Davao's Chinatown

Four arches were built around the Chinatown. And this Unity Arch is built at the end of Ramon Magsaysay Avenue fronting the Ramon Magsaysay Park. (Photo courtesy of Bing Gonzales of Mindanao Daily Mirror and Philippine Daily Inquirer).

Anywhere you go are Chinese stores tended by Chinese from the very old and the new generation guys. Others are full blooded Chinese while some by half because of mix mariages. Be it in New York, in Manila and now in Davao are built the famous Chinatown. Although in Davao City that has been a long dream for these migrants to have one here, the fulfillment of that dream came true when on January 24 (two days before the Chinese New Year of 2009) Chinese arches were inaugurated that set as gateways to the Chinatown of Davao City.

In my city, most of these Chinese stores are located in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue and at Monteverde Street and towards Magsaysay Park and few along JP Laurel Avenue. Just like in many Chinatown that you love to visit, our Chinatown is also interesting what with the many accessories that one could chose from including bags and shoes, dresses and the pants of different colors are available in this place at good buy. And not only that you could get them at a bargain for as long as you know how to do it.

And to start the Year of the Ox, this new added attraction of Davao City celebrated the First Chinese New Year Festival. As we all know Chinese celebrates the beginning of the Year with fireworks to drive away bad spirits. But because of the firecracker ban in the city, fireworks were done virtually --- a big screen was mounted along the stretch of the Magsaysay Avenue where it was closed to traffic that time and everyone was glued on it as it joined other areas of the country for the countdown for the New Year. They witnessed the colors of fireworks, heard the loud sound of the firecrackers but no smoke and nothing on the ground except for their eyes to view the beautiful colors and images of the fireworks. There were dragon and lion dance of course and merriment, drinks and food in the street until the wee hours of the morning. Dabawenyos went gaga on items on sale at very low price. And in the spirit of the New Year everybody was just as happy celebrating the Year of the Ox.