Interview w/ KIKO DOMO of Cagayan de Oro City & the Oro Fashion Designers Guild

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Interview w/ ABEGAIL MULDER, Davao City's Bet for Big Time Modeling

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Interview w/ JARED SERVANO, Project Runway Philippines Season 4 Top 3

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Interview w/ ARNOLD ALVAREZ, Mindanao's Top Events Director

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Enchanting Loreto, Agusan del Sur

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The Unspoiled Life in Siargao

Siargao is an island in the province of Surigao del Norte composed of nine municipalities. Of late, it's name has become part of a surfer's itinerary since it is considered as the best surfing place in the Philippines.

With those big waves from the Pacific Ocean called the Cloud 9, it will surely be one of the hottest spots in the country for surfers. There is even an international surfing competition called the Siargao Cup initiated by the provincial government.

Aside from being famous as surfers' paradise, Siargao also has other places to see like waterfalls and their best-kept secret lagoon where waters are as blue as the sea surrounding the island.

With the many resorts that are available, Siargao is really heaven in this side of the Philippines. Modern amenities are offered in a yet unspoiled environment.

Vegetation is still lush despite the influx of tourists and the development of roads that connect the nine towns in the island.

It is a place in the Philippines where one can commune with nature. The laid-back atmosphere is still very evident in the environs of Siargao. I just hope it remains that way - unspoiled by modernity and urbanization.

Whether you want to visit Siargao for surfing or just to enjoy nature at its best, it is one for the bucket list which I am lucky to have checked.

That is the unspoiled life of Siargao.

(Credit to the owners of the pictures.)

General Santos City is Not Just All About Tuna

A jewel of a city named General Santos City is fast becoming a hub especially from tuna that can be harvested from its bountiful seas. But the city is not just all about tuna. It has other things to offer to its visitors.

As in any other major city in the Philippines, malls have mushroomed in General Santos. Name all major malls in the country, the city has it all. Being a hub of Region 12, a lot of people go these establishments for shopping and leisure.

They say that when commercial establishments hit a boom in a certain area, it is destined for progress. That is what I saw in General Santos City. Aside from the city proper, businesses flourish in adjacent areas and it is a good sign.

The development of residential enclaves has started in the city. With its vast land area, General Santos City can be a good place to build homes.

A growing population necessitates the building of health care facilities to take care of the needs of the people. Hospitals are abound in General Santos City. This goes to show that the local government knows its priorities especially those that will benefit the people.

But General Santos City would not be as it is now without the tuna that made the city popular not only here in the Philippines but other Asian countries as well especially Japan which imports tuna from there. They say that tuna from GenSan is tastier as compared to the tunas harvested from others countries.

The General Santos International Airport does not only cater to commercial flights. International cargo airlines bring tuna from the city to different nearby countries. Of course, with the increased air traffic, the airport is now being renovated to accommodate more passengers and airplanes that make the city a port of call.

I was in General Santos City for the Southern Weaves fashion show during the Budayaw Festival participated in by member countries of BIMP-EAGA growth area. It was a big event hosted by the city and expectations were exceeded. Thanks to the effective preparations and hosting by the local government.

A visit to General Santos City is worth the trip. It may be a fast-rising city in Mindanao but nature is bountiful...preserved and unspoiled.

Davao City, the Center of Attraction

Davao City, the country's largest city in terms of land area, is at the center of attraction of late. Not only because it is the city where President Rodrigo Duterte was once a mayor. It is gaining more popularity among local tourists and foreigners as well.

The city has its own characteristic that makes it charming and endearing. Modernity has caught up with Davao City but it has maintained a certain aura of mystery. Though, once in a while, hounded by activities of the far left and other attention-seeking groups, it is generally peaceful.

From the first time that I set foot in Davao City many years ago until the last time I was there to do the 65th Miss Universe Mindanao Tapestry fashion show of Renee Salud, I have seen a lot of changes to the city. Commercial establishments have spruced up. There is even a big Central Bank of the Philippines branch which has a convention hall that can accommodate a large number of people of big events. Then, there is also the SMX Convention Center in Lanang where our show was held.

Malls owned by SM and Ayala have mushroomed in Davao City through the years. It seems that their branches are not enough to accommodate the number of people who have made malls as their new leisure go-to places.

But, of course, there is still the good old reliable Aldevinco where you can buy Mindanao-made products. Not only that, you can also find items which come from neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Haggling for the best price is still practiced here. Then, there is the city center which has small as well as big named stores to shoppers' delight.

A sign of a place's marked development is the construction of big-branded hotels. Of course, there are smaller hotels which cater to tourists who are on a budget. The construction frenzy of hotels in Davao City makes the city more appealing to visit.

Durian can be bought in several areas as well as other delicacies that the city offers. Local restaurants are must-trys. With the abundance of fruits and seafood in the area, it is worth patronizing their products and eating places.

Davao City is at the center of attraction. It is one place which was carved of discipline and friendliness. Everywhere I went in the city, I was genuinely greeted by its people. Taxis gave exact change. Cleanliness is very evident. It is not be a surprise anymore that it is dubbed as the next important gateway to the Philippines.