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Philippines Mindanao Davao City

Davao City - Islands of Mindanao, Philippines

DAVAO CITY

Brief History

The history of Davao is brief but interesting. It harks to the past and brings to mind tribal wars. drum beats and ritual fires along the river banks which, according to some sources gave origin to the word "Davao" from daba-daba", meaning fire. The early inhabitants occupying the eastern shores of Davao were the Manobos, Tagcaolos, Guianggas, Bilaans and Aetas. On the western portion were the Mandayas and Bagobos. The Samals occupied the Samal and the Talicud Islands. Later, the Maguindanaos from Cotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo migrated to Davao and succeeded in driving the natives inhabitants to the mountains.

In 1528, Davao was visited by Albaro de Saavedra; in 1543, Baganga, Manay and the island of Sarangani were explored by Villalobos. In 1844, Governor Figueroa and Agustin Bocallan, a brigadier-general in the Spanish army, obtained from the Sultan of Mindanao the cession of the region in favor of the Spanish government. In 1847, armed with an authority from Gov. Claveria, Don Uyanguren, a political refugee and a soldier of fortune set sail for Davao, landing at the mouth of the Davao river on July 20, the Spaniards were met by the Muslims led by Datu Bago. In the ensuing battle, Datu Bago was slain and his followers retreated to the hinterlands. Don Uyanguren conquered first the region now occupied by Davao City. Two years later, he organized the neighboring regions together with a strip of territory of Caraga (now Surigao) into a province of Guipozcoa, in honor of his home in Spain. He became the first governor.

In 1858, Nueva Guipozcoa was abolished and two commedencias were included in the district of Davao which comprised the southeastern territory of Mindanao. At the end of the Spanish rule, Davao was one of the seven districts under the political military government of Mindanao. Major Hunter Ligget led the American forces who came to Davao in 1900.

In 1903, the Moro province was organized and Davao became a district of the province. However, in 1914, the Moro Province was abolished and in its stead, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Davao then became on of the provinces of this Department with Davao municipality (now Davao) as its capital.

In 1937, Davao became a chartered city. The city was inaugurated formally by the Secretary Elpidio Quirino on March 16, 1937. Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo is known at the "Father of Davao City". Davao was divided into three provinces in 1967. Davao City assumed a stature all its own apart from the three provinces, proud of its past and confident of its future. Gradually, the city regained its status as a primary agricultural and trade center of Mindanao. Today the city of Davao has gone far and wide in economic development. Davao City can just as well be called the "melting pot of the Philippines".

North and Central Luzon
* Baguio City
* Cagayan Province
* Cordillera Region
* La Union
* Laoag
* Olongapo, Subic, Zambales
* Pampanga
* Tarlac

* Metro Manila - NCR
* Makati City, Metro Manila
* Manila City, Metro Manila
* Pasay City, Metro Manila
* Pasig City, Metro Manila
* Quezon City, Metro Manila

Southern Luzon
* Batangas
* Cavite
* Bicol Region
* Corregidor
* Laguna
* Palawan * El Nido
* Mindoro
* Rizal, Antipolo
* Romblon
* Tagaytay - Taal
* Quezon Province

Davao - Language / Dialect - Playgrounds & Parks - Festivals - Agro-Industrial Eco-Tourism & Recreational Sites
Miscellaneous

Tourist Attractions
Historical Attractions - Cultural Attractions - Religious Attractions - Man-Made Attractions