Experiencing TAGUM CITY

After leaving the Municipality of Malita by almost 11:35am, I boarded a bus for Davao City. Its gonna be another 3 hour trip! (The Malita adventures was stated in my previous post: Exploring Davao Occidental's capital... Malita ). I have to reach the City of Tagum by 4pm. That would mean I will arrive at Davao City by 2:35pm or so, and would embark on another bus ride to Tagum City - an hour drive from Davao - and reach the city by 3:35pm or so. I'm on schedule! 

Road Map of the 181-kilometer Malita-Tagum City travel.

Seeing Digos City again, I went down the bus to get a closer look at the city's overland terminal. The terminal is located in a by-pass road, thereby travelers have to ride a pedicab to reach the city proper. I went back to the bus and the journey back to Davao City continued.

I reached Davao City by 3:15pm, 35 minutes behind my ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival). I rushed towards the entrance of Ecoland Terminal and searched for a convenient bus for Tagum City.

The bus I rode left the terminal by 3:40pm. I was really nervous and I sent a message to my friend in Tagum that I would be very late. Our itinerary was like this:

4:00pm: Arrival at Tagum City, stop at Gaisano Mall of Tagum

4:10-5:10pm: Travel to the Municipality of Talaingod, Davao del Norte

6:10-7:10pm: Travel back to Tagum City

My friend is Mr. Geric Bryle B. Lascuna, a teacher residing and working in Talaingod, a 3rd class municipality in Davao del Norte. He's an avid traveler, like me, and loves his hometown so much. In fact, I learned many things about Talaingod even if I haven't been there yet! This day, I asked him to be my tour guide around Tagum City, and he added a side trip to his hometown.

After a few minutes, Panabo City came to sight! I reached the Province of Davao del Norte!

DAVAO DEL NORTE is a province in the Davao Region home to 945,764 as of 2010. The province is known as the banana capital of the Philippines. The province is subdivided into 8 municipalities and 3 cities.

Facts and Figures of Davao del Norte:

CAPITAL: Tagum City

POPULATION (2010): 945,764

DISTRICTS: 1st and 2nd districts of Davao del Norte

Leaving Panabo City, the next place is the Municipality of Carmen. I'm getting closer to Tagum, the next place after Carmen.

It was 4:30pm and Tagum City came to sight! Finally, I'm close. Kuya Bryle instructed me to stop at the Gaisano Mall, but I insisted to stop at the city terminal. I reached the terminal by 4:40pm. Being late, Kuya Bryle said that he'll tour me around Tagum City only because if I'll insist on travelling to Talaingod, it would be dark and I would not appreciate the views. I agreed since it was my fault.

Tagum City is a great city! Lively residents and a very accommodating ambiance surrounds the place. I instantly became comfortable.

Tagum City Official Seal.

 TAGUM CITY is a 1st class component city in Davao del Norte. It is the capital of the province. Home to 242,801 residents as of 2010, it is the most populous component city in Mindanao. It garnered the name City of Palms and Palm Capital of the Philippines due to the presence of palm trees in its streets and around the city. It is also the Music Capital of the Philippines and music festivals are held in the city, especially in the last week of February.

Kuya Bryle brought his motorcycle along, so the tour around the city was very convenient. We went first to the city's new hall, but because it was already evening, I could only see the lit parts of the hall. The lawn and vicinity of the new city hall was huge!

Next, we went to Tagum City's operating hall, which is located at the city center. Beside the hall, there is a board depicting the city's activities and people, its tourist spots and other things about Tagum, all shown in photographs. Kuya Bryle explained to me one by one the stories behind the photographs. Since them, I'm starting to fall in love with Tagum City.

Kuya Bryle showed me the streets of Tagum, and it was alive! People are everywhere, and so are foods. He shared that every night, a certain street will be closed to give way to a Night Market, where barbeques are sold and people really flock at the stores and have dinner in the streets. Seeing these sights, I remembered the Kaamulan Festival at my home province - Bukidnon. The difference is that it is held every night!

Near the night market are different ukay-ukay stores, which are also displayed every night. I was amazed! I never thought a city can make a move like these.

Being the capital city, I searched for the provincial capitol of Davao del Norte. Kuya Bryle and I drove our way to the capitol, but we first went to the Davao del Norte Sports Complex. The sports complex is the venue for most sports and activities in the city and Davao Region. In fact, it is the venue of the recent DAVRAA (Davao Region Athletic Association), an annual gathering and sports meet involving all the provinces in Region XI and Davao City.

Because we came late, the guard restricted us from entering the complex. My heart was crushed, but the guard said that the gates will be opened to all by 5am.

In front of the Davao del Norte Sports Complex.

Tagum City is also called the City of Festivals, having fifteen (15) festivals in a year! The most known festival is the Musikahan sa Tagum, celebrated every February 21-27. The festival focuses on all musicians of all ages from different parts of Mindanao and the country.

The pasalubong shop just beside the DavNor Sports Complex.

Near the DavNor Sports Complex is the Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol. It is like a mansion! I could not stop being jealous.

Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol.

Near the gates of Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol.

Amazed, I really wanted to have a picture with the province's capitol. An internal joy filled my heart as we were permitted by the capitol guard to enter and have photo sessions.

A lost kid in DavNor.

My Tagum City tour guide - Kuya Geric Bryle Lascuna.

After the provincial capitol, our last stop is at the largest rosary in the world! Found in the Christ the King Church is Barangay Magugpo South. It has a length of 85.5 meters, and lines a pathway to the giant Risen Christ bronze statue. Because its dark in the area, we haven't captured the rosary. The guard also probihited us from taking pictures and suggested that we'll have to come back by 4am.

Because Kuya Bryle has to go home to Talaingod, which is an hour motorcycle drive from Tagum, I stayed at the city's oldest hotel - Molave Hotel. I thanked Kuya Bryle for touring me around Tagum and bid goodbye.

As Sunday came, February 2, I checked out of the hotel and rode a pedicab straight to the terminal. I boarded a bus bound for Davao City and the trip started at 6:30am. Passing by the National Highway in Tagum, I never got disappointed with my short stay in the city. Tagum City is an icon! No wonder cities and municipalities in the country would set Lakbay Aral to the city.

Having a population of 200,000+ , booming economic and cultural activities, and diversified tourist spots, its not a shock that it would become Davao Region's second highly urbanized city, after Davao City, in the future.

I arrived at the Ecoland Terminal by 8:00am. Feeling contented with my weekend adventures, its finally time to go home. I left Davao City by 9:15am.

All the places I've been - Malita and Tagum City - have been very great! I learned things and explored their culture and people. My 25-minute stay at Malita, Davao Occidental and 12-hour stay at Tagum City, Davao del Norte haven't disappointed me one bit! Maybe because travelling gives me contentment and satisfaction, my soul and wild self being tamed by the views I see outside the bus window.

I arrived at my hometown - Malaybalay City - by 3:15pm. Tired, my adventures in 3 provinces puts a smile in my face, and I'm looking forward to a trip to Davao Region's remaining unexplored provinces - Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Tips for Travelling to Tagum City

1. Choose the Davao Metro Shuttle buses. These are the most convenient buses for Tagum-Davao-Malita trips. Bus trips in the Tagum-Davao route is 24 hours.

2. Fare from Davao City to Tagum City and vise versa is P116.00. (Davao Metro Shuttle-Aircon bus)

3. Tagum is an hour bus ride from Davao City, but depending on the traffic situation in Bunawan District of Davao City.

4. The Davao del Norte Sports Complex opens at 5am and closes at 8pm.

5. The World's Largest Rosary in Christ the King Church opens at 4am and closes at 8pm.

Tagum City Adventures

February 1-2, 2014

Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Exploring Davao Occidental's capital... MALITA

After a work related seminar in Davao City over the weekdays, I planned embarking on a great adventure! My mind is again craving to see new sights around the city, and what I mean by around is that around its political boundaries.

During the seminar, I checked my map of the Davao Region and see where would I go in the long weekend. Then after a few minutes, a place caught my attention - Tagum City, the capital of Davao del Norte. At first I was hesitant, maybe due to the fact that I haven't been there nor don't know what is in there, but my weird instincts told me to go and pursue the city. An idea came to mind, I have a friend (technically a friend, in Facebook hehehe) and decided to contact him and asked if he could tour me around Tagum City on February 1, a Saturday. He agreed and all is set! But he emphasized that he's free only after 4pm. 

It was a bright and sunny Saturday. My colleagues and I went to Davao Ecoland Terminal at 7:15am and they boarded a bus bound for Cagayan de Oro City for them to go home, but I remained in the terminal. I was troubled and said to myself, "Where would I go before going to Tagum by 4pm?." I first thought of going to Digos City, the capital of Davao del Sur. I then went to the side where buses plying south board and then a crazy idea came to me! "MALITA!", I said to myself. Knowing Malita as the newest capital of the Philippines' newest province Davao Occidental, I went to the bus going to Malita without second thoughts. The bus left the terminal around 7:50am. I haven't had breakfast so I ate my packed biscuits with me.

Road Map guide to the 138-kilometer Davao City-Malita route.

Going to Malita was an adventure! It is my first travel for 2014. What's more exciting is the fact that I could pass by the different municipalities and a city of Davao del Sur. Just outside my window were the great views of eastern Davao del Sur. The first municipality after leaving Davao City is Santa Cruz. It was in Santa Cruz that I saw the shores of Davao Gulf, first time ever since I went to Davao City.

Next to Santa Cruz is Davao del Sur's capital and only city - Digos City. The national highway at Digos doesn't pass the city proper. I was disappointed because I could not see the city itself. The Digos City Overland Bus Terminal is one of the major terminals in Davao del Sur. All buses en route to General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Bansalan, Davao City and Malita pass by the terminal.

Leaving Digos, the next municipalities are Hagonoy, Padada and Sulop. The Municipality of Sulop is where the junction for Malita and General Santos City is located.

Passing Sulop around 10:00am, I was nervous because I have to go to Tagum by 4pm. Still, I relaxed myself and thought positively.

After Sulop, Malalag is the next municipality. It is also the last town before entering Davao Occidental. I was excited! I'm almost at Malita!

Next to Malalag is the Municipality of Santa Maria, already part of Davao Occidental. The road there reminded me of my province - Bukidnon. The winding and zigzag road seemed endless. Santa Maria is a coastal town, yet I never saw any shoreline since I entered its boundaries.

Sooner or later, we reached Barangay Poblacion, Santa Maria. Looking at a board, it indicates that Malita is still 44 kilometers away! "Wow! Layo-a ui! Pero dayun jud ko kay nasugdan na.", I said to myself.

Another set of zigzag roads welcomed me to the Municipality of Malita. I was getting hungry and I'm afraid if there would be any restaurant or just carenderias in the town proper.

Finally, I saw the sign saying "Welcome to Poblacion, Malita, Davao del Sur." "Yes!", shouting within myself, "naka abot najud ko!" Plying within the town proper, I was amazed! I never thought Malita is a booming and a lively town! The bus finally stopped at the town terminal. I rode a pedicab to see the Municipal Hall.

Landscaped area in front of the Municipal Hall.

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL is the Philippines' 81st and newest province. It was carved from its mother province Davao del Sur by Republic Act No. 10360 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last January 14, 2013. It was ratified though plebiscite simultaneous with the local and barangay elections held last October 28, 2013, where majority voted for the creation of the new province. Since without locally elected officials, Davao Occidental is under the custody of Davao del Sur provincial government until the new province's first set of provincial officers will be elected on May 2016.

Facts and Figures of Davao Occidental:

Capital: Malita

Population (2010): 293,780

Municipalities: Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, Sarangani

Government: Still under Davao del Sur until the new set of officials are elected.

District: Still under the 2nd district of Davao del Sur. After 2016 elections, the province will have a lone district. The other municiplities comprising the 2nd district of Davao del Sur will join the 1st district and form the lone district of Davao del Sur.

The Municipal Hall of Malita.

MALITA is a first class municipality in Davao Occidental home to 109,568 residents. It is the designated provincial capital of the new province. The municipality is the major economic and business center in the area, which accordingly, would become Davao Occidental's first component city. Malita can be reached from Davao City via buses en route to the town. It can also be reached from General Santos City and stop at Sulop, Davao del Sur and ride a bus to Malita.

A glimpse of Poblacion, Malita.

There are many establishments in Malita: pawnshops, banks (government and non-government), other financial institutions, restaurants, resorts, and fast food chains to name a few. The major mode of transportation around the town is pedicab which has a minimum fare of P8.00.

Because I have to race time, I stayed in Malita for only 25 minutes. But it was worth it! Seeing the town has never been satisfying. As I rode in a pedicab back to the terminal, I said to myself, "Sayang dali ra kaayo ko, pero mag balik rako."

Signs near the Malita Terminal.

Travelling has never bored me. It's like its a part of me. While riding the bus going back to Davao City, I recall the adventures I had and the 25 minute-exploration in Malita. Though sad, I thought of coming back soon, and this time, with friends!

I left Malita around 11:45am, again I haven't got time to take lunch. But its okay, as long as I would reach Tagum City by 4pm. People might call me crazy, but I think I'm just following my heart and passion.

TIPS IN TRAVELLING TO MALITA:

1. Choose the Davao Metro Shuttle buses, it is the most convenient bus line for the trip.

2. Prepare big! Fare to Malita is P240.00 (Aircon bus).

3. Bring along packed foods, Davao City to Malita takes 3 hours of travel.

4. Bring camera.

5. Tag along friends.

6. The nearest hotel to Malita is at Digos City, Davao del Sur.

7. Last trip for buses from Malita bound for Davao City is 5pm.

8. Last trip for buses from Davao City bound for Malita is 5pm.

Malita, Davao Occidental Adventures

February 1, 2014