Crown your Mutya ng Dabaw 2012: Netizen's Choice Award

When I was asked by a friend about the Araw ng Dabaw 2012, I made another question to myself. "What's really new about Araw ng Dabaw? What about it? I then realized that this is not only a celebration of it's birth as a City but it's about freedom.

The City has changed from way back 75 years ago but the people did not and cannot. The Dabawenyo's who were here 75 years ago left a remarkable stories to the people that are here today.  What really inspired me about Davao is not only it's places but also the faces. Just like the Top five beauties of the Araw ng Dabaw 2012.

Let me allow you to pick your own choice. Who do you think will best represent a typical Dabawenya - for sure she's not only intelligent nor beautiful but a fine woman refined by experience, inspired by other Dabawenyo's, shaped by its culture and stands with the pride that in Davao, LIFE IS HERE!.

Coronation night

March 14, 2012 @ 6PM

Mutya ng Dabaw Coronation Night Davao City Recreation Center

   

My personal choice: MATET. She is not only a proof that black is beautiful but she also shows how firm can a woman decide. She inspired me knowing that there is no big problem can stop a her from achieving what she truly desires. A risk taker, calculated risks!

   MARIA THERESA TAN is an AB Communication Arts raduate from University of the Immaculate Conception where she was a scholar. Aside from being a working student, she was also the Vice President of the Student Government Council and managed to graduate with Academic Excellence Award and Most Active Student Award. By joining Mutya ng Dabaw, Matet aims to continue the project that she started in her barangay in Matina during her reign as Mutya ng Matina in 2009. The project taught out of school youth proper waste management by turning garbage into saleable materials.

        

DOROTHY MARUEL IBAÑEZ is a 23-year old self-employed nurse entrepreneur who graduated from Ateneo de Davao University. Growing up along a brother with down syndrome, Dotty developed an attachment to children with special needs and believes that these children share the same right to acceptance, understanding and quality education with any other Dabawenyo children. "Kung ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan, ang mga batang may kapansan ang inspirasyon ng ating lipunan," Dotty says.

            MARIANNE MAE TE is a 21-year old print model and A.B. Hotel & Restaurant Management graduate of Philippine Womens College of Davao. She describes herself as “a systematic and highly oriented person with good analytical and problem solving skills.” Yannie aims to use her culinary experience in teaching culinary entrepreneurship to unemployed women. One of her plans is to organize a livelihood project where she will teach stay-at-home moms to whip up recipes that they can sell. 

            JHOANNA MYLES TE is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Cum Laude graduate from San Pedro College. Her college years were highlighted by a Best in Psychiatric Nursing award. The 22-year recently passed the nursing licensure exam and plans to proceed medicine studies. Twinkle advocates on promoting the rights of poor children and elderly to proper health care. She believes that these people need help and proper intervention because they are more vulnerable and dependent. are more vulnerable and dependent.

 

            JAZZLE THERESE GOMEZ is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Arts Major in English from Far Eastern University. She is currently taking Law studies at the Ateneo de Davao University. This 23-year-old’s long list of achievements also includes bringing home the Grand Prize in the 2010 Anghel C. Palanca Peace Program Essay Writing Contest and receiving a near-perfect 99% in English proficiency test in TOEIC EXAM. She enjoys singing, reading, cooking and playing the piano. Being a strong independent young woman, JAZZ advocates on women empowerment and hopes to use her career as a lawyer someday to defend women's rights.

Date Ideas: Where to eat? Best Fine Dining Restaurants this February 2012

It’s love month. Thinking about a place for a date? The Best Restaurants listed below are the commonly asked and searched dining places. For sure the time you bring your special someone here it’s not only a usual date but also a romantic one.

Marco Polo Davao’s Café Marco, Lotus Court and Polo Bistro. Who would question the food served in these outlets of the Marco Polo Hotel? With the International Cuisine served in a fresh and wider selection of food it’s no question to be a date with “unlimited love.” Café Marco is buffet restaurant which will only cost you almost a thousand per person.

Considered as one of the finest restaurants in the Philippines. Lotus Court is an A la Carte Restaurant serving Cantonese Cuisine. Having your date here will surely give you a big YES from you special one.

A date near the swimming pool? Polo Bistro is serving A la Carte with its Western Cuisine. They also have Set Menu arranged for you from the very meticulous taste of their executive chef. The first expression I heard after suggesting a date at Polo Bistro was, “Lovely Date with a Col Literally, the water is dancing with colors. Imagine a date with an excellent service, ambiance, cuisine. A date night of a lifetime – ROMANTIC!orful Water.”

Sebo Massage Spa

With so many procrastinations of bringing myself to a massage spa house, I finally was able to bring myself in. After my long hours work, I literally experienced an ALL PARTS MASSAGE!

Yes it’s a sensual WHOLE BODY massage but wholesome. I was heavenly touched and relaxed. Wondering about the place? It’s named SEBO Massage Spa located at Matina, Davao City.

Who want it HARD? You actually have the choice if you want the service to be done by a male or a female therapist. The service is really good, very relaxing. I had a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu and Hot Stone which I only paid for Php 300.

Personal experience: No body pains!

Top 5 Ideal Places to Visit in Davao this 2012

Given the question for ideal places this 2012, I was challenged to gather the best places as top tourist destination in Davao this year. With personal knowledge and idea from people who were at this places let me give you the list:

  

1)      SAMAL ISLAND. If you are looking for SUN, SEA and ADVENTURE you should enlist any of the Samal Island beach resort.The island is only 40-45 minutes away from the heart of Davao City. A Deep-blue or Swallow-green water will surely promise fun activities like diving, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, banana or jet riding and island hopping. From the most expensive like Pearl Farm to the most reasonable and comfortable like Paradise Island, you have the chance of saying IT’S REALLY FUN IN DAVAO!

2)      EDEN. A nature park overlooking the city, this place is ideal for family wanting to unwind and feel renewed hearing the natural sounds of life. Eden is the most accessible peak in Davao. You have the chance of seeing organic plants raised in the place, animal in their mini-zoo, boat riding and fishing or a tour around the 80 acres land while seeing the remains of Mt. Talomo. They also have Camp Houses for your overnight stay and Zipline, Indiana Jones Ride and many other activities ideal for your family bonding or teambuilding. Wondering about food? They have a buffet lunch freshly available for you. A 40-50 minutes drive from the City will bring you to EDEN.

3)      CROCS. Crocodile Farm is 25-20 minutes away from the City proper. If your kids love animals like Big Lizard (my cousin referred this for crocodile,) Birds on show, monkeys, tiger and many other animals you should include Crocodile Farm on your list. It is also ideal biology enthusiasts where they have the chance of seeing the life cycle of Butterflies in the Butterfly House. Crocodile Farm also arranges for activity like White Water Rafting.

4)      NOT SO ANGRY BIRD. The Philippine Eagle Foundation is another place for you to visit where the King of Philippine Jungle are raised and protected. If you visit them you are not only seeing our Pride but you are also helping the Foundation in their reservation effort for the wildlife in the center specially the Philippine Eagle. Philippine Eagle Foundation is in Malagos where the varieties of Philippine Flora are also raised. Beautiful Flowers and Big Birds are Here!

5)      WAKEBOARDING. Deca Wakeboarding is located in Mintal, Davao City. It only 45 minutes away from the heart of the city. Adventure for your muscles is what this activity can promise you. Try it now!