Cultural yearender – Every great city must have a soul

by EJ Dominic C. Fernandez
Every great city must have a soul.
These were the words of the late Soledad Roa Duterte, more popularly called “Nanay Soling” and mother of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.Her words gave birth to Museo Dabawenyo which shows the rich heritage of Davao City’s culture, tradition and history.
Museo Dabawenyo guide Amor Rey Puno encourages every department to have their own scheduled tour of the museum, in the belief that locals and tourists still have so much more to learn and discover about Davao City that the museum offers.
People, according to Puno, usually think that museums are boring places, however, Museo Dabawenyo will give its visitors a very exciting experience with the wonderful story it offers about Davao by giving people a deeper look into the background and history of the city. This was exactly what Nanay Soling had in mind when she said “a great city needs a Soul.”
According to Puno, a lot of people who visit Museo Dabawenyo are amazed by the beautiful culture and rich history of Davao City. Even Dabawenyos who visit the Museum are still surprised by the stories exhibited by the museum about Davao City. The museum has a number of antique items and works of art that tell more about Davao City that meets the eye of the beholder.
Puno explained the need, before one goes to explore different sections of a particular city, to first visit it’s museum. As the soul of Davao City, the museum serves as a guide to visitors. Tourists who visit the museum will get an extensive print out guide of Davao City which includes interesting places to go, important events on the city’s calendar, and the city’s background.
Museo Dabawenyo, which opened in March of 2008 and is accessible to anyone, is funded by the City Government of Davao and the business sector. Headed by Orly Escarrilla as acting administrative officer, the museum is located at corner A. Pichon and C.M. Recto Streets, Dacao City.
It is divided into galleries, each gallery showcasing one particular aspect of Davao City. Gallery 1-A shows the ten distinctive tribes and communities of the indigenous people of Davo City. Gallery 1-B shows glimpses of the history of Davao City which guides succeeding generations of Dabawenyos in shaping the city’s future. Gallery 1-C, also known as The Hall of Fame, shows how Datu Bago and Don Jose Oyanguren influenced the development of Davao City into what it is now.
This section also includes photos of Dabawenyos who have received the Datu Bago Award which is the most coveted honor bestowed on deserving Dabawenyos.
Gallery 2-A is known as the Nanay Soling Duterte Hall which shows vintage photos of the undivided Davao. Gallery 2-B is called the Bahaghari Space where local artists and artisans may exhibit their works of art for sale to interested buyers. The Dabawenyo Tsino is located at Gallery 2-C, showcasing the Chinese history and heritage of Davao City. Gallery 2-D, known as The Hall of Peace, can be utilized to host book launchings by homegrown and international authors.
Besides the Galleries, Museo Dabawenyo also has a tent workshop and waiting area that can be used by the youth and other groups for the development of their potentials. The public can use this area as long as they are granted permission to do so from the museum. At the museum lobby is a souvenir shop called the Handumanan (memoirs).