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DAVAO |
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| There is more cultural diversity in DAVAO than anywhere else in the
Philippines. This immense city - one of the largest in the world in
terms of land area - is home to the ethnic Bagobo, Mandaya, Manobo,
Tiboli, Mansaka and B'laan tribes, whose ancestors were first to arrive
in Mindanao across land bridges from Malaysia. Catholics mix freely with
Muslims, and churches stand alongside mosques. The name Davao was
derived from the word "baba-daba", which evoked images of fire-breathing
mythical figures and rituals of fire carried out before tribal wars.
Other early settlers on the banks of the Davao River were tribes from
the neighbouring provinces of Kotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo. Conquest by
the Spaniards failed repeatedly until the mid-nineteenth century, when
invaders were finally able to overrun the Muslim enclaves. Christian
settlers arrived soon afterwards and the heady mix of cultures and
beliefs was complete. The city was no stranger to armed struggle, but
the violence that took place in the 1980s almost brought Davao to its
knees economically. This black decade, marked by violence from the MNLF
and the NPA, earned Davao the notorious title of "Gun Capital of the
Philippines." Davao became a haven for the underground movement and a
laboratory for urban guerilla warfare. The emergence of an anti-communist
group known as the Alsa Masa (Rise of the Masses) began in Davao. This
military-backed civilian defence force drove the NPA and MNLF away from
the city. Davao today is a peaceful city, home to one million people and
growing in stature as an investment and tourist destination. It's the
gateway to Mount Apo , at 2954m the highest mountain in the Philippines
and a magnet for trekkers and climbers. Sun, sand and sea are also on
the city's doorstep at the many islands just off the coast. The biggest
and most popular of these is Samal Island , where there are many resorts. |
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