Davao's best, tourism's finest

Sunday, September 12, 2010

FROM the very start of the three-day Philippine Travel Mart at the Mega Trade Hall of SM Megamall, Davao City's pavilion was undoubtedly the best among all the other pavilions of other cities and regions.

With Jing Puentespina at the helm of design and execution, it comes as no surprise that all other destinations present were caught off-guard with the natural beauty that the pavilion showcased. From bountiful fruits of sweet smelling pomelo, fresh pineapples, luscious lanzones, and the succulent mangosteen to the most elegant waling-walings and other orchids that were in full bloom.

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An example of public-private partnership, with the local government unit footing the bill for the cost of the space of the pavilion, Philippine Airlines for providing the air freight of the fruits and flowers from the farms in Davao to Metro Manila, and the private tourism players who came in full force to promote the city.

One interesting feature about the Davao Pavilion is the free tasting of the now famous Puentespina cheeses that are the cheese of choice by nearly all the chefs in Metro Manila's top hotels, and the Bignay or fruit wine, also from the same family.

Having been away from my home city for the past three months, it was a most inspiring to see the Davao Pavilion striking awe and pleasant sighs from the thousands of visitors at the Philippine Travel Mart, a number of whom asked if the fruits on display were for sale or some who were brazen enough to actually pick some of the fruits upon learning that these were not for sale.

Also on display at the Davao Pavilion were the intricate indigenous attires made by the city's fashion czar, Boy Guino-o, who also staged a one-man fashion show at the travel mart.

In one of my conversations with Tita Baby Montemayor, she said Davao is once again in full bloom, a feat I would have loved to see after seeing how the city was ripped apart during the elections.

Some other conversations, most of which I am not allowed to publicly discuss as of yet, makes me look forward to seeing Davao bloom not only for this year, or at least not only winning the "Best Pavilion" at the Philippine Travel Mart, but for the years to come and see the city I so love win the hearts of the many tourists around the world.