I. Transportation
*In a taxi
o Once you are inside the taxi, tell the driver where you want to go.
+ "Sa Aldevinco (or any place of destination), boss."
o When you reach your destination, say
+ "Diri lang, bay" or "Para."
*In a jeepney
o Important: Make sure you are in the right jeepney. Prepare a loose change for the fare: some drivers are patient and understanding, but others have difficulty maintaining the virtues, and tend to give you a good beating--figuratively. It is advisable for you to pay the fare while you are still far from your destination especially if you have a bill, to give the driver ample time to prepare the change. Tell the driver:
+ "Plete nako, (give the money). Sa Aldevinco (or other place of destination) lang ko."
# (You are telling the driver: "Here's my fare. My destination is Aldevinco.")
o If you are far away from the driver, then you have to ask the other passengers who are nearer the driver:
+ "Ipalihug ko'g tunul sa plete (give the money). Isa (or if you are paying for two, say duha) lang na. Sa Aldevinco lang ko.
# (Here, you are requesting your fellow passenger to pass the money to the driver, how many persons you are paying for, and your destination.)
o When you are given the change (if applicable), it is courteous to say thank you.
+ "Salamat."
o Once you reach your destination, say any one of the following:
+ "Lugar lang."
+ "Sa yellow box lang."
+ "Para."
+ "Diri lang."
II. Greetings
* Kamusta? ---- Hello/How are you?
III. At the Store
* "Tagpila ni?" ------How much is this?
* "Pila tanan?" ------How much do I owe you? (If you purchased more than one item.)
IV. Other Common Questions
* "Asa dapit ang Apo View Hotel?" ----Which way is Apo View Hotel?
* "Unsa nga jeep ang sakyan paingon sa Philippine Eagle? --- Which jeepney do I ride to Philippine Eagle?
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday, June 19, 2009
Surviving in Davao
It is your first time to come to Davao, and you have no idea what to expect. Well, you already know from somewhere or someone how great a city it is, and indeed, it is, and you will have a great time especially if you knew your way around this beautiful city of Davao.
Following are some tips that may help you survive in Davao City.
1. If you come by plane, of course, your first stop is the Davao City International Airport. It would be better if you have someone you know who would pick you up at the airport. Otherwise, you just have to take a public vehicle for your transportation. There are no taxis on a standby at the airport, but there are ones that take passengers there. So you just have to stand by and wait for one. However, if you do not have much baggage, and you feel like exercising after a long time of sitting in the plane, you can walk the 50-meter pavement to the airport gate. Outside the gates of the airport is the highway so you can just hail a taxi to your destination. Most of the taxi drivers are very accommodating and helpful to their passengers (act as if you are wise--as if you knew your way about; be friendly; don't boast nor be arrogant--Davaoeños have an uncanny sense of humor to arrogant people;).
2. If you come by boat, there is not much problem because outside the gates of the wharf is already the main road, where you can take your pick of the taxis. Although you will have to take a very long walk to the gates. If you have a baggage, there are porters who can help you. Again, be courteous and wise.
3. If you are more adventurous, and you have a really light load, (maybe just a hand bag or something), you can take the jeep (Davao's main mode of transportation) that would take you downtown, or anywhere you want to be. This is a less expensive option (you pay only PhP8 for the first five km, compared to the PhP40 flag down rate of the taxi). If you are not sure which jeepney to take, ask the friendly police officer or the traffic aide. But it is really easy to spot which jeepney if you knew where you are going. The routes of the jeepneys are indicated on the signboard posted on the windshield of the jeep.
----If you decided to take the jeep, make sure to prepare a loose change for the fare. If you do not have any, give your fare to the driver earlier--long before you arrive at your destination, to give ample time for the driver, or the conductor to prepare your change. (Some drivers have an assistant who takes the fare, and who generally assists passengers.)
4. Davao City observes the non-smoking ordinance, which prohibits smoking (of course, duh) in public places and public utility vehicles. So, if you are a smoker, make sure you are in a smoking zone when you get the urge to smoke.
5. You can take your pick of hotels in Davao. If you want a secluded five-star hotel, you may like the Waterfront/Insular Hotel. Grand Mercure is also away from the hustle and bustle in the city, but it is just beside the main road. At the heart of the city scattered big and small hotels.Big hotel names would be Marco Polo, which is hard to miss as this is the tallest building in Davao, there is the Apo View, and there is also the Grand Menseng. However, there are already so many other more affordable hotels and inns. You can find one online. Agoda, for instance, would be a good site to start.
6. Busiest seasons in Davao are Araw ng Dabaw in March, Kadayawan Festival in August, Christmas in December (of course).
7. Durian, the fruit Davao is most popular for, is available all year round, and is available in many parts of the city. Popular places are Magsaysay Park, Bankerohan Public Market, and in many streets in the City. Department stores also have Durian.
8. Aside from Durian, other fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, marang, pomelo, lanzones, and many more are also sold in the different parts of Davao.
9. Do not dangle your wealth so much (if you have any) as you will be inviting con men, hold-uppers, pick-pockets and other nimble-fingered fast-acting artists.
Following are some tips that may help you survive in Davao City.
1. If you come by plane, of course, your first stop is the Davao City International Airport. It would be better if you have someone you know who would pick you up at the airport. Otherwise, you just have to take a public vehicle for your transportation. There are no taxis on a standby at the airport, but there are ones that take passengers there. So you just have to stand by and wait for one. However, if you do not have much baggage, and you feel like exercising after a long time of sitting in the plane, you can walk the 50-meter pavement to the airport gate. Outside the gates of the airport is the highway so you can just hail a taxi to your destination. Most of the taxi drivers are very accommodating and helpful to their passengers (act as if you are wise--as if you knew your way about; be friendly; don't boast nor be arrogant--Davaoeños have an uncanny sense of humor to arrogant people;).
2. If you come by boat, there is not much problem because outside the gates of the wharf is already the main road, where you can take your pick of the taxis. Although you will have to take a very long walk to the gates. If you have a baggage, there are porters who can help you. Again, be courteous and wise.
3. If you are more adventurous, and you have a really light load, (maybe just a hand bag or something), you can take the jeep (Davao's main mode of transportation) that would take you downtown, or anywhere you want to be. This is a less expensive option (you pay only PhP8 for the first five km, compared to the PhP40 flag down rate of the taxi). If you are not sure which jeepney to take, ask the friendly police officer or the traffic aide. But it is really easy to spot which jeepney if you knew where you are going. The routes of the jeepneys are indicated on the signboard posted on the windshield of the jeep.
----If you decided to take the jeep, make sure to prepare a loose change for the fare. If you do not have any, give your fare to the driver earlier--long before you arrive at your destination, to give ample time for the driver, or the conductor to prepare your change. (Some drivers have an assistant who takes the fare, and who generally assists passengers.)
4. Davao City observes the non-smoking ordinance, which prohibits smoking (of course, duh) in public places and public utility vehicles. So, if you are a smoker, make sure you are in a smoking zone when you get the urge to smoke.
5. You can take your pick of hotels in Davao. If you want a secluded five-star hotel, you may like the Waterfront/Insular Hotel. Grand Mercure is also away from the hustle and bustle in the city, but it is just beside the main road. At the heart of the city scattered big and small hotels.Big hotel names would be Marco Polo, which is hard to miss as this is the tallest building in Davao, there is the Apo View, and there is also the Grand Menseng. However, there are already so many other more affordable hotels and inns. You can find one online. Agoda, for instance, would be a good site to start.
6. Busiest seasons in Davao are Araw ng Dabaw in March, Kadayawan Festival in August, Christmas in December (of course).
7. Durian, the fruit Davao is most popular for, is available all year round, and is available in many parts of the city. Popular places are Magsaysay Park, Bankerohan Public Market, and in many streets in the City. Department stores also have Durian.
8. Aside from Durian, other fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, marang, pomelo, lanzones, and many more are also sold in the different parts of Davao.
9. Do not dangle your wealth so much (if you have any) as you will be inviting con men, hold-uppers, pick-pockets and other nimble-fingered fast-acting artists.
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