davao City ports, the Sta. Ana Wharf.



From there you can choose from different boats depending on the size or the speed you prefer.





Sailing trough Davao Gulf is fun, just ready yourself for some rough ride during late afternoon. But in the morning, the sea is very calm.



Babo Santa is also a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving.