AS SUNSTAR Davao provides the latest news and updates to its readers, it’s inevitable that it is also experiences the ups and downs in the lives of Dabawenyos.
In the past couple of years, the city had been faced with huge events that marked history for Davao City. With these historic events, Davao City is indeed never the same.
For the last two years, here are the top four huge events that Dabawenyos faced and which SunStar Davao made sure it is present every step of the way.
1. Duterte presidency
Coverage for reporters and the front pages of the local newspapers were never the same since former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte filed for president candidacy. SunStar reporters followed him through campaigns and featured his stories and that of his supporters. More changes came in the pressroom and the stories written by reporters when the former city mayor was hailed the nation’s president – the first from the island region of Mindanao. Indeed, it is one of the biggest milestones Davao City faced.
As President Duterte still has four remaining years as president, SunStar Davao promises to continue to bring to Dabawenyos and other loyal readers the latest news.
2. Roxas Night Market bombing
Everyone was shocked when on September 2, 2016, just a few months after President Rodrigo Duterte won as president, a tragic event happened at the iconic Roxas Night Market. The bomb explosion killed 15 civilians much to the misery of the entire city. Annually, a commemoration Mass is still being held to remember the lost loved ones at the memorial marker.
3. State leaders' visits
Because the nation’s president is from Davao City, the city had the chance to be visited by two state leaders: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. It was a great privilege for the city to be able to welcome these two great leaders.
4. NCCC Mall fire
Before Christmas of 2017, Dabawenyos were devastated when the iconic NCCC Mall Davao along Matina, Davao City was gutted by fire. No one expected it to be that big and would last for several hours. The fire killed 39 individuals mostly employees of the SSI, a BPO company located on the 4th floor of NCCC Mall. This brought much heartbreak and sorrow to the entire city. Up to this day, justice is continued to be sought for the fire victims.