TRAVEL LIBRARY – Page 2 – JOHNDAPPERCLOSER

Your PAL : From the heart since 1941 and more

Flight experience should be remembered like staying in a flying hotel with a “from the heart” kind of service. Truly, a Buong Pusong Alaga.

Even without the recent 4-Star rating from Skytrax, every Filipino knows how premium the “fly” is when it is with Philippine Airlines (PAL). Ever since PAL’s first flight from Makati to Baguio 77 years ago, the airline had never really stopped beating their own second-to-none standards.

With its 8th Bombardier Q400 type aircraft, what are the “more” treats expected for the passengers?

Philippine Airlines is no longer just a Manila-centric airline. Our new aircraft and our new hubs are a winning combination that will help expand our market reach both domestically and worldwide. This is imperative for a global airline, and we must sustain and build on our hard-won 4-Star rating.

– PAL President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jaime J. Bautista.

More Time : Faster cruise speed gives you more time to enjoy the destination.

Bombardier Q400 fleets travel 30% faster. This efficiency pleases passengers may the reason of the trip be for vacation or for work. Bask with more time at the destination or accomplish more objectives at a business meeting. Faster cruise speed also comforts the passengers that flight schedules are followed smoothly.

More In-Flight Comfort : This is why there is “Q” in “Bombardier Q400”.

The “Q” stands for quiet. Yes, the faster travel time does not compromise the sound of the aircraft’s traverse regardless of how lengthy the haul is. Is not that a conducive auditory reception to at least get a bit of prophylactic rest before reaching your destination?

In time for Holy Week, PAL opened a link from Davao to Siargao, a fast-rising destination for surfers and adventure seekers. Siargao joins Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, Manila, Clark and Cebu as destinations from Davao. PAL is now increasing the Davao-Bohol flights daily, and plan to increase Davao-Clark flights in the coming months.

Haute interior also pampers you. These are premium seats, wider windows, spacious leg room, higher ceiling and larger luggage bins. I always believe that the flight experience should be remembered like staying in a flying hotel with a “from the heart” kind of service. Flights with PAL are! Truly, a Buong Pusong Alaga.

PAL is also assessing the request of DOT Secretary Teo to launch international routes directly from Davao International Airport, possibly to BANGKOK or a point in JAPAN.

More Worth of Your Money : Consistently values you from the Heart.

It is not just about reaching point B from point A. It is about the entire memory from booking, boarding, flying and disembarking. A lot of passengers auto-destroyed their trip due to dissatisfaction from delayed flights while others from an undesirable service culture of airline staff. There is nothing more costly than bad emotions during a travel. A memory of a smooth trip is more healthy to cherish than a memory of a seat sale. That is proven and true since 1941.

Philippine Airlines is the country’s first and only 4-Star airline, joining 42 other carriers like Emirates, Japan Airlines and British Airways.

From that five-seater Beech model 18 aircraft to now’s 86-seater Bombardier Q400 NG to the luxurious, first in Southeast Asia Airbus A321neo this June, Asia’s first airline had flown literally and idiomatically, so high. The five stars by then will just be a fortification and notoriety. We all know which airline in the Philippines really satisfies the Filipino people, from the heart.

HOBO CODES | GLAN, More than just the SarBay Fest

Glan would just keep on glistening.

Two scenarios. First, you are one of the Sarangani Bay Festival goers. After the 2-night beach party, the 360-degree view of the beach venue, Gumasa, had teased you so intensely which triggered you to give in and discover what is more in Glan. What is one sunset to extend the trip that culminates your summer?

Second, you did not make it for this year’s biggest beach party in the Philippines. But the itch still persists – You have heard your office mates talking about Glan. Your friends have uploaded marvelous photos geo-tagged to Glan or yet, you just finished reading this travel post all about Glan.

Discover the glistens of Glan!

The southernmost municipality of the Sarangani Province, Glan owns the Earth’s deepest cove with the horizon featuring the Celebes sea, heritage structures and that grilled chicken the locals love to eat with a homemade condiment. It is forty-five minutes via van away from General Santos City (the nearest airport).

Apart from the scenic cove after cove view, there is that unique charm when you are able to feel the spatial stimuli of exactly where a historical event took place.

CONDIMENT

The Chicken-Ala-Bukid is marinated from the inside out by injecting a special sauce made from the cooked spices and herbs. These ingredients are those which are just typically found in a townsman’s backyard.

It is your choice. The chicken could be fried or grilled. Then, it is eaten with “Dabo”. It is the locals’ favorite condiment when eating the Chicken Ala Bukid. It is a sweet and spicy dried fish with tomatoes, garlic and onions. One of the locals told that it is an Indonesian recipe. It resembles the Escabeche. You will love the succulence especially of the grilled version of the Chicken-Ala-Bukid, as you partake it with freshly steamed rice slathered with the chili oil from the Dabo.

Head over to “Freddos Chicken Ala Bukid” at the town’s Poblacion to try this. This is 20 minutes from Gumasa Beach where the Sarangani Bay Fest is held.

CONQUISTADOR

Antonio Pigafetta is actually Ferdinand Magellan’s on-board travel blogger. I would recommend reading some of his historical accounts especially the part where they have reached the Sarangani and Balut (Candigar) Islands in 1521. Read it before your Glan trip. If not because of his epic diaries, Philippine history is not as vivid as it seems written in our grade school textbooks.

Besides the Sarangani Bay being a witness of several voyages, Sumbang Point, which is about 45 minutes from the SarBay Fest venue, is reportedly the forced landing site of the fourth expedition in 1543 lead by Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Villalobos. His team failed to sail on to Mazaua to look for food because of the low-winds.

Apart from the scenic cove after cove view, there is that unique charm when you are able to feel the spatial stimuli of exactly where a historical event took place. Not just then for the beach lovers, Glan, with the Sarangani Bay and the Sumbang point, is also an ideal destination for educational trips for History and Anthropology.

Stay at the villas of Belimac. It is exactly along the shores of Sumbang point.

COMMONWEALTH

You could choose either or both the heritage houses at the town’s Poblacion or the 80-year-old ancestral house of Don Juan at the Hacienda Don Juan Resort.

Carved window frames and ceiling moldings as old as the Commonwealth era are still so defined among the neighboring heritage houses. These details make Glan’s heritage houses unique from those found in Vigan. Indeed, a living architectural museum.

The ancestral house at the Hacienda Don Juan offers a distinct kind of antiquity from those found at the Poblacion. The vintage spirit of the interiors and the sea breeze through its wide windows make you feel like basking your vacation days at your own grandparent’s home. You will love to stay for a while here. Explore the whole resort with their uniquely designed cottages too. The resort is 30 minutes away from the heritage houses which are at the town center.

COVE AFTER COVE HORIZONS

Glam is one of those quaint places where picturesque views of the horizon are omnipresent throughout your trip – from the dawn of your day 1 until the dusk of your departing day.

The enchanting blues of the beaches. The flavors of the townsmen’s food. The juxtaposition of the heritage and recent structures. The dissociative charm of modern existence in an unsophisticated daily dealings. – All a tourist would wander for. I am happy for you if you can make it for SarBay Fest this year, But if unfortunately you can not, Glan would just keep on glistening.

DATES TO VISIT

OCTOBER : Lubi-Lubi sa Glan Festival I APRIL : Mahin Festival I MAY: Sarangani Bay Festival

HOBO CODES | Plantation Life at Hijo Resorts Davao

A vast playground every hardworking Yuppie deserves for rest, active lifestyle and leisure.

If you have been really working hard, I am certain that by now, in this coexistent life of the online and offline You, you already have acquired that skill of gleaning unique, instagrammable yet reasonably priced getaway to achieve a work-life harmony.

Have you tried spending the weekend at a plantation? How is it living inside the breathing banana plantation of Hijo Resorts Davao?

An hour shuttle ride from Davao City, Hijo Resorts Davao is a tourism estate in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Besides the robustly functioning 177-hectare banana plantation, the expanse also stretches through a 92-hectare coconut plantation, 60-hectare forest and 4.5-kilometer river.

Indeed, such a vast playground every hardworking Yuppie deserves for rest, active lifestyle and leisure.

YOGA AT THE HEART OF DAVAO GULF

This is the most relaxing thing I tried here. Tuned up my soul, enjoying the resort just light and slow. Taking in, breathing out as naturally rhythmic as it should be. You can either take a refreshing cold tea after or a short dip at the infinity pool. Absolute relaxation on the first morning.

BANANA PLANTATION TO BANANA DESSERTS

The guided tour inside the banana packing house is one of the “only in Hijo” memories. Bananas are picked and transported manually to the packing house. Then, are checked for export quality, packed and loaded directly to the refrigerated trucks waiting at the tail of the packing cascade. All, in less than four hours.

Hijo is the first Philippine-based grower to export Cavendish banana in Japan. Impressively, you too are assured that every banana served while staying here is of same universal quality. Try some of the banana and coco sugar made desserts served at the Banana Beach restaurant after the plantation tour.

MORNINGS AT THE PLANTATION HOUSE

You may choose either the breezy ecstasy of the Banana Beach Casitas or the American colonial embrace of the Tuason Family’s ancestral house – the Plantation House. Every morning is just serene here. You are woke up with the chirping of the birds. Grab a book. Get a cup of coffee and ask some coco sugar. The poolside is the spot.

The interiors from the lanai to the rooms are adorned with paintings from the famous artist Kublai Milan. These are pieces depicting the merry living of Mindanao tribes like Maranao and Bagobo.

The complementary toiletries are all organic, fresh from Hijo’s farm. You are asked to choose which bath soap you would love to use during your stay, choices derived from the various parts of a coconut.

FOREST TOUR WITH “DUYDUY” AND FRIENDS

Such a paradise for ecologic coalescence, Hijo actually preserves an endemic family of monkeys. Along with local wild boars, these natural inhabitants inside Hijo estate are considered part of the hospitality team. Stop over at the Monkey avenue and take a photo with “Duy-duy” and friends. He snubbed me at first try.

TRIBAL CUISINES AFTER THE RIVER CRUISE

You appreciate topography on a different angle when you behold it from a body of water. This is what this experience taught me. After several tours through wheels, I only had the whole virtual map of the resort clearly displayed on my spatial memory during the river cruise. You have to experience that too.

Just after the peaceful cruise through the Madaum river, break the day to halves with a Halal lunch spread at The Spot. I have always been an evangelist for Pinoy local food and Tribal cuisines. The spectrum of palate memories from the Kalagan and Mandaya cuisines is actually the most memorable for me. The Ipasagan Pagkalagan na Manok has a taste that lingers.

We have all been tired from work. But not all have truly rested from that exhaustion. How rested are you?

The plantation life is easy yet fun. It is light yet satiates.

Book a life here https://www.hijoresortsdavao.com/

4 Fun Reasons to be Messy at Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

There is an only-of-its-kind shrimp diner in town serving exceptional bags of sauteed, sauced shrimp you love to get mess with. Devour. Mess up responsibly!

Davao locals and tourists agree that there is no other seafood restaurant in Davao best gratifies those episodes of cephalic and gastronomic shrimp cravings yet but the homegrown, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps. If you have not tried it yet, let me share to you how I mess and agree to such claim.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps Branches:

Bajada, Davao City
Lanang Business Park, Davao City
SM Ecoland, Davao City
The Block-SM North Edsa, Metro Manila
SM Mall of Asia, Metro Manila
O Square Green Hills, Metro Manila
Seascape Village, Pasay City

There is That Bite!

One does not need to be a Michelin Chef to qualify a best textured shrimp. What I know is, one keeps on being messy with shrimps at Blue Posts when he knows how shrimp should be sautéed. There is always that one familiar satisfying bite which your teeth, tongue and jaw unanimously enjoy! When there is an adjective as “fork tender” for steak, let it be coined that there is a “teeth tender” experience for shrimps. It is at Blue Posts.

2. The Sambal Sauce

I stop asking for the vinegar dip when they start offering this. I have always been a lover of Asian flavors. When I had my Singapore-Penang trip last 2016, I went home as a certified Sambal lover. That sweet, salty yet spicy sauce slather on an al dente bag of sauteed shrimps? Ahhh Salivating! When the crew goes to the table and asks: Refill Sir? “Ano po, Garlic Lemon Butter, Sambal or the Blue Posts Boiled?” You know my answer!

3. The Nautical Interiors

The ambiance engulfs you that every edible portion you try as you dine with your bare hands, is all fresh and prepared thoughtfully. I smell the sea inside. Perhaps it is because of the fishing nets, paddles and life rings which your sensation associates to a dining table set just in front of the briny atmosphere of the sea shore waiting for the fresh catch. It feels composed inside. Not until the bag is finally open for partaking with that shrimp-infused redolence. Attack! Mess up!

4. The “Messing Costume”

One of the crew approached me and offered to don my bib. I felt like a master. There is just this satisfaction boost when you feel like you are being served with things you know you can manage to do but someone offered it sincerely and you do not have a choice but to give in. I remember that as intense as I salivate whenever I think of the shrimps. When the food-grade wax paper is rolled out. When our gloves snugly fit between fingers. The drama just makes the whole experience more gastronomically memorable! These actually appear to be more of ritual than function for me since my appetite knows seemly that I would still choose to be messy despite all the donning. These are Instagram props as well!

Indeed, there is a lot of fish in the ocean of seafood restaurants. But, there is an only-of-its-kind shrimp diner in town serving exceptional bags of sautéed, sauced shrimp you love to get mess with. Devour.

Mess up responsibly.

Blue Posts offers 911 Shrimp Fever. An unlimited shrimp for 2 at P911 only until December 8, 2017. Call for reservations now!

Philippines’ only Resort with Chocolate Museum disguises for Halloween 2017 with Soulful Reverie

Fall into a Halloween trance with soulful music resonating around a spooky fun festival.

Fall into a Halloween trance with soulful music resonating around a spooky fun festival. Malagos Garden Resort hosts an enchanting party for the whole family, “Mga Handuraw sa Baul” this Oct 28.

Apart from the resort’s exciting facilities, Horror house, bazaar, fun games and workshops, “ngilngig” Pinoy indie movies, and food stalls are just some spell-binding enthrallment for this until-midnight-only Halloween party.

A line-up of local EDM-ish soul music artists is set to daze your Handuraw sa Baul experience. These are Crwn, Clara Benin, RJ Manulid, She’s Only Sixteen, Jensen and the Flips, BP Valenzuela and Anne Mendoza.

Planning to stay overnight?

How to be there?

You never had this kind of Halloween yet. When you’ll be there, you’ll never be alone. You are never alone. Access at P600.

BOOK TICKETS HERE: Malagos Garden Resort

Dod’s Ihaw Ihaw: A World Street Food Master in Davao

“The “Bawug” part of the jowl where layers of gelatinous fat melt and slather into the layers of meat once grilled.”

Processed with VSCO with b1 preset — Just before strutting towards Kowloon City, YING KEE, a Michelin recognized street food for Wonton Noodles in San Po Kong, HK.

I was then ambling along the streets of Kowloon city, hunting for a famous Nasi-Satay when I prognosticated “Someday, Filipino street food will have its own taste of fame in the global dining table. Food evangelists from other countries will also visit and search for our street food like what I am doing here in Hong Kong.”.

A year and five months from that random prophecy, a list which recognizes the world’s best street food made me one of the proudest Filipino street food disciples. Another yardstick for calibre street food apart from the Michelin Guide, the World Street Food Congress included 5 Philippine Street food stalls in their list of 50 World Street Food Masters for 2017. One of these five, is in Davao.

Igniting more flame to every tourist’s gastronomic adventure in Davao city, Dood’s Ihaw-Ihaw (Now Dod’s), a humble carinderia/ barbeque stall near the rotunda (traffic circle) on the vertex of Roxas and Ponciano streets, fronting the City’s Postal Building, made it to the 46th spot as a World Street Food Master for their “Sinugbang Panga” (wood fire grilled Tuna Jowl).

Depending on the cut’s size, price ranges from 120PhP to 450PhP. May be ordered dine-in (with a 10PhP cup of rice, ice cold cola at 10PhP) or a foil-wrapped takeout. Mr and Mrs Dod’s passion for 12 years deserves the world recognition. #relationshipgoals

The 12-year-old tandem of the marinade sauce and the basting oil according to Mrs. Dod’s, is the secret why their grilled tuna is peerless amongst the other versions you have tried. Apart from that, the couple’s choice of serving only the “Bigeye” tuna species also gives a distinct quality to their award winning dish.

“This species is really the one that is made for grilling. Especially the “Bawug” part of the jowl where layers of gelatinous fat melt and slather into the layers of meat once grilled.” Mrs. Dod’s explained. I agree. Every spoon of freshly-cooked steamed rice deserves to be slathered with those melts from the grilled tuna. Drizzle it with “sawsawan” (Yakitori sauce-like dip) before finally dunking it! Lami!

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Hop in to any jeepney that passes by Ponciano St. and ask one of the ever helpful Davao jeepney drivers to drop you at the Davao Light Building. Right across the street, the redolence of an andante-grilled fish meat would smoothly guide your way. Be there by 9am to get the “Bawug” cut. When you want some real Davao street food dining immersion, lunch and dinner until 10PM is such a touristy jostle. Wander along Roxas Street Market, it is just a block away, after.

WORLD STREET FOOD MASTERS 2017 : PHILIPPINES

4th
Aling Lucing Sisig
Pampanga, Philippines
Corner G. Valdez and Agipito del Rosario Streets, Angeles City, Luzon, Philippines
Monday to Sunday, 6:00am to 3:00am I +63 45 888 2317
“SISIG” chopped hog head salad with soy, lime and chilli

7th
General’s Lechon
Manila, Philippines
Second Floor, Petron Gas Station, EDSA Corner Arnaiz Avenue, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, Manila, Philippines
Monday to Sunday, 9:30am to 9:00pm I +63 2664 1700, +63 2509 4122, +63 91 7853 2466,
Negros style, masala risotto “Lechon”

22nd
Zeny’s Pinangat (TAKE OUT ONLY)
Bicol, Philippines
PNR Rd, Gapo, Camalig, 4502 Albay, in Bicol, Philippines I +63 916 288 5491
“Pinangat” – simmered wrap of pork in dry taro leaves

32nd
Sharyn’s Kansi Beef Soup
Bacolod, Philippines
C58, Narra Ave, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines,
7:30AM-9PM I 034 433 1374
“Kansi” Beef Soup

46th
Doods Ihaw-Ihaw
Davao City, Philippines,
Roxas Extension (Rotunda), 9AM-10PM I 0909190 9146
“SINUGBANG PANGA” – wood fired grilled tuna jowl

*Also on the list are (14) hawkers from Singapore with the Michelin starred Hill Street Tai Hwa at the 1st rank for their Bak Chor Mee, (7) from Indonesia, (6) from Malaysia, (5) from Thailand, (4) from China, (3) from Vietnam (2) from USA, (2) from Mexico and (1) each from Taiwan and India.

The inclusion of five Masters from the Philippines for the list’s first edition is such an uplifting accolade to Pinoys, especially to a Filipino street food advocate like me. The Philippines has still a lot of award-worthy dishes which are expected to sizzle every world wide food award-giving body. I am excited.

In the meantime, when you visit Davao, trot like a hobo in this city which is not just known for its civil calmness but also now known as home of a World Master in grilled tuna jowls according to the World Street Food Congress Council.

Who made the list:

*Anthony Bourdain, world renowned television personality, author and avid street food advocate *KF Seetoh, Makansutra’s Founder/CEO *James Oseland, Author of one of 2007’s Time Asia and the New York Times best books, Cradle of Flavor *Johnny Chan, Top China TV food host and winemaker (http://wsfcongress.com/world-street-food-congress/)

Eight First-to-try Eateries in Davao

Davao is home of eateries with Michelin caliber. These are home-grown food houses which serve palatable delicacies. Their delectable dishes qualify for a worldwide food recognition based from the length of daily queues and the stories of satiety since they started serving for their first diner-turned-patron.

Street eateries from Hong Kong (HK), Macau and Singapore (SG) received nods from Michelin last year. In fact, two hawkers in SG even garnered the elusive “one star” recognition.

Spending most of my 2016 trips hunting for such award-winning street food made me create a set of criteria why one dish is worth for the Michelin mention. Such is my basis enumerating the following as the first worth-to-try food in Davao. A list of eight (8) for the city’s 80th Charter Day celebration.

BULCA CHONG

HALO-HALO

HYSIAN SATEMI

SANS RIVAL

BAKED SPAGHETTI

PORK STEAK

BATCHOY

SIOPAO

Davao Famous Restaurant and Cecil’s have been serving for almost 50 years like Ying Kee in San Po Kong. Lachi’s, Em’s, Kuilan’s and Aling Foping’s serve pastries and desserts which are as Michelin-mention-worthy as that of Kwan Kee in Sham Shui Po and Kei Tsui and Joyful Dessert House in Mongkok. Lyndon’s, as ironic as it termed its specialty is indeed one of the best pork rib versions in the coty. It is grilled and sauced savorily like that of my top favorite Satay served by Lan Ying in Kowloon City. Ultimately, the braised Carabao meat served by Bulca Chong is a dainty endemic dish, inducing that distinctly Davao redolence even years after completing this gastronomic itinerary.

*Download DAVAO GUIDE APP in your phone to weave these eateries in your itinerary. It is “smart” to visit Davao in March-May (Summer, Araw ng Davao – 2rd week of March), August (Kadayawan Festival) and December (New Year’s countdown with the Torotot Festival)

Davao Famous Restaurant (HYSIAN SATEME)

Partaking endemic meals with locals has always been my travel fetish. Thus, I would recommend having your lunch or dinner here to enthrall your appetite dining with Davaoeno families. For shorter queue though, be here as early as 6:30 am. “Tanan man” (All), that is what typically the server’s answer when you ask for the specialty. A matter of fact since 1968 when it started as “Davao First Restaurant”. The Hysian Sateme (Seafood Sateme) is my favorite in the menu. You will love the chunks of fish and squid giving variations as you chew with the noodles. Cinnamon – Soy tandem makes that sauce a bomb. Its spiciness teases you too. A reception area where queuing family could wait is set-up when they opened the renovated part.

SERVICE: 6:30 am – 9:30 pm I BILL: 195p (Sateme serving for 2) I TRY: Gulami I QUEUE: Long in Lunch and Dinner, Branches in Magsaysay, Matina and Obrero, Serving for 49 years. I LANDMARK: Chinese Archway in Acacia Street, Hop in to a Route 10 jeepney.

Kuilan’s Foodhaus (SIOPAO)

These steamed buns with meat (pork or chicken) are perfect for breakfast or heavy afternoon snack. Come here by 6:30 to 8am. You will love munching these buns as your first meal for the day when the Davaoeno “grannies-in-SUVs” will be your meal mates. Try eating these with a local 3-in-1 coffee like them, eavesdrop and act like a local! I love that kind of immersion. The whole stretch of Dacudao St. where Kuilan’s main branch is located, is arrayed with venerable trees blowing the most freshening air among Davao streets. Reeeelaxing.

Be come later than 2pm since they run out of Siopao late in the afternoon when most of those who queue are just up for take-out. I usually bring my guests here to take these buns as pasalubong since these meat breads could be stored in the fridge until a week. The road going to the flyover just as you go out from Kuilan’s is leading to the airport.

SERVICE: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm I BILL: 15p/Bun, sold by box too. I TRY: Cutchinta, Empanada I QUEUE: Long during snack time, 9am, 3pm. With several branches, serving for 16 years. I LANDMARK: Buhangin-Dacudao Flyover, Take a taxi.

*APP TIP: Navigate to “Places”. Scroll to “Heritage”. Then “Chinatown”. Either from Davao Famous Restaurant or Kuilan’s, it’s near towards the city’s Chinatown district. Affordable shopping or merely immersing yourself to the locals while strolling around – Just dissociate. “Kublai Art Gallery” is also within the Chinatown district, the last street towards the Chinese Archway facing Magsaysay Park. You could also “Eat Durian” after all the strolling, just in front of the Magsaysay Park. The Sta Ana Wharf which will be your departing point when you want to explore Samal Island, is just beside the park. Hop in a “Route 10” jeepney if you’re from Davao Famous and notify the driver to hop you off in Uyanguren (Chinatown). It is best to take the taxi when you are going to Kuilan’s in Dacudao. Same as from Kuilan’s to the Chinatown.

Lyndon’s World’s Worst Rib and Awful Chicken (GRILLED PORK RIBS)

Meat is so tender. It seem programmed to auto-shred from the ribs just before your cutlery lands on it. Literally melts in your mouth. Get the 350G, an additionl rice and a serving of Lumpia Shanghai. I love eating this with a local beer within the bizarro wall paintings inside like your eating with Charlie Chaplin, Jonny Bravo and the Men in Black. Here’s a tip, when the portions you want isn’t anymore available, there’s “Lyndon Dos” (other branch) just two blocks away, still along Roxas Street.

SERVICE: 10:30 am – 10:30 pm I BILL: 185p/350G to 270p (600G) I TRY: Kalderetang Kambing I QUEUE: Long during dinner time. Roxas St turns to a street market by 6pm. Expect the local bustles you would love to get lost in. With 1 other branch nearby, serving for 8 years. I LANDMARK: Roxas Avenue, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Almost all jeepneys passes by AdDU.

*APP TIP: Walk a bit going left once you’re out from Lyndon’s until you reach the end of Roxas St. Hop in to a Route 4 jeepney going to San Pedro Church. Hop Off where there is an overpass near the San Pedro Police Headquarters, “D’ Bone Collector” is just on the other side of the overpass.

Cecil’s Snack Inn and Bakeshoppe Inc. (SPECIAL BATCHOY)

Cecil’s has been serving the Davaoenos since 1963. This famous dish from the Visayas is one of their specialties. One of the two restaurants on the list which when a server is asked for their specialty, they seem to recite all that is written in their menu, “Tanan man Sir.” You will love seeing families share their portions here while talking about their day. A dining table away from home. Dad takes few dipper of Batchoy, school-aged daughter samples a bit of the Choco moist cake while mom nibbles some of the egg pie. Then, take turns who is to eat the next morsel from which serving.

SERVICE: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm I BILL: 90p/bowl I TRY: Mami, Pancit loglog, Chocomoist cake, Egg pie I QUEUE: Long during snack time and after 5pm, serving for 54 years with 10 other branches. I LANDMARK: University of Mindanao (UM) Bolton Campus, CAP Auditorium, Hop in to any jeepney which passes by UM Bolton. Hop off and ask locals where’s CAP auditorium near Cecil’s.

*APP TIP: Walk two blocks away left where the oldest church of the city’s found, the San Pedro Cathedral. Take a “heritage walk” which you can start with other tourists in Museo Dabawenyo.

Bulca Chong (BRAISED CARABAO)

I am sure I am getting the cheers of the boozing public when they see this here! The only which serves 24 hours in this list. Bulca Chong indeed is the most native food among the eight. You will love this dish. Period. Then you will love it most after 2 AM when the gang just finished the last round of beer ending the night. (Davao has been imposing a liquor ban after 2 AM. Bars and shops are allowed to sell alcohol only until 1am.). Best with the throat stabbing ice cold colaaah!

SERVICE: 24hours I BILL: 95p/bowl I TRY: Balbacua I QUEUE: Long during dinner time and after 2am, serving for 19 years with another branch in Sandawa area. I LANDMARK: Gaisano Mall Illustre, Davao Doctors Hospital. Hop in to jeepneys which pass by Quirino St. Hop off to Davao Doctors Hospital. Cross the street towards KFC fastfood. Walk left towards the next block. Walk right till you reach Bulca Chong.

*APP TIP: Walk left to People’s Park, Pasalubong Center, Tourism Office, Cinemateque

Lachi’s Sans Rival ATBP. (SANS RIVAL)

Tasted the French dessert, Dacquoise? Sans Rival is the Philippines’ version. Lachi’s by far has the most ambrosial layers in Davao. You will love spending time here. Choose those couch beside the glass windows so you could feel the neighborhood cafe charisma of the location while nibbling portions of Sans Rival (It is located inside a subdivision).

SERVICE: 11am – 8pm I BILL: 72p/slice I TRY: Five chocolate torte, all cakes I QUEUE: Long during snack time and after school hours, serving for 15 years with only one branch with rice meals in Marfori and a cake-only branch in Tulip Drive, Matina. I LANDMARK: Marfori Heights Subdivision. This is the farthest from the city proper among listed, so better to take taxi. You could take a tricycle alternatively from Davao Doctors Hospital in Quirino or from Davao Wisdom Academy in Torres to the Davao National High School (DNHS). Then from DNHS to Lachi’s in Marfori Heights. Seven (7) pesos per tricycle route.

Ems Pasta and Rolls (BAKED SPAGHETTI)

Can you just scroll up again and look at those almost golden cheese roofing those pasta? Get your first bite the soonest this is served while those cheese are still hot fresh from the oven. You will love it as almost crispy. If Lachi’s gets the authority for Sans Rival, Ems gets for pasta dishes. After trying the “Primera” Spaghetti, you will be torn between it and the “Baked” the next time. Ems started in Cotabato City in early 2000s. In fact, its front signage still has Cotabato before the “Ems”. The family decided to transfer in Davao and the Davaoenos since then are thankful for such exodus. Recite it with me, “Mille Grazie!”

SERVICE: 8:30am – 8:30pm I BILL: 70p/serving I TRY: Lasagna I QUEUE: Long during snack time, lunch time and after school hours. Serving for 13 years with only one branch which is now in reconstruction for a second floor. By Summer, Ems will be branching out among NCCC Malls. “Bravo!”

Aling Foping’s Halo-halo ATBP. (HALO-HALO)

Davao’s version of a Philippine dessert rock star. It is like a sherbet. Look for that quarter size paper with the checklist to customize your portion with 6 ingredients, from cubed gelatin to sweetened Saba. Write your name. Pay and wait. Be in the Matina Town Square (MTS) branch by 9pm when you wanted to enjoy more the place and the crowd with band performances and array of bars inside the premises.

SERVICE: 1pm – 12mn I BILL: 60p/”petite” I TRY: Durian Halo-Halo, Chili con Carne I QUEUE: Long during after school and office hours in the MTS branch. Most of your queue mates are students from nearby schools and young professionals. Serving for 12 years with other branches in SM Lanang (MALL) and Eden Paradise Resort I LANDMARK: Ateneo de Davao High School campus, Matina Town Square (MTS)

*APP TIP: Take a taxi and instruct driver to hop you off at President Duterte’s Residence. Visit earlier than 5PM. Download DAVAO GUIDE App to travel SMART. Manga-un na ta?!