We spotlight the top 5 things to do in Davao.

Go on water adventures and explore white sand beaches

Among Davao’s top tourist spots is the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos), the largest resort city in the Philippines. Blessed with immaculate white sand beaches, diverse marine life and turquoise blue waters, Samal Island is perfect for water adventures such as snorkelling, scuba diving and island hopping.

With the Davao del Norte Sand and Beach Circuit, you can make Samal Island hopping possible while also witnessing the wonders of Angel’s Cove, Wishing Island, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Malipano Island and Isla Reta for as low as Php 1,500. Fee includes the boat, boat entry fee, environmental fee, picnic lunch, tour guide and travel insurance.

Other adventures not to be missed include taking a dip at Hagimit Falls, spelunking and exploring Monfort Bat Cave, cliff diving at Talikud Island and climbing up Mt. Putting Bato.

Discover nature vibes in the city

Davao City offers a good mix of natural and man-made attractions. A popular attraction is the 12-hectare Malagos Garden Resort which houses Malagos Chocolate Museum, the first chocolate museum in the country. The museum offers a tree-to-bar experience where visitors can craft their own chocolate.

Visitors to the resort can also enjoy bird-watching, feed a variety of birds at the bird feeding dome, walk among butterflies at the butterfly sanctuary, befriend animals at the petting zoo and watch an interactive bird show.

Over at Eden Nature Park & Resort, one of the largest man-made forests ever created to combat illegal logging, nature and animal lovers can enjoy sky-high adventures such as Skyrider, Skycycle, Skywheel and Skyswing, along with horseback riding and playground activities. It also has hiking trails, a Butterfly Garden, a Bamboo Maze and a Flower Garden, as well as a cultural park which offers glimpses of the customs, traditions, beliefs and lifestyle of the indigenous people of Mindanao.

Unwind, meditate or commune with nature at the beautiful Tamayong Prayer Mountain located at the foothills of Mt. Apo. Also known as “The Garden of Eden Restored”, the European-inspired garden has walking paths, gazebos, mini fountains, man-made waterfalls and towering pine trees.

Learn about majestic eagles

Get up close to one of the largest eagles in the world at Philippine Eagle Center, located in a forest near Malagos, 36km north of Davao. The tropical rainforest environment not only provides shelter for the eagles, other birds, reptiles and mammals, it also serves as a conservation breeding facility for the critically endangered Philippines eagle.

Interact with the eagles and other birds of prey at the “Raptors in Flight” show and see them show off their skills and perform tricks. Learn more about the majestic birds at the Talon Alley and join special education programmes such as keeper talk, falconry and open classroom project.

Climb up the country’s highest peak

No visit to Davao is complete without a trek up to Mt. Apo (aka “Grandfather of Philippine Mountains”), the tallest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago.

Besides offering stunning panoramic views, Mt. Apo, towering at 2,954m above sea level, also serves as a source of electricity and water, and is inhabited by indigenous tribes. It comes as no surprise then that the mountain was designated as a protected area as well as an ASEAN Heritage Site.

Feast on the king of fruits

Blessed with rich fertile volcanic soil and relatively good weather, Davao produces some of the country’s best fruits, chief of which is durian, the king of fruits! Durian has become almost synonymous with Davao City so time your visit during durian season so you can indulge till your heart’s content!

Not a fan of durians? Fret not, because Davao is the Philippines’ fruit basket and one of the world’s biggest growers and exporters of exotic fruits, you’ll get to feast on fruits like pomelo, lanzones (langsat), papaya, banana and mangosteen.

Article adapted from Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

The post Top 5 Reasons To Visit Davao City, Philippines appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Widely regarded as one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, Cebu attracts millions of tourists who are allured by its pristine beaches. With its multiple islands, sandy beaches and rich history, it’s no wonder why the city has become a popular destination among holidaymakers, backpackers and island hoppers.

Not sure what to do in the city? Our first-time visitor’s guide will fill you in on the essential info.

1. Check out the old, the sacred, the natural

The most visited tourist attraction in Cebu City is the 16th century Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, a national landmark that contains a jewel-studded statue of the Santo Nino (Holy Child).

Love immersing yourself in the magic of museums? The nearby pint-sized Fort San Pedro marks the colonial outpost with a museum that includes the treasures from the San Diego galleon. While sightseeing around the area, enjoy the peaceful grounds and sea views.

A unique sight is the gleaming 20m-high Lapu-Lapu Shrine of the local chieftain who fatally wounded Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan during the Mactan Landing in 1521. Pay your respects to this early traveller by visiting Magellan’s Cross in the mural-covered building near the Basilica.

You’ll also find interesting Filipino history at Museo Sugbo, which is about 2km away from Fort San Pedro. It has four permanent galleries and special exhibits in a former jail. Just a 10-minute walk away from this Cebu Provincial Museum, you can also take in the Cebu Heritage Monument, which portrays local history in a series of brass, steel, bronze and concrete artworks.

For more fun activities, enjoy the best views of Cebu City while participating in adrenaline-pumping activities at Mountain View Nature’s Park.

2. Enjoy wet and wild fun in the sun

Free sandy beaches near Cebu City include the grey-sand beach at Talisay and the golden beach at Consolacion. For stunning white sand, venture to the nearby island of Mactan. One of the world’s most beautiful places, it is only a 30-minute taxi or bus ride away.

You can pay a daily rate to access private resort beaches such as the Shangri-La for parasailing, snorkelling and sunbathing. Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu offers sea sports activities that will take your family holiday to the next level.

For the perfect getaway, take a day trip to Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary, 15 minutes by boat from Cebu. Enjoy jet skis, banana boats, kayaking, snorkelling and diving on the Olango Reef, or chill with a beach massage. Alternatively, join a Mactan Island Hopping Shared Tour and indulge in some island-hopping adventures with other thrill-seekers.

3. Spend your pesos here

Sprawling Carbon Market is a jam-packed farmers’ market selling everything from baskets to beachwear. Over 100 years old, the market took its name from the coal and cinder heaps stored here by the Cebu Railroad.

Always on the hunt for red hot deals? Shop for perfumes, sportswear and books, or treat yourself to a pedicure at SM City Cebu Mall, a Filipino SuperMall (SM) in Cebu Port Centre. As one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, it comes as no surprise that it boasts over 700 retail, F&B and service stores. Some of mall’s food outlets include Hotdog on Sticks and Ayers Lechon.

If you’re homesick for Orchard Road, the upscale Ayala Center Cebu in Downtown Cebu is the perfect antidote. This premier mall averages over 85,000 visitors per day. It’s the perfect place to shop and relax, so take your time to explore all its offerings, housed within a masterfully-designed space.

4. Feast on Filipino specialities

No trip to Cebu would be complete without enjoying some lechon (roasted suckling pig), which many consider as the national dish of the Philippines. Dubbed “Lechon capital” of the Philippines, Cebu prides itself in having perfected the art of roasting pigs that boast crispy skins and deep flavours. Sink your teeth into melt-in-your-mouth lechon at hot favourites like Rico’s Lechon, House of Lechon, Zubuchon, Ayer’s Lechon and Eli’s Lechon Cebu.

For a sampling of dishes from the different regions of the Philippines, head for Café Laguna. Tuck into bestsellers like Kare-kare with Bagoong, Crispy Pata, Lumpiang Sariwa, Crispy Tadyang and Pandan Chicken.

5. Hunt down the best places for selfies

One of Cebu’s most photo-worthy spots is The Ruins in Talisay, the shell of a once-glorious Italianate mansion. Gutted by fire, the skeletal remains and fountains are a magnificent backdrop for a selfie on your smartphone.

Another Insta-worthy place is the romantic Temple of Leah which offers wonderful city views. Pose on the Impressive Angel Staircase before heading out to the terrace to soak up the panoramic city views.

Yet another popular selfie location is Tumalog Falls, well worth the 137km road trip to capture this gushing umbrella-shaped cascade tumbling through the tropical greenery.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Cebu is during the dry season, which runs from November to May. Summer months can be hot and humid, but that’s a good reason to head for the hotel pool, or the waterfalls and the turquoise waters bordering Cebu’s white sandy beaches. For a cultural treat, visit in the third week of January to attend the Sinulog celebrations at the Basilica.

Transportation

Getting around Cebu City using colourful local jeepneys (buses) is part of the fun. All the main historic attractions are within easy walking distance of the Basilica del Santo Nino. A horse-drawn carriage ride (tartanilla) is a traditional form of local transport operating in the downtown and market areas. Taxis and buses are cheap and plentiful, and a boat trip is a must-do.

Currency

Philippine peso (PHP). Malls and major hotels will accept credit cards, but you will need cash for smaller shops, admission to local attractions, street vendors and local transport. ATMs are available at the airport and banks. Tipping is not expected, but rounding up a taxi fare or restaurant bill is appreciated.

Photos courtesy of Changi Airport Group

This article is edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “The first-time visitor’s guide to experiencing Cebu”

The post 5 Must-Do’s In Cebu For First-Time Visitors appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Adobo

The Philippines’ most famous dish is made with chicken or pork stewed with oil, soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper and garlic.

Afritada

This tomato-based chicken or pork stew is cooked with potatoes, carrots, green peas and bell peppers.

Bagnet

A speciality of Narvacan in Ilocos Sur, these addictive, crispy pieces of pork belly are first boiled till tender, then deep-fried twice. Also known as “sitsaron” or “chicaron”, they can be eaten on their own or dipped in vinegar or fish paste with garlic.

Balut

A famous Filipino delicacy, this boiled semi-developed duck embryo is eaten straight from the shell.

Beef kaldereta

This tomato-based and liver paste beef stew is cooked with carrots, bell peppers, potatoes and onions.

Bibingka

This classic Filipino dessert of baked coconut rice cake, traditionally eaten during the Christmas season, is made with rice flour, glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, margarine or butter, eggs and sugar.

Binatog

This popular street food is made with boiled white corn kernels topped with grated coconut, butter and sugar.

Bistek tagalog

Pan-fried thin beef slices marinated with soy sauce and calamansi, and topped with caramelised onions

Buko pie

A speciality of Los Baños, Laguna, this Filipino-style coconut pie is made with fresh, tender young coconut meat combined with a creamy filling and enclosed in a flaky pie crust.

Bulalo

A must-eat for beef lovers, this hearty stew is made with beef shanks, bone marrow, cabbage, corn, carrot, potato and other vegetables.

Champorado

Traditionally served for breakfast, this sweet porridge is made from glutinous rice and cocoa powder or chocolate, and drizzled with evaporated milk. It is often eaten with salted dried fish called “tuyo”.

Chicharon bulaklak

Deep-fried pig mesentery served with vinegar on the side

Chicken inasal

This grilled chicken dish from Bacolod City in Western Visayas gets its distinct flavour and colour from a marinade made with calamansi, orange, lime, pepper, vinegar and annatto.

Crispy pata

Deep-fried pig trotters or knuckles served with soy-vinegar sauce

Dinuguan

This bold-flavoured pork stew is made with pork (and traditionally also with pork offal) simmered in pig’s blood, garlic, onions, chilli and vinegar, and served with puto or rice cakes.

Filipino tamales

This Mexican-inspired dish is made with ground rice, coconut milk, chicken, ham or pork, nuts and eggs, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

Ginataang gulay

Pork, shrimp and vegetable stew cooked in coconut milk

Halo-halo

A colourful cold dessert of shaved ice layered with red beans, coconut gel, purple yam, flan, candied fruits and a scoop of ice cream, drizzled with evaporated milk.

Humba

Pork stewed with banana blossoms, fermented/salted black beans, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, bay leaves, vinegar, pineapple juiceook.

Ilocos empanada

Deep-fried pastry with orange-hued rice flour dough filled with sweet or savoury fillings

Inihaw

Grilled seafood or meat served with rice and soy sauce, lime and chilli

Isaw

Barbecued pig or chicken intestines

Kare-kare

Thick stew made with oxtail, vegetables and a peanut sauce

Kinilaw

This Filipino-style ceviche features raw fish or shrimp slices marinated in vinegar, lime, onions and chilli.

Lechon

Whole roasted pig

Mechado

This hearty, tomato-based stew has Spanish influences and is made with beef chuck or brisket, pork fat, tomato sauce, onions, carrots and potatoes.

Pako salad

Salad of fiddlehad ferns, tomatoes, onions and salted egg/hard boiled egg

Palabok

Thin glass noodles coated in thick shrimp sauce, topped with hard-boiled egg, fried pork rind, shrimp and squid

Pancit guisado

Rice noodles with shredded chicken, shrimp and vegetables

Pancit palabok

Noodles with thick shrimp sauce topped with minced pork, crushed chicharon/pork rinds, fried garlic, tinapa/smoked fish flakes, green onions and sliced egg

Sans rival

Layered cake made with buttercream, meringue, eggs and chopped cashews

Sinigang

An all-time favourite dish, this sour and savoury soup is cooked with pork, shrimp or fish, vegetables and tamarind.

Sisig

This Kapampangan dish is made with pig’s head, cheeks or ears chopped and boiled, and tossed with cooked chicken liver, diced onions, chili peppers and calamansi juice, served on a sizzling pan, often topped with a raw egg.

Tapsilog

Cured beef or tapa, garlic fried rice and fried egg

Turon

Fried banana and jackfruit rolls

The post Filipino Specialities appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Bohol

• Milikini’s Food Park (Tubigon)
• The Hideout Food Park (Tagbilaran City)

Boracay

• D’Park Food Hub Boracay
• Streetmarket Boracay

Cebu

• Carbon Market (Cebu City)
• Carcar City Public Market (Carcar City)
• Colon Street (Cebu City)
• Harrison Park (Cebu City)
• Larsian (Cebu City)
• Pasil Wet Market (Cebu City)
• Sugbo Mercado (Cebu City)
• The Market by Sugbo Mercado (Mandaue City)
• Tinda Locale Cebu Street Market (Cebu City)

Davao City

• Roxas Night Market

Laguna

• DaPip Food Park (Pagsanjan)
• Eatzolabout Food Park (Santa Cruz)
• Greedy Guts Food Park (Calamba)
• The Southern Food Park (Santa Rosa)

Metro Manila

• 150 Maginhawa Food Park (Quezon City)
• Aani Weekend Market (Taguig City)
• Banchetto Market (Mandaluyong City)
• Binondo/Chinatown
• Boni MRT Station (Mandaluyong City)
• Concepcion Public Market (Malabon)
• Divisoria Market (San Nicolas)
• El Neo Garahe Food Park (Quezon City)
• Farmer’s Market (Quezon City)
• Greenfield Market (Mandaluyong City)
• Legazpi Sunday Market (Makati City)
• Madison Commons Food Park (Pasig)
• Mercado del Lago (Taguig)
• Mercato Centrale (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City | Makati City | Eastwood City, Quezon City)

• Mezza Norte (Quezon City)
• North Hive Food Park (Quezon City)
• Quaipo Market (Quiapo)
• Sagul Malingap Foodpark (Quezon City)
• Salcedo Saturday Market (Makati City)
• Sidcor Sunday Market (Quezon City)
• Soderno Night Food Market (Muntinlupa)
• The Food Hive (Quezon City)
• The Yard Underground (Pasig)

Pampanga

• Moderno Food Park (San Fernando)
• The Yard Food Park (Angeles City)

The post Popular Food Markets/Food Parks & Street Food Spots appeared first on Southeast Asia.