take me to Magsaysay Park

So Magsaysay Park of Davao City has a wide open public plaza for strolling. The children’s playground, restaurant and ampitheatre present families ample attraction especially during weekends. It even has government offices which makes the park a public affairs destination.


across the fruit stalls of Magsaysay Park is the Chinatown gate



selecting the durian


However, to me, Magsaysay Park is the place to be to get my durian fix. Sure there were pomelos, mangosteens, oranges, mangoes and other fruits. But when you are in Davao, you know you are where the king of fruits are in abundance. By reputation the best durians are in Davao and as you can see here, I was not disappointed.


durian sharing in the park



eating out

To go: Magsaysay Park is in Leon Garcia Street, Agdao District, Davao City, the Philippines

Good Friday: the Siete Palabras

a Lenten Special

When I was growing up in the 80s, there was no cable TV at home to keep us company during the Holy Week. The state of solitude pervades most during Good Friday when regular free TV and FM radio would sign off. Being raised in a conservative Catholic household, we would not be allowed to go out either. Not there would be any open destination anyway as there were no malls yet and all commercial establishments would shut their doors during this holy day. The idea of spending the Holy Week outside of home was unheard of either, if not outright taboo.

What was left for us was join in the religious rites- the via crucis, the mass services, confession and the solemn processions. On Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross, there too is the popular series of oratories of the Seven Last Words, or Siete Palabras in our vernacular, which is read in the leadup to 3PM. As kids, we were excused and did not have to go to church – Lent falls on the dead of summer in the Philippines so the heat and humidity can be unbearable – but our parents would have us tune in to the AM radio.

As an homage to the age old tradition of the Seven Last Words, here are photographic depictions of Christ’s crucifixion.


Bantayan, Cebu, the Philippines
I. Amahon Ko, pasayloa sila kay wala sila nakahibalo sa ilang gibuhat. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)



San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City, the Philippines
II. Karon, magauban ka Kanako sa Paraiso. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)



Museo San Pablo, St Paul's Cathedral, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
III. Babaye, ania ang imong anak. Anak, ania ang Imong inahan. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27)



an ebony cross from Tanzania, at home in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, the Philippines
IV. Diyos Ko, Diyos Ko, Nganong gibiyaan mo Ako. Eli Eli lama sabachthani? ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?", Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)



the Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Sibonga, Cebu, the Philippines
V. Giuhaw Ako. I thirst (John 19:28)



Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio de Maria Church, Boljoon, Cebu, the Philippines
VI. Nahuman na. It is finished (John 19:30)



Salvador Dali's Crucifixion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, uptown Manhattan, New York, the US
VII. Amahan Ko, sa Imong mga kamot, itugyan Ko ang Akong Kalag. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)

the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort of Samal

While the distance between Samal Island and the coast of Davao spans only about 2km, there are no bridges nor slipways. Crossing is by traditional motorized boats or big ferry barges for cars at the Babak wharf or by the quicker ferries.




An alternative is to go through the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort which for a cheap fare of 15 affords you a convenient and fast turnover passage between Davao City (Sasa Wharf at km 9) and Samal Island. The resort reminds me a lot of well-oiled machine: operations are efficient to the point of being clinical, service is fast, logistics are thoroughly planned and seamless.


the Sasa wharf at km 9, Davao City



the resort’s jetty at Samal Island



the reception area at the beachfront


If you wanted to partake of the beach facilities, the fee is P90 per person, inclusive of a table of your choice. This resort is as democratized as one can be. Even the food prices are reasonable and not at all bad (they inspect bags to make sure no one sneaks in non-snack items). Looking at how thick the crowd was during one weekend visit, the resort is highly popular to locals and domestic visitors. Of course, if you wanted a resort far from the madding crowd and with a decided air of exclusivity, then this is not for you.


the beach



the sports and leisure convenience store


For all the pertinent conveniences, the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort gives a feeling commercial congestion albeit in an ordered way. The beach line is divided into at least 3 segments, bordered and divided by stone-piled jetties. Tables can run up to 5 rows deeps and the beach at the time of our visit is relatively narrow.


an orchid at each beachside table adds a colorful touch



young coconuts for sale


While it may disappoint adult visitors, my daugher enjoyed the beach immensely. The sand is white, powdery and the waters are shallow and clear. Water is her element and it seems she cannot get enough. This,
for me, is reason enough to enjoy the resort.


the resort has 70 rooms for overnight stay options



serenade by a string quarted


Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort
Caliclic, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte 8000
tel +6382 2330251, 2341229, 3002343, fax +6382 2342926, cell +63920 9546780
http://www.paradiseislanddavao.coml
boat Services 5AM - 5PM at km 9, 1181 Sasa, Davao City

in praise of Baby Cakes of Davao

what I brought from Davao, part 2

We were running late as we did not have a map and Marfori Heights, the address of our dining destination, is not the easiest place to locate. While we only got lost for 30 minutes - not really an eternity- we were hungry and restaurants in Davao City are not exactly known to stay open late. I already did my research and the double treat of Lachi’s and Baby Cakes in Ruby Street just sounded too good to miss and we were determined to get there. We did make it and the treats were what we expected and more.

Let me start with Baby Cakes. As it was already a little past 8PM, the bakeshop was already was closed. The iron curtain was already half drawn but we could see that inside, the waiting staff were still doing the accounting for the night. Luckily my friend was able to convince them to open just for us. A few more sales never would hurt right?

And what treats!


Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/320s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 320, -1/3EV
This apple walnut minicake is tops. The fruit and nut bits are fresh and the cake is plump, moist and delectable.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/320s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 320, -1/3EV
This blueberry bar showcases the tartness and succulence of blueberry sprinked over a crunchy rich biscuit base.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200
As chocolate revel bars go, this is on the overly sweet side and I’m not a big fan of some chewy oats (?) in my pastries. However, the large chunks of encrusted chocolate pack a delightful brittle punch.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/250s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 250
The generous topping of fried peanuts adds a unique mouth feel and the carrot cake is temptingly soft, almost fudgy even. I can take seconds anytime.


Too bad that we missed out on the cupcakes for they probably might have been sold out by the time we got to the shop. I’ve read a lot about the famous glaze frostings but then, hopefully, there can always be other opportunities to visit the city of Davao, and discover more of Baby Cakes.


Baby Cakes
Door 7 Values School, Marfori Village, Davao City
cel +639209056402
(run by Maite and Kaye Gempesaw)

Thanks to my flickr friend Joliz for recommending Baby Cakes