Davao

[Goferring]

A note about a delightful little eatery that I "discovered" last week in just my second trip to Davao. A trusted friend had suggested it, and so I set off to find it. The cab driver didn't know the place by name but easily made his way to the location I had been told. Named "Mia Figlia Pasta" (my daughter's pasta, I think).

+1. Be prepared to loose a day just chatting with the owner.

[Soapy Smith]

A note about a delightful little eatery that I "discovered" last week in just my second trip to Davao. A trusted friend had suggested it, and so I set off to find it. The cab driver didn't know the place by name but easily made his way to the location I had been told. Named "Mia Figlia Pasta" (my daughter's pasta, I think), it specializes in traditional Italian cuisine. Not the sweet banana ketchup Italian stuff that Filipinos know, but a most faithful Italian cuisine from products shipped directly from Italy. The place is small, only about a year old, but the owners (he, semi-retired American, and she, a younger Filipina) are making a profit and plan to expand into a next door business and an outside covered terrace between the shop and street. I tried from among the several marinara and pasta recipes and added a quarter chicken roasted in a traditional French rotisserie style. Both were faithful to classic European styles that you never expect to find in the Philippines--and at reasonable prices.

The American owner regaled me with his several years of Philippine experiences and acknowledged they were fighting to absorb the beating the Piso is currently suffering in exchange for the Euro. It seems their cheeses, salami, sauce ingredients and pasta come directly from Italy, and they refuse to skimp by substituting inferior products from elsewhere. They also have a selection of top notch European wines and small batches of brewed coffee, and the American owner is full of suggestions for drinks to complement the menu. It's clear they have attracted a small local clientele of sophisticated families who know how to separate the kernel from the chaff.

Highly recommended. Just tell your cab driver, "corner of Mabini and Mariner. " Not in the heart of downtown, but well worth the adventure.

[Goferring]

My post in the Chat Rooms Forum pretty much sums up how I approached the P2 P scene and the results.

I stayed at the Casa Leticia hotel near People's Park for P1700 per night. Its in a great location within walking distance to 7/11's, small eateries, several bar precincts. People's Park makes an easy place to describe to intended guests where you are. The rooms are a bit small and their default is two single beds so book accordingly. Wifi, aircon and hot water were all functional for the whole time I was there. Note that the other two Casa Leticias in town are in the business districts offering a lot less access to restaurants, bars etc.

I generally ate at one of the small restaurants around the hotel. However, if I wanted a western meal I would go to Mia Figlia Pasta for pasta or pizzas or De Bonte Koe for full size Dutch and western meals. Both are run by long term foreign residents who love a chat and are a wealth of local info. DBK is also a good source of diving info.

A few PMs have expressed concern about travelling to Mindanao so I want to emphasise that I felt very safe walking around Davao City at all hours. Taxis, restaurants and even girls were all very honest and I wasn't at all concerned for my safety nor wary of rip off scams.

There is an active night life and bar scene though many girls will take some time to develop before sealing the deal. Googling Hot Legs or Auto Shop Bar will give you the location of a couple of precincts within walking distance to the Leticia. I was the only foreigner anywhere when I went but never felt unwelcome nor unsafe. Civilian and working girls started to roll in about 10 pm. The one KTV I went to was expensive but had gorgeous girls. See the PG for an example. Big Boobies featured heavily.

The predominate body type for the girls was tits and asrse with big tits suspended off a light frame. I saw a few spinners but not a lot. Many also come with exceptionally pretty faces.

[GoodEnough]

The latest bad news from Mindanao. A fire at NCCC Mall killed an estimated 37 people.



GE.

[GoodEnough]

Spent a month in Davao last November. It has BY FAR the best police presence in the Philippines. In addition as the President is routinely there there is significant extra Security. Marawi city is about an 8 - 10 hour drive away, I slept there years ago, and toured the local AFP forces with a LT Col as my bodyguard.

I plan to return and to do business there, there are many nice people.

PP.

Having lived in Davao for more than 15 years, I agree with you. It's generally quite safe, orderly as cities here go, and reasonably clean.

I was in Marawi several tines a few years ago, and like you, found the folks friendly and welcoming. However, from the photos I've seen recently, much of the city has been destroyed by bombs and street combat, and I think it's going to take years to rebuild. It was never much of an economic stronghold, and by now I'm guessing that a large part of the city's economy has been destroyed.

GE.

[Pinaypounder]

Spent a month in Davao last November. It has BY FAR the best police presence in the Philippines. In addition as the President is routinely there there is significant extra Security. Marawi city is about an 8 - 10 hour drive away, I slept there years ago, and toured the local AFP forces with a LT Col as my bodyguard.

I plan to return and to do business there, there are many nice people.

PP.

[GoodEnough]

Keep up the good work and keep the a $$holes away. I hope they believe every word that you write CM, so keep them up in Angeles and Manila. Davao is by far the safest city that I've ever lived in, but I've only lived in 4 countries.

This stuff has had an impact on my life though. If I have to go to a mall, I go early and come back home by noon. I stay away from the Filipino markets for more reasons than just being a white guy. I just don't go out much anyway, and I've never been to a place in Davao that has liquor and girls, but I've heard that there are such places. I'm not going to those places in this political and religious environment.

Unless he met a girl online who's going to spend a weekend with him at Marco Polo, it's quite frankly, not a good monger destination. Then the guy has to spend the money on flights to and from Manila or Angeles plus hotel. Don't forget to tip the waitress either.

Living in Davao makes life so much easier, including just getting around. I rent. If the SHTF, I'm out. I learned that a long time ago the hard way. There are some very nice girls living in Davao, but their priorities are entirely different than those in the other large cities or Angeles. Been there, done that, and don't need to do it anymore. I'm a lucky bastard on a permanent vacation.

I agree with most of this. Davao is still quite safe, though there's no doubt that tourist-dependent businesses are hurting because of martial law. Unlike Slippery, I have been to a few of the "booze and women" sites but not for several years. However, if I were still interested in that, I'the have no fear of going.

Davao is definitely not at the top of the monger destination lists. Everything is available, but some of it requires cultivation and / or knowing where to look. I still enjoy living here, and while in Davao, I never mess around, so the lack of Burgos-type or Angeles-type scenes doesn't bother me at all.

GE.

[Chocha Monger]

Keep up the good work and keep the a $$holes away. I hope they believe every word that you write CM, so keep them up in Angeles and Manila. Davao is by far the safest city that I've ever lived in, but I've only lived in 4 countries.

This stuff has had an impact on my life though. If I have to go to a mall, I go early and come back home by noon. I stay away from the Filipino markets for more reasons than just being a white guy. I just don't go out much anyway, and I've never been to a place in Davao that has liquor and girls, but I've heard that there are such places. I'm not going to those places in this political and religious environment.

Unless he met a girl online who's going to spend a weekend with him at Marco Polo, it's quite frankly, not a good monger destination. Then the guy has to spend the money on flights to and from Manila or Angeles plus hotel. Don't forget to tip the waitress either.

Living in Davao makes life so much easier, including just getting around. I rent. If the SHTF, I'm out. I learned that a long time ago the hard way. There are some very nice girls living in Davao, but their priorities are entirely different than those in the other large cities or Angeles. Been there, done that, and don't need to do it anymore. I'm a lucky bastard on a permanent vacation.

It is good to know at least one monger is practicing common sense security precautions out there. However, the sex tourists visiting Davao are looking for places with cheap liquor and loose women. So, staying away from the places with alcohol and pussy is just not going to cut it for them on a vacation. When those guys hear that somewhere is safe, they think that it means public drunkenness and solicitation of local girls in public places is acceptable.

Take a look at the DS Davao forum. You will see that the sex tourists visiting Davao were not held in high regard. Some of the most memorable sex tourists who visited the city in the past are as follows: Leaping Larry, a straw hat and overalls wearing clodhopper; Bone Collector, a covetous old geezer with a closet full of dark secrets; and Jellyfish, an envious spineless old schemer who ratted out fellow sex tourists to their Filipinas in the hopes of getting a gratuitous shag. I doubt that Davao City is any poorer without them.

Since each person has their own tolerance for risk, what is safe will vary from person to person. Some people may argue that nowhere is truly safe now. After all, New York was safe until the planes hit the towers, so were London and Paris before Islamic terrorists attacked. Aussies thought that Bali was safe and considered it a tropical paradise until it was ripped apart by bomb blasts. Is Davao City safe? Like the Filipinas say, up to you. What we do know is that late last year a bomb blast shattered the night market in the city killing 14 people and injuring 70. Islamic terrorists carried out the bombing. These same terrorists waged a major urban battle about a 5-hour drive away in Marawi City, and put up fierce resistance for over a month against the best government troops supported with tanks, artillery and ground attack aircraft.

The last death toll for Marawi City was over 500 in total, with more expected to be discovered. The hardcore jihadist leaders managed to slip out of the city and pass through AFP lines, and some of their minions were caught as far away as Iloilo and Manila. Some were even detained with bomb-making materials. They have sworn to retaliate against Duterte by carrying out attacks on his home city of Davao. Apparently, AFP has a hard time identifying terrorists as they manage to travel quite freely. So, what chance does the average monger have in figuring out who may be a terrorist? For all he knows the taxi driver picking him up could be one, or even the girl he met online and took to his room at the Marco Polo for a nice screw. After he shoots his load, rolls over and falls asleep, she could be planting the next IED under the bed. The travel advisories concerning travel to the area are not without cause.

Keep in mind that the West is experiencing a massive surge in anti-Muslim sentiment and there is even a Muslim ban in place in the USA The American military provided logistical, intelligence, and advisory support to Philippines forces to defeat the Muslim militant coalition in Marawi. Americans are a favorite target in Mindanao, but any Western infidel falling into their reach makes the jihadists happy. Davao is not great for mongering like AC, Cebu and Manila. So, traveling there for mongering and risking being hogtied, gagged, hooded and thrown in the trunk of a taxicab for a quick drive to a waiting speedboat would appeal to only a tiny demographic of adventure mongers. These special mongers think nothing of entering countries like Iran or North Korea in search of a good root, and potential to become famous is an added bonus.

[Slippery]

Keep up the good work and keep the a $$holes away. I hope they believe every word that you write CM, so keep them up in Angeles and Manila. Davao is by far the safest city that I've ever lived in, but I've only lived in 4 countries.

This stuff has had an impact on my life though. If I have to go to a mall, I go early and come back home by noon. I stay away from the Filipino markets for more reasons than just being a white guy. I just don't go out much anyway, and I've never been to a place in Davao that has liquor and girls, but I've heard that there are such places. I'm not going to those places in this political and religious environment.

Unless he met a girl online who's going to spend a weekend with him at Marco Polo, it's quite frankly, not a good monger destination. Then the guy has to spend the money on flights to and from Manila or Angeles plus hotel. Don't forget to tip the waitress either.

Living in Davao makes life so much easier, including just getting around. I rent. If the SHTF, I'm out. I learned that a long time ago the hard way. There are some very nice girls living in Davao, but their priorities are entirely different than those in the other large cities or Angeles. Been there, done that, and don't need to do it anymore. I'm a lucky bastard on a permanent vacation.

[Chocha Monger]

The intelligence failings of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police allowed hundreds of jihadists from at least 14 different Islamic terrorist groups to infiltrate Marawi and stockpile enough weapons, ammunition and supplies to battle the AFP for over a month in spite regular airstrikes. That does not inspire a lot of confidence in their ability to prevent attacks in Davao, especially considering that in the case of the night market bombing the Vice Mayor received warnings two days before but decided not to inform the public.

Terrorist leaders from the Marawi siege have escaped after showing extremely strong resistance to superior numbers and firepower from the AFP. This is expected result in a large boost in the numbers of jihadists joining their ranks and the amount of funds they receive from wealthy backers in oil-rich Islamic countries. So there is a good chance that they will be back stronger and more experienced. Since they succeeded in bombing the central business district in Davao, and there is nothing to make anyone believe they cannot repeat a similar attack, many people are deciding it is not worth the risk to visit Davao unless it is necessary for a very good reason. Some people obviously don't think mongering is a good reason to visit an area under martial law and risk being caught up in a bomb blast. If they did, mongers would be flooding into Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

[Slippery]

I don't get out and about much GE, but at the condo complex where I'm at, we're deluged with weekenders every weekend. I couldn't believe the number of people who came in last weekend. Some are still here, and others have left. I expect that the revolving door will start "wooshing" again tomorrow night (Thursday). You can't even get near the pool on weekends. Now I know why they clean it on Mondays.

I agree, from what I can see, there's no reason to be fearful of coming to Davao, but like I said, I don't get out much. That's just a matter of personal choice. Based on your remarks, if the president lifted martial law tomorrow, its ramifications might be long lasting for those who rely on the tourist industry.

[GoodEnough]

Hahaha the closest thing I've seen resembling martial law in Davao was a fat cop at the main entrance to Abreeza yesterday who was sitting at the police desk pigging out on a huge lunch.

But what you haven't seen, because it's not visible, is the absence of tourists who were flocking to Davao's more expensive hotels and restaurants from Manila almost every day. Since the declaration of martial law, the deluge has become a trickle and some local businesses are hurting, not only in Davao but in other areas of Mindanao as well. I was speaking to a friend and fellow ISG member today who lives in CDO, and he told me that the impact on tourism there has been dramatic. So no, there's no reason to be particularly fearful of coming here, but the declaration has hurt the local economy.

GE.

[Member #4643]

Just returned from a hectic trip to USA and HK. Am now catching up this forum and on other matters.

Forest, thanks for reading the three food and travel posts from my recent visit to Davao. I had tried made it clear that these were "general travel & food reports, for any who might be interested".

It seems that we differ fundamentally on our perceptions of this forum, and perhaps on our respective mongering lifestyles. No problem, "Live and let live". Peace, brother.

After having mongered in a number of countries around Asia over the span of half a century, I have come to appreciate the "flavor of women". Not just the flavors of their lips, tongues, throats, breasts, nipples, bellies, buttocks, vaginas, clits, thighs, and various and sundry other body parts, but also the "flavors" of their minds, hearts, and souls. Of course, some women are simple and one-dimensional, but others offer unexpected nuances, complexities and poignancy.

As Robert Heinlein might have asked, Do you "grok"?

Similarly, I have come to appreciate the "flavors" of various cities and countries and believe that some, but not all, mongers might also appreciate field reports on diverse subjects pertaining to international travel in these cities and countries. Some other posters have asked what there is to do in particular areas besides boozing and fucking.

There are various popular "multi-dimensional" threads in this forum, pertaining to Philippine politics and economics, and hotels, restaurants, and so on, related to metro Manila, Angeles, or Cebu. I personally think that Davao, as the third most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines, similarly deserves more than just a monochromatic thread. My disclaimers, at the beginnings of each of the three reports, were an effort to alert readers that these reports pertained to food and travel generally, so that any readers not interested in food and travel would not waste their time in reading further.

To borrow a neatly-turned phrase from X-Man (in a different context in a different thread): "Since you've been around the block a few times, I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, or why. So, I'll just throw a few things out there".

My perception is that, with the appropriate mind-set, sexual opportunity in the Philippines in general, and in Davao City in particular, is not exactly rocket science, and is actually probably somewhat closer to "rolling off a log", but may take a little time and effort.

By no means am I an expert on Davao City but, based on RTFF, I would not spend too much time in searching for sexual opportunity in "hard core" bars in Davao. Instead, would look at a number of non-exclusive approaches:

1. Social media and "dating sites". This has become a preferred choice of many savvy mongers. There have been many excellent posts on this forum by others far more knowledgeable and experienced than I on this topic.

2. Personal networking. Usually productive. Including, but not necessarily limited to, PMs to other posters on this forum who have far more expertise, contacts and suggestions for Davao City.

3. "Open field" sources. The "old fashioned hands-on" approach. If you are attuned, you will pick up on saucy eye contact and sexual vibes from certain potentially interested women virtually anywhere. Restaurants, coffee shops, malls (both shop girls and pedestrians), hotels, offices, churches, clinics, and so on. Of course, not every woman, and not all the time, and not always resulting in instant gratification, but usually enough to keep a monger happily occupied if so inclined.

4. "Bring your own".

Of course, the recently imposed martial law in Mindanao will or may put all of the above into a whole different context. Other, more "traditional" venues most likely will be more productive if you are looking for sexual opportunity. It may not your best use of time to visit Davao, unless you have other business or other interests, or unless you are truly an "old hand".

Just one man's views.

OM.

I appreciate you taking the time to paint the picture for me. I am very aware of Makati City, and how to make things work there, but have always paused when thinking of going to Davao.

I will say that my trips to Makati are usually characterized by 1-3 DIA or Pinalove sessions a day (usually 2) + or - a trip to Havana when I get bored. I have never had a bad time there. But I keep meeting Davao ladies on the dating sites who want me to visit, so I am curious about how easily it is to fill up the time when the dating site girls fail to show (or more commonly, fail to answer their cell phones or SMS). I am really in Makati for no other reason than P4 P, although from time to time I mange to get in a few hours of bona fide work that could justify the airfare back home.

I think that on my next trip to the Phils, I will line up a few Davao ladies and make the visit. I think I might be able to keep myself busy. The DIA girls in Davao are extraordinarily pretty.

[Slippery]

Hahaha the closest thing I've seen resembling martial law in Davao was a fat cop at the main entrance to Abreeza yesterday who was sitting at the police desk pigging out on a huge lunch.

[Omega 3]

*** I'm not sure there's enough general interest in Davao to support multi-dimensional threads, which is a bit unfortunate since (one man's opinion only) the city is a hell of a lot more interesting than Cebu. As to the imposition of martial law having changed the context; it hasn't. There are no obvious road blocks, no ubiquitous police prescence, no dramatic changes to daily routines. ***

While Davao has no areas quite as in-your-face as Manila or even Cebu, there's an ample number of bars, karaoke places, pick-up venues and FL street walkers to keep an avid tourist busy. Because Davao is by far the largest city in the country in terms of geography, it's still easy to head out into the countryside while remaining within city limits, and there's some interesting stuff to do and see while doing so. This may also be the only city in the country in which taxi drivers routinely use meters without being asked.

GE.

In my view, GE is our preeminent expert from Davao on this forum. We are all fortunate to receive his insightful posts on the Philippines in general, and on Davao and other cities here in particular.

Relieved to hear that the effects of martial law are not too onerous to date in Davao. Hopefully, things will remain calm in Davao and elsewhere, and peace will be brought back to Marawi. However, martial law is unpredictable and potentially could ramp up overnight, especially if there is another bombing or other such incident.

Heaven forbid.

OM.