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Business and Industry

Davao City is the progressive commercial, industrial and agricultural center in Mindanao. Agriculture beckons in Davao because of its fertile soil and geographic location which is outside the typhoon belt. Plantations produce abaca; ramie; corn; rice; coffee; coconuts; tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples and citrus; and a great variety of unusual orchids, the most prized of which is the waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana). Fishing is a major industry in this province which is famous for its succulent tuna. Wood-processing and mining are also booming industries. A robust fruit export industry flourishes. Davao's banana plantations export to Japan, Korea, Canada, the U.S.A. and the Middle East. Davao contributes the biggest share of exportable products from Mindanao, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

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Sights and Attractions

Davao del Sur has a variety of natural attractions as well as cultural and historical landmarks to complete an adventure-filled itinerary. Outside Davao City alone are lush valleys with exotic flowers and fruits. All around the province are rolling hills and mountains with waterfalls, springs and caves; forests of rare plant and animal species; islands and beaches with crystal clear waters and coral reefs. Ethnic villages provide insights into the province's rich indigenous cultures which are just as diverse as the sights.

Natural Scenery
Mount Apo is Davao's unique natural wonder. At 3,144 meters it is the Philippines' highest peak. Its base covers about 72,796 hectares of mountain ranges that extend from Davao City, Davao del Sur, Northern Cotabato, Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur to Misamis Oriental. Apo means "grandfather of all mountains". It is an inactive volcano with no recorded eruptions. Mount Apo's attractions are thundering waterfalls, rapids, lakes, geysers, sulphur pillars, primeval trees, endangered plant and animal species and a steaming blue lake.

This is the home of the Philippine Eagle, the tiny falconet and the Mount Apo mynah. There are exotic ferns, carnivorous pitcher plants and the Queen of the Philippine orchids the waling-waling. Revered as a sacred mountain, the people call it Sandawa or "Mountain of Sulfur". Bagobos believe the gods Apo and Mandaragan inhabit its lofty peaks. The Department of Tourism Davao of office beside the Apo View Hotel organizes regular treks and climbs to Mount Apo via Kidapawan City in North Cotabato which is the most scenic trail.

Philippine Eagle Nature Center in Calinan breeds and cares for the endangered Philippine Eagle or Pithecophaga jefferyi. Once found in Luzon, Leyte, Samar and all of Mindanao, the Philippine Eagle is now close to extinction, with its last remaining abode in the Mount Apo range. It is one meter tall, weighs four to seven kilograms and has a wing span of two meters. Formerly called Monkey-eating eagle, it feeds on flying lemurs, wild cats, flying squirrels and monkeys. One eagle can claim and defend a 60-100 sq km. territory. Nests are established atop the tallest trees in the jungle. The Philippine Eagle Nature Center is accessible from Davao City via Bankerohan Public Market where jeepneys to Calinan are available.

Mount Apo Science Foundation, located 27 km. south from Davao City in Bayabas, is a foundation school supported by endowment from the Asia Foundation and the University of Mindanao. The site is blessed with a cool climate and sweeping views of Mt. Apo and the Davao Gulf.

Orchid Gardens feature, among others, the queen of Philippine orchids, the "waling waling" or vanda sanderiana. The waling-waling is a rare, exquisite bloom, considered by many to be the most beautiful in form among all the Philippine orchids. The more popular gardens are the Puentespina Orchid Garden along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue in Davao City, the Yuhico Orchid Gardens in Greenhills and Derling Worldwide Orchid Corporation in Dumoy.

Caroland Farms, in Bago, 13 km. south of Davao City, is a 60-hectare bird and wild duck sanctuary in a fruit orchard setting.

Bago Oshiro Experimental Station in Mintal, 14 km. from the city, is an abaca plantation where ornamental plants are cultivated and Philippine fruits and flowers are cross-bred.

Gap Farming Resort is a ten hectare pomelo, rambutan and sweet tamarind orchard located in Green Valley, Ma-a (15 min. by car from downtown Davao). It has a swimming pool, a cave, cottages, horseback riding and a chapel dedicated to the Santo NINO and our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Nenita Stock Farm or Pork's Park, in Marapangi, Toril District, 18 km. south of Davao City, has a Muslim-inspired resthouse from where you can get a panoramic view of the city and ramie/sorghum plantations. Its management conducts seminars and lectures about hog-raising and artificial insemination. Trips can be arranged through the Davao Department of Tourism Of Office or House of Travel in Lanang, Davao City.

Lapanday Development Corporation in Guihing, Hagonoy (a 10-minute ride from Digos which is 59 km. from Davao City) is a vast banana plantation. The valleys north of Davao City also have many other banana plantations where the Cavendish and chiquita varieties are grown. Trips can be arranged through the Davao Department of Tourism Office.

Magsaysay Park was built in honor of the third president of the Philippines and is ideally located beside an authentic Muslim fishing village with Badjao houseboats and stilt houses.

Tibangao Caves in Sanghay, Malita have panoramic caverns of stalactites and stalagmites and underground spring wells.

Todaya Falls is a 300-foot cascading spectacle in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz ( 35 km. from Digos), just below the foot of Mt. Apo.

Island and Beaches
Samal Island is made up of the towns of Babak, Samal (Penaplata) and Kaputian. Only 15 minutes by boat from Sta. Ana Wharf, the island has white sand beaches, coral reefs and a 900-meter shore line. Kaputian has three caves used for burial by the Kalagan and Isamal tribes.

Talicud Island can also be reached by pump boat from the Sta. Ana Wharf of the Insular Hotel Davao. There are good beaches and waters ideal for snorkeling.

Times Beach of Matina, 4 km south of Davao City, is the beach closest to the city. Accommodations are available.

Talomo Beach, 9 km south is the site of World War II Japanese and American landings.

Bago Aplaya in Dumoy, 12 km south has good accommodations .

Toril, about 18 km from the city, offers some beaches at Daliao and Binugao.

Astorga, 32 km south of the city, has good beaches.

Sarangani and Balut Islands are situated 13 km from Tinaka Point, mainland Mindanao's southernmost tip. Accessible by ferry from Davao City and banca from Malita, Balut's attractions include white sand beaches, exotic seashells, hot springs and the 862 meter Balut volcano. The islands host the Sangil, a Muslim minority group.

Historical Monuments & Landmarks
Ballestic Island in the municipality of Sarangani has fortress ruins of the Spanish conquistador, Lopez Villalobos.

Japanese Tunnels and Foxholes used during the Second World War can be found in the poblacions of Malalag, Padada and Hagonoy.

Japanese Peace Memorial, located at Catalunan Grande, 9 km. from the city, is a memorial shrine for international brotherhood.

Museums & Cultural Landmarks
Davao Museum, located at Insular Village in Lanang District ( 12 km. from the city), showcases Mindanao culture through dioramas, ethnological maps, photographs and exhibits of Davao's tribal artifacts, dress and accessories.

Etnika Dabaw, just behind the Davao Insular Hotel, is a replica of a traditional Mandaya house with tribal women demonstrating the arts, crafts and skills of their people. Wearing colorful, traditional attire, they weave dagmay cloth from the fibres of the native abaca plant. This cloth is fashioned with beads, bells and embroidery to produce handsome bags, wallets and home accessories.

Ethnic Villages like the B'laan tribal village in Matanao, the Bagobo village in Binaton and the mat weavers' village in Sinawilan can be visited for a glimpse of Davao's indigenous arts and crafts.

Muslim Fishing Village in San Jose, Samal Island (45 minutes by motorized banca from the city wharf) has native huts on stilts with residents performing Muslim dances and music.

Churches & Temples
Saint Peter's Cathedral, at the corner of San Pedro Street and C.M. Recto Avenue fronting City Hall, is an architectural blend of Muslim and Christian styles.

Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Praque in Matina, a 10 minutes drive from Davao City proper through scenic mountain roads, is a favorite Catholic pilgrimage site. Its al fresco chapel houses an exact replica of the image of the Infant Jesus of Praque which the owner had made without ever having seen the original statue in Praque. The area is shaded by fruit trees and offers the best views of Mount Apo and Davao City.

Lon Wa Buddhist Temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in Mindanao. Located along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, in a setting of candle trees and bamboos, it features Italian marble slabs, a magnificent Buddha, a gold kuanyin; carved wood ornamentation depicting the life of Buddha; carp-filled lily ponds; and high-ceilinged halls.

Mindanao Taoist Temple, also along J.P. Cabaguio, houses saints and images of the Taoist religion .

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Last updated : 06/03/01 1712hrs