Reasons why Davao City is the top PH destination

 

The best way to love this southern city is to experience it

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published May 17, 2026 10:56 am

At A Glance

• Davao City's offerings for leisure, high-adrenaline adventures, foodie escapades, M.I.C.E., and even business opportunities are vast.
• 
  

By Jinggoy I. Salvador

Have a rare encounter with a Philippine eagle, the Philippine National Bird; dare a vertical challenge up magnificent Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak; marvel in the dazzling hues of the Waling-waling orchids, the Queen of Philippine Orchids; feast on the exotic durian, the King of Philippine fruits; dance on the streets with the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes at the Kadayawan Festival, the “King of Festivals"; and frolic on white sand and blue waters by a famed parola of a world-class beach resort. Their images are deemed iconic, lending their pageantry to the country’s tourism collaterals and destination glossies. If these are on your bucket list, then your travel compass is pointing you south of the archipelago, to the most progressive and vibrant metropolis in Mindanao—Davao City.

RICH CULTURE Get to know the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao at the Kadayawan Village during the Kadayawan

Davao City’s offerings for leisure, high-adrenaline adventures, foodie escapades, MICE, and even business opportunities are vast. Destinations, food, accommodations, and land arrangements: There is something for everyone, from the islands to the highlands, north to south, from budget-friendly to luxurious and everything in between.

NIGHT LIFE Visiting, living, working, or investing, Davao is consistently ranked No. 1 in the Philippines by varied institutions

Drop off your bags and freshen up in your choice of hotel. Aria Residences and Hotel is the newest hotel to add to the hundreds of room keys in Davao’s growing hospitality landscape. There’s the DusitD2, Seda Abreeza, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, and Waterfront Insular Davao as choices in the same category, but affordable accommodations, like Rogen Inn and Blue Lotus Hotel, and budget hotels come aplenty.

CULTURAL HOT SPOT Art uniquely Davao. The National Museum of the Philippines-Davao building is inspired by the durian fruit. (Photo: NMP Davao)

Start ticking off a relaxing art and cultural tour at the People’s Park and the National Museum of the Philippines-Davao, the Museo Dabawenyo, and the Davao Museum of History and Ethnography. A quick stopover at the site of old Davao, anchored by San Pedro Street, the oldest street dating back to the early Spanish settlement, where Davao City Hall, San Pedro Cathedral, Osmeña Park, D’Bone Collector Museum, and the Crocodile Park are amazing stops for both adults and kids, too.

Take a scenic drive through the new Coastal Road to cut travel time significantly to your high-altitude, eco-destinations in the South: the Philippine Eagle Center to see the majestic birds up close and witness the center’s conservation efforts to save the endangered species; Malagos Garden Resort, which also houses the Chocolate Museum, displaying the tree-to-bar process and products that earned global recognition and awards; and Eden Nature Park for thrilling “elevated” outdoor fun like sky cycling.

HAVE A TASTE The durian, pomelo, mangosteen, and other tropical fruits are bountiful and cheap in Davao.

August is a good time to visit. It’s the season when Mt. Apo is seen the clearest, showing off a spectacle of blooms; tropical fruits in season—durian, pomelo, mangosteen, marang, and more—overflow to the streetside; and the 11 tribes of Davao (five Lumad and six Muslim tribes) gather with the locals for the Kadayawan Festival. More than a cultural event, the festival celebrates Davao’s triumph in unity, friendship, and peaceful coexistence between Christians, Muslims, and Lumads.

SUNDOWN MADNESS Feast on the street food at the Roxas Night Market

Hungry? Davao City is Mindanao’s gastronomic paradise, and the cuisine is getting more exciting. New flavors are getting the nods of the locals and adding them to their lists along with old-time favorites. Sate the craving at Leon’s Lounge for the award-winning cheeses of Malagos Farmhouse; Harana for grilled fare; the Roxas Night Market for street food; Dencia’s for comfort food; Tiny Kitchen for Spanish; Yellow Fin for seafood; Tadakuma and Akiko for Japanese; Ah Fat for Chinese; Butcher’s Table and Fat Cow for steaks; and Clean Café for plant-based picks; Dulce Vita, Dolce Desserts, and Grateful Bread for pastries and breads.

Old villages like Obrero and Juna Subdivision have turned into coffee culture and dining haunts, and Purge Coffee Roasters, &Matcha, Hid'n, and Stash Coffee Co. are among the favorites.

INDIGENOUS EATS Lumad cuisines, like Nilutlot na manok sa gata, are a must-try

Been there, done that? But have you gone on a palengke tour? The Bankerohan Market Experience is a roughing-it shop-and-eat experience like no other. There's also the Food Crawl, a flavorful journey of heritage recipes by homegrown restos; Furusato Davao, which explores the historical footprint of the Japanese community in Davao; and Abundant Harvest, a unique agritourism tour of the city’s finest agri-treasures, including durian, cacao, chocolates, and cheeses.

Go farther. Davao City is a gateway to more postcard-perfect destinations. A quick boat ride away is Samal Island in Davao del Norte, an island paradise that holds a tableau of inland, shoreline, and offshore attractions. The Hagimit Falls and the Monfort Bat Sanctuary are popular inland must-visit sites. Off the coastline, go on an underwater biodiversity exploration at the Taclobo (giant clam) Sanctuary, Coral Garden and Marine Reservation Park, Isla Reta, Mansud Wall, Angel‘s Cove, and Aundanao Fish Sanctuary. While on your island tour, do stop at the Vanishing Island and the Wishing Island and take a dive off the Sabang Cliff.

CHILL LIFE The iconic parola of the world-class Samal Island destination, Pearl Farm Beach Resort

After a full day under the sun, lounge on the white sand under the star-filled skies in a beach resort on the island. Paradise Island Beach Resort is one of the most popular among the array of highly regarded, affordable beach resorts. If you want to go extravagant, head to the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Mindanao’s first luxury resort, a heritage-rich architectural landmark. Two other resorts join the high-end category—Discovery Samal and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort on Kopiat Island, Davao de Oro.

SOARING SITE The new highland destination of Brgy Baganihan in BuDa rose in popularity during the pandemic

The pandemic put the spotlight on the scenic highland of BuDa—and it never dimmed. There’s a regular exodus of “heat escapists” and foodies to the mountain resorts in the sea of clouds and to dining spots like Pilgrim. Cross over to Bukidnon and pick fresh strawberries (and go glamping) at Taglucop Strawberry Hills.

In Davao del Sur, go whitewater rafting and spend the night in any of Kapatagan's mountain resorts. Towards Davao Oriental, check out the Aliwagwag Falls, the scenic Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint, and the surfer’s paradise of Dahican Beach.

MAJESTIC BIRDY Have a rare encounter with Philippine Eagle Sinag and other raptors at the Philippine Eagle Center

To love Davao is to experience it firsthand. There is genuine warmth and friendliness from locals, and these are the visitors' impressions, along with how clean the city is.

Safety and discipline are ingrained in Davao City’s culture; political will made that happen and has been successfully in place for decades. For its strict local ordinances and low crime indices, Davao City is frequently listed as one of the top three safest cities in the Southeast Asian region by Numbeo (crowdsourced database), Global Residence Index, and Gallup Global Safety Report. Worth mentioning is that Davao has the first integrated emergency response system in the Philippines and is the pioneer in the anti-smoking ordinance, among others.

Tourism-wise, for the second year, the 2026 World Travel Index (WTI) ranks Davao City #1 in the Philippines for Travel by Experience (“leading in safety, affordability, and infrastructure”). The report highlights Davao's unique blend of urban, natural, and cultural experiences. The city also took the top spot in 2025.

TASTE OF THE HIGH LIFE The culinary scene in Davao is getting more exciting by the day. Hummus has never looked and tasted so good at the Rhapsody of Aria Hotel

To whom does Davao City attribute these recognitions?

Resource people say it’s a collective effort of all sectors involved. The relationship between the private sector and the Local Government Unit (LGU) is quite unique in Davao. Working together and meeting on a regular basis, the sectors make sure goals are aligned and on track, with Davao City and its citizens' quality of life at the top of mind. Ultimately, just like any business venture, be it from the tourism, corporate, or investment sector, it’s the numbers that matter. And, in all discussions and programs, the safety and security division plays an integral part.

Believe it or not, earning accolades has never been the aim of the stakeholders, nor has it been an objective. They consider these bonuses for everyone's hard work and as indications that the programs are on the right track. It motivates the stakeholders to do better and be more creative.

Anyone’s apprehensions about Davao City will dissipate the moment they step on the Durianburg soil. The negative perceptions of the city will change to positive ones. Perhaps another recognition can enlighten? CEOWORLD Magazine ranked Davao City as the #1 in the Philippines for living, working, and investing for the 2025-2026 period.

Truly, the best way to fall in love with Davao City is to experience it. Find out why the locals and returning visitors say, “Davao life is here.”

Davao del Sur celebrates 58th foundation day

 

By Jinggoy I. Salvador

Davao del Sur is the gateway to the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, where thrill-seekers climb for leisure and athletes compete in the Boulder Challenge, one of the country’s most challenging events. Towering at 2,954 meters above sea level, the mountain rewards its victors with breathtaking vistas imprinted in memory to last a lifetime.

Mt. Apo is just one of the many gifts that the “Maanyag nga Paraiso” (beautiful paradise) of Davao del Sur can offer. Spanning nine municipalities and one component city, this province is a land of rich natural resources, destinations, an art sanctuary, and a well-preserved cultural heritage. It’s a tourist’s paradise—and an investor’s promised land.

Since its founding day in 1967, Davao del Sur has become one of the most progressive provinces in the Philippines. Thanks to good governance and empowered citizens, it has achieved its vision of becoming an agri-industrialized, commercial, eco-tourism, and risk-resilient province—and it continues to grow.

Under the administration of the first lady governor, Gov. Yvonne Roño Cagas, the province remained true to its mission and vision. Over the past year, significant progress has been made in expanding and modernizing Davao del Sur’s medical, educational, sports, and agricultural programs and facilities.

Serving Davao del Sur for another term, the lady governor shared her plans on the 58th Anniversary Foundation Day celebration. “This year, one of my major plans is to hasten the purchase of relocation sites in the different areas of the province,” she said. “These shall be turned into villages and awarded to the landless.”

Among the many festivals and events in the province, the most anticipated is the annual foundation day. It’s when the entire population takes part in the exciting week-long celebration that the provincial government has organized. The most popular and well-attended affair is the Mutya ng Davao del Sur pageant, where citizens from all over the province fill the stadium to support their candidates.

Winning the crown in this prestigious pageant means embracing civic duties and promoting the province. “The Mutya ng Davao del Sur is one of our strategic ways to promote tourism, particularly in mounting world-class events where people can enjoy and be enticed to come and visit the province,” said Kervin Joseph Elijay, provincial tourism officer. “It gives an economic opportunity and benefit, particularly to MSMEs and private investors, who build their business for tourism purposes.”

judges Designer Edgar Buyan, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, shoe designer Jojo Bragais, COO of Joji International Schools Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, Theia Gems founder Kristine Joy Agcopra, and the author

Judges Designer Edgar Buyan, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, shoe designer Jojo Bragais, COO of Joji International Schools Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, Theia Gems founder Kristine Joy Agcopra, and the author

Vice Governor Mark Cagas and Governor Yvonne Roña-Cagas

2024 Mutya passes her crown to 2025 Mutya Angela Yvonne H. Wabingga as Governor Yvonne Roña-Cagas looks on

From every town and sector, empowered, beautiful, intelligent, and eloquent women rise as storytellers, dreamers, and symbols of the resilient Davsuranon spirit. Besting 21 other candidates, Angela Yvonne H. Wabingga earned the coveted Mutya ng Davao del Sur 2025 crown. Completing her court were Hannah Mary G. Kolencheril (first runner-up), Fredelma Nova T. Corporal (second runner-up), Danna Mitchelle Ruelo (third runner-up), and Nichole P. Mandalones (fourth runner-up).

Adding even more sparkle to the evening were Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who served as an inspiring co-host, and singer Michael Pangilinan, who serenaded the candidates and the cheering crowd.

Davao cheese queen’s new 'chambre à fromage'

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Oct 15, 2024 10:57 PM

  

---

By Jinggoy I. Salvador

If you love cheese, then you know Olive Puentespina, Davao’s queen of cheese. It’s an honorific she doesn’t acknowledge. She would likely say, “All I did was create cheese because Marvin, Jolina and Rica, my husband’s three goats I took under my care, were fast multiplying.” What to do with the milk? Bottle and sell it? Make soap? Make cheese! And the rest is history, as the proverbial phrase goes.

ALL HAIL Davao's cheese queenn Olive Puentespina at the new & bigger Leon's Lounge

Olive’s journey to cheese royalty is unlike any monarchical protocol where the next in line inherits the crown. She worked her way to where she is now by learning the ABCs of dairying and cheese making under the tutelage of many, including Swiss masters. Her thirst for knowledge brought her to the US, Mongolia, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, and in each destination she learned more.

Back home, the kitchen was where all the magic started. In 2005, Olive dove into the process.“Developing a new cheese is not easy but is definitely exciting. Some fresh cheeses took me months to develop, most aged cheeses a year or two because it takes time to age them into the perfect morsel. The most important process is knowing the character of each component so you can manipulate them to contribute to the product you envision,” she shares.

A year after, in 2006, the fromager’s cheeses debuted under the Puentespina Farm enterprise of the family matriarch. The first cheese variety she created, the Feta, along with other dairy products were delivered directly to restaurants, hotels, resorts and an airline. In 2008, the company was incorporated giving birth to the Malagos Farmhouse brand, and a few years after, the first retail store in Davao was inaugurated.

Today, the cheesemaker is proud to say that her handmade cheeses— GMP certified by the FDA—graces the tables of state dinners and retails in over 80 establishments across the country. Olive believes that she started European style artisan cheese making in the Philippines.

For Olive, the Chevre is one of her best and most exciting creations. It made her dive deep into the different cheese bacteria and the processes that needed to work together to create the aroma, the texture and the taste of Malagos Farmhouse Chevre. 

CHEESE HEAVEN How a cheese party spread looks like at Leon's Lounge

The Chevre may be a favorite of the brand’s institutional partners, but the bestseller has always been the Mango Sublime. It’s a fresh French-style cheese that Olive created for the long-haul business class flights of the Philippine flag carrier. “A quintessential French fresh cheese but with an iconic Philippine fruit,” she says, and adding to the top-selling list, “Another is our Sophia, a soft feta, aged in garlic infused olive oil.”

When asked the number of cheeses she conceived and does she have a favorite, she replies, “The cheeses that I have created from 2005 to 2024 numbers around 27 and I am so proud of each. The cheeses hit different people in certain ways.”

As the awareness for artisanal cheeses grew, the inkling to establish a cheese tasting room started in the cheesemaker’s consciousness.

Named after the Puentespina patriarch, the first Leon’s Lounge opened its doors in 2014 in the far corner of the corporate address along Bolcan Street in Agdao. It was in this modest sized room that Olive welcomed guests who wanted to experience enjoying artisanal Filipino-made cheeses. Each session is pre booked, set at “five thirsty” in the afternoon, seven kinds of cheeses are featured and the inspiration behind each creation is shared. The cheeses are served with breads, salad, local seasonal jams and a whole lot of stories from operating a farm-to-fork dairy enterprise to travels and inspirations.      

CREAMY DELIGHT The tasting room also displays the Malagos Farmhouse cheese collection for sale

“One of the things I am proud of is we welcome everyone to our table. If only the walls can speak, they will paint a very colorful collage of personalities who enjoyed the tasting sessions. But my lips are sealed. How many over  the years? Not to many, over a thousand for sure. But all left with happy faces and full bellies.”

Recently, a new and bigger tasting room was opened in the same address. The new location was the clinic of her late husband. “So many beautiful memories there, for the family and those who received the unique healing of Dr. Bo. I wanted to honor his memories and build new ones in the space,” shared Olive. The room was refurbished and repurposed into the new lounge that included bigger retail space for the cheeses. The latest Leon’s Lounge can accommodate eight to 25 guests comfortably for private tastings and parties. 

MILE HIGH SPREAD. The Mango Sublime served in Business Class of the flag carrier is also the brand's bestseller

The future of Malagos Farmhouse cheeses? Her daughter, Ingrid, is now on board and following her mother’s footsteps. She is  developing a new line this year which will include cheeses, butter and whey-based products. As to when, Olive cannot preempt the news but it will be announced when all are ready. Leon’s Lounge will display these new creations by Ingrid Puentespina, along with the original collection.

“It will be an exciting new era for Malagos Farmhouse, home of Davao’s artisan cheeses,” declares Davao’s cheese queen.

SOPHIA A soft feta, aged in garlic infused olive oil, is one of the top-selling cheeses.jpg