Hello and howdy lovely people of Hive! 🤗 It's been a few weeks since my last post because things got so busy at work but now I'm back bringing some more blogs I'm glad to share with everyone.
For the past 13 years of working and undergoing job-related trainings and seminars, it was my first time to go outside Cebu for a business trip and this exciting adventure alone shall be the content of today's blog.
"My First Business Trip Outside Cebu: An Exciting Adventure to the Durian Capital of the Philippines, Davao, City"!
Being the only Library Hub Coordinator in the 4th District of Cebu, I was one of those 8 librarians included in the Cebu Province delegation to attend the First Philippine Book Festival to be held at SMX Convention Center, Davao City, Philippines. This prestigious event was participated by different delegations from different regions in the Philippines.
I wasn't actually sure what would be our task in attending this book festival but I was really looking forward to this event. Not only because Davao is a wonderful place to visit but because our scheduled event was also the time Davao celebrates its Kadayawan Festival! It should be a perfect time to explore the place and discover the rich cultural diversity in Davao City.
It's not actually my first time to come to Davao. It was in 2010 that I went to this beautiful place with my sister and my Japanese student to visit and explore the beauty and wonders of Davao but this time was for a business trip! And I'd be going there alone! Whew! This thought brought me excitement at the same time anxiety because I'd be going to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people!
The Adventure Starts
As early as 3:30 a.m., I was already up preparing my stuff and at about 4:15 a.m., I was ready to leave for the airport. With the 3-hour trip to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from the countryside where I lived, I decided to stay at my husband's cousin's house in Lapu-Lapu City the day before in order not to be late for my flight.
At Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Included in our group chat, I knew almost everyone was already at the airport when I arrived. Disoriented with the place, I looked around checking where I should be heading to. Lol! It may not be my first time in this airport, but for sure I did not know the place very well.
Checking in online ahead of time, I needed not to fall in line to get a boarding pass at the airline check-in counter but was just relaxed waiting at the lobby for the boarding time.
When Ma'am Nieva, one of the participants whom I met online asked where I was through chat and said they were also in the waiting area, I went up to them and introduced myself. They actually knew each other already and I was the only one who was new to the group. Two of them were actually School Heads in their respective schools, two were full-time school librarians, and three (including me) were designated librarians. I was glad they were all nice and very welcoming! And, I gained newfound friends on my list.
This photo was grabbed from our group chat and taken by Ma'am Jo, Badian National High School Librarian.
It was already past five when we headed to the check-in counters towards the boarding gates.
As it was still early and others were having their breakfast at some fast-food restaurant in the airport, I took my chance to look around and enjoy taking some photos while waiting for our boarding time! The airline check-in counters were not so busy with checking-in available online.
The Check-In Counters
Some Souvenir Shops
It's Boarding Time
The weather was not so good when the plane was about to leave. It was drizzling and it made me anxious while on board. However, the plane officials should have known better, and fortunately, when we were about to take off, the drizzle stopped and the sky got clearer. And I was like, Huh! Praise the Lord!
With the anxiety that turned into hunger, I chose to order a breakfast meal on board the plane. My bad I forgot how much I paid exactly (chuckles) but I got beef tapa with rice and egg and water for breakfast.(If my memory served me right, the meal cost ₱220.00 or $3.87). It was quite enough not to get me starving when we arrived in Davao.
While on board, I couldn't put my eyes to rest despite my lack of sleep and before I knew it, one of the crew announced we were almost there. Wow! That was fast! It was only about 30 minutes!
Looking down below, my eyes were caught by these wide plains and landscapes I was not sure which part of Mindanao it was.
Touchdown Davao
After a few minutes, Hola! we were already at Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao City! Yahoo!
As we arrived, this array of colorful flower decorations welcomed guests and tourists to Davao Airport a beautiful morning!
As we headed out, a group of festival dancers in their very colorful costumes and lively festival music caught our attention.
I was lucky I was able to capture this lovely photo of these festival dancers with their beautiful smiles that radiated the happiness and warmth of the people of Davao.
I was especially drawn to the musical instruments used as their accompaniment in their dance -the kulintang, gongs, and some other percussion instruments that are unique to the culture of the people in Mindanao. I have only seen these in books as I taught MAPEH classes in school. I was glad I finally saw these musical instruments in person!
With Davao's grand celebration of their Kadayawan Festival, that unique dance presentation at the airport was just a quick glimpse of the colorful and rich cultural diversity of Davao City, Philippines.
And my discovery of their unique and interesting culture shall be the content of my next blogs.
This is all for today's blog dear Hivers. Thank you for reaching this far and supporting my blog. See you again in my upcoming blogs as I share my wonderful experience attending the First Philippine Book Festival and exploring the beauty and wonders of Davao, Philippines.
Until then....