Ang Dabawenyo Ko. What does that mean? It means “I am a Davaoenyo” or I am a person from Davao, I guess.
Today, I am proclaiming myself as a Dabawenyo. I love Davao, and I have lived here for 6 years already. Thus, I feel that I can proudly proclaim myself to be a Dabawenyo. I love Durian, which is the King of Fruits in Davao. Pomelo too! So, why not say that I am a Dabawenyo? Other people who are Citizens of Davao, who even come from families who are pioneers of the City have told me that I am already a Dabawenyo. And, I am proud to accept the moniker too.
So, can a foreigner be a Dabawenyo? Or, from some other City for that matter? Can a foreigner living in General Santos be a General? Can a foreigner living in Cebu be a Cebuano? I think that we can. If we are proud of the place where we live, if we try our best to fit in with local customs, if we enjoy the local foods, if we love the people of the place, why could we not be called by the name that is declared for that City?
I live in Davao, and have for 6 years now. A lot of local people know me, and I interact with them. I am learning to speak Bisaya (and doing pretty good, I’d have to admit!). I enjoy many of the local foods. And, one of the big keys would be that I do what I can to help promote Davao to others! Through this website and other sites that I have, I can honestly say that I have been responsible for a number of people visiting Davao, and some even deciding to live here permanently. I am proud of that. I am proud of Davao. When somebody comes here, looks around, and decides that they like the place and want to live here, I am proud of that too.
Now, don’t take me wrong, if you are living in Cebu, I am not knocking Cebu. I am not knocking Marilao, Manila or Cagayan de Oro City. It’s just that I don’t live in those places, since I live in Davao, I make these efforts for Davao. If you live in one of those other places, you should be proud of your place too! If you live somewhere and you are not proud of the place, why do you live there, after all?
Ang Dabawenyo gyud ko. Dabawenyo ka ba pud?
Yes Bob I feel that you have done a lot for Davao so the title fits, I don't know the in and outs of the Philippines enough to comment, I 'm sure that you realise that in the UK and probably the U.S etc, you have to be born in that city to be able to say that you are one of them, i.e I have lived in London for 36 years but could never call myself a Londoner.
But as you have done so much for Davao I don't think that anyone would disagree… you probably deserve the key to the city which would probably make it more official.
An aside to prove the point on how well known Davao is becoming with your help, I have an older sis (60 +) in Scotland….knows nothing about computers, internet or the Phils. Got her first computer this year, she put a message on my blog in January just before I was visiting Mindanao for the first time saying…. "you should visit this guy called Mindanao Bob as he knows a lot about Davao and Mindanao"……..I was gobsmacked… that is indeed fame !!!
Hi Gerry – 😳 Now you have me blushing! Ha ha… Yes, I am pretty well known down in these parts, I guess. I believe that if anybody does a google search for "mindanao" or even about the Philippines, there is a good chance that he will come across me in his search somewhere along the way. That being said, though, I believe that if you make an effort to fit into your community, help out, and blend in, we can all be "part of the place" in our own way. I do admit that it would be harder to do in a place like Manila that is so large, though.
I think we need to change that from Mindanao Bob to Davao Bob 😆
I appreciate the site, it is a great resource for me as I look to potential retirement there. Hope to see you soon, if you have the time.
Bob, with or without the proclamation, people from this island should be proud there is a Mindanao Bob. Really! Happy Easter!
Hi Randy C – Nah, I wouldn't want to change my nickname (which others have given me) it would narrow my "brand" too much. 😆 And, I do travel Mindanao a great deal, and love the entire island a lot too!
Hi Cathy – Thank you! Happy Easter to you also.
If the terrorist ever discover durian the western world will be screwed !!
I also am proud to be living in Davao, but as of yet despite trying several times I still cannot tolerate that dreaded Durian.
Bob,
A foreigner being Davaoenyo? Sure, just think of Sam Melby (I think its his song anyway 😕 ) Pinoy Ako…Pinoy tay yo….Ha-ha come on sing along with me! I know you all know the words
I had a co-worker here that has a tattoo on his arm… Philippine Flag with the words “Pinoy at heart”… ha-ha I like the idea Durian is definitely not bad. I am more of a pineapple fan though (the sour ones not the sweet ones). 😆
Thank You,
Hi brian – yeah, if the terrorists throw those spikey durians at us, they will kill us!
Hi john – I love the stuff! Dreaded? Ha!
hi bob,happy easter to you and your family! and to everyone! as the saying goes, "home is where your heart goes" or home is where your heart belongs" well, correct me if i'm wrong 🙂 we feel comfortable and happy in a place where we call home and when your heart is happy in a certain place then you're at home…and you love the place for life and you will do anything you could contribute to make the place more prosperous…i am proud to be called dabawenyo also…my heart belongs to davao…i feel so at home there.i love philippines but when i visit philippines i'm always looking forward to be in davao…i've read somewhere that davao is the new jerusalem…the land of promise!now, that's something 😎 …of all you did to davao, you are a true dabawenyo! i'm proud of you bob and all your achievements to make davao become recognized all around the world! 🙂 great job mindanao bob!kudos to you and to davao!
Bob,
Welcome to Davao!!! We need more people like you who are proud to be a Davaoenyo. I am a native of Digos City, Davao del Sur – I have been away for over 35 years and plan to retire in Digos. In fact, I have started a free children's library in Digos City so children can enjoy reading in their early years. I am starting small and the library is only open on Saturdays – a cousin is keeping it open while I am away but when my husband and I go there I try to spend my time with the children.
I too am proud to be a davaenya!!!
Hi Mike K. – Sorry.. I honestly never heard of that song before. Sour pineapples? Oh my… the sweet ones are heaven!
Hi rica n. – 😳 thanks for your kind words!
Hi Tans D-N – Thank you also. Wow, 35 years away! Have you visited during those years? I bet the place changed a lot since you last lived there!
Hi Bob,
This is totally off topic, and please don't take offense. In the picture above where you are eating the Durian you look remararkably like curly of the Three Stooges. I hope you will take it in the spirit I mean it, as Curly is one of my favorite comedians of all time.
Umm… OK…. th… thanks for the ❓ compliment, Joe! 😆
No offense taken.
What's up Bob? haven't been by to visit too often but I decided to catch up on my reading today. I would call myself a Dabawenyo now also because I have more ties to Davao than I do the USA even though I am going to be working 4 months in the US every year for the next ? years (hopefully 5 years). It was interesting because my family and friends in the Philippines never said I was going back home when I left for the states, they said I was "Going abroad" like they would say of a Pinoy OFW. So taken in that spirit, Ang Dabawenyo ko jud.
Hi brspiritus – Welcome back to the site! I hope tings are going well for you there in Alaska! Hopefully it's not too cold! Haha… I got a laugh out of that line – that you were "going abroad." Have a good few months!
Hello Bob. I remember in 1999 sending a few pictures to my Brother-in-Law in Naga City. He was none too happy when it took two days to open the e-mail. A little exageration but not by much. Internet speed has been greatly increased by the introduction of DSL.
Hi Lonnie – Just in the years since I lived here, the difference in Internet quality is like night and day! No doubt about it.
Not going to make any promises about eating Durian … my wife (Filipina) doesn't care to have it in the house, even … but I also don't eat balut … and I'm still a great lover of living in the Philippines.
I'll say this about Davao … one short trip is a real eye opener … and I'm sure it will not be my last. Thanks.
Hi Dave Starr – Ha ha… I'll get you to eat Durian next time I see you! 😆
bob,
you are a true dabawenyo. What matters is the feelings you have for the place, not the color of your skin. You should be awarded the Durian Star medal for exemplary service to Davao
Hi rod- iligan-california – Thanks for your kind comment! Hmm.. the "Durian Star" wow, I don't know… it sounds kind of delicious! 😆