NINETEEN bloggers. Four days. Seven restaurants. Four adventures. One city.
As a way of promoting Davao City as a prime destination for food and adventure, Avatar Media has organized Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 (DFAT).
A team of bloggers from Davao City, Metro Manila, General Santos City, and Cagayan de Oro City toured Davao City from April 30-May 2. It was a group of energetic bloggers who, individually, have already made their marks in the blogosphere.
The DFAT 2010 Team is composed of Metro Manila based bloggers. Among them are young bloggers Cai Abbass (http://www.pinkurinal.com), Sarah Cada (http://journal.sarahcada.com), Ada Lajara (http://www.adaphobi.com), indie film maker Mica Rodriguez (http://www.micamyx.com), photoblogger Maki Eduardo (http://www.makieduardo.com), Davaoeño Jehz Laurente (http://www.jehzlau.com) and travel bloggers Jonel Uy (http://www.letsgosago.net) and Melo Villareal (http://www.outoftownblog.com).
Bloggers from Mindanao also joined in the fun. General Santos' most influential bloggers Orman Manansala (http://www.gandaeversomuch.com) and Avel Manansala (http://www.gensantos.com), along with young kikay blogger Donna Mae Congson (http://etcetera3x.blogspot.com), former Ms Gen San Romarie Cunanan, and Cagayan de Oro Bloggers' Society President Chiq Montes (http://www.chiqmontes.com) and Davao Bloggers Vice President Dulce Lada (http://www.paddsolutions.com) were also present to join the tour.
The tour began on April 30 at Mam Bebs Bakeshop (http://mambebs.blogspot.com) where participants introduced themselves, got oriented with the upcoming activities, and ate a sumptuous buffet of homemade goodies.
Mam Bebs Bakeshop is owned and managed by the family of Andrew dela Serna (http://www.davaofoodie.com). Mam Bebs served their famous Pancit Palabok and Pork and Chicken Siopao. Both the pancit and the siopao won the hearts of the participants as they gobbled up as many as they can.
The bakeshop also served Potato Rolls and Mango Squares, two of their best-selling pastries for many years. Similarly, these pastries were loved by the participants who were happy to take home of the sweet treats.
While waiting for dinnertime to arrive, the group went to the Davao Zorb Park. Through the kindness and generosity of Sonny Dizon of the PSD Group of Companies (http://psdgroupph.com/), the participants enjoyed a thrilling ride on the Zorb Ball. It was a taste of the many adventures that Davao City had to offer them.
After the thrill of the zorb ride, the Dfat 2010 Team went to Pablo's Steaks and Crabs to taste the new dishes that Pablo's will soon be offering to their patrons. The guests were entertained by the Paolo Sunglao, manager of Pablo's, and his brother, Paolo who was preparing the food that night.
The feast started off with a creamy Mussels Chowder. The soup made the participants more excited to eat more of Pablo's delish new dishes. After the soup came the salad. They served Insalata del Sol which had a fruity dressing made of pomegranate and Pablo's Classic Ceasar Salad.
The Insalata del Sol was a runaway hit with its refreshing taste that is perfect for summer. This was followed by a Sausage Platter of Hungarian, Frankfurter, and Beef Banger served with French fries.
Then came the pasta. First was the Basil and Mint Pesto which had a fresh herb taste which was balanced out by the Chili Fish Fillet that it was served with. Another favorite of the DFAT Team was the Pasta with Shrimp in Garlic and Olive Oil. It had a generous serving of shrimps cooked just right in olive oil with tons of garlic and spices.
Up next was a parade of their many new main dishes. They served juicy and tasty chicken three ways: In Balsamic Barbeque Sauce, as Boneless Chicken Steak, and Stuffed with Cream Cheese which was everybody's absolute favorite.
How can you go wrong with cream cheese stuffing, right? Pork chops cooked Country Style and Barbequed with Honey Cinnamon Glazed Apples were also served. The participants got to taste Mushroom and Asparagus Beef Roll and Pablo's Pepper Steak.
And to complete the meal, the participants drank refreshing Cantaloupe and Honey Dew Shakes.
It was definitely a delicious feast, a celebration of Davao's many culinary delights featuring fresh produce and all the best meats.
To cap off a yummy day, the group met up with some Davao Bloggers at the cozy Jose Rafael Fine Coffee. Local bloggers Mark Cabrera, Rhon de los Santos, Olan Emboscado, Miah Laborte, Kevin Paquet, Faust Principe, Rhea Palapar, and Charles Ortiz chatted and shared online and offline experiences with the DFAT Team.
At the Jose Rafael Fine Coffee, the participants got to pick their choice of hot and cold coffee, tea, and chocolate drinks. Jose Rafael served these drinks with their famous Choco Chips Jaffles. Even if the participants were already full after a whole day of eating, they ate the yummy chocolatey jaffles as if they hadn't been eating the whole day.
It was only Day 1 of four days of food and fun, but the participants already knew that they made the right decision to join the tour. It was indeed a great day to start what is to be a legendary epic tour of our beloved Davao City.
Mam Bebs Bakery is located at the CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City with phone numbers +6382-22718131, +6382-3018691.
The Davao Zorb Park is located at the Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City. Pablo's Steaks and Crabs is located at the Metro Lifestyle Complex, Jacinto cor. F. Torres, Davao City with numbers 6382-222-0793, and Jose Rafael Fine Coffee has branches at Door 2, Phase 1 Insular Village, Lanang, Davao City (Next to China Bank); and at the Petron Complex, Airport View, Diversion Road, Davao City with contact numbers +6382-3055698 and +6382-2351647.
Photos by Lyle Santos (http://www.lylesantos.com) and Andrew dela Serna (http://www.davaophoto.com).