My Dad in Davao! (Part 3)

Oct 20, 2010 by Jawz

[Part Three] On October the 10th, 2010, to October the 15th, 2010, my dad came to visit me here in Davao City, Philippines. It was his first time in the Philippines, although he has been in many other countries in the world. While he was here, I got to tour him around the city. Here's all what happened:

Thursday - October 14th

Blugre Coffee & Meeting with Bob

Me and my dad got up in the morning and took a jeepney to the Victoria Plaza Mall. We didn't go to the mall though, but instead, walked over the road to Bajada branch of Blugre Coffee. We were there to not just have coffee, but also to meet Bob Martin (also known as "Mindanao Bob"; owner of Mindanao.com & LiveInThePhilippines.com) who is an American living here in Davao City.

I ordered a choconut mocha, while my dad ordered a caramel coffee. We sat down at a table in big cushioned chairs. My dad said that Blugre seemed "swank " (stylish) with the nice interior design and jazzy music playing. He pulled out his iPad to connect to the Wi-Fi, but for some reason it wouldn't connect at first with the password they gave us. They ended up having to reset it. Finally, we could connect.

I enjoyed the choconut mocha that I ordered. It had a lot of chocolate in it, topped with whipped cream, chunks of chocolate, and marshmallows. I assume my dad enjoyed his caramel coffee that was in a massive sized cup. I had already finished off my choconut mocha by the time Bob arrive. We shook hands in greeting as he sat down next to my dad. Dad showed Bob his iPad and they discussed stuff about that. Then, they talked about living in the Philippines, and about Davao City. It was nice seeing Bob.

Fast Pass & Bureau of Immigration

The day before, while we were at Blue Jaz, the lady from the Fast Pass travel agency texted me to let me know that my Student Visa had arrived. Bob had met us at a perfect place, at a perfect time, since Blugre Coffee was right next to Fast Pass and the Bureau of Immigration. After snapping a few photos, we walked over to Fast Pass.

In Fast Pass, I asked about my visa, then was told to go to the Bureau of Immigration already. My dad came in and sat down as I talked to the officials about my visa. I was given papers to sign and was told to come back after lunch.

Lunch at the Dorm

Me and dad had went back to my dorm to eat lunch, since the Bureau of Immigration told us to come back. While we ate lunch, I filled out the paper for my Student Visa stuff. For lunch, my dad had eaten rice, a ground beef patty mixed with banana heart, and Filipino mixed vegetables.

The Bureau of Immigration (again) & Ateneo de Davao University (again)

After lunch, we went back to the Bureau of Immigration. Dad sat in the main waiting area while I went through the whole procedure. Once I had gotten my student visa, me and my dad headed off to Ateneo de Davao University. We came back to the office of Sir Pat and talked with him. He typed a few things up and handed me some papers. We left after all of that.

Bonifacio Street & Gaisano South Citimall (Aka "JS Mall")

Me and my dad had met up with my girlfriend at my dorm, and then walked out on Bonifacio Street. We were walking to JS Mall. Along the way, I wanted my dad to try something. A street food! My dad didn't like the idea of street foods though, and I know they're risky and could give you a bad stomach. Instead of just letting him try the street foods I've had before, I only let him try the palamigs (a Filipino cold street drink). There's a guy I know along Bonifacio that sells palamigs that uses clean water and looks safe. Trusting that, I let my dad have a palamigs. It came in the flavor of ube macapuno (purple yam & coconut). My dad seemed to enjoy it. While me and my dad drank a palamigs, my girlfriend walked across the street to some place to send money for her sister.

Me, my dad, and my girlfriend continued walking along Bonifacio Street. We soon came upon JS Mall, and we went inside. I knew what we were doing there, according to my plan, so I led my dad and girlfriend upstairs to the food court. In the food court, we went to the Kwek Master kiosk. I ordered quail egg Kwek-Kwek (eggs fried in batter) for my dad to try. They only had a limited number of quail eggs, good enough for one in a half of an order. I took it as it was and made my order. I brought it back to the table for me, my girlfriend, and dad to eat. When we finished eating, we walked downstairs and looked at some Chinese figurines, then we left the mall.

Kuya Ed Restaurant

Me and my dad had rested between the time of leaving JS Mall and going to eat supper. For supper, we walked to the Kuya Ed restaurant near the San Pedro area. It was kind of awkward, because it was at night, and we walked along a road that looked a little sketchy. When we got to the Kuya Ed restaurant, we walked in. At the front door, inside, there was a caged cockatoo. There was also a few stairs leading up into the main area of restaurant. In the main area of the restaurant, there were a few tables with a lot of food on them. Me and dad went ahead and got a plate, then filled our plates up. Dad had gotten some beef caldereta, rice, lumpia, pancit and some other food. As we sat down, a man took our order for drinks. I ended up going back to the buffet table two times because I loved the food. My dad, however, told me he wasn't very hungry. I was surprised that he only ate one plate of food at an eat-all-you-can buffet. Even on his one plate, he didn't finish everything. Me and dad headed back to the dorm to go to bed once we were finished. Before I went to bed though, I went to the Davao Central Convenience Store and bought a few things for my dad to bring back; things to give to my mom, sister, and two best friends.

PHOTOS

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1. My dad in Blugre Coffee. 2. My dad talking to Bob at Blugre Coffee 3. My dad in front of Blugre Coffee 4. My dad eating lunch (a ground beef patty with banana heart mixed in, rice, and Filipino vegetables) at my dorm's eatery. 5. Dad drinking an ube macapuno palamigs along Bonifacio Street. 6. Dad at JS Mall. 7. Dad eating quail egg Kwek-Kwek at JS Mall. 8. Dad eating his supper at the Kuya Ed restaurant. 9. Dad at the Kuya Ed restaurant.

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Friday - October 15th

Kopi Roti

In the morning, me and dad rode up the E. Jacinto Extension, near the corner Torres Street. We were going there because I had spotted a coffee shop there a few days before. The coffee shop, called Kopi Roti, was just to the right of the E. Jacinto Extension, facing Torres Street. We went inside and looked up at big menu overhanging the counter. My dad said he wanted a latte, but noticed they didn't have that. Most of their coffee names was "kopi" with something else added in the name. I assumed it wasn't the normal type of coffee place. To me, it looked like a good breakfast place, 'cause it had a few breakfast meals. Many of each meal came with a "kopi" (a coffee). Me and dad both ordered something called a "choco milk toast" with a "kopi". Dad ordered just a plain "kopi", while I ordered something called the "kopi jelly".

Me and dad sat down, as he pulled out his iPad to logon to the Wi-Fi provided. While me and him browsed our Facebooks, our orders came and were set down on the table. The "kopi jelly" I had tasted much like a mocha. It was such a coincidence to me, because I don't like normal coffees due to the being strong. Yet, I ordered some kind of coffee, not knowing what it really was, and it ended up to be like a mocha. The "choco milk toast" was a puffy toasted piece of bread with chocolate and milk (I think condensed milk) poured over it. It seemed so simple, yet, I really enjoyed it.

Ateneo de Davao University (again)

Me and dad rode back to my dorm after we finished our breakfast at Kopi Roti, and then we walked to the Ateneo de Davao University. Before going to Ateneo, I took a photo of dad in front of the Marco Polo Hotel, and in front of Ateneo. Then, we crossed the road and went into Ateneo. The guard at the entrance was one I had made friends with at the beginning of the year. I was glad to see him there, to meet my dad, and to show my dad that I have good connections in the city. Me and dad went straight to the office, on the campus, that deals with finances. My dad wanted to ask them again about tuition. Finally, his question was answered and then we left.

The Planter's Bank, City Triangle, & NCCC HB1

Leaving Ateneo, me and my dad walked to the Planter's Bank. It was just around the corner near the other entrance of the university. When we walked into the bank, we sat in front of a desk and asked the people there if I could open a new account. They said I couldn't open a checking account until I've had a savings account there for 6 months. So, we requested for a savings account. I filled out a bunch of papers, and they requested me to get my IDs copied. So, me and dad went to a nearby copying place, got the IDs copied, and then my dad withdrew some money from a nearby ATM. We walked back and dad laid down the money to be put in my account. After I submitted the copies of my IDs, I was given more papers to sign. When I finished, they asked for two 1x1 photos. I asked where to get them and the lady told me that I could get them done at City Triangle.

Me and dad walked to City Triangle, which was just across the road from the bank. Inside City Triangle, I pointed out to dad that the place was mainly a food court. I was wondering if he wanted to eat there for lunch, but he declined and told me he really wasn't hungry at the moment. As we walked on, we finally spotted the place that does the 1x1 photos. It was a kiosk near the other entrance of City Triangle. I looked at the signs at the kiosk and then ask the lady there a few questions. What I had to do was take a photo of myself with my cellphone, then she'd upload it to her computer through the bluetooth technology on the phone. So I did all of that, the photos were printed, and we went back to the bank. At the bank, everything had been completed and I was good to go. Before leaving the Ateneo area, my dad wanted some TUMS since he was having stomach problems. So, me and him walked into the NCCC HB1 store. We walked up to the pharmacy and asked for the TUMS. When we paid, the lady there stared at us for a moment and then asked "Is that your dad?". I told her yes, and my dad was wondering if she knew me. She mentioned that I had often come by there.

Back at the Dorm: Lunch & Local Fruits

For lunch, me and my dad just ate at the dorm. Since his stomach wasn't feeling good, he didn't want to eat a lot. I was glad to see that my dorm's eatery was serving Filipino spaghetti. I had been hoping for a good time to get my dad to try it. I suggested the spaghetti, and he agreed since it was just a small plate. After we ate lunch, we rested in the room. My girlfriend came by and me and her talked while my dad took a nap. She headed off to the SM City Davao Mall, while I walked to the Bankheron Public Market. Since it was my dad's last day, I didn't want him to leave without trying the local fruits. At the Bankheron Public Market, I bought a guyabano, some lanzones, and some rambutan. I was hoping to see mangosteen, but unfortunately, I didn't see any. I guess they were out of season at the moment.

When I got back to the dorm, I put the fruit back into my room, and then went out again and bought a small durian. I told my dad to come out with me to my dorm's eatery to sit down at the table. I asked someone in the kitchen for a knife, and me and my dad cut open the guyabano. Unfortunately, I  didn't know that the guyabano wasn't ripe. My dad tried to take a bit out of it, but realized it didn't seem edible at the moment. Putting the pieces of unripe guyabano to the side, me and dad ate some of the lezones and rambutan. SOme man sitting at a table near us looked in our direction, in curiosity, as I put the durian in front of my dad. He was awaiting to see my dad's reaction. I took my camera and began to video my dad's first durian experience. He didn't seem to fond of the smell, nor the taste. He said it was probably for people with an acquired taste.

My girlfriend came back a few minutes later with two gifts. She had bought a t-shirt and Filipino styled bag from the mall to give to my parents. I handed dad the t-shirt, and told him to send the bag to my mom. Me and my girlfriend sat outside at the eatery, and watched TV, while my dad took a nap. My dad wanted me to split a large peso bill into small ones so he'd have small bills to take into Manila for transportation. To split it, I went to the Davao Central Convenience Store, got him a Coke, and also bought some ube flavored bread. When I came back, I gave my dad his Coke, and also a piece of ube bread. I opened one of the jars of mangosteen preserves and put it on the bread since he hadn't tried mangosteen yet. While he ate that, me and my girlfriend ate some, and then we ate our supper.

Back to the Airport

When it came time, early in the evening, me, my girlfriend, and my dad took a taxi to the Davao International Airport. When we got there, my girlfriend took a photo of me and my dad before he went inside of the airport. After that photos, he gave us each a hug, took up his bags, and walked inside. His flight was later, but he wanted to get in there early. When my dad had first arrived, he flew from the States, through Europe (due to a canceled flight), to here. His flight back to the States, I think, was over the Pacific. He joked several times that after this trip, he would have flown all around the world within a week.

PHOTOS
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1. Dad eating his choco milk toast in Kopi Roti. 2. Dad at Kopi Roti. 3. Dad in front of the Ateneo de Davao University. 4. Dad in front of the Marco Polo Hotel.  5. Dad eating Filipino spaghetti at my dorm's eatery. 6. Dad with Davao City's local fruit, at my dorm.  7. Dad and me at the Davao International Airport, before he left.