Christmas in Davao

Christmas in Davao

It’s impossible to say that it is quiet in Davao.  Always something is going on - and even if it is only the traffic, to get upset.

But so close to Christmas,  it would be better to emigrate temporarily. There are simply too many people and cars there. Although it is a nice in the evening, to admire the illuminated Christmas decoration: laterns, deers, stars and “snow” falling from the trees.

It is estimated that this year there are even more Lumads than last year and there  it were - according to official estimates - about 16,000 Lumads. These people are  again housed at the various basketball courts and receive food and medical care and are allowed  to ask for Christmas donations at every corner of the city - again this year.

Even at the City Bus Station there is a hive of activity. It is said that this Christmas and about New Year ca.700  buses come and go every day. And these  bring ca. 40,000 people in the city, because the malls offer great specials and nice entertainment.

Yes, here comes the  Christmas spirit and you do the best to spend these days t on the beach under palm trees with good food.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Another prestige project fully sold

Prestige project: Lakeshore Drive behind SM Premier Lanang / Davao

It is known now  that two condo towers  of "Lake Shore Drive" have been completely sold - even though the  customers have to wait about 5 years to move in. It's about the two residential towers with 21 floors and 354 condos that have views across the sea to the island of Samal. This means for "Suntrust Properties"  a sales revenue of about 2.1 billion pesos. Not bad.

It was a surprisingly good start in the real estate market in Davao and probably the other two residential towers will follow soon.

The attraction is certainly the large artificial lake with jogging opportunities (= eco-tourism), the proposed exclusive restaurants, the school complex and the generous "Davao Finance Center" - a building with 15 floors for offices. Even a small hospital and a church will be built. Everything should be like in Makati / Manila , according to the motto: Live, work, learn and play. "All from one hand”

It is not clear if someone has thought of the new amount of extra cars and the expected traffic problems.  

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao.

Our new compagnion

A new, four-legged companion

Recently, we have a new friend in our household, a small, white, long-haired puppy. He has got the name "Barnaby"  - in the hope that he grows big and strong and vigilant

He is about  2 months old, a real "Sweetheart-Doggy" beautiful and playful. If it is true, it should be from a combination of a Japanese Spitz and a Philippine beauty. His paws are already large -  it could really grow to a big dog. Well, we'll see.

You have always the feeling to comb the long, curly hairs. Actually, short-haired dogs are here in the Philippines the norm - only because of the temperatures of about 30 degrees every day.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

OSRAM is LED chipmaker now

OSRAM is LED chipmaker now

When you think of light bulbs, the name OSRAM –Germany comes into your mind. The names OSRAM  and lamps   belong  together - so far.

Also OSRAM has recognized the signs of the times. Now it's decided that the lamp manufacturer OSRAM –Germany will build a new factory in Malaysia for about 1 billion euros - not in the Philippines. For years, OSRAM seems to have problems with the new technology of light emitting diodes of the competition from Asia and with the general decline in prices. In Malaysia no fluorescent tubes, halogen and energy-saving lamps will be built, but it will be produced the chips for LED car lights and for general lighting. OSRAM starts as a  LED manufacturers.

Everything goes hand-in-hand with an austerity program. Works in Augsburg and parts in Berlin and Eichstaett will be closed. A partnership in China is sold already. The worldwide workforce will be reduced.

With the new LED technology, OSRAM wants to re-conquer his old place in the light-technology , especially in the automotive sector. I hope so.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

A dog-surprise

There's nothing but joyful surprises. And this was so: Some time ago we had  spoken to friends  about dogs. And it was me who mentioned, that a dog could fit quite well for us.

And how were we surprised when Jerrold brought to us  two little baby dogs. And they were so cute and so clumsy. Maybe they were just 6 weeks old. Color: gray-black. Pedigree unknown - just Askal, fully Filipino.

And now we have a problem: For a dog we were prepared - and now we have two. And they are quite exhausting.

Let's see how we get through this.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

A Philippine cocoa-success story

The Malagos chocolate

That chocolate tastes good, that it is known and is also reflected in the abdominal circumference - especially at Christmas and Easter .

Here around Davao there are many cocoa plantations. There the cocoa trees  are growing like the apple trees at home in Germany.  One of the known cocoa plantations in Davao-Calinan, is the Malagos farm. I knew this farm through their Cocoa Taler (TABLEYA = native chocolate), which have a particularly good full flavor and are therefore often used in restaurants and pastry shops.

The  cocoa beans  from this farm earn international respect. This was confirmed in international competitions in London in 2014 and now in 2015 in Hannover/Germany, where a silver medal was earned. It is probably the first ever Philippine product that has received so much recognition.

It is even on the composition of the cocoa mass  which varieties they come from- and there are many. Most particularly, it probably depends on the processing, where fermenting and roasting are really important at that. And that requires a lot of experience.

The Malagos chocolate I've probably seen often in the Supermarket of the malls. But the brown packaging has not approached to me. And this chocolate seems to be  a little bit loosing  to the other chocolate varieties of Goya, Hershey, Ferrero, Toblerone and Ritter Sport in the shelves.

  The Malagos farm has also made a name in the last years in the production of goat's cheese and fruit wines. Also an orchid farm with breeding the most famous orchid of the Philippines, the Waling Waling-belongs to the company, which is also called Malagos-Garden Resort. A very Impressing story of success.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

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How to have a good seat in the plane .

Is it luck to get a good seat in the plane ?

My friend seems to have much luck when it comes to a good seat at the flight from Europe to Davao. Most often, the seat is free next to him and he has enough place for the legs and can sleep well.

He says that this has nothing to do with luck. It could be calculated.

He always tries to get a seat in the back of the aircraft, namely there where only 2 seats in the row. And there he takes  the aisle seat. When he flies with his wife, then they occupy the seats- again  in the rear part of the aircraft - but the left and right of the aisle, because - as he says from experience - then the chance is great that any seat remains free  next to them.

One other tip from him is that he did  specify when booking that he has an incompatibility with the food and for example, he must eat vegan. He has found that these people will be  served very first and have not have to wait long to receive the meals and drinks.

So, I want to try the tips. Let's see if it works.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Philippine ants are a plague

How to fight  with ants in Davao

My friend is in despair. In the pots and into his new house - where the architect has said that he uses an extra remedy for ants - cavort  these animals. Above all, there are the little ants, approximately 2 mm in size !.. And there are ants here in the Philippines - in addition to termites - in all sizes and in all quantities.

From his Philippine neighbors he has already received tips. Since the ants are irritated by strong odors, he should try  with cinnamon sprinkle or with the leaves of tomato. He had already tried  spray with vinegar. The results are not yet totally. The animals seem to get used to  the new odor after a while . And  still they are present. Or are they  some new ones ?

Now he has got a new tip from home, from Germany. He should use the ash of  cigars or cigarette, which is dissolved in water. And that he wants to do. Otherwise he will try it with lavender. I press the thumb.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

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who is writing to you:

Hello! My name is Ludwig . As a native German, teacher for German language with diploma from University of Ludwigsburg/Germany, chief editor of “123easyGerman”,  I  give classes and tutorials at  USEP  Davao ( University of Southeastern Philippines)  for German A1-test, crash course and  seminars.

Drinking coffee in SM Lanang Premier, Davao

Do you want time for a coffee in peace?

If you are in the SM Mall Premier Lanang, Davao you might have - besides shopping - usually 2 problems: First, where do you find a bank or a chair - just  to rest? There are not many and they are mostly occupied.

The second problem - at least so I think - is where you can sip a coffee in peace? Going to STARBUCKS or FRENCH BAKER, then you sit like ‘on the display’ in front. Well, some people will surely need and like that.

So I was happy when I found in the second floor the ‘DAYAW Coffee & Tea’. Although I have seen the signs, but I did not know that the business is outside, so is on the terrace.

Prices start at 60 pesos for a coffee, you have a beautiful view with peace - if you sit outside - and it seems that there are mostly students who work on their laptops. Everything makes a nice impression of good Davao coffee taste and I highly recommended them.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao
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Who is writing to you:

Hello! My name is Ludwig . As a native German, teacher for German language with diploma from University of Ludwigsburg/Germany, chief editor of “123easyGerman”,  I  give classes and tutorials at  USEP  Davao ( University of Southeastern Philippines)  for German A1-test, crash course and  seminars.  Please contact our institution assistants Mrs. Shella Lariosa and Ms.Diane Crisel ( Foreign Languages Institute of  USEP) during normal office hours  in Davao City: 082-224 1372 or 0909 2220 986.

Renew your your driver licence in Davao!

Life is here in Davao. You are always in motion!

Once again it was at the time that my driver license had to be renewed at the Land & Transportation Office (LTO). So, the normal way is that you have to stand in the queue, because at 8 o’clock the gate will be opened and then all the waiting people are whizzing through the entrance in order to get one of the front seats - or have it let reserved by a helper.

Then the papers have to be completed and delivered to booth 1 and again, you are looking for a place in the long row of chairs. And then you wait, because the next step is the photo taking. A lady with a  deep  voice called out the names. Every time one stands up to head to the booth, the people sitting next will get up and move to the next chair. You are  constantly in motion.

After some time my name was called. I smiled into the camera and  made my signature on the electronic device. And then there was it again: waiting. I had to wait until boothe 3 called my name to pay the renewal fee of Php417.63. And then wait again - but the heavy work is already done. How relieving.

After about 20 minutes - after having had a snack at the canteen - my name was called at booth 4 and I was finally able to take my new licence. I looked at my card, smiling, being happy to have overcome this procedure. Well, it is more fun in Davao. Life is here. You are always in motion!

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

Machines of BOSCH have a distinct advantage

Old electric drill from Bosch

"It is nice when you get an unexpected surprise",  my friend uses to say . And this was exactly happening today.

He had brought a drill from Germany some years ago: for such simple purposes of drilling and doweling. He had realized that here the usage of dowelss has been unknown in the Philippines and that here everybody prefers to do with such work nails instead of screws

And after some years the machine stopped working. So what to do? When inquiring at Bosch in Germany  he learned that there is no Bosch branch in Davao yet – but intends to establish a subsidiary. Bosch was very welcoming and offered to repair the electric drill, if  the machine is back to Germany. Darn, the machine weights about 3 kg. No, this is too heavy, my friend thought. At the end the machine was left in the dark corner in the store room beside the broom

Some time passed and we were invited to visit a corporate exhibition held at SM Lanang. Among the invited companies there was an  accredited company that would deal with BOSCH machineries. An inquiry revealed that the company could not help us out with the drill, as it is an old machine with the type number CSB 650-2RE. And we were told that they are only able to repair BOSCH machines that begin with the code letter "G".

Again, at the end of the day, the drilling machine was in the dark corner of the store room beside the broom.

Having had the drill more than 15 years, a quality that is seldom to find nowadays, he did not give in. Then my friend searched on the internet to get more tips on how to solve this problem. He thought that  the problem could only be the carbon brushes which have be to replaced.  And then he realized that in different electric drills the carbon brushes are just the same! After reading so rare shares on this matter on the world wide web, he was happy to learn that BOSCH products have this distinct advantage to be of standardized component - and regardless where you buy these components. They are universally fit to  BOSCH drilling machine! Fantastic!

With this information, it was easy to get the brushes – one costs 420 Pesos in the hardware store  - and he could assemble it by himself. And everything worked! Yes, BOSCH machines are special.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Hot Technology in prison

The prison of Davao has a solar system

So, even Davao has a prison. It is located in the district of Ma-a. And  the technology was now introduced  by the Red Cross (ICRC) with a 1-million-peso donation. With this donation, a solar hot water system for a flow rate of about 1800 liters was installed in order to provide  the kitchen with plenty of hot water for cooking . Before the introduction of this technology the prison consumed  approximately 5 tons of wood / month and  the energy of  electric stoves  All  expensive materials.

Anyone who has ever looked inside  a Philippine prison may wonder whether such an investment of  the Red Cross in solar hot water is the right way. But you have to admit that it is a step in the right direction.

The prison was designed for about 380 times detainees. At the moment there are 2,190 men. The prison became overcrowded. Let us hope that the solar system is not limited to conserve the environmental and financial aspect , but also to enhance the stardard of living inside the prison walls.

With best regard,

Ludwig from Davao

Beach Wedding

Beach Wedding in Mati

When you are  invited and has pledged to it, than you also have to go: to a wedding directly on the beach, a beach wedding. And this is all in Mati and about 165 km away from Davao.

If you have overcome the stop-and-go in Davao and  are driving to the north, than you are  surprised  about the beautiful wide streets that come starting  from Panabo and Tagum with a few traffic. Here you can  really go well. The reason might be that  probably the streets were built first  and  later the places around.

In the middle of Tagum you have to turn right and drive on the other side of the Davao-Bay in the direction to the south . And now you can "learn how to drive": it goes on-and-off in many curves along the mountain and on the other side of the road  it drops steeply down to the beach. You have the feeling to have  a mountain pass in the Alps.

Sometime that's come to an end, and with  a wide panoramic terrace you look then at Mati, with its port facilities, which are being expanded greatly.

The wedding was on the next morning on the beach  in the district Dahican. And a wedding on the beach at sunrise and a registrar- judge  who then smashes a song for karaoke box. That's something special. These ladies were dressed in long, colorful dresses and wore big hats - not only because of the sun – the  men, however, in white clothing. It was served plenty to eat, incl.of 3 sucking pigs. In addition many small cakes, cup cakes  and tarts. The whole family of the bride side must have baked  vigorously  and garnished the last days. It was a really nice event.

And it culminated in the afternoon with swimming in the "Blue-Bless_Beach resort" in Dahican, where you get a place only by long reservation. And you are forced to eat again and to drink.And in between you take a bath  in the clear, blue water. Simply nice.  This event you will remember.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

An exceptional restaurant - Balik Bukid Davao -

An exceptional restaurant - Balik Bukid Davao -

 Like a cozy tavern in Swabia  – only in a Filipino style

We stood in front of the restaurant and thought: "Well, this is something new!". This establishment resembles from outside like a big bamboo house embedded with empty plastic bottles. From the outside, there is nothing much unusual – just a restaurant in a very ethnic and Philippine style.

But if you step in that bamboo house, you will be surprised and you start to believe to be have entered a Swabian "broom-local" (a little word game for non-Schwaben: A "broom"  is normally the living room of a family of a winemaker in Remstal near Stuttgart, where you drink  the indigenous, home-made wine of the winemaker and eat what the housewife has just prepared. Very lovely!) – or in a regular English, a tavern.

Here, in the restaurant Balik Bukid, the ambiance gives a cozy feeling. The wooden chairs are simple, the backrests are made of strings from plastic bags or rough sisal. The tables with glass top have undercarriages of old sewing machines or sometimes car tires. The lighting consists of lamps that are hidden in hand woven baskets, and the floor is made of colored tile pieces. Simple and yet so beautiful.

The menu - in Bisaya and English - was placed in wooden boxes, which were previously used for playing  chess. As drinks we could choose from fresh juices of papaya, guava or guyabano. The different food were served on wooden plates - which suit even more the ambience. 

We were particularly impressed by the yellow rice (colored by turmeric) and the blue rice which got the  blue color from an edible blue flower. Maybe they used  Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' (Ochsenzunge).

While waiting on the food, we enjoyed playing dice games. And when we had finished eating, we were offered "a fairy tale" about a Philippine legend - if you like to listen to it. And of course, we grabbed the opportunity!

The owners plant their own vegetables on farm near Calinan (Mt. Apo) in where all the proceeds are offered in the restaurant. Everything is free from preservatives. The prices are average, not overpriced. The food was refreshingly different! Balik-Bukid is a place of excitement and new discoveries! We really felt at home and will come back again. That we promise! Address: Ecoland, Quimpo Blvd., Davao City (beside Yellow Fin)

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Mercedes-Benz is recruiting in Cebu

German-speaking Filipinos have a good chance

A big celebration at Mercedes-Benz in Cebu was held marking the renaming of the company of "Daimler Group Services Philippines" to the name "Mercedes - Benz". The ceremony was graced by the German ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Thomas Ossowski, who was the guest speaker.

Mercedes-Benz has been based in the Philippines with a Service Office since 2011. The company started with three employees - and today, counting 225 in their workforce, with an increasing number. "We are looking for Filipinos from the fields of accounting and finance. (Accountancy, Finance course), said Mr. Heiko Nitsche, head of "Mercedes-Benz Group Services Philippines" (MBGSP). The new employees are needed for further development of the company.

Filipinos with German language skills would have a great advantage, as the staff of the head office in Germany are not proficient English speakers. Asides, Filipinos are known for their linguistic skills.

So, those who are interested in a job at the Mercedes-Benz should quickly enroll at a German course! Here in Davao it's best done at the University of South-Eastern Philippines (USEP) at Obrero. The German program is headed by the Institute of Languages (ILs) which offers various international languages - German was one of the first languages to be introduced to interested students, linguists and professionals from different industries. They also know how to prepare the students for the German language tests at the Goethe Institute in Manila.

Well, do it from the beginning right and learn German from German nationals who love to teach you individually or with your friends or workmates in groups at your convenient time of the week! If you like to learn more, drop a message here at www.my-davao-diary.blogspot.com  (below) or email me: lrexrodt@gmail.com - I am more than happy reply to inquiries!

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Jeepney adventure

Hi, use the jeepneys in Davao

It was on a Friday night, somewhere downtown area, when the car did not want to start and it began to rain hard. We did not know what happened car why he let us down, but at the end we decided to call our daughter to inform her. We were really happy when she drove up with her boyfriend... rescue was near! And besides, since it was still  raining, it was agreed that they would take care of the car the following day.

On Saturday  the auto mechanic explained that he could only repair the car in his shop. So the car was towed. On the following Monday, the mechanic explained that the repair would be a bigger matter and that it would take him probably a week or 10 days to fix it.

 So what to do? Should we constantly take a taxi? Oh no, we thought. What a costly hustle! In the stop-and-go-traffic in Davao, it would cost a lot of pesos. So we decided something new: Do it like the locals! Lets ride the jeepneys!

 Driving with the jeepneys is really cheap: per person and route, it costs a maximum of 12 pesos. If it does not rain, driving is very airy and beautiful and  you are sitting close-to-close with the other passengers, like in a crowded Balikbayan box.

 The problem I encountered is my height. "Woah, dako kay siya!" meaning "Woah, he  is so tall!", I would hear the Filipinos 'complimenting' me, when we enter the jeepney. And because of my long legs I occupy more space than the Filipinos. The driver  does not like us much, because he does not come to the maximum passenger amount that can be up to 10-15 passengers.

 My personal problem is the design of the jeepneys: These cars are built for smaller people! It is my head  that is always to near to the metal roof. And there are times that in the roof space is a crossbar, a triangular iron, which makes riding the jeepney a bit more risky for me. I've gotten enough injuries in the meantime. Since some time I wear a hat in order to "reduce" the painful collisions with the vehicle's roof. The only good way out of the debacle is that I have sometimes the chance to get a front seat beside the driver. In front, I have enough space for head and feet - and the view over the Davao traffic is fantastic. Yet, I have to say that this place is quite popular! Getting the highly sought-after seat is like playing in the lottery, it is all about luck! So, my dear follow-giants: when in Davao, ride like a Dabawenyo - but, take the front seat!

 With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Is it worth buying condos in Davao?

Is it worth buying condos in Davao?

There is a lot of constructions in Davao already and more are to come in the next year. So it is no longer a secret place to make money. Many small and especially the big construction companies are pushing to Davao. First of all there are the big companies, like Ayala Land, Mega World and SMDC. The buyer can choose from a variety of purchase options.

According to a statement of the company LAMUDI DATA there are at the moment  about 2,400  offers for houses, townhouses and condos. And who wants to rent, there are about  130 options to choose from.

It is not surprising that in Davao there are a number of super homes that cost more than 40 million pesos, followed by about 130 deals, which cost 10 million pesos and more. Most of the offers are well below 10 million pesos. This explains that the average price is around 4 million pesos.

It is also interesting what is the price of  1 square meter of a new constructed condo . You must spend an average of about 71,000 pesos per square meter. According to a statement of the company LAMUDI DATA  the possible rent is about 650 pesos per square meter. This means a  return of investment  of just under 1%. Not much.

One should note that these are average values - but to compare the offers in Davao it is worth to know these actual numbers.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Meeting of the Gascal Clan in Makilala

Large family clan meeting

It's always nice to be at a meeting of the families there. It is a lot to see, to hear,   to examine the growth of family members (babies and in-laws) and just  telling the gossips and news.

The great-great-grandfather - he came from Bohol - was quite active in family planning and had 12 children. And the family branches were  increasingly diverse and at the present time one  can actually speak only of 6 branches of the family in Mindanao, who have a meeting once a year. The older ones, so 70 years and more, get fewer and fewer –but  young people are increasing strongly.

The connection to the family members in Bohol is active. The members are  visiting each other. It is planned that even a clan meeting will take place  in Bohol. Since the current clan is focused more to Kidapawan and around, it is not only a long trip to Bohol, but  expensive too. So, we'll see.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao.

Strawberries in Davao

Soon we will have strawberries?

What a surprise! One of the little plants that we have taken from the region of Arakan (which is a plateau located near the Mt. Apo, about 50 km from Davao and which  is cool)  last year, there is now the first, small fruit: strawberries in Davao. For us, this is a  surprise.

It is not so easy to get strawberries to bloom and then hope that they will also form fruits. The sun here in Davao is just too strong: Shoes that have a synthetic sole or ladies handbags with plastic inserts will be mercilessly destroyed by the UV radiation - and also our seeds brought from Germany , such as basil, cut lettuce, marjoram and chives went  down too. The seeds germinated, developed a little bit and then it was over. Nothing more.

That what you get in vegetables here is small and has a tough skin, such as peppers or tomatoes or grapes. And on the fields where it grows, there are  nets  stretched to mitigate the solar radiation. It's obvious,  we are almost directly below the equator!

So, we hope that the other strawberry plants  will come to flower and will bring fruits. Maybe it's enough for strawberry cake!

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

Low water consumption brings high discount

Saving water is worth

That one is right now -you should save water, which is obvious in the hottest month in Davao. For more than over 6 weeks no rain has fallen in the area. The  farmers in the area cry: "If no rain comes, it is a poor harvest!"
So far, the waterworks have expressed no warning, but you know that it is worthwhile to save water. For years the waterworks in Davao know the phenomenon "El Nino" and the associated lack of rain.

The water policy is simple: The one who uses little water, gets the highest discount. Normally  1 cubic meter of water costs = 33 pesos. And this price is for a water consumption of more than 41 cubic meters. Then it goes down in increments. So a consumption between 11 - 20 cubic meters, you needs to pay only 13.30 pesos / cubic meter. This is a discount of more than 60%.

In addition there are other fees, such as the minimum cost and the rent for the water meter. But  it is worthwhile to save water
.
Best regards,
Ludwig from Davao

Poor crop prospects

Hoping for rain in Makilala / Kidapawan

What have we groaned when in January this year, the rain did not stop. And now we have the opposite: We desperately need rain!

Especially in the area around Makilala / Kidapawan, at the foot of Mt. Apo, drought is spreading. Whenever the sky will get darkened  in the last time, many farmers  were hoping for rain - which unfortunately did not happen. It is once again the EL NINO-time. And it will last - as we have already seen it several times - until about June.

Should it really take so long, then the harvest prospects are poor. Everything will dry up. But some clever farmers have found a way - if they have access to a river, a stream, or at least to a water hole: A water-pressure pump is purchased. And so the fields - rice fields  or rubber trees or .. or...  - are irrigated just as long as water is available.And 100 meters of hose and more  is not uncommon.

For the hardware business a great deal. Within a few days, all new and used pressure pumps were sold out.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

The first high-rise giant

Avida Towers in Davao

In a prime location of Davao, in the C. M. Recto Avenue, there  the Avida Towers are currently being built.. And the first tower with 23 floors, of which 20 floors are for condominiums, will  be completed in December 2016. A year later then the second tower with 28 floors.

According to the administration  ca. 890 units of the over 1,050 apartments should already be sold. This is understandable, as the location is really perfect: in the middle of the city, near Ateneo and Gaisano Mall, within earshot of Marco Polo Hotel and Royal Hotel Mandayang. The buyers were mostly high-income yuppies and foreigners. Finally there are about 170 car-parkings .The prices for the condos  will start at about 1.8 million pesos for a studio with approx 22 sqm and go up to about 6 million pesos for a 2-bedroom-apartment.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

Is Davao soon a skyscraper city?

New residential towers are in construction.

As in any city there are small and tall buildings. In Davao  you could count the number of high-rise buildings at five fingers. Undeniably at the top was the "Marco Polo Hotel" with 19 floors and a height of 65 meters. Then came - in the amounts of hight - the "Landco Tower", the "Pryce Tower", the "Grand Regal Hotel" and  the "Pinnacle Hotel", which is  still 51 meters high.

About 10 high-rise buildings are currently in construction . Among those the "Abreeza Place Tower 1" with 27 floors and with 94 meters is probably the highest. And more are to come. In planning stage are again 6 of these skyscrapers

The result is –according to my opinion - an oversupply of condos and  hotel rooms. Currently there are about 47 hotels that are listed in the internet platforms. A spokesman for the city government announced that  about 8,000 hotel rooms are available in Davao  and so  Davao is well prepared for large and international events.

On the other hand each manager of a hotel has to  consider and anticipate how to get enough guests. Nearly every hotel needs a  minimal capacity of about 68% or more to make a profit. And at such a surplus  a tourist will be happy : the prices will fall - I am sure, because the big conferences that should bring the many guests  are currently not yet in sight.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

Who has money and appetite for luxury

One more luxury residential complex to be built in Davao-Lanang

At the moment, all construction companies seem to want to be present in Davao. For years everything was quiet and all of a sudden – since about 20 months – the run starts for the big building activity: from very cheap-cheap Condos and townhouses up to the  proper luxury apartments. Right insane.

Already this year, there will be a  move in luxury and it begins with the "Siam 8000" - a proper luxury  facility with residential towers and hotels. It will be created near to he Insular Village, Davao Lanang. The investor says "Siam  8000 will set the scale for future developments in Davao, so that the city is recognized as a world-class destination where Dabawenyos and guests can purchase a deluxe accommodations underline what the city has to offer."

There are 4 projects to be built, but first it starts with the construction of two projects, the 168-unit Dusit Thani Residences and the 120-room Dusit D2 hotel. First investment will be the P2 billion for the Dusit Thani Residences. A prestigious residential complex on a lot of  1,2 hectare. The Dusit Thani Residences are characterized by pure comfort and luxury - of course in a correspondingly expensive price range.

By the way, the district Lanag of Davao was previously known only by the two Insular Subdivisions and the famous Waterfront Hotel. Otherwise, Lanang was at the end of Davao, as in the direction of Sasa, the container port of Davao. There was  more of an industrial estate atmosphere. And that will change soon completely: The Mall "SM Lanang Premier receives from the company MegaWorld a small Makati – like  the lines of Manila -with the name" Lake Shore Drive ". Next in the direction to the Insular-Subdivision since 2 years  Alcantara plans together with Ayala steps to transform the 25-hectare plot in a prestigious Hotel- Business- Beach area. And then there's the "Siam 8000". This all happens within a distance of about 1.5 km.

So, who has money and a desire for maximum comfort, here is the right place.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

What to do with the many garbage

Davao and its garbage

Such  a big city like Davao produces an incredible amount of waste. There are daily up to 450 tons of garbage, which are  previously stored unsorted on a 7 acre lot. And from that we know already that in the long run it is not  sufficient for the many garbage in the future.

Of course the city has  searched for solutions. So was once a German company  was in contact with the city  that would recycle the garbage to compostable earth, industrial oil products and electricity  as end products. In principle it would have been  a good  project, which  then failed on the implementation and the funding.

Now there is  a second attempt and it's concentrating on eliminating the plastic and scrap tires from the waste. That would amount to about 4 tons monthly. But that would be enough to reduce the  waste by ca. 10% to 20%. The partner in this project  is  a cement factory. Making  cement needs plenty  of energy. And by burning the plastic and rubber much energy is produced and this can be utilized as well.

The problem could be the poisonous gas that emerges in the process. But the company claims to have all the components  "under control".

Best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

It is fun

Diving at Talikud-Island

Febr. 23, 2015

So, what could be better than swimming in clear water, snorkelling or  diving ? The Talikud-Island ( a small island near by Samal Island)  offers the best possibilities.

Although you must take a ride from Sta. Ana Wharf (next to the Magsaysay Park) with the boat for about 30 minutes to the south. But it's worth, because  Talikud Island has really white sand and the water is clear.

Around the Talikud Island there are various beaches, such as: ISLA RETA, BABU SANTA, CORAL GARDEN, ANGEL'S COVE and the prices are not excessive. There are also good diving companies that offer an island-hopping to different places. It is a pleasure.

Best regards,

Ludwig from Davao