I’ve seen posts before about people joining history walks around Davao City, and I’ve always thought it would be interesting to join one. The problem was, my schedule never seemed to cooperate.
So when Ms. Mae Sanchez, Senior Area Sales Supervisor of Primer Group of Companies, invited me to join the Birkenstock Dayaw Art Walk – Kadayawan Special Edition, I didn’t have to think twice.
I immediately said yes.
This was one of those experiences that reminded me that sometimes, you don’t really have to travel far to discover something new. Sometimes, you just need to slow down and take a closer look at the city you’ve been living in.
The Dayaw Art Walk was brought to us by Birkenstock and the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts, with a route that took us through familiar places in the Poblacion District—but with stories and history I honestly didn’t know much about.
We started with an introduction from Mr. Oscar Casaysay of the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts, followed by our tour guide, Ms. Gracie Plata.
And then, the walking began.
From Jones Circle to Acacia Roundabout
Our first stop was Jones Circle, also known as the Acacia Roundabout.
I’ve passed through this area countless times, but I never really stopped to ask why it was called Acacia.
Apparently, the area was once surrounded by sprawling acacia trees, which gave the place its name. Over time, it was redeveloped into the intersection we see today.
It was such a simple detail, but it immediately changed how I looked at a place I thought I already knew.
Freedom Park and Davao’s history of protests
From there, we headed to Freedom Park.
Like many places in Davao, it’s familiar—but not always fully understood.
Freedom Park became known as a space for protests, rallies, and public gatherings, making it an important site for civic expression in the city.
Standing there while hearing its history made me realize how public spaces can hold meaning far beyond what we usually see. They are not just open areas—they are part of a city’s voice.
Remembering Aldevinco
Next was the former Aldevinco Shopping Center site.
For many Dabawenyos, Aldevinco is more than just a shopping destination. It has long been part of the city’s identity, especially for local crafts, textiles, souvenirs, and traditional products.
The original structure has since been demolished to make way for a modern mixed-use development, while many of its tenants have relocated to Poblacion Market Central.
There was a quiet sense of nostalgia hearing about it while standing in a place that now reflects Davao’s ongoing transformation.
It’s a reminder that cities change—but the stories attached to them don’t have to disappear.
A playful stop at the Upside Down House
After all the history, we shifted to something lighter.
Our next stop was the Upside Down House at the COPE Building along C.M. Recto Street.
And yes—we had so much fun here!
Everything inside was literally upside down, which made the experience both confusing and entertaining in the best way. We took photos, experimented with angles, and just enjoyed the playful break from the walking and storytelling.
It was easily one of the most lighthearted stops of the day.
Coffee, pastries, and a much-needed pause
By this point, we were ready for a break, so Café Gervacios came at the perfect time.
We tried some of their pastries and drinks, and everything was genuinely good.
It was one of those stops where you think, “I need to keep going, but I also want to stay here a little longer.” 😂
Definitely a place I’d go back to.
A taste of history at The Royal Mandaya Hotel
Our next stop was The Royal Mandaya Hotel, one of Davao’s homegrown hotels.
The hotel officially opened in 1998, though its beginnings trace back to 1992 when it started with just 20 rooms.
What stood out during our visit was that it wasn’t just about the hotel itself. The space also offered a glimpse into Davao’s history through artifacts and stories shared with us.
We also had light snacks and refreshments, which were very welcome after walking around the city.
At this point, the experience was no longer just a history walk. It was becoming a blend of heritage, art, food, architecture, and storytelling all in one afternoon.
Ending the walk at Cinematheque Davao
Our final stop was Cinematheque Centre Davao along Palma Gil Street.
I’ve always associated Cinematheque with films, but learning more about its role in the local arts and film community gave me a deeper appreciation for the space.
Operated by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Cinematheque Centres serve as venues for independent, classic, contemporary, and world cinema, while also supporting film education and local filmmakers. (Philippine Film Archive)
It was a fitting place to end the Dayaw Art Walk because film, like everything else we experienced that day, is also storytelling.
And in the end, that was really what the walk was about.
Stories.
Stories of places, people, culture, art, and the city we call home.
Walking Davao in Birkenstock
Of course, I have to mention the part that literally carried me throughout the day.
We were provided with Birkenstock footwear, a shirt, a tote bag, and some hydration and cooling essentials.
To be honest, I didn’t own a pair of Birkenstocks before this event, so I was curious about how they would feel during a long walking tour.
After hours of walking from one stop to another, I was genuinely surprised that my feet didn’t hurt at the end of the day.
For something like this, that already says a lot.
The Birkenstocks became my quiet companion throughout the entire walk around Davao.
Rediscovering the city I call home
What made this experience even more meaningful was meeting fellow media, bloggers, influencers, and people from the arts, tourism, and travel community.
It was refreshing to be surrounded by people who also care about telling stories about Davao and highlighting what makes the city special.
More than anything, the walk made me appreciate Davao in a different way.
We often pass by places every day without realizing the history behind them. We move through streets, buildings, and landmarks without pausing to ask what stories they hold.
The Dayaw Art Walk – Kadayawan Special Edition gave me that pause.
Not as someone rushing from one event to another.
Not as someone simply passing through downtown.
But as a Dabawenyo rediscovering the city I already call home.
And what better time to do it than during Kadayawan, when we celebrate the culture, heritage, abundance, and diversity of Davao?
I’m truly grateful to Birkenstock, the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts, the tourism and culture teams, and everyone who made this experience possible. Special thanks to Ms. Mae Sanchez for the invitation, Mr. Oscar Casaysay for the introduction, and Ms. Gracie Plata for guiding us through the stories of the city.
I’m definitely looking forward to joining more walking tours, heritage tours, art exhibits, and cultural experiences around Davao.
Because apparently, there is still so much about my own city that I have yet to discover.
And maybe that’s the best part.
You don’t always have to go somewhere new to have a new experience. Sometimes, you just have to walk a little slower and listen to the stories of the place you already call home.
