URBANISSIMO: The 53rd Hijos de Davao Ball

In the near past, Davao was considered by many as the “wild south” of the Philippines, but the sleepy riverside village grew into the bustling city that is is today thanks to the efforts of pioneering families from Luzon and the Visayas who took root and flourished in the area. This is the story of the families who are part of Hijos de Davao.

Now celebrating 53 years, the annual Hijos de Davao Ball is a celebration of the pioneering spirit of these, now, Dabawenyo families. This year’s celebration was made even more memorable as Dabawenyos who are making a mark in changing and moving the Philippines forward were part of the event.

As much as it was a party which raises money for the education of indigent children, the Hijos de Davao Ball serves as a way to remind the current generation of who the neighbours of there forefathers were and how their parents and grandparents strived hard to make Davao a beacon of development.