The smell of Durian once again
flourished in the narrow streets of downtown Davao City as it celebrated its 76th Foundation day last March 16-17. It was a coincidence that I came to the city on the day of a grand merriment of
the people of Davao.
Araw ng Davao is a
special day for Davaoeños as this serves as the reminder for everyone how Davao
started as a great city in the southern Philippines.
It was an ear troubling moment waking up in the
morning hearing a marching band outside my hotel room along C.M Recto . I went
outside to look what was happening and I was dumbfounded with a well organized and clean parade on the
street.  |
| The Philippine Army, Navy and Airforce and even the PNP participated the parade |
 |
| Cheerful Davao students flaunt their best smiles while marching on the famous street of San Pedro. |
The parade on the narrow streets of Davao is one of the longest I have
witnessed so far headed by the local government with its local officials followed by students, non-government organizations and even private institutions .
I was tempted
to follow the parade until I reached San Pedro Street. Hungry with nothing on my stomach, I bumped with one of the city's famous landmark , the new Kusina Dabaw, the oldest restaurant in the area . 
I simply
ordered their best selling Siopao for Php 25.00 each and a bottle of water.
Tasting it for the first , I got hooked and ordered another and another until my growling stomach got satisfied. That siopao really
worth my money after all.
I have no idea on the different
activities on the day ahead as I did not spcifically came to Davao to enjoy its Foundation Day but to look for a specific computer hard drive of my broken computer .
The three plazas of the downtown city , Osmeña Park, Rizal Park and Quezon Park were filled with
thousands of people with food and shopping
stalls placed along the street for the enjoyment of local patrons.
The
traffic was worsen by the declaration on Mega Shopping Sales of all malls and
departments stores in the city. Almost every establishment has their promo
gimmicks and discount giveaways.
The extreme heat of the summer
sun, made me took a temporary refuge in the cool and embracing care of the
airconditioned SM Lanang where I had my sumptuous lunch in one of the resto.
 |
| Strolling at the mall , the sales are really tempting, but but and more buts.... |
Walking
along the patio of the mall , I smelled a familiar sweet smell of doughnuts. I
have been deprived of sweets for the past two months so , when I saw Krispy
Kreme, I did not hesitate to buy a dozen of my favorite simple yet sweet Glazed doughnuts.
 |
| Relaxing massage at Rizal Park |
Since not much to do in the mall
with a limited budget on hand, I decided to return to downtown and just wandered and feasted my eyes on the different activities with lots of busy people at the
city center, while sipping on my favorite drink of all time , buko juice.
After I
got tired of walking and decided to have a simple
massage in front of City Hall offered by a group of out of school youth which was a city funded project. For Php 60.00 I had a relaxing foot massage that eased my
tired muscles.
How I wish to witness more but my
time was so short that I have to return back to Surigao del Sur. It was a joyous day that made my short stay in Davao City worthy.
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