CANDID SHOTS – We as a people have all too often been fragmented into factions each chasing after its self-interest without regard for the common good. Perhaps this is the reason we are confronted with life-and-death threats – a magnitude of complex and interlocking problems, arrogance and neglect that have allowed political grievances to remain unredressed and utterly lack a sense of unity. If we do not pull this off, we risk turning the Philippines into a country torn apart by endemic political conflict.
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DAVAO CITY SPEEDING UP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – Modern malls, retail chains, restaurants and entertainment centers are proliferating among the busy residential areas and activity-filled streets in the city.
Since early last year, a mammoth, glitzy mall has opened its doors here cramped with a collection of stores dealing in signature apparels, shoes, jewelry, bags, watches, sportswear, cameras, cellphones, electronic gadgets and accessories and many more.
It seems Davao City is rapidly developing into an entertainment and mall-rat haven. The tangible proof is that two more huge shopping malls are in the works while another existing one located in the southern part of the city has recently completed its multi-million expansion project.
Well, I really have no idea if this sign of growth has been a godsend for Dabawenyos like me. Do major corporate players strongly believe that people in the city now belong to the high-spending crowd that they are enticed to invest worth billions of pesos in the city?
Has there been a fundamental economic change happening that the “artificial” consumer boom is on full display or is there a new breed of consumers in Davao City? Actually, in the not-so-distant past such shopping destinations which deal mostly on expensive signature brands were off limits to all but a fortunate middle-class to high-level consumer boom.
But big investors according to noted economic experts are optimistic that a rapidly changing economy is making the medium to higher life available to more and more of the city’s million-strong population. These well-established entrepreneurs who are pushing their way into the city probably found a more sizable market for their businesses than in other bustling cities in Mindanao.
How did Davao City become host to many nation-leading investors, it might be asked? The simple truth: a sign of growing interest among prospective investors are strategic business location, abundant supply of raw materials, cheap labor, ample water supply and power sources. And there’s more – a multiplying number of privileges such as lower tax system, healthy elements of a vibrant and robust business atmosphere, environment-friendly surroundings, livable community and most importantly a well-sustained peace and order and security measures.
What we have had in the city right now is a flourishing economic development. But we cannot talk about development without thinking of the big businesses that keep on pouring in. The city government, as a matter of fact, provides prospective investors an investment space and decided to speed up development, and the decision also includes encouraging investments from other regions, Manila-based capitalists and foreign investors.
Above all, Dabawenyos must learn to live with flexible growth because there is no such thing as a never-ending economic development. The trick, however, is to treat any slowdown as a breather to map out new strategies for the next leap forward. In other words, continue moving forward – but do it with deliberate speed.
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IT’S FUN TO EAT GRILLED FOOD – Whatever the reason, plenty of people will pay to eat good, affordable food. At different locations throughout the city – public parks, sidewalks, vacant lots and food junctions, you will see and hear group of friends, families and couples flocked in hordes to their favorite grill restaurants, laugh and chat while enjoying steaks, pork and chicken barbecues.
Grill joint owners here had long served sauce-dipped pork and chicken barbecues aside from other popular fare such as litsong manok and manok inasal. Most of time diners are amused and grill restaurant owners at the same time explained that people had “so much fun” using their bare hands to swirl slices of grilled pork, chicken or even beef.
Still, grill joint owners insist that the customer knows best. The secret is out, there’s no candle flickering on their tables, but family-size plates or spread banana leaves full of pork and chicken barbecues cooked in a fiery wood charcoal sizzled in the grill pit.
Local food reviewers call the grill restaurants as future “great date food” centers. Dragged in by enthusiasm, every diner embraces the great food experience. And grill restaurants are not just for groups, families or dating couples, but for everybody who had the penchant to pay good money for reasonable and delicious fare.
What’s more, all the preparation work is done for customers – which is one reason, a barbecue chain in the city has doubled its size to more locations in the past two years. With families, group of friends or even couples spending about 25% of their food budget on meals outside the home, they enjoyed the experience – sort of.
