De la Cruz-Busto: Inexpensive finds in Davao

Sunday, January 8, 2012

SINCE my mother suffered a massive stroke almost two years ago, my family’s trips to Davao have become frequent. We would take turns in coming home to somehow perk up our mother’s spirits and let her feel that she is loved even if she could hardly express any emotion.

Aside from caring for and visiting our mother in Davao, trips have become a rediscovery of sorts, having relocated to Manila more than 16 years ago. This was what I discovered much to my amusement during our Christmas vacation recently. It helped that my husband and nine-year-old son also share the same impression of the city.

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Recent Davao trips have become a breeze because of the huge disparity with the cost of living alone. In Manila, for instance, you spend P500 if you treat your family in, maybe, a fast food chain like the children’s all time favorite Jollibee or McDonald’s. Eating a piece of chicken, rice and a drink would already cost you more than a hundred, and that’s just for one person. But my nine-year-old son can easily consume two pieces of chicken and that is where the chunk of the P500 goes.

But in Davao, one’s P500 go a long way. I was able to buy a piece of chicken at JFC (not Jollibee Food Corporation though, but Jenny’s Fried Chicken) for only P20! I did not know about JFC to intentionally buy food there, but at that time, it was the only fast food store open as it was almost Christmas Eve. We had gone everywhere around town only to find out they were all closed. I had no choice but to buy my son food there because it was also getting late and I know going elsewhere would be futile.

I was surprised that for less than P100, I was able to buy two pieces of chicken (fried and grilled), rice and three bottles of water at JFC. Who can beat that? I know I could never find the same food price anywhere in Manila. If at all I would, it would definitely not taste the same.

For every trip to Davao, I always made sure to bring my son to the beach and bask and enjoy the waters without the distance that we would normally go through while in Manila. The nearest beach or resort that one can visit in Manila is usually in Batangas or Laguna, which takes an hour or two drive, less the traffic. But in Davao, it only takes 20 minutes from my parents’ place to reach the beach in Samal Island.

I find riding the ferryboat fun because the fare only costs P15 and if one intends to charter the boat, you only have to pay between P120 to P150. I find it amusing though that some passengers complain about the P15 fare and would haggle with the boat dispatcher to reduce it to P10, and dispatchers seemed apologetic to inform you of the boat charter rate. How I wish living in Manila is as inexpensive as in Davao.

Of course, going to Davao without talking about the food is boring. The food are delicious and almost as affordable as the boat ride to a Samal beach.

My family and I missed eating at Merco (or Mercorner). There were 12 of us one time, when we thought to one of its branches near a private hospital along Malvar Street. And what a surprise, they had huge discount promo for diners, which I learned only after paying the bill. I did not pay much attention to the promo poster outside the restaurant. All I cared at the time was to eat its famous jellyroll, luglug and halo-halo because it has been ages since I had eaten their staple foods. I just paid a little more than P1,200 for 12 people.

My son and nephews liked the food so much that a day after eating there, we had to go back again. The second time though was like eating there for free because my generous aunt paid for our bill. We still ate the same food as if there was no tomorrow, because we know after our Christmas holiday, we will surely salivate for their food again.

In Manila, you get choked when the bill is given to you because having the same entourage will cost you six grand to say the least. A cousin who has been living in Manila longer than I have, was surprised to pay only less than P5,000 for a buffet lunch for 30 people. He once treated my husband and three other colleagues in a Makati restaurant and paid more than P10,000.

After our food trip, we brought the children to a newly opened activity area – Zoofari -- fronting an exclusive village. The cost for an hour of play also floored me at P50 per child and P200 for unlimited play. I really could not help myself and compare this again with the children activity area here in Manila, where the cheapest one can find is P175 for an hour and P375 for unlimited play.

Our vacation was just for six days but we were able to enjoy low-cost frills from going to the beach, eco-adventure, food trip, among other things. What made these activities even worth it was getting our money’s worth. Our finds were not inferior and substandard even if they are cheap. Indeed, I cannot help but say Davao delivers the good life, as we again look forward to our next trip back.