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Durian Week on LiP

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Durian Week

It is Durian Week on LiP

It is Durian Week here on Live in the Philippines. The King of Festivals is quickly approaching in Davao City: Kadayawan. Kadayawan is a super festival in Davao City. It is a harvest festival, this time of year is when there is a bumper crop of fruit in this region. Most fruits here in Southern Mindanao grow all 12 months of the year, but the biggest and sweetest harvest is usually in August.

So, what better during the King of Festivals than the King of Fruits? The fruit that is often called the King of Fruits is Durian.

Love vs. Hate

Few things in life provoke the feelings of love and also hate the way Durian does. During Durian Week, as part of the leadup to Kadayawan, I am going to feature a number of stories and primarily videos featuring Durian.

The videos, in particular, will show you this Love vs. Hate emotion that Durian conures up in people. Some of the first time durian eaters actually throw up when they try it. Others eat durian and love it!

How do I feel about Durian? Well, many of you who are old-time readers of LiP will know how I feel about the King of Fruits. Others who are newer may not know. I will spell out my feelings about Durian on Friday this week! For those of you who know how I feel about the fruit, keep it quiet for now, please!

There are even Durian Statues in Davao
There are even Durian Statues in Davao

Durianburg

Davao City is without opposition the Durian Capital of the Philippines. Many people lovingly refer to Davao City as “Durianburg”.

During the Kadayawan Festival and a few weeks on either side of the festival, everywhere you go in Davao City the smell of Durian Fruit is in the air. During Durian Week it is at its peak!

Transporting the King of Fruits

In the Philippines, and most other countries in SE Asia, where Durian is highly loved by the people. transporting durian on public transportation is generally banned. In the Philippines, you cannot take durian on airplanes, boats and other such “long distance” transportation. I don’t know for sure, but I would also suspect that in most of the country this “no transport” rule would also apply to Taxis and Jeepneys because the odor can linger.

Here in Davao, though, I see people bring Durian on Jeepneys all the time. I have not inquired about bringing durian on Taxis, but I am pretty sure it would not be an issue. Dabawenyos love durian.

It is almost a law!

This is the STAR of Durian Week in Davao
This is the STAR of Durian Week in Davao

Frankly, it is almost illegal if you don’t like durian if you live in Davao City! I mean, durian is a part of the culture in Davao City, and I am serious about this! I do know a few Dabawenyos who don’t like Durian, but I doubt they go around town telling people that they won’t eat it, especially during Durian Week! Durian Week is Kadayawan Week, and every Dabawenyo participates in some way during Kadayawan.

Durian Gardens

During Durian Week, the Kadayawan Festival week, “Duran Gardens” will pop up all over the city. You can hardly walk a block without being offered a chance to have a seat and enjoy some durian.

Would you take them up on the offer to enjoy some durian during Durian Week?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Too bad I am not in Davao but in Dumaguete because I love Durians, for me it is the king of the fruits…
    I say that because here it is over 200 php the kg, heavy hard skin included… But it is so good, it don’t smell bad to me anymore

  2. Some of the best best I’ve had is from Samal island. They have big polinator.
    My new favorite fruit is Marang

    • I like Marang, and it is a relative of durian.

      For me, the “greatness” of a durian is not so much about where it is from.. the physical location, but rather the variety. There are many different varieties of durian, and they all have their own distinct flavor.

  3. Durian is an acquired taste, if only the smell was also. (LOL)
    Scotch Whiskey was explained to me as an acquired taste. So I tried it and never acquired the taste yet Rum was good the very first time, so durian was the same deal as Scotch.
    Yes, Sir Bob I know you like it and who would try to keep you from it? Not I, but I would hire someone to bring it to you as I sat far away enjoying a cool refreshing bottle of San Miguel beer and when you are repeat I will carry my beer over and join you.
    But please have another slice of durian and revel in the flavor. As I will with my beer. (LOL)

  5. If there is such a thing I’m a fruit-aholic! I eat fresh fruits every day, it’s one of the joys of living here.
    But Durian… I don’t know why, I just can’t take to it, and I’ve tried it several times. Marang is great though.
    I took some Durian candy once to my family in the UK. My son took one bite of it and asked me if anyone had reported it to the authorities LOL.
    Well, in honor of Durian week I promise I’ll give it another try. who knows, maybe i’ll be converted!!

  6. I am trying to understand more from my wife. Differences in the fruit and prep. You will see signs forbidding Durian especially hotels. Even sealed its noticeable and my smell is not good anymore.