IF THERE is clear, irrefutable evidence that the city is dissected into districts, the Kadayawan and the like activities are it. Heavy traffic is dictating it.
Gone were the days when traveling from north to south of the city was a snap of the fingers. The time needed to traverse the route has tripled or quadrupled. The festival season makes it worse.
The couple of Kadayawan affairs I had to go to were in the north, but I live in the opposite side of town. Expecting heavy traffic, my solution was to get a room. That’s to spare you from the ranting about the road condition, and me from the stress of snail-paced commuting.
Park Inn by Radisson Davao is (always) the wisest choice. Attached to the SM mall where the events were, nothing can be more convenient than staying in this hotel. Making it my address in the north meant more time for rest and recreation in and out of the hotel.
First stop: Moda Mindanao
For some reason, SM moved Moda Mindanao from its birthplace in Matina to Lanang. Along with change of venue were other revisions: a more stylish staging was, a new production crew with no representative from the original Moda Mindanao committee, and the competition turned its eagle eyes on wearability.
Yes, the pieces that came out on the runway were indeed wearable, constructed well and sans the shock and entertainment value of its predecessors. It was “too edited” that the staging overwhelmed the clothes, if not competing and winning over it. Except for one.
Again, another Sultan Kudarat designer bagged the title, a clean sweep no less, winning three of the major awards—best in evening gown, best in Pret-a-porter and Philippine Daily Inquirer 2bU editor’s pick.
Inspired by four tribes-the Maguindanaon, Maranao, Blaan, and the T’boli, designer Jay-R Gamboa designed an impressive mixed lumad evening gown, which was unveiled with drama. He used the “inol” fabric of the Maranao and Maguindanaon (same fabric he used for his ready-to-wear entry) and his heavy beadwork inspired by the T’boli and Blaan.
For years now, designers from this part of the Mindanao has stuck with their formula of design and come up with couture pieces that can still be worn off the runway. They always go home with the laurel.
Second stop: South by Mouth
With the same Davao Gourmet Collective purveyors, I knew what to expect and I knew what to eat.
I went for Alibaba Shawarma’ chicken wrap and the debuting dishes of Soul Kitchen Co.-the Bahn Mi sandwich and Kale-Banana smoothie, and Kai Artisan-the Dark Chocolate bar with Blueberry and hot Davao tsokolate stirred with a disappearing chocolate spoon for an added layer of chocolate.
Having a fill of my favorite food plus a comfort drink was the perfect way to call it a day and head back “home” a few steps away, the Park Inn hotel.
Back in the cool comforts of my room, I was able to avoid the nightmare of a traffic and spend the extra time to get a good night’s rest. Just like before I know I’ll have a restful sleep and will be dreaming in colors.
Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit ofapplesandlemons.com and jeepneyjinggoy.com.