MT. APO: THE HIGHEST PEAK IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain the country, is favorite destination, treks may be arranged with tour agencies. The trek starts only after a bus ride to Kidapawan, 107 kilometers south of Davao City, a 12-kilometer jeep ride to Barangay Ginatilan, and a five-kilometer jeepney ride to Barangay Ilomavis. From there, the climb begins. Trekkers will find on the slopes forest of exotic flora, steaming geysers, rainwater lakes, swift-flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls.Peak of Mt. Apo

After four days of leisurely trek, you are bound to see the Agko Blue Lake, a steaming lake with some parts that are icy cold and others that are boiling hot; Lake Venado, an irregularly shaped expanse bordered by a think carpet of bermuda grass; and the Mt. Apo Crater.

Mt. Apo is home to the endangered Philippine Eagle, the world's tallest eagle species at one meter high and, with a wing span of about 2.5 meters, the largest. The eagle preys on monkeys, flying lemurs, flying squirrels and, occasionally, pigs nd goats. The mountain is also a sanctuary for some rare birds such as the flycatcher, fairy blue birds, flower catchers, coltos, doves, sunbirds, and racket-tailed parrots.

DURIAN: THE KING OF FRUITS

The durian is widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits". It is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. Sometimes people described it as the fruit that smells like hell but tastes like heaven.

A visit to the south must include a tour of Davao—which automatically means a deeper excursion to Davao City. There the numinous spirits are sure to charm the unsuspecting visitor with the forbidden (but delectable) fruit, aside from wooing the same with the city’s other attractions. Calinan is where the enchantment flavors are concocted. With an array of durian assortments that have mesmerized many a wandering tourist, one will forever be spellbound by Davao—tongue, heart, and soul.

WALING WALING: THE QUEEN OF ORCHIDS

Waling-waling is one of the finest orchid species endemic to the Philippines, desired by orchid growers and breeders alike for its showy and attractive flowers and ability to impart its vigor and floral characteristics to its progeny. “The flowers are flat, to eight centimeters across; the sepals and petals are obviate, bluish pink, with buff-yellow stain, and dull-crimson reticulations on the lateral sepals; the lip is small and concave, purple-red at base, strongly recurved and brownish purple at apex; with three prominent keels.”

The waling-waling, named in “allusion to a month in flight,” was discovered on Mindanao in 1882. It used to grow on tree trunks in the rainforests of Davao, Sultan Kudarat and other parts of the island. It is worshipped as diwata (fairy) by the native Bagobos.

“The Waling-waling blooms best from July to October each year, and its very fertile because it easily propagates, and a cluster of waling-waling in full bloom is a very spectacular sight,”

PEARL FARM: THE PREMIERE BEACH RESORT IN DAVAO

Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, tranquil and exotic island with a coastline adorned with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions and flourishing flora and fauna.

Nestled on the quiet side of Samal Island, The Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a mere 45-minute boat ride from the wharf. This fourteen (14) hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. Today, the resort beckons with the promise of a relaxing, private retreat, under the care of its friendly and charming staff.

EDEN: THE BEST MOUNTAIN RESORT IN DAVAO CITY

A mountain resort 3,000 feet above sea level, Eden Nature Park is 95% man-made! It is a great model of how we can re-create nature and rebuild a lost environment.Peace, serenity, bonding and celebration amongst the splendor of creation.Eden is a home to vast gardens of herbs and organic vegetables, lush field of exotic and tropical foliage, acres of lofty pines and fruit trees, and showcases of exotic and indigenous creatures at the Deer Park and Bird Walk.

AHFAT RESTAURANT: ONE OF THE CHEAPEST AND THE BEST IN THE WORLD

I have gone and eaten in many places. Nothing comes close to the satisfaction that I get from eating in AHFAT. Adjectives like best tasting, most delicious, fresh but cheap, quick and consistent, personalized service are even sometimes inadequate to ...describe one's feeling after he comes out of the restaurant. This probably is the reason why people keep coming back. A SATISFIED CUSTOMER IS THE BEST MARKETER

MY FAVORITE SUPERMARKET

KADAYAWAN WEEK: August 16-23,2009

It is a celebration of Good Harvest! This globally famous festival is a weeklong celebration and thanksgiving for nature’s bountiful harvest. Kadayawan Festival is being celebrated every 3rd Week of August. A celebration of the plentiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season. Kadayawan is derived from the prehistoric word “madayaw,” a warm and friendly greeting also used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good, or profitable, “Kadayawan” in Mandaya means anything that brings fortune, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. Ethnic tribes around Mt. Apo usually gathered during the harvest-time when they had a bountiful harvest to give thanks to their gods particularly the all-powerful Bathala (supreme God). According to legend, the occasion is noticeable by happiness, singing, and dancing, as well as offerings to their divine protectors.