SMX Convention Center Davao to rise soon!

Davao City will be having an SMX Convention Center soon, which will be part of the SM City Lanang. This will be a big boost to Davao City’s economy since this will be the largest convention center to rise in Mindanao.

The SMX Convention Center in Davao City is smaller in size compared to the one in Manila. It has a leasable area of 5,400 square meters (can be split into three halls with a maximum capacity of 1,800 people each) if combined it can accommodate about 5,000 plus people.

This will be Mindanao’s largest privately-run exhibition and convention facility, the SMX Convention Center is an ideal venue for international exhibitions, large-scale local trade events, major medical and other industry conventions and corporate and social functions.

SMX Convention Center Davao will be open by the first quarter of  2012.

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Chef Gene's recommended must EATS in Davao City!

Eugenio R. Gonzalez, popularly known as Chef Gene, is a Filipino Chef, Restauranteur, Educator, Management Consultant, and Author.

He is the founder and president of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

During his visit here sometime during the Kadayawan Festival he tried and recommended these restaurants/establishments a must visit/eat in Davao City.



Beko’s Biik – located on Guerreros Street, Beko’s offers one of the best lechon de leche in town at an absolutely reasonable price. In fact, I usually take home one lechon to Manila every time I go to Davao. If you are brave enough, you may opt to order the super spicy where a kilo of siling labuyo, garlic, leeks and lemon grass are stuffed into the belly of the suckling pig. I would take this stuffing out – the chilis, garlic, onions, leeks and the tender part of the lemon grass and put them in the blender and make deliciously, devilish sambal. Many of the exam panel and CACS chefs are converts of Beko’s. You might want to be one; call telephone numbers (082) 227 2445 and 286 3445.

Tito’s Durian – Ankol or Tito is the man wearing a white sando cutting the durians every afternoon in his parked van on Torres Street in front of Bistro Rosario. Although he has another store in Magsaysay St., he usually spends a lot of time on this street corner selling his harvests. On peak season, he would have as many as 10 durian varieties from his farm for durian connoisseurs to try. The “King of Durian” will give you sound advice on your taste and texture preference; he will open it and let you sample the durian. If you don’t like it, he will offer you another.

BakBak – Located in the Pryce area near the corner of Torres St., BakBak specializes in ice cold beers and pulutans such as the mini barbeque. A recent discovery while drinking and dining with Helen and Arnie del Rosario was the fried native chicken. Though a little tougher and stringier than the mass-bred chicken, the tastier, smaller chicken with its garlicky lemon grass marinade gives fried chicken a new and native dimension without the usual thick and bready coatings.

Luna’s – This is a well-known, old carinderia puwesto in Agdao Market. I like going here with the chefs for an early morning breakfast. One gets a steamy bowl of bulalo with a whole shank of freshly slaughtered beef, still pink (sign of freshly slaughtered meat) or some balbacua (calf’s foot) soup that is thick and gelatinous. Also worth ordering is their freshly prepared fried chicken marinated in spices and lots of lemon grass.

Gorio’s – This is another panciteria related to Dencia’s operating in front of the San Pedro hospital. Lugao and noodle dishes are worth the try at very reasonable prices. I also fancy the Torta de Cangrejo or crab omelet, a large omelette mound of egg and crab swimming in tasty, medium brown gravy.

Papa Chings – located along Lacson Street or Camuf Street, Papa Chings offers a Davao favorite known as greaseless fried chicken. A 15 to 20 minute wait is de riguer because the chicken is “slow-fried” with a very thin coating which gives it a delicate crisp and less oily crust.

Eugenio R. Gonzalez, popularly known as Chef Gene, is a Filipino Chef, Restauranteur, Educator, Management Consultant, and Author.

He is the founder and president of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

Ferrazzini’s – This house is along Bacaca Road and is famous for its Black Paella, a delicious home-cooked version of the dish. The place has built quite a reputation for its recipes. One must reserve beforehand to enjoy a whole garden setup dining experience.

Tai-Pan – This is located at the downtown area where they have three items worth going to. The cheapest lomi which is a giant punch bowl good for six people (about P65); fried crispy pugo, a treat with seasoned salt and black pepper dip and some fresh calamansi squeeze and Kasili (sea eel) that is stewed in tomato sauce. This dish is rich, fatty and melts in the mouth because it is cooked until the eel meat is tender and falls off the bone.

Bulca Chong – Located along Gen. Luna Street, this place is a haunt for an after drinking crowd. The soup is well-simmered and well-flavored and is reputedly cooked with rich and thick carabao meat. Redolent of ginger, chili, lemon grass, leeks, galangal and other condiments, this tasty concoction is created to wake up the inebriated soul. Other variations such as the sizzling and crispy Bulca-Chong are now being offered but the original flavorful soup stew is still worth the trip, with or without alcohol in your blood stream.

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'K Steaks Unlimited' a must for steak lovers in Davao City!

K Steak Unlimited will soon be a byword in Davao City! “K Steak Unlimited : We Serve Steaks and Yes, They’re Unlimited!” is really true to its name!

The newest addition to a dining experience in Davao City, located at  Loreto cor. Macopa Street, Juna Subd, just a few meters before St. Paul Church. The place is owned and managed by classmates and best friends Kevin Nifras, Jose Tabbada, and Beda Matayabas,K Steak Unlimited is Davao’s first steak buffet restaurant and the place can accommodate up to 50 people at one time.

I was one of the lucky member of  Davao Bloggers that was invited to be one of the first to try their unlimited steak meal.  Awesome really,  an unlimited steak of pork, beef and cream dory. This includes the buffet of pork and beans, beef caldereta, fresh lumpia, fried lumpia, creamy spaghetti, caesar salad and even fruit desserts.

The  steaks are grilled in front of your very eyes and you can get it fresh off the grill. The pork steak is really yummy and soft just rightly marinated, the beef steak you can have it your way rare, medium rare, or well done and the cream dowry is refreshing to the palate (a must try).

If you have a big appetite for meats, then this is the place to be. The buffet alone is satiating enough but the steaks are totally great!!

K Steak Unlimited, a business venture under the Katigayunan Food Corporation, the restaurant is now officially open as of July 20. They serve buffet lunch (11 AM to 2 PM) and dinner (5 PM to 10 PM) for only Php 170 pesos per head.

For inquiries, please call (082) 303-3694.

You can also visit and like their Facebook Fan Page!

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404 flood prone ares in Davao City bared!

THE local disaster coordinating body has listed 404 flood-prone areas in Davao City, including subdivisions, sitios and puroks.

Of the city’s 404 flood-risk areas,  139 are in District 1, 138 in District 2, and 127 in District 3.
Under District 1, City Poblacion District has 40 flood-prone areas while Talomo District has 99. For District 2, Buhangin District has 61, Bunawan District has 40, Paquibato District has 25, while Agdao District has 12.
For District 3, Toril District has 38, Tugbok District has 42, Calinan District has 37, and Marilog District has 10.

Barangay Talomo Proper has the most number of flood-prone areas at 38.

Here is the list of flood-prone areas from the DCDCC.
District 1
City Poblacion District:
Barangay 1-A (Bolton Dike): Purok 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7
Barangay 2-A (Magallanes Dike) flood prone areas are Purok 1, 2, 3, and 7
Barangay 5-A (Bankerohan Riverside) Purok 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, and 17
Barangay 7-A General Malvar Purok 1 and 2
Barangay 8-A Lower Madapo of Purok 10
Barangay 9-A San Rafael Village, Purok 10, Pag-asa Drive of Purok 4, Muslim Village, Barrio Tubigon of Purok 6 and Marfori 2 of Purok 8
Barangay 10-A DIHO II Subdivision of Purok 10 and Platinum of Riverside
Barangay 19-B Cell 1, Cell 2, Phase 1, El Rio, Phase 2, El Rio, Phase 3, El Rio, Muslim Area, Purok 8
Barangay 40-D and Purok 1 (near Bolton Bridge)
Under Talomo District:
Barangay Bucana 76-A Dapsa, Purok 12, Bilusa, Purok 19, St. John, Purok 12-A; S.I.R. Phase I; Pasil, Purok 12-B; S.I.R. Phase II; Kasilak, Purok 13; Agro Compound, Purok 32; Manggahan, Purok 20; and Manggahan, Purok 21
Barangay Ma-a Gravahan, Purok 3; GEM Village, Purok 18; Don Julian Vill., Purok 19; Purok 13 (near Bachelor Bus Garage); Lower Sanggilangan, Purok 20; Purok 13-A (near Yellow Bus Terminal); Upper Sanggilangan, Purok 20; Purok 13-B, Riverside; Purok 26 (near Safecon); Datu Loho, Purok 17 Batching Plant); New Argao, Purok 17-A; Camarin, Purok 27; and Maharlika, Purok 35
Barangay Matina Crossing 74-A: Purok Guadalupe; New Visayas Village; Purok San Isidro; Matina Gravahan, Purok 1; Purok Mahayahay; Matina Gravahan, Purok 2; Santiago Balusong; and Tahimik Avenue, Purok 4
Barangay Matina Pangi: Km. 6.5; Km. 8.5; Km. 7; Km. 9; and Km. 8. Barangay Matina Aplaya Dumalag 1; Seaside Village; Dumalag 2; San Nicolas; and Dumalag 3
Barangay Talomo Proper has the most number of flood-prone areas, 38 in total, specifically: Muslim Village; Puan, Block 1; NHA Relocation, Bangkal; Talomo Proper; NHA Kadayawan Homes, Phase III Talomo Salakot; Bangkal Seaside; New Washington; Sto Niño/Bulusan; Talomo Center Beach; Taal Duterte; Talomo Cemento; Ulas (back of Public Market); Calubi-an, Talomo; Puroks 1 up to 14; Bankal (Kadayawan, Central Park, Taal, Bulusan, Muslim Vill.); Ulas (back of Mercury Drug); Dela Merced Typhoon; Ulas Trading; Relocation; UUHSA Village, Ulas; Teachers’ Village; Talusa I; San Juan Village, Bangkal; Talusa II; and SPED Area, Bangkal.
Barangay Bago Aplaya: Gallera de Oro Subd.; Castro Village; Crossing Bago Aplaya; Vagnay Village; D’ Garden Village; Caliraya Homes; Seaside; and Versary
Barangay Bago Gallera: Mega Homes, Sitio Iñigo; Sitio Lumansoc; Rosalina Village I; Sitio Libby; San Lorenzo Village; and Sitio Lower Nalum
Barangay Baliok: Rosalina Village III (Blocks 11, 15, 16, 19, 20 & 22); Purok 2; and Purok 3
Barangay Dumoy: Pagibig Village and Dumoy Proper
District 2
Buhangin District at Barangay Buhangin Proper Spring: Spring Valley; Old San Isidro; Sandawa; New San Isidro; Talisay; San Antonio; Hillside Subd.; San Vicente; Sitio Block 10; Maglana; Mahayag; and NHA
Barangay Cabantian: Laverna Hills
Barangay Tigatto: Purok 1, Sitio Uyanguren; Purok 9, Lapanday; Purok 2, Sitio San Isidro Labrador; Purok 10, Sitio Balon; Purok 3, Sitio San Vicente Ferrer; Purok 11, Sitio Tinago; Purok 4, Sitio Sta. Marina; Purok 12, Juliville Subd (P-3); Purok 7, Sitio Bita Tinago; Purok 13, Sitio Lourdes; Purok 8, Binoring; Purok 14, Jade Valley Subd.; Rodriguez Area; San Vicente Ferrer Tinago; and Km. 10
Barangay Waan: Purok 1, Waan Proper; Sitio Riverside; Purok 2, Waan Proper; Sitio Sto. Niño; Purok 3, Waan Proper; Purok 2, Lower Dampa; Purok 4, Waan Proper; and Sitio Camamara (Riverside)
Barangay Callawa: Riverside; Purok 2; Purok 6; Purok 1-A; Purok 8; and Purok 12
Barangay Mandug: San Isidro; Sta. Marina; Purok 4; Maglana; and Purok 5
Barangay Sasa: Sto. Niño Riverside; De Guzman Village; Del Carmen (Upper & Lower); Doña Pilar, Phase 2; Bolton Relocation; and Sto. Rosario Village
Barangay Pampanga: Purok 19, Doña Asuncion: D. A. Pampanga; Phase 3, Doña Asuncion; Liceralde Village, Purok 2; Phase 7, Doña Asuncion; Phase 2, Roseville Subd.; Sto. Domingo I; and Diamond Village
Bunawan District
Barangay Lasang: Purok Aquarius, Lasang Proper; Purok Pisces, Sitio Bucana; Purok Capricorn, Lasang Proper; Purok Scorpio, Sitio Bucana; Purok Gemini, Lasang Proper; Purok Taurus, Sitio Tambongon; Purok Sagittarius, Lasang Proper; Purok Libra, Sitio Tambongon; Purok Virgo, Sitio Licanan; and Purok Aries, Sitio Licanan
Bunawan Proper: Purok 1; Purok 7; Purok 2-A; Purok 7-A; Purok 3-A; Purok 7-B; Purok 4; Purok 7-C; Purok 5; Purok 8; Purok 5-B; Purok 9; Purok 6; Purok 10 and Purok 6-A
Barangay San Isidro: Purok 1; Purok 4; Purok 1-A; Purok 5; Purok 3; and Purok 5-B
Barangay Ilang: Purok 7-A; Sto. Niño Awad, Purok 1; Purok 7-B; and Central Ilang (Puroks 2-A and 2-B)
Barangay Panacan: San Miguel, Purok 12, Km. 14; Malagamot Proper, Purok 24; Sunrise, Purok 13, Km. 14; Esturis Village, Purok 29; and Dacudao Village, Purok 22
Paquibato District
Barangay Paquibato Proper: Sitio Narra and Paquibato Proper
Barangay Pañalum: Puroks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Barangay Mabuhay: Purok Mangga; Purok Bayabas; Purok Boongon; Purok Nangka; and Mabuhay Proper
Barangay Pandaitan: Sitio Tibungol; Purok 5, Sitio Lower Pandaitan and Sitio Pigdalahan
Barangay Colosas: Sitio Panaga and the Colosas Proper
Barangay Fatima: Purok 1, 2, 3, and Lower Latungan
Barangay Sumimao: Sumimao Proper
Agdao District
Barangay Centro Agdao (San Juan): Purok San Francisco Village; Purok Sta. Lucia; Purok Naasin; Purok Victoria Pelayo; Purok North San Juan; Purok Alicia Pelayo; and Purok Sto. Niño Pelayo
Barangay Ubalde: Puroks 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
District 3
Toril District
Barangay Lizada: Sitio Tambacan; Sitio SODACO; Sitio Samuel Village; Sitio Lawis; Sitio New Lizada Village; Sitio Punong; Sitio J.V. Ferriols; Sitio Gutierrez Village; Sitio Culusa Viullage; Sitio Curvada; Sitio Lizada Proper; Sitio BABISA; Sitio Maharlika Village; Sitio Ilocano Community; Sitio Lizada Beach; and Sitio Malatabis
Barangay Crossing Bayabas: Purok 1 (Santol Street); Purok 6 (Saypon Riverside); Purok 2 (Venus Extension); Purok 16 (Sto. Niño Village); and Purok 3 (Venus Street)
Barangay Marapangi: Marapangi I (near Lipadas River); Marapangi I (near Sirawan River); Marapangi II (near Sirawan River); and Marapangi II (near creek and Lipadas River)
Barangay Lubogan: Purok 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 14
Barangay Sirawan: Purok 1, 10, 12, and 14
Barangay Daliao has Doña Manuela
Tugbok District
Barangay Sto. Niño: Puroks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 Aglipayan Village; Purok 14, Green Meadows Subd.; Purok 16; and Purok 19
Barangay Mintal: Corner Lanatana and Champaca Streets; NAPOLCOM Area; Sampaguita Street (near PLDT); and Barangay Road going to Camp San Gabriel
Barangay Tugbok Proper: Purok 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Purok 8, Sitio New Loon; Purok 9, Sitio New Loon; Purok 10, Sitio Upper Tugbok; Purok 11, Sitio Mahayahay; Purok 12, Sitio Crossing Quarry; Purok 13, Sitio Crossing Quarry; and Purok 14, Sitio Small Tacunan
Barangay Balengaeng: Purok 1, Sitio Campo 5; Purok 5 and Purok 7
Barangay Los Amigos: Purok 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8
Barangay Talandang: Purok Saging, Sitio Bonggan; Purok Santol, Sitio Asang; and Purok Cacao, Sitio Banarao
Calinan District
Barangay Calinan Poblacion: Purok 1; 2; 3; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 29; 30; Teachers’ Village; Vietcong Area; Calle Apeke; Abayon Village; and Magsaysay Street
Barangay Riverside: Purok 1; Purok 3-A; Purok 4-A; Purok 4; Purok 5; and Purok 5-A
Barangay Lamanan: Darila; Colabol; Galao; and Lagawisan
Barangay Dacudao: Purok 6; 7; 8; 11
Barangay Inayangan: Sitio Galao and Sitio Lagawisan
Barangay Dominga: Areas along the riverside
Barangay Cawayan: Sitio Banod
Barangay Lacson: Basakan Area, Purok 9
Barangay Dalagdag: Areas along the riverside
Marilog District
Barangay Tamugan has Sitio Bala; Sitio Lower Patag; Sitio Acacia; Sitio Banod; Sitio San Miguel; and Sitio Davao Gulf
Barangay Suawan: Suawan Proper; Sitio Moab; Sitio Gatungan and Lower Tule

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Experience authentic Thai dishes at "Bangkok Wok"!

Bangkok Wok 
Robinson’s Cybergate, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
(082) 282-1231

When in Davao City and you want to have a taste of Thai, then the place to go to is Bangkok Wok. You can enjoy your meal with a classy ambiance at their restaurant. Not only that, you can really enjoy their food since most of the spices and some ingredients are imported direct from the source to get that authentic Thai taste and consistency in taste.

I was lucky enough to be invited for the food tasting experience of a lifetime together with some bloggers from Davao. We were graciously welcomed by Carmina and Raffy Del Rosario the owners of Bangkok Wok. Carmina who lived in Thailand for a while, explained to us that the dishes she has prepared for us are some of their best sellers and some that they will introduce to their menu in the coming days.

Ka Moo Pad Ped, Thai Oxtail Stew, Grilled Lamb Riblets, Ruamit and Kao Soy.

Here are the food that we savored and it was really yummy. Have to go back for more and taste the rest of what’s in the menu:
1. Yam Pak Boong – crispy kangkong salad in a sweet lime dressing with shrimps and crunchy shallots P225 (Good for 4-6 pax)
2. Kai Luk Koei – “son-in-law” eggs — it’s the Thai version of devilled eggs – deep fried hard-boiled eggs with tamarind sauce and fried chili P75
3. Laarb Gai – minced chicken salad with cilantro – P P195
4. Thai Oxtail Stew – slow-cooked oxtails served piping hot with cilantro, thai lime and thai vinegar P 300 (serves 4-6). This recipe was a best-seller at Chef Pam Panyasiri’s in NYC and took months for us to develop until we achieved a perfect blend of herbs consisting of cinammon sticks, cumin, ground coriander.
5. Ka Moo Pad Ped – cripsy pork knuckles on top of red curry P595(serves 4-6)
6. Grilled Lamb Riblets – Australian lamb riblets grilled thai style with a spicy lime dipping sauce and somtam (green papaya salad) on the side P 480
7. Shrimp Fried Rice - Kao Pad Goong P 195 (good for 6)
8. Kao Kluk Gapi – our best selling rice- Bagoong Rice P 165 also good for up to 6 pax
9. Kao Soy – Chiang Mai noodle soup with crispy and soft egg and rice noodles topped with chicken, cilantro, pickled mustard P165
10. Dessert – Ruamit - Thai halo-halo P85
It is really a good place for Family or Barkada to go and eat, the food served is good for group of people to share and enjoy the hearty meal served.

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"Simbang Gabi" starts Dec. 16!

On, December 16 is the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi dawn mass for nine-days in keeping with one of the most popular holiday family traditions in the Philippines.

The “Simbang Gabi” tradition started out in the very first midnight mass of thanksgiving held in the fields of Mexico in 1587 by farmers and their families to celebrate a rich harvest. The practice has since spread to other nations with dominant Catholic populations come Christmas time.

The first Christmas in the Philippines was celebrated by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. Since then, it has become the longest and best-loved festival among Filipinos. The dawn masses came to be called “Misa de Aguinaldo” by the Spaniards, which means “gift masses” in English that were later introduced to the Philippines from Mexico.The “Simbang Gabi” has become an essential part of the Filipinos’ Christmas traditions.

Up to this time it is still being practiced by most Filipinos.

Do you still go to dawn masses?

Do you complete the nine days of dawn masses before Christmas?

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Davao City “No Smoking Ordinance”!

Just in case you didn’t know!

ORDINANCE NO. 043-02
Series of 2002
Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Davao, in session assembled that:
SECTION 1. TITLE. – Be it ordained that this Ordinance shall be known as, “ THE COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY “;
SECTION 2. COVERAGE. – It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or allow smoking in a public utility vehicle, government-owned vehicle or any other means of public transport for passengers, accommodation and entertainment establishment, public building, public place, as defined in Section 3 (e) hereunder, enclosed public place, or in any enclosed area outside of ones private residence, private place of works, cars owned by the government or duly designated smoking areas, within the jurisdiction of Davao City;
SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS.
A.) Smoking refers to the lighting and/or puffing of any lighted cigarette, cigar, tobacco or any other kind, form or type. Possession of any lighted cigarette, cigar, tobacco and the like within the prohibited areas for smoking shall constitute a prima facie evidence as an act of smoking prohibited under this Ordinance;
B.) Public Utility Vehicle Refers to Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), Public Utility Buses (PUBs), taxis, tricycles and other public utility vehicles used in the transport of passengers;
C.) Accommodation & Entertainment Establishment refer to restaurants, fast foods, eateries, hotels, motels, lodges, inns, boarding houses, disco houses, videoke bars, resto bars, and movie houses, or any other place with pleasant environment and atmosphere conducive to comfort, healthful relaxation and rest, offering foods, sleeping accommodation and recreation facilities to the public for a fee;
D.) Public Building refers to any of the following:
1.) A building structure owned by the government or owned by a private person but used, rented or occupied by the government or any of its instrumentalities;
2.) Any building or structure used, or controlled exclusively for public purposes by any department or branch of government, local government unit or barangay without references to the ownership of the building.
E.) Public Place refers to gasoline stations, bank, malls, town squares, terminals, shopping/business arcades, schools, churches, hospitals, cinema houses, gymnasiums, funerals parlors, barber shops, and other similar places where people usually congregate either to while away their time or to listen or attend concerts, rallies, program such as, but not limited to, Rizal Park, Freedom Park, Magsaysay Park, Osmeña Park, and the like;
F.) Designated Smoking Room refers to a delineated room inside the accommodation establishment, or public place or enclosed public place, which is totally enclosed where a person is allowed to smoke without violating this Ordinance.
Any duly designated room/ area in accommodation and entertainment establishments whether tourism accredited or not, within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City as hereinabove defined, provided, the following conditions are met;
1.) If the accommodation and entertainment establishment is air-conditioned,
it must establish and designate a smoking room which shall not be more than ¼ of the total accommodation area of the establishment, that is air-conditioned and equipped with an exhaust fan and totally enclosed on all sides and separated from the rest of the premises where smoking is prohibited, and
2.) If the accommodation and entertainment establishment is not air-conditioned, it must establish and designate a smoking area which shall not be more than ¼ of the total accommodation area of the establishment that is fully ventilated and separated from the rest of the premises where smoking is prohibited.
G.) Enclosed Area refers to an area which is closed whether totally or partially at the sides and is roofed or make use of the flow above it as a ceiling, or even if open on all sides but is covered by a roof, permanent or temporary in nature;
H.) Enclosed Public Place refers to a room, building, structure or edifice that is constructed with a shelter or covered by a roof with panels or concrete wall, which structure is open to the public.
SECTION 4. PROHIBITED ACTS. The following acts shall be prohibited.
A.) Smoking in any of the places enumerated in Section 2 hereof, except in duly designated smoking areas;
B.) Knowingly allowing, abetting, or tolerating smoking in accommodation establishments, whether tourism accredited or not, except when smoking is done inside or within the duly designated smoking areas referred to in this Ordinance;
C.) Smoking while inside a government-owned or public utility vehicle whether moving or stationery or while solicitation of passengers is going on or while the vehicle is waiting for passengers;
SECTION 5. PERSONS LIABLE. The following persons/ individuals are deemed liable under this Ordinance:
A.) Any person smoking within the prohibited rooms, areas/ individuals are mentioned in Section 2 hereof;
A.) Any passenger, driver, conductor, or inspector of government-owned vehicles or public utility vehicles (PUVs) smoking as stated in Section 5 (c) hereof;
B.) The President or Manager incase of a company, corporation, or association or the owner/ proprietor or operator in case of single proprietorship, of accommodation and entertainment establishments, whether tourism-accredited or not, who knowingly allows, abets or tolerates and/ or fails to warn, advise or report violators of this Ordinance to any policeman or nearest station within three (3) hours of the violation;
SECTION 6. The City Health Office and City Engineer’s Office are tasked to inspect and certify the appropriateness of the designated smoking areas provided by accommodation establishments whether tourism-accredited or not, taking into consideration the purpose of the law which is to protect non-smokers from the pernicious effects of tabacco smoke;
Sixty (60) days after affectively of this Ordinance, the City Health Office in coordination with the Office of the Business Bureau shall conduct an ocular inspection of all non-accredited tourism establishments in Davao City to determine compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance.

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'XLR8' live in Abreeza Mall Davao this Friday Dec. 9!

The most popular boy band XLR8 in the Philippines will hit Davao City this Friday!

If you are a fan of XLR8 be at the Abreeza Mall of Davao City for a Live Concert show of the boy band.

Be at hte XLR8 Music Album Phone Luanc: Super Hero for this one of a lifetime experience!

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A Taste of India in Davao City!

There is a small store in Davao City that sells Indian spices, goodies, snack foods, yoghurt and anything from India. This is very popular store to go to. Indian Spice Mini-Mart is located inside Juna Subdivision in Matina, Davao City in front of the catholic church. It is very easy to find and you can take any tricycle driver plying the area, may it be near NCCC Mall or near SM City.

Read the rest of the article and more pictures after the jump!Click read more below!

They are serving hot Samosa, a famous bite size snack food from India and the prices are very affordable. They range fom Php 8.00-14.00 depanding on the filling. They have vegetable, beef and chicken filling it goes well with their tamarind sauce. Mmmm yummy!

What I love about the place is that they have a wide variety of freshly made yogurts and they are very affordable and the sizes are also very generous compared to any mass produced yogurts made by big companies. And we have many flavors to choose from and they have low fat ones, too. Good for anyone on a diet or not.

They also have frozen and ready to cook foods on sale, thay have a variety of spices and also soaps, shampoos, canned goods, preserved fruits, rice and many more. If you are not afraid to try anything new and cook it yourself at home. This is the place to visit.

While I was there I got a bit hungry so I bought a vegetable Samosa and pair it with Buko -Pandan flavored yogurt. That made my day especially with teir tamarind sauce that goes well with Samosa. You should try and go there if you have the time. I bet it is going to be worthy of your time.

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Candid, Group and pictorials at the Davao Blogger Event!

Candid shots!



Where's your drink?



The party is great!



The pictures I took are blurry! I think my hands are shaking!

More images after the jump! Click read more below.




Look who's in there!



My Mom just texted me!



I'm busy blogging!



We're hungry!

Group Shots!



We made it to the party!



Glad we're here!



Killer pose!



Nice shot!



Make peace not war!



That's us!

Smiles!



Is my angle right for the pose!



Drama Queen got her man!



What's that over there?



We're full!



See we're here!



Where's my food?



Ready to eat!



We're done eating!



So do we!



Always camera ready smiles!

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Davao City's People's Park!

One of the most visited park s in Davao City which is situated at the center of the city. Just across Casa Leticia Hotel and at the back of Apo View Hotel. This is very crowded during weekends and especially at night when the weather it at its mildest.

If you come and visit Davao City, don't forget to drop by People's Park, It will cost you nothing to visit the park.

Below are some images taken at the park by my digital camera.



This is the walkway at the park at the entrance and exit way.



There are colorful and ethnic sculptures surrounding the park.



More images after the jump, just click on read more below!


This is a favorite place for those who are into fitness.



Jogging around the park early in the morning.






The famous eagle sculpture.



The fountain and Mandaya Hotel in the background.



The park is surrounded with fire trees and some are in bloom.

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Digital Filipino.com and Bloggers Davao Networking Event on Oct. 31!

The DigitalFilipino.com Club will be having blogger’s event here in Davao! It will be a “fellowship/networking event where e-commerce industry players and bloggers can catch up and exchange updates.”

This will be on October 21, Tuesday, 6 to 11 pm at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

This event is sponsored by our club member PAGCOR.

6:00 - 7:00 Registration and Dinner
7:00 - 7:30 Guest introduction / plugs
7:30 - 8:00 Updates by Janette

• DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2008
• DigitalFilipino.com Club Updates (online workshop and other efforts)
• Ratified.org Philippines Top 100 Blogs 2008 (blogs that had big moves in 2008)

8:00 - 8:30 - PAGCOR launch Internet/E-Commerce project
8:30 - onwards - Raffle, Networking, Games

Bloggers are invited to attend! Just click here to register!

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"Physical Assesment Seminar" for Nurses in Davao on Oct. 2!

The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)-Davao City Chapter will be holding its seminar entitled “Physical Assessment” on October 2, Thursday from 8 a.m to 12 noon at the Davao Medical Center’s Mahogany Room, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

Invited guest speaker is Dr. Sheila Marie Quiachon-Hernandez, said PNA-Davao City Chapter president Elsie Tee.

Tee said registration fees will be P200 for PNA members while non-members will pay P250. Students are welcome to attend the nurses’ seminar and will pay P150.

For further inquiries, kindly call the PNA office at telefax number 224-0244 and look for Vangie Montejo.

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October 5: No Prostitution Day!

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte signed in 2005 the Proclamation No. 07 that declared October 5 as No Prosti Day. Some non-government organizations in this city will be observing October 5 as the day of No Prostitution.

It’s a day of no prostitution that includes no pornography, phone sex, cyber sex, mail-order bride services, trafficking, strip dancing, sex tours and prostitution in massage parlors, on the streets.

The city’s celebration is a local version of the International Day of No Prostitution (IDNP) project of the Bay Area IDNP Collective in the USA in 2002.

Figures from the City Health Office showed that there are 2,411 registered prostituted women in the city while an NGO cited some 4,000 prostituted women doing their freelance job.

This is a nice day to celebrate a No Prosti Day, this is the firs time I've heard about this declaration. But with the crisis that's going on in the country and rising inflation, this is going to be tough day for those involved to celebrate.

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"Tayo Na Pumunta Sa Dabaw" MTV!

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Mindanao Culinary Festival opens at the Venue on Sept 25!

The three day Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) 2008 Summit is set to start on September 25 at the Venue in Davao City with this years theme "Indigenous Flavors, Global Tastes", which is initiated by Davao Tourism Association.

A Culinary seminar and courses will be conducted together with culinary competition whic will be participated by students and trainers. There will also be cooking demonstratins, valuable learning sessions and trainings to be conducted by experts from Manila. There will be fourteen courses and seminars to be conducted.

Cerificate course for baking and certificate course on cake decoration for students and trainers, URC baking course, Barista course for beginners, seminars on restaurant operations training, common pathogens and food safety and more significant topocs to be presented by culinary specialists, chefs and professors of culinary schools, columnist and editor of culinary magazine.

This summit is open to the public to encourage our SME's and those who wants to go into food business.

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Marco Polo Fun Run on October 12!

The Marco Polo 5K Fun Run is set this coming October 12 in line with their 10th year anniversary celebration. The Fun Run is open to all fitness and sports enthusiasts.

Registration is going on and the registration fee is P150.00 which comes with a souvenir shirt and light breakfast.

Winners will receive a cash prize:

• Champion:P3,000.00
• 2nd placer:P2,000.00
• 3rd Placer:P1,000.00
  

There's a twist to this years fun run, a team race with P5,000 at stake for the champion.

A team of 10 runners have to register and private companies, government agencies, military, police and bureau of fire units are invited. Each team shall also be judged according to their creativity and uniqueness. They can sing a jingle or chant about Marco Polo Hotel Davao, wear t costumes or uniforms or perform a little dance number in between the race.

For registration and inquiries call the Marco Polo Fitness Center at 221-0888 local 7462 or 7819 for more details.

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Walk In Exam for Marine Officers Now in Davao!

With the increasing global demand for marine officers, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has brought the “walk-in examination system” (WES) to Davao City.

Instead of going to Manila to take exams for Officer-in-charge of an Engineering Watch, Officer-in-charge of a Navigational Watch, for Marine Engineer and Deck Officers, the applicants may simply take it here in Davao.

PRC regional director Josephine Liamzon announced in yesterday’s (Sept. 17) Ugnayan sa Mandaya Hotel the latest technology brought from central office down to the regional offices in Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.

“This will lessen the cost of our applicants instead of traveling to Manila, now they can take the exam in those cities,” she said.

PRC XI admitted that there is a slow down of licensure exam applicants from the Davao City’s marine schools.

Data showed that of a few number of examinees who take the exams in Manila, only about 35 percent of the examinees passed. This is believed to have caused the increase in demand of Filipino marine officers from worldwide shipping.

MARINA XI Virgo Armonia bared in the same forum that fresh graduates have found it difficult to immediately land a job or take licensure exams due to the many requirements set before a shipping company hires an applicant.

“One has to undergo series of trainings and exams just to move up the ladder. That is why many of our graduates faced difficulty in qualifying for a job,” Armonia said.

PRC, on the other hand, has lessened the number of examination levels that the applicants need to take.

“Now, they only have to take one exam for operational and one exam for management,” Liamzon added.

The WES result is immediately provided after the end of the last subject. It would only take the applicant about seconds of less than a minute to view the exam results.

Applicants need only to bring birth certificate from the NSO, transcript of records, medical certificate from DOH accredited clinics, NBI clearance, community tax certificate, certificate of sea service, POEA contract, seafarer’s identification record book, and an exam fee of P900.

One can apply through www.prc.gov.ph and the portal will then guide the applicant to the step by step procedure.

Source:PIA/Mia Gevera

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Biggest R&B Party in Davao this September!

MYXTREME

What: September To Remember Concert and album Launch of Myxtreme
When: September27, 2008
Where: University of Mindanao Gym
Matina, Davao City

Featured artists:

• Myxtreme
• Jay-R
• Chris Lawrence
• Thor
• Jay Durias of South Border

This will also be the album Launch of Myxtreme.

Myxtreme is composed of Jopee Hipolito on drums, Jovel Camahalan on keyboard, John Fritz Morales on bass, Jason Chua on lead guitar and Mark Michael Tan Garcia on vocals.

The band’s debut album will have 14 songs – 10 originals and four covers of their fave songs.
The album includes Windblow, the group entry in MDS Awards in 2007 that won them Best Video and the People Choice’s Award. That song became a regional hit in Davao last year, topping a number of radio stations. Even Gary Valenciano expressed interest in recording the song.

The carrier single in the new album is the revival, No Arms Can Ever Hold You, by English glam rocker Chris Norman.

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Join the Guerrilla Film Making Workshop!

The Mindanao Film and Television Development Foundation, Inc. is going to conduct a Guerrilla Filmmaking Workshop in Davao City. They will cover on Story Development, Cinematography, Screenwriting, Producing, Directing and Editing a film.

Those who are interested in joining the workshop which will be held on three succeeding weekends in October starting on the 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26, 2008. Registration deadline is on October 10.

Those who are interested to participate in the workshop just contact the secretariat on the following address:

Mindanao Television Development Foundation, Inc.
Anda St., Davao City
Tel.# 082-225-FILM

For further details refer to the poster below, clock to enlarge!

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