Eye in the Sky: Guzman Street

Showing posts with label Guzman Street. Show all posts

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Night Stroll at People's Park Davao City

As was stated last post, Davao City’s People’s Park, right in the heart of the city, is a welcome addition to its landmarks. What used to host athletes in sports meets has now been turned into a 4-hectare theme park that boasts of 1,100 species of plants and trees, an interactive fountain that dances with music, as well as a 2-story visitor’s center with a durian-shaped dome providing shade to its lookout hall.

According to Davao Today’s Marilou M. Aguirre’s article, “The park also showcases a 425-square meter visitors’ center built with a durian dome design, which houses a Bambusetum (a collection of the different species of bamboo); a Shady Plaza where African tulips are planted within the 3, 750 sq. meter-area; and an Open Plaza with a walk-through rainbow drive featuring some collections of potted palms.”

It also boasts of 5 interconnected avenues, a 16-meter pond, a Green Theater, what would be called as “The Promenade” for the health-conscious joggers; a Sunken Garden (which can obviously benefit with a more inventive imagination); a 10-meter high waterfalls with a pond made of volcanic rocks; and 8 security cams.

Trivia: The name “People’s Park” won over 918 other name-the-park entries, and it officially opened last December 2007. The grounds used to be the Old PTA grounds. These days, the area teems with activities. There’s a casino and several restaurants around the area. Security is also tight, with active frisking and inspection at the entrance.

As we mentioned last post, the best time to visit the park is at night when the harsh Davao sun has ebbed and the bright park lights illuminate the green green grounds surrounding the park. Entrance is free.

The durian fruit (left) and Singapore's The Esplanade (which is similarly patterned after the durian - aka breadfruit). Jakarta, the Indonesian capital is also nicknamed as "the big durian". Durian plant is endemic in Davao, thus the fruit is being sold almost year round at very cheap price all over Davao.

The fence surrounding the park.

GETTING THERE

From anywhere in the city, taxi drivers are familiar with the name – “People’s Park” – but for those who feel comfortable name-dropping street names, it is located along Guzman Street, near Casino Filipino and just in front of Whaw Litson-Biik Restaurant (you can’t miss the flagrant billboard of Pinoy food adorning the restaurant).

Taxis in Davao City are generally cheaper. Make sure you have a flagged down meter as you get inside the car. Taxi drivers, unlike their Manila counterparts, are generally more honest – and will readily return every peso of change that you pay from the meter reading. Round it up to the nearest PhP5 denomination – for good will!

In the last 10 years, the metropolitan streets of Davao have drastically changed. Gone are the ubiquitous rundown, kakarag-karag (“kagang-kagang”) non-AC KIA cars. Current taxis are glistening new AC Toyotas and Nissans. There are the occasional eyesore taxis, but their franchise has, thankfully, only until December this year. Davao taxis total to about 3,600 – and the new ones are beautifully maintained!

NEW MALLS

I was surprised to find a Robinson’s Mall but this has limited area (a supermarket) and no movie hall. SM Lanang Premier recently opened from what used to be Lanang Golf grounds. Ayala Center Davao is also expected to be constructed in the same area which will, surely, decongest the city center!

Oh yes, it's beginning to look a lot like that season again...

Decked in festive Christmas lights and poinsetias, the Visitor's Center looks warm and bright at night.

Interactive fountain...

Colorful murals (above and below)

TRY THE LOCAL DIALECT

(Visayan-to-English Survival Phrases)

Though the city is a mixed-dialect hub (people interchange their tagalog with their visayan, and a smattering of English thrown in), you can try your survival visayan:

Maayong adlaw = good day

Pila kini = how much is this?

Nawala ku – I’m lost

Tabang = help

Mahala oy = it’s expensive

Barato = cheap

Wala bay discount? = isn’t there a discount?

Kapoy na ko = I’m tired

Wa na koy kwarta = I don’t have money.

Asa ang __ = Where is ____?

Kagwapo man (or kanindot) = it’s beautiful

Lami man = it’s delicious

Daghang salamat = Thank you

Walay sapayan = You’re welcome (it’s nothing)

Terminal fee at the Davao International Airport is PhP200 ($4.20). And you have to take off your footwear (slippers, shoes) as you check in at the pre-departure area. (Davao runs flights to some Japanese cities and other Asia-Pacific destinations.)

Quack, quack...

Well illuminated avenues at the park

Cherubs frolicking.

A dark alley leading to the sunken garden (which used to be a swimming pool).

Sunken Garden

Durian Dome

Whaw Litson-Biik Restaurant along Guzman Street, right across the park.

Beautiful statues at the People’s Park and location map – http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2009/11/larger-than-life-statues-depict-folk.html

Davao International Airport - photos and information: http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2009/11/davao-international-airport-and-its.html

Daytime at People's Park (2013) - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2013/04/daytime-at-peoples-park-davao-city.html

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Larger-than-Life Statues Depict Folk Life at People's Park in Davao City

I’ve always believed that a city without an acceptable park is like royalty without a crown. Thus when I heard of Davao City finally opening what would be called “People’s Park”, I was pleased no end. Davao City is the Philippines’ 3rd major metropolis (after Metro Manila of the Luzon Islands, and Metro Cebu of the Visayas). Located in the strife-wary island of Mindanao, south of the country, Davao City teems with tourist sites of various persuasions, be it cosmopolitan for those who thrive in the city vibe – or natural beauty, for those who seek the bounties of nature. A source of pride is the almost non-existent criminal arm of this city, thanks to the controversial Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (now vice mayor).

ALMOST CRIME-FREE

If Duterte's children are as incorruptible as their father, then I wouldn't even care on issues of nepotism. The good mayor literally cleaned the city from the clutches of what unfortunately pervades in the backwaters of Manila’s underworld. One can safely walk around Davao in the wee hours without fear of his life, limb or property. Davao is THE SAFEST CITY in the country, which is ironic, since the rest of Mindanao is notorious for its unrest. There is of course the human-rights issue that continuously simmer (oh yes, even among the mayor’s councilors) in the undertows of Duterte’s hands. For those who never lived the 2 decades of fear brought about by bandits and extreme rightists that gripped the city from the not too distant past, it is easy for them to huff and puff! It is easy to be righteous when you do not live the shackles of fear that used to grip local life.

FOLLIES OF DISAPPEARANCE

Duterte brought peace and prosperity to the city. In fact, when Duterte won a congressional seat a few years back, crime and semblance of lawlessness resurfaced. When he decided to take his rightful “throne” back as Mayor, Davao soared and the “masasamang loob” (bad elements) fled! My taxi driver said, “All the petty criminals left for fear of getting their comeuppance here.” Indeed, in present Davao City, the bad elements seem to have an uncanny fate of disappearing! LOL. Am I amused with this system? You bet I am. IF YOU ARE A GOOD SOUL, you can live in peace - without fear. Otherwise, you better hide fast!

PEOPLE’S PARK

People’s Park officially opened in December of 2007. What used to be a PTA Ground (hosting athletic meets) was turned into a 4-hectare nature and fantasy-themed park that boasts of rainforest trees and vanity-free, larger-than-life statues that depict the daily lives of local folk. On my second visit to this park, I thoroughly enjoyed observing the little details thrown into each of these statues – fishermen pulling their fish nets, fruit farmers harvesting “saba” (cardaba), durian and other fruits; dancing people, a gigantic Philippine Eagle, etc. I was in awe, and this is evident in the photos that I was able to capture.

I’d say that the perfect time to visit the park is at sundown when there’s the slightest breeze blowing and temperature have ebbed down; when lights illuminate the statues and the glitter of the kliegs cast a romantic sheen over the trees, grass, as well as the fountains.

Engr. Eliza Madrazo, head of the project management office, is especially proud of the 1,100 species of foliage that grow from the park – diverse specimen from the rainforests of Madagascar and other African countries, New Guinea, Australia, Central and South America and all over Southeast Asia.

Located along Guzman Street, just across the city’s Casino Filipino, and near Gaisano Ilustre Mall and Apo View Hotel, the park is a haven of serenity. It has to be mentioned that the park is equipped with half a dozen cameras and a strict security team at the entrance. Entrance is free!

This is the Eye in the Sky.