I’ve been raring to go on a road trip to some nearby
destination all by myself as part of my dry run for any future long distance travel
in certain parts of Mindanao. All these years, I’ve been used to being driven
around. But being dependent on another just to get me to places I want to be
has started annoying me of late.
Recently,
I decided it was time to take up the dare and drive somewhere alone.
Destination: Tagum City, capital of Davao del Norte or DavNor, for short. I
could have gone further up north but I opted for something closer to home so I
settled for Tagum, which happens to be one of Davao City’s nearest neighbors.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbfod_oSxcY/UYe996wncfI/AAAAAAAAEBE/tmOJYzstM-A/s1600/DSC_1509b.JPG) |
Banana Beach reception area |
Once
a part of the undivided Davao, DavNor was originally made up of 13 towns during
its formation in 1967, with the number rising to 19 in later years and then to
22 by the early 1990s. When Republic Act 8470 was passed in 1998, this dwindled
to only eight as many of its towns were integrated with the province of
Compostela Valley.
In
that same year, the Island Garden City of Samal, which is composed of the
former DavNor towns of Babak, Kaputian and Samal, was created by virtue of
Republic Act 8471. Tagum, the provincial capital, also became a city with the
passage of Republic Act 8472. A few years later, Republic Act 9015 converted
the port town of Panabo into a city.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4wZhlgdvBE/UYhkrhuBWYI/AAAAAAAAEDY/-seUQxgO91o/s1600/DSC_0595b.JPG) |
Tagum's palm tree-line highway |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVDbM09aTRI/UszyzADhDtI/AAAAAAAAIlA/u3cqvMNCIn0/s1600/DSC_1889c.JPG) |
Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Holy Rosary |
At
present, DavNor is made up of eight municipalities—Asuncion, Dujali, Carmen,
Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, Sto. Tomas and Talaingod—and the cities of
Tagum, Panabo and Samal. The province has been dubbed as the “Banana Capital of
the Philippines” because of the presence of several plantations owned by
multinational firms there. Tourism is also a major part of the DavNor’s
economy. In Samal, for instance, there are a number of fine beach resorts
dotting its coastlines, including the world-renowned Pearl Farm Beach Resort.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWRybAnMI6A/UYhfB9r5ivI/AAAAAAAAEDI/O_moekDyauk/s1600/DSC_0585b.JPG)
One
major reason why I chose to be in DavNor is Tagum City, which is just an hour’s
drive away from my place. The road condition going there is relatively better
than other nearby cities, making it a perfect destination for a one-man
joyride. Also, it has a number of interesting attractions worth exploring. I’m
also quite familiar with Tagum since I’ve been there on numerous occasions in
the past either by commuting or by having someone else drive me.
Perhaps one of the first things that first-timers would
take notice are the palm trees lining both sides of its wide, well-paved
highway, which have earned for Davao del Norte's capital a novel title—City of
Palm Trees. But there’s definitely more to Tagum than its swaying palms.
Revisited after some time, I was quite taken by the unmistakable signs of
progress strewn all over this boom town about 55 kilometers north of Davao
City.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13xtFTDQgd4/Us5fzD6SL3I/AAAAAAAAInY/iDW8zDGYe1U/s1600/DSC_2017c.JPG)
From
a largely rural, laidback municipality called Magugpo, Tagum has grown to
become one of the fastest-growing urban centers that form part of the so-called
Metro Davao area, which includes the cities of Davao, Digos, Panabo, Samal and
the municipalities of Carmen and Sta. Cruz, all of which belong to Davao
Region. In 2008, the city also became the second first-class city in the region
next to Davao.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTKSu0MZ2J0/Uszzb2tKPDI/AAAAAAAAIlY/jgi4kdEkLQs/s1600/DSC_2131c.JPG) |
Penny Lane Hotel and Casino |
It’s
also amazing to see that it has managed to turn itself into a booming market
economy. Key to this is Tagum’s emergence as a “gateway” to the northern
provinces of Mindanao, providing a land transportation node, which draws the
movers and shakers of the agri-industrial, manufacturing and services sectors
in the Davao Region as well as its neighbors. This role has not been diminished
even with the political changes spawned by the split and integration of some
Davao del Norte towns with Compostela Valley.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1RMaUCgpcw/UYheAeUfACI/AAAAAAAAEC4/piGncU1KaGg/s1600/DSC_0559b.JPG) |
Tagum's new amphitheater and arena |
Obviously,
the economic turnabout that Tagum experienced in the past few decades has
re-shaped much of its landscape. Real
estate developments and private construction investments have flourished.
Residential and commercial construction has also been on the rise. Seeing the
potentials of Tagum, a number of real estate developers like Camella and Sta.,
Lucia, to name some, have already poured millions to build new communities in
various parts of the city.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVofEk38be0/UuXTpagRejI/AAAAAAAAIpE/6SSxiKmO0RU/s1600/DSC_3179c.JPG) |
Big 8, one of the nicest hotels in town |
Accommodations
for transients and tourists have likewise sprouted all over town. The choices
are now vast and varied. In the downtown area, you can find a number of hotels,
inns and lodging houses bearing such disparate names as Big 8, Penny Lane, Grand Palace, Molave, Prime,
Captain’s Deck, Daniela’s, RV Travellers, Eagle’s View, Lakan, to name a few.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aoQMpLYVrfM/UuXXWRN7JLI/AAAAAAAAIqM/7cw75j5HzDc/s1600/DSC_3169c.JPG)
For foodies like me, I must say that Tagum is the place
to be. Arman’s—the long-time favorite
stopover of almost every motorist going to Davao del Norte and beyond—continues
to serve sumptuous Pinoy fare such as kaldereta,
humba, tinola, nilagang baka, dinuguan, kinilaw, kilawin, etc.
They’re all mouth-watering all right but be careful with these eats since
almost all of them are cholesterol-laden! LOL!
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8F-CuBRxiPI/UszzVaV6m6I/AAAAAAAAIlQ/_vF4Xz5ZA8Y/s1600/DSC_1880c.JPG) |
Gaisano Mall of Tagum |
Cashing
in on Tagum’s economic boom, fast food chains like Jollibee, Chowking,
Goldilocks and McDonald’s, have also put up their branches in Tagum. Mall rats going to Tagum also now have lots
of nooks and crannies to explore since the city’s shopping centers have also
grown in number—NCCC Mall, Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Gaisano Grand Mall, Central
Warehouse, among others.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoT0qgHqPKY/Usz4dgNDjxI/AAAAAAAAImk/nUaEyzEIm7c/s1600/DSC_0516c.JPG) |
Punong Resto |
Not
known to many, there are some interesting hideaways that those yearning for
some thrill and adventure can find in the city. One of these is a private beach
resort located just fifteen minutes away from downtown Tagum—Banana Beach,
touted as “the world’s only beach inside a banana plantation.”
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ4QkxMNdmI/UYfJcd3pb4I/AAAAAAAAECU/6sNsAAqepXs/s1600/DSC_1575b.JPG) |
Infinity pool at Banana Beach |
Owned
by Hijo Resources Corporation, Banana Beach offers a variety of activities that
tourists can indulge in. Those interested to know the science behind growing
bananas would be fascinated to find out that the resort offers a tour around
the vast estate of Hijo’s Twin Rivers plantation. At the end of the day tour, guests
will go home with enriched knowledge on the meticulous processes that go into
the production of the banana firm’s world-class goods.
Then
there’s the forest tour where guests are treated to a unique experience of
walking on hanging bridges and seeing wild pigs and monkeys (Philippine
macaques) freely moving around the woods. Adventure junkies can also take the
cruise along Madaum River which offers a glimpse of Davao del Norte’s different
tribes and the stretch of rich mangrove forests along the riverbanks. At dusk,
night owls can explore Hijo’s forest, in search for wild boars roaming around.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEhJOzVtcqk/UYiVP9pTt8I/AAAAAAAAEF8/FnbvmIx_Dec/s1600/DSC_1691b.JPG)
Initially,
I wanted to go on a river cruise along Madaum River. To my dismay, however, the
receptionist at Hijo Tourist Center said I had to pay more for it (that is, on
top of the day tour package). I really wanted to do it because it would have
given me a front-seat view of the birds nesting along the hundred year-old
mangrove forest and, at the same time, learn about the ecosystem and livelihood
of the lumads living there.
But
the cruise’s steep price kept me from going ahead with my plan. So, I
eventually settled for the forest tour instead. It turned out to be a good
decision because of the unexpected thrills I experienced during that great
escape into the woods. And who wouldn’t get excited walking on hanging bridges
and having a close encounter with wild animals?
I
really thought my Tagum escapade would be a solo adventure that day.
Little did I know that I’d bump into a familiar face right there at Banana
Beach—who else but banker-friend Baby! Together with some officemates, she had
also taken advantage of the one-day holiday by driving into the heart of Banana
Country for a quick vacay.
All
four of us ended up embarking on a 45-minute journey deep into the woods of
Madaum after walking through not just one but nine spans of 200-meter high
hanging bridges! Inside the forest, we were treated to a magnificent view
of the woods' inner sanctum—centuries-old trees, rare
vines and shrubs, serene creeks and wooden bridges and much, much more.
Staying
for the night at the resort? Finding a place to sleep in at Banana Beach isn’t
a problem since there are a number of accommodations consisting of casitas,
native-inspired, aircon and non-aircon rooms for day use and overnight stay.
The rates though are quite pricey.
Meanwhile,
Tagum is also emerging as some sort of a pilgrim’s paradise this side of
region. It is the home to the largest Roman Catholic church in Mindanao—Christ
the King Cathedral—which is located in the southern part of the city. What
makes this church a standout from the rest is its castle-like architecture, a combination
of ancient and modern art design that usually draws ohs and ahs from first-time
visitors.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnMrUFlrNB8/UYhzpBf7lLI/AAAAAAAAEE8/Y3tcqEltCeg/s1600/DSC_0532b.JPG) |
Christ the King Cathedral, the largest in Mindanao |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQe4JO3GL78/UYhynUQ6C6I/AAAAAAAAEEo/0JlVrw8Z9ZQ/s1600/DSC_0491b.JPG)
At
the cathedral’s entrance, your attention will be immediately grabbed by several
fascinating structures, particularly the huge fountain statues of children (or
are they angels?) and fishes said to be inspired by the Gospel account of the
miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish, which were elaborately
interpreted by prolific Davao artist Kublai Millan. Geez, this prolific
sculptor’s works seem to be popping up all over the region!
Inside
the church’s premises, you can find what’s considered as the world’s largest
and longest rosary. Measuring 85.5 meters long, it weighs about 2,815 kilos and
is made of iron wood. At the back of the cathedral, there’s also the shrine of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is just a stone’s throw away from the rosary.
As usual, I headed for this church to thank God for the blessings that have
been coming my way.
Perhaps
the most tangible testament of Tagum’s emerging prominence in this part of
Mindanao is its yet-to-be finished, futuristic-designed city hall. Located in
Apokon, the billion-peso massive structure best exemplifies the wonders that
good governance can do even to a once sleepy town like Tagum which, despite the
stiff competition it faces from Davao City, has managed to attract a growing
number of investors.
I’m
quite certain that with all the many changes shaping up there, it would only be
a matter of time for Tagum to catapult itself into one of the premier
metropolises not only in Mindanao but the entire country as well. This may
augur well for regional development but Davao could be in for a big surprise.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGRIWUzwzX8/UYhbgeAUayI/AAAAAAAAECs/6HmqoN23rUE/s1600/DSC_0555b.JPG) |
Tagum's new City Hall |
If
Tagum’s growth continues to accelerate in the next decade, it could give
Mindanao’s premier city a run for investors’ money. So, the City of Durian
should watch out because at the rate things are going, the City of Palm Trees
is dead set on moving towards the fast lane of progress. :D
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