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Monday, January 16, 2006
Ledesma: From the beaches to the prairies
By Jun Ledesma
Sunbursts
THERE'S an overwhelming euphoria in Davao fanned by the Asean Tourism Forum that is presently taking place in the city.
It has brought together Dabawenyos to help the city authorities and tourism officials make the event a success and to prove to the world that Davao is the place to visit, to invest and even reside in.
It should interest our foreign guests to know that ours is a community of diverse cultures and faiths. We have a number of indigenous tribes, which have retained their culture but have embraced either Christianity or Mohammedanism.
Pioneers from other regions in the Philippines have also settled here because of the richness of its soil and its seas.
In the mountain ranges of Davao are the richest deposits of gold in the world and other precious minerals.
Many have become instant millionaires using the crude pick and shovels to extract ores from the shallow bowels of the people in those mountains. So crude is our process that some illicit operators make six times more from the wastes or gold ore tailings.
I was told that foreigners clandestinely ship out gold powders fashioned out as ceramic tiles and then reprocessed back to pure gold form once these reach destination. But that is another story.
What I want to impress to our guests is that while we are a people of diverse backgrounds we are united. That our tourism potential attractions are as rich as the investment potentials that is virtually untapped.
I am not kidding if I say that the mother lode of gold is in Davao and I am not referring to Yamashita's much talked about treasures looted by the forces of the Tiger of Malaya during the Second World War. I am not kidding also that we have rich diving grounds, which are just within 10 minutes by motorized vinta ride.
Davao City and environs also abound with eco-tourism destinations. As you see we have a vast expanse of agricultural lands extending all the way to the protected forests of the National Park at the foothills of Mt. Apo. To regenerate the lost forests the government encourages the development of mountain resorts provided the establishments conserve the remaining timber stands and then reforest the area.
A classic example of this mountain resort is Eden Nature Park, a sprawling 80-hectare area, which was once badly denuded and eroded. The resort owners, Atty. Jesus and Mrs. Fe Ayala, personally managed the development of the resort.
Today, the once cogon lands is now covered with thousands of pine trees and various fruit trees. It's a perfect place to hold seminars, family retreat, picnics, research, and health rejuvenation activity. Koreans love to frolic in a wide swimming pool, which look like its hanging in space for it gives you a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the city and sparkling blue waters of Davao Gulf yonder.
The resort has several cottages, villages, a cozy log cabin, and a path walk that will take you down to a stream that has come alive since the trees have started to mature. You can go fishing there too, believe me, and have your catch prepared your way or just leave it to the cook who knows what's best for you. From Marco Polo it will take you about 30 minutes to get there on leisurely driving.
Am sure that the resort villas and cottages are fully booked for now. You have to come back and savor the hospitality of Fe and Chito Ayala, the cool invigorating air, the soporific chirping of the birds and the cicadas and the sight of the eternally blooming flower gardens.
The couple also owns Buenavista Island resort. I have not been there since the first time I went to the place in 1992 so I will not venture to describe the magnificent resort in island Buenavista lest I will omit something in the process. But you can own the island for yourself for as long as you can afford.
One week is too short to see other sites in the region. We have waterfalls, hot springs, golf courses, caves, underground rivers and more. Now that tourism is part of our consciousness I am sure that there will be perceptible efforts and resources that will be geared in developing our tourism potentials.
By the way, our guests should be comfortable with the fact that the security apparatus laid out by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council has been tested and in full operations. This means land, air and sea. So discover Davao and enjoy our brand of hospitality.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (January 16, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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