MANILA, Philippines - Make Davao your home away from home. This seems to be the battle cry of Marco Polo Hotel led by its new general manager Nigel Fisher when it recently invited members of Manila press along with Brazilian models Daniel Matsunaga and Fabio Ide for a three-day tour of the city.
Davao City is a perfect hideaway for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of Manila life. Going to this Southern city gives celebrities like Daniel and Fabio the much-needed breather from their work (strutting the ramp, attending pictorials and go-sees and acting before the cameras). The world’s largest city in terms of land area is ready to soothe your tired body and to give you that renewed attitude.
“The hotel is part of a movement called Make it Davao Now!,” says Nigel of Marco Polo’s participation in the city’s tourism efforts. “Key tourism players unite to promote Davao not only to foreign tourists but to the Filipinos who have yet to visit this beautiful and peaceful city.”
He also adds that the traffic is good in Davao and so is the infrastructure. Visitors can easily explore the place without hassle. They can even mix business with pleasure. There’s something for everyone — from island to highland — in Davao.
If you are new to the place, checking out Davao night life is a must. This is where one can meet the locals and experience their friendliness and warmth. Fat Bobby’s and Metro Lounge are the places to see and to be seen like what Daniel and Fabio did. You can just chill out and meet new friends there. If you don’t feel like going out, you can stay at the hotel’s Polo Bistro Pool Lounge for cocktails or have body massage or foot spa at the well-appointed, relaxing Lazuli Spa to be ready for the following day’s activities.
Daniel and Fabio, adventure seekers and travelers themselves, visited Eden Nature Park and the Philippine Eagle Center . These nature havens show the rich fauna and flora of Davao’s forests. It lets one commune with nature and himself. After the short trek around the Eagle center, visitors can go wakeboarding in a nearby complex on the side.
Daniel and Fabio had a blast controlling the handle and plunging into the waters. The city’s layout, the laidback yet modern lifestyle and the stretch of Mt. Apo in the horizon made the models pace themselves in completing activities in their itinerary.
But Juan dela Cruz’s vacation won’t be complete without buying presents for family and friends. Daniel and Fabio had their best buys at Chema and Aldevinco. They also bought healthy pasalubong at Davao Fruit Market.
The Davao tour was a chance for Daniel and Fabio to get to know more about interesting discoveries they can find down South. It also helped them think about career plans in Manila.
“It’s my fourth time in the Philippines,” recalls Fabio, who appears on Oxygen Summer 2010 campaign with Derek Ramsay. “I came here first in 2006. Recently, I decided to stay for good. I have to learn the language. I have a tutor who teaches me thrice a week, two hours per meeting. I’m waiting for the right time.”
Daniel, on the other hand, is still testing showbiz waters. He appeared in the early part of GMA 7’s The Last Prince. Daniel says he enjoyed his first acting assignment and shooting for a two-week appearance on TV. His character has also made a comeback in the Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica starrer.