SCOUTS . . . MALIPAYONG PAG-ABOT SA DAVAO
My own week-long impression about the world's biggest city
by: ES Mario Esquillo(TOBS94) (Council OIC, James L. Gordon Council, Olongapo City, CLR, BSP)

send feedback at : http://olongapoiscouts.tripod.com
or email at me_geyo@yahoo.com


Maayong gabii, Madayaw Davao; we were greeted with smiling faces and warm welcome by the hospitable people of Davao at the time of our arrival at the, city's airport and during our everyday stroll. The James L. Gordon contingent of four (4) scouts and (3) scouters traveled south to join the 50th Annual National Council Meeting (ANCM) and the 2nd BIMP-EAGA Urban Scouts Jamboree. The climax of the event is the Golden ANCM in Grand Men Seng Hotel and the gathering of scouts coming from Brunei Darusalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine – East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) who has set foot in one of the country's proud city, the new home of yet another historic collision of different culture which happened in a place , which is, ironically, strongly bonded to its culture and ideals: the City of Davao.

Dubbed as the Durian Capital and a Sanctuary of the country's famous “PAG-ASA” Philippine Eagle , Davao provided an experience larger than a Jamboree experience alone. “HA? MAGKANO?” I stoop with eyes widened on the first day I ran for a meal around the city, A meal costing P25.00 with unlimited rice, or a meal of 50.00 with Free Iced Tea, Banana or papaya and unlimited rice caught my tummy and had me sitting in my table with 5 cups of rice. A rayban immitation costing P50.00??? A cowboy hat at P50.00, avocado at P10.00 per kilo, oh my monkey!!! overflowing banana during the duration of the Jamboree, talk about fibers!!! You can even ride a Taxi for as low as P26.00. In addition, the folks' discipline is clearly visible, something that is really admirable. For some these may sound ordinary, but to me who has lived in the metro (Manila or Olongapo) since I learn to value money, these are quite above the ordinary. True to their words, indeed, Malipayong pag-abot sa Davao “ (Maligayang Pagdating sa Davao).

On the opening night of the Jamboree, the crowd of scouts were entertained by Cultural presentations defecting the City's culture and history, followed by the equally entertaining and surprisingly talented group of police officers banging and performing most of the country's famous Pop and alternative songs. The Second night was even inspiring when the program staff featured a musical ensemble songs, dances and theatrical acts defecting the city's struggles and how they stood on-top of those hurdles and become the great City in the South that they are now. I can't wait to see what they have in-stored for us tonight. My personal impression is simple: Davao was able to preserved its arts and music, its culture and its ideals on-top of modernization and continuous technological and economic growth, a proof that modernization is not really a threat to culture preservation. So far, I can not say much of the city and its people at this stage for we have almost stayed at the Hotel, at the Market and at the Jamboree site so far but what I could say at this point is what matters to me and my scouts the most.... Davao folks look-up to scouts as living legacy's of old Filipino Ideals, young blood of heroes and the living epitome of Jose Rizal's “Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan”, and most of all, they look at scouts as vital part of their local community, such is an honor to every participants of these two major scouting event.

To all these and everything that I have experienced so far, all I can offer is a scout salute to the people of Davao. Mabuhay kayo, and Mabuhay ang Davao!

.....part I of III Articles about our stay in Davao