The Davao Where I Dreamed and Dared.

I never really admit this, but I really missed Davao so much. I think it's the best city in the Philippines. I've lived and studied in Davao for four years and really, I've never felt safer anywhere else in the Philippines than in Davao. Here's my story. 

earlier days w/ Tymar (wow we're friends in 2006?=)

In 2004, I went to study in Iligan. It was too chaotic for me. I was surprised by the rampant crime I experienced during my one year stay in the city. In 2006, I decided to transfer and study in Davao. Having used to being vigilant from my Iligan City experience, I was too careful with my surrounding, especially when I travel from the city proper to  UP Campus,  which usually takes up to 30-45 minutes jeepney ride.

Now imagine my surprise when I hopped inside the jeepney, only to find all passengers texting inside, as if it was the safest place to display your latest cellphone and gadgets! But then, as weeks passed, it eventually occurred to me that it was the life there -- people walk around feeling safe and unharmed. 

Christmas w/ Lisha (2008)

I missed Davao life really. I missed going out with my room mates in the middle of the night to buy minute burger, as if it was 9am morning. I missed walking alone from the UP Campus to my boarding house after classes. I missed the long rides from Mintal to city proper vice versa, as I dreamed a million thoughts over the long journey.

I missed drinking until 3am while still feeling safe to roam around the city. I missed doing projects in downtown area and finishing it until 5am, just ready for class two hours after. I missed sleeping inside the jeepney. I missed the city where I dream and dared. Sad also, that I missed the place where I failed. 

Christmas with Chichi, 2009

Me, I always tell myself -- I want to experience a new environment and so I never opted to work in Davao. After graduation, I lived in Siquijor for three months. Then I went back to Tagum for a while and decided to live in Cagayan de Oro for some time. But I remain unimpressed with these places.

Now don't get me wrong. I loved Siquijor's nature and serenity, but Davao is just really more convenient & more livable. CDO was also a nice place with nice people and nice motorela ;-) -- but still it was not as "organized" as I had hoped. It was what it was -- a typical city in the country.

Davao Writers Workshop 2010

For now, I remain in Tagum, another "nice" place in this part of the Philippines. But soon, I plan to take off and live in the chaotic Manila... and really, the thought on safety freaks me out. But then again, I have to experience living in these places to love Davao more.

Once, a good friend told me, "your peace of mind cannot be found in places". I see his point, but I need to find where I really belong and for that to happen, it will take some time of getting lost too.

Last days in Davao, crazy UP graduation (2010)

But for sure, I know how I will always find my way back to Davao. And now that the city is on the spotlight for having a tough mayor with tough policies, I write this blog to offer my support to the kind of leadership the Philippines must have -- tough, strong, and incorruptible -- like that of Davao's first female mayor who punched an inconsiderate and hardheaded sheriff last friday.

Really, this scene is something that only people who have lived and experienced Davao could only understand. Mabuhay ka, Inday Sara. ^_^