The first few times we visited Davao City in the early 1990s, there was no window to go on a night out although having ice-cold beers with grilled tuna and bihod (fish roe) one afternoon was memorable enough.
A recent trip back to this laid-back metropolis in Mindanao, with some of the Inquirer Lifestyle staff, gave us a chance to enjoy its nightlife, however brief due to the liquor ban after midnight.
Seda Abreeza hotel, our home for two days, has a piano bar at its lobby which encourages guests to sing along to pop and jazz standards.
But what caught our attention, also at the hotel’s lobby, was an exhibit of the preserved remains of female Philippine eagle Diola—who in 1992 gave birth to Pag-asa, the first male of its specie to be bred through artificial insemination. The exhibit wanted to create more awareness on Davao’s efforts to care for and propagate the endangered national bird.
Right beside the exhibit was a life-size cutout figure of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who seemed to be saying, “Welcome to my city… behave or else…”
Seda Abreeza, JP Laurel Ave. Bajada, Davao City; tel. (082) 2443000
The White House
Not far from Seda is The White House, a restaurant and wine lounge specializing in Asian-European cuisine. Its Uni Shooter (with ponzu sauce, fresh wasabi, chili, ebiko, and quail egg) was an appetizing winner, as well as the red wine that washed down the Duck Leg Confit and other dishes we devoured.
At the back of The White House is a spacious garden where singer Febie Lastimosa, accompanied by Elijah Lafuente on keyboards, performed soul and pop hits including Oleta Adams’ “Get Here,” Sam Smith’s “The Only One,” and Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years.”
The gig had to temporarily stop due to rain, but resumed in the dining room upstairs.
The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge, Camella Northpoint, JP Laurel Ave. Buhangin, Davao City; tel. (082) 2824540
Matina Town Square
Taxi drivers in Davao are some of the most courteous people on earth—this we found out on the way to Matina Town Square (MTS), the gimik place recommended by Jingo Camomot, a grade school and college buddy in Manila who now works as a top executive in a Davao-based publication, the Mindanao Times.
MTS is like Tiendesitas in Ortigas Center—an arcade of restaurants, bars and coffee shops, and rows and rows of food stalls serving beer and pulutan—but with two separate stages for live gigs. The bigger stage featured a rock band, while the other one had an R&B act.
Opting to hang out near the bigger stage, we noticed that the crowd had many women drinking beer—mostly Red Horse and San Mig Light.
Onstage, a band called Euphonic was playing a cover of “Rude” and other reggae stuff, followed by John Legend’s “All of Me” and Bon Jovi’s “Thank You For Me.” It sounded a bit like a college band—young members full of passion for music who need a few more years to hone its act.
A guy from the audience wanted to jam; the band agreed and played a Parokya Ni Edgar tune.
After another number, Bamboo’s “Elesi,” the band was ready to say goodbye. It was almost midnight and, mindful of the liquor ban, we must guzzle our second San Miguel Pale Pilsen—lest the waiter take it out, finished or unfinished.
Matina Town Square, MacArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City; tel. (082) 2971780
Olive Leaf Wellness Spa
But with a few more hours to spare before bedtime, we decided to check out the newly opened Olive Leaf Wellness Spa, owned by couple Dylan Durias and Christine Marco. Dylan, also a musician like his elder brother Jay Durias, said he also plays at MTS.
Olive Leaf resembles the high-end spas in Manila, spick and span with a pleasant smell. It turned out that Christine had worked at The Spa Wellness, a classy chain of spas in Metro Manila, and was now applying her knowledge and experience to her own business venture.
The acid test, a full-body massage dubbed Healing From Athena, was so relaxing we overheard our self snoring for a few minutes.
Olive Leaf Wellness Spa, 603 Macopa St., Juna Subdivision, Davao City; tel. 0927-900-0783