Davao City, #Philippines, the country's largest city, is rife with a plethora of big stories to tell. It is home to the world's largest bird, the Philippine Eagle; bastion of our infamous President Rodrigo Duterte, Times Magazine's "The Punisher"; a living exhibit of a surprising convergence of lumad (non-muslim indigenous groups) and Moro (muslim indigenous group) art, music, and culture; and altogether, a Philippine success story like no other.

I visited this budding city at the southern regions of the country during a National Conference of the country's biggest Historians for the 2016 Conference of the Philippine Historical Association in Ateneo de Davao University. It was a meaningful 3-day working vacation that gave me a unique image of my country that I have not encountered before.

Imposing Frescoes by Davao artist Mark Tolentino @ Ateneo de Davao's Chapel

Firstly, unlike other Cities in the country, Davao City, named as the World's 4th Safest City, is impeccably clean, ordered, and disciplined. Even before my visit, this is a known unique feature of the City. So I expected a monochromatic, structured, and altogether boring visit. But I was downright wrong. It was just awesome (plus safe and clean) there!

Davao's Eden and People's Park photos from vigattintourism and davaocitybybattad

Davao has the same homey metropolitan feel of Baguio City minus the cool weather (see my post https://steemit.com/travel/@tianiclao/a-weekend-get-away-guide-to-baguio-city-philippines for my feature on Baguio City). Like Baguio, there are local Parks where locals and tourists enjoy an afternoon stroll and recreation, there's flee market at night on it's main thoroughfare, a number of museums that feature an impressive collection of indigenous lumad and moro art and craftsmanship, and a wide assortment of traditional gourmet food stops and bars.

Food tripping at Davao's Night Market

A taste of Davao: street food plus infamous Davao Durian

But unlike others, Davao is safest because its locals (Davaoenos) understand, respect, and implement their laws TO THE LETTER and BY HEART! That may sound over the top and even borderline corny (especially to most of us inhabitants of big dirty and crime-ridden cities). But that's quite literally how Davao is.

Example, as a smoker, I have an almost natural impulse to light a few sticks after a few pints of beer. I just had a few in a local bar and naturally I thought that since I am in a bar that sells alcohol, they would have space for smokers to conveniently enjoy their addiction. Knowing that Davao City implements a smoking ban in all public places, I cautiously asked one of the bartenders to point me to its designated smoking area. The bartender warned me that I may smoke at my own risk, that means at the risk of a 5,000 peso fine once a police (some undercover) spots me smoking. The thing is, designated smoking areas are only free for smokers if other non-smoking customers are not troubled by it. Wicked (in a good way), right?

Indeed, its locals are what make Davao City unique and awesome. Its once mayor, now turned Philippine President Duterte, had instilled upon them that shared commitment to peace and order. And Davaoenos respect him so much for that incredible feat in leadership.

In my conversation with the bartender, he fondly recounts how then mayor, now President Duterte, has had his son arrested for reckless driving. I could sense in him that glaring pride and admiration for his mayor. It was awe-inspiring!

This feat in leadership (though criticised by some as "violent") is the élan vital of Davao City's success story. From once a crime-ridden and war-torn City, Davao now is one of the country's major economic hub and tourist destination in the south with an impeccable low-crime rate, educated and talented pool of labor, well-ordered infrastructures, and most importantly, a diverse (lumad, moro, and christian) and disciplined local populace living peaceably together.

Kudos to Davaoenos!

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