Welcome to the second blog series of Davao by Jings’ Journeys!❤
This time we’re gonna talk about unique museums and parks!
Among all the provinces we have here in the Philippines, Davao City will not let its province to be just stepped down when it comes to parks and museums. Just so you know there is a museum here in Davao City which is the first here in the Philippines. Continue on reading our blog and you’ll find it out later!
First, let’s talk about the most famous park in the whole Mindanao. Excited? Well, can’t blame if you are😉
People’s Park
People’s Park during night
People’s Park during day
People’s Park is of course, an urban public park in central Davao City. It had a soft opening on August 2007 during Kadayawan Festival. It is also one of the most expensive parks built in the Philippines that costed about ₱71 million which was commenced on July 2006. Right now, the said park is under reconstruction to make it more attractive not just for the tourists, but the locals themselves.
People’s Park derived its name from the contest organized by the city government, which was chosen among the 918 entries of the “Name of the Park.” The winning name was made by the retired engineer and seaman, Mr. Romeo Sardon.
One of the main features of the park is a 425 square meters visitors’ center, the durian Dome, which has a design inspired from the durian fruit. The Open Plaza hosts a rainbow walk through drive where some potted palms are displayed.
The park also hosts sculptures done by Mindanao artist Kublai Millan which depicts indigenous people. A dancing fountain is also present within the park’s ground. It has been described as “one of the cleanest and greenest public parks” in the Philippines.
Photos shown above are (of course ;P ) the photos taken by Jings’ Journeys at People’s Park.
Magsaysay Park
Playground in Magsaysay Park
The Magsaysay Park in Davao City is a beautifully landscaped public park that sits on a huge sprawling expanse that faces the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Davao with the Samal Island in the backdrop. While there are many parks in Davao City, this park remains the favorite of the locals and is frequented by foreign tourists, families and friends alike for an afternoon of leisurely stroll, or simply hanging-out.
This city landmark was built in honor of the most-loved and revered president of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay who, in March 17, 1957, died in a plane crash in Mount Manunggal on Cebu Island while en route to Manila. He was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Park features several amenities such as an open-air amphitheater which serves, among other things, the regular venue for public discos during Sundays which can accommodate 2,000 persons, a restaurant, a cooling station, several food kiosks, ornamental plants stalls, souvenir and handicraft stalls, a skating rink, a children’s playground, an open-air chapel, and a secured parking area which is located south of the park.
It also houses several tourism offices: the regional office of the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Passport Office, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Philippine Information Agency, the Samal Island Tourism Estate Project, and the DXRP Radyo ng Bayan.
Now let’s move on to the next, which is…!
Davao City’s Museums❤
First off, we have… *drum rolls*
Malagos Chocolate Museum!
Watch Kriztja visit the budget friendly and the first of its kind Museum here in the country~
Last November 18, the first ever Chocolate Museum in the country will open its doors at Malagos Garden Resort, Baguio District in Davao City.
According to the managing director of Malagos Garden Resort, Ms. Charisse Puentespina, they came up with this museum because of the tourists who had the same question in their minds, which is: “how do you make your chocolates?” Also, the said manager stated that the goal of opening a Chocolate Museum is also to help the small medium entrepreneurs.
The distinct taste of Malagos Chocolates were able to get numerous international awards such as the 2016 Great Taste Award in United Kingdom, 2016 Academy of Chocolate Award, 2015 International Chocolate Award in Germany, and 2013 Asean Best Food Products Recognition Awards in Singapore.
Also, the said museum offers chocolate making tutorial, so it’s not just about tasting the Davao’s own chocolate but also tasting your diy or “do-it-yourself” chocolate. Even famous celebrities or locals don’t wanna stop making and tasting their own chocolate.
The land is rich with fertile soil and blessed with a favorable climate which is just right to give the cacao trees an ideal condition to produce beans. For now, Davao City is positioned to be the country’s cacao capital. Cacao is one of the priority commodities identified by the Department of Agriculture.
D’Bone Collector Museum
With over 700 specimens, D’Bone Collector Museum has one of the largest collections of bones, skulls, and skeletons in the country. It is touted to be the first of its kind in Davao City, if not in the Philippines.
American Darrell Dean Blatchley, who is the president and curator of the D’Bone Collector Museum, started collecting bones when he was still a teenager. His fascination with bones made him discover that there’s more to an animal than just meat. Equally important are the bones.
The museum was opened last 2012, with a total of 150 specimens in one-story of the building. From 250 square meters when it opened, the museum display area now covers 700 square meters. The museum has been recognized as having the largest collection of assembled skeletons of whales and dolphins in the Philippines.
To be added soon is a skeleton of an elephant, which stands nearly 12 feet tall. “It will be only elephant skeleton in the Philippines,” he says. “We are currently working on getting rhino, hippo, and giraffe. We have 150 specimens in our American collection and we are contemplating of bringing them here in the country.”
The museum is open from Mondays to Fridays. Entrance fee is P80 for adults and P70 for children and students.
Watch out for the third Davao Blogs series! xx
Jings’ Journeys would like to take credit of the following:
- Sunstar.com.ph
- Kriztja Marae vlog
- Wikipedia
- Google Photos
- Rappler.com
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