Custodio: In my eyes

IT IS the weekend and a very special one for us because it is, Araw ng Dabaw! For someone who has never really called any other place home, I rejoice knowing that we have been here for 82 years! It has not always been as peaceful as it is now but it will always be where my heart is!

I remember the times when, as a child, I would hear gunshots fired in rapid succession at night. I remember dodging bullets in broad daylight and praying stray ones wouldn’t hit me and my friends. People with guns were a common sight and parts of the city were called killing fields too.

It really is a far cry from what Davao has become now, although we still have our challenges. Other people seem to wait for us to falter but we always manage to live another day, sometimes even better than the way we used to before.

I think about all the years that I’ve spent here, even when I was away living in “better” cities I knew I would still choose to come home. After all, I am “spoiled” here. I could walk around the city with my backpack on my back without being scared that someone would attempt to steal from me. I can use my bag to reserve seats in cafes with fearing they’d be gone when I come back.

Traffic is a lot worse than it used to be but I guess it’s a sign of progress. At least we follow laws better than others, right? Taking the taxi will not stress you out. Chances are, the drivers would l choose the fastest, shortest route to your destination. You always get your change down to the last centavo, sometimes you get even more! The driver always makes sure you have your seatbelt on and waits for you to get inside your place before driving away.

Tanks out in the open do not really bother me. Check points are okay too. If you have lived here for quite some time, you know that it is a safety precaution. It’s all good and not all threatening like other people think.

I wish people could see Davao through my eyes. It may not be perfect but it certainly is the best and only home for me. Happy Birthday Davao! Have a Happy Sunday Everyone! :)