Davao Chinatown

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Davao Chinatown
The Unity Arch in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue
The Unity Arch in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue
CountryPhilippines
Island GroupMindanao
RegionDavao Region
CityDavao City
Legislative District1st District of Davao
DistrictPoblacion District, Davao City
Barangays4
Founded2003
Founded byDavao City Chinatown Development Council
Area
 • Total0.44 km2 (0.44 sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+08:00 (Philippine Standard Time)
Zip codes
8000
Area codes8
LanguagesEnglish
Mandarin
Cantonese
Hokkien
Tagalog
Cebuano
Davao Chinatown
Traditional Chinese達沃唐人街
Simplified Chinese达沃唐人街
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese納卯華人街
Simplified Chinese纳卯华人街

The Davao Chinatown also known as Davao City Chinatown or Mindanao Chinatown is a Chinatown located in Davao City and the only one in Mindanao island in the Philippines. It is the primary residential and trading area of the Chinese Filipino community in the city. The area is bordered by Santa Ana Avenue, Monteverde Avenue, Ramón Magsaysay Street, and León García Street. Dubbed as the Philippines' largest Chinatown[1] with a total land area of 44 hectares comprising four barangays.

History[edit]

Facade of the Unity Arch along Ramon Magsasay Ave.

In 2003, the city's then mayor Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order declaring portions of Barangays 27-C and 30-C where Filipino Chinese residences and businesses were concentrated to be the city's Chinatown.[2]

The Davao City Chinatown Development Council (DCCDC) was established to assist the conservation of the area's cultural heritage and the implementation of policies in that regard.[3] It is also charged with the management of commerce in the area.

Archways[edit]

The Chinese gate archways are inspired by páilou (牌樓) or páifāng (牌坊), a traditional style of architectural arch in China[4][5]. Archways also serves as main entry points making them one of the main attractions emphasizing cultural significance and adding aesthetic value.

  • Friendship Arch: yǒuyì mén (友誼門) – along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue near Emilio Jacinto Street;
  • Unity Arch: rónghé mén (融合門) – along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue corner Alvarez Street facing Quezon Boulevard Avenue;
  • Peace Arch: hépíng mén (和平門) – along Santa Ana Avenue corner J. P. Laurel Avenue right beside Davao Chong Hua High School;
  • Prosperity Arch: fánróng mén (繁榮門) – along Santa Ana Avenue corner Alvarez Street.

Places of worship[edit]

Long Hua Buddhist Temple

Faith and devotion has been a wide influence in molding the country's culture and norms. Buddhist and Taoist temples defines the rich cultural significance of the area. Christian churches from different denominations are one of the city's destinations for devotees.

  • Long Hua Buddhist Temple[6][7] is the largest Buddhist temple in the island of Mindanao, it is located in J.P. Cabaguio Avenue in Agdao District. It is 3-4 kilometers northeast of the center of the city.
  • Polian Temple[8][9]is one of the oldest Buddhist Temples in Davao City. The Polian Temple is located in Quirino Avenue, between Emilio Jacinto Extension and J. P. Laurel Ave.
  • Santiago Temple[10] is situated on a property near Gaisano Mall of Davao. Built in 1957, it was once visible from J. P. Laurel Avenue but a new building was built in front of it. Until now it was hidden from direct view that is accessible only by a narrow street alley.
  • Mindanao Taoist Temple[11][12]is located between Cabaguio Ave. and Dacudao, Adgao District.
  • Davao Chinese Baptist Church[13][14], located in Guzman St, Poblacion District, Davao City.

Establishments[edit]

Wide array of shopping malls, hardware stores, restaurants, retail outlets, and wholesale stores are usually found in every streets of the area. Most of them are owned by Chinese Filipino families who were majority are originated in Fujian, China[17][18]. It is the primary trading hub of Chinese Filipinos in Davao City since then. Affordable various fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Different dry items are also available in kiosks and stalls.

New City Commercial Corporation Main Magsaysay along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue
  • NCCC Main Magsaysay[19][20], founded by Lim Tian Su, started as a textile store in Davao City during 1950's. The establishment subsequently became a general retail product shop, providing essentials as well as footwear and jewellery. They launched their initial NCCC supermarket and department store within Ramon Magsaysay Avenue around 1978, and they introduced the New City Commercial Center.
  • DCLA Department Store
  • New Davao Famous Restaurant[21] [22], established in 1970's, offers mix contemporary Chinese cuisine in the heart of the city with a wide array of dishes for more than 40 years.
  • Davao Shanghai Restaurant[23], serving Chinese and Filipino snacks and dishes for several decades, the restaurant signature taste have been already part of every Dabawenyos' palate in every occasions.

Academic institutions[edit]

The Chinatown is also a home of learning institutions spanning from basic education programs to tertiary schools.

  • Holy Cross of Davao College, situated along Santa Ana Avenue corner Guzman Street, is a Catholic Church private basic and higher education institution run by the Archdiocese of Davao in Davao City, Philippines. The college was founded in 1951 by the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary Sisters and then acquired by the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME Fathers) in 1956.
  • San Pedro College, erected along Guzman Street since 1956, is a private, Catholic, research, coeducational basic and higher education institution run by the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity in Davao City.
  • Asian International School Aeronautics and Technology, known as AISAT established in Santa Ana Avenue corner Leon Garcia Street was initially founded in 2011 by an association of entrepreneurs and technical professionals who recognised a demand for outstanding aviation industry education in Davao City.

Transportation[edit]

The common mode of transportation of the city are PUVs (public utility vehicles) such as jeepneys and multicabs that are accessible within downtown. In minor streets, Cycle rickshaw, also known to locals as pedicab where you can have a ride along short distance for a low fare cost. While metered cabs reaching upon several landmarks is the alternative ride for a convenient travel built with GPS or the Global Positioning System.

Gallery[edit]

Unity Arch along Ramon Magsasay Avenue fronting Magsaysay Park
Road along Ramon Magsasay Avenue with a view of a street signage
Angle of the Unity Arch from the exit viewpoint facing Magsaysay Park along Ramon Magsasay Ave.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/84416-chinatown-philippines/
  2. ^ Bendijo, Roxanne (February 11, 2018). "History of Chinatown in Davao City". Davao Catholic Herald. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  3. ^ Carillo, Carmencita (February 19, 2016). "Davao's Chinatown gets all dressed up - BusinessWorld". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  4. ^ https://sonofchina.com/paifang/
  5. ^ https://www.cits.net/china-travel-guide/chinese-memorial-archway.html
  6. ^ "Visit Lon Wa Temple on your trip to Davao City or Philippines".
  7. ^ "Our amazing Davao Adventure: Lon Wa Buddhist Temple". February 17, 2016.
  8. ^ https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/84416-chinatown-philippines/
  9. ^ {{Cite web|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/in-the-heart-of-davao-buddhist-traditions
  10. ^ "China Town in Davao City". September 12, 2007.
  11. ^ "Mindanao Taoist Temple in Davao, Philippines | Philippines Tour Guide". August 16, 2010.
  12. ^ "Chinese temples in Davao City".
  13. ^ "Home". johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com.
  14. ^ "Home". johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com.
  15. ^ "STA. ANA SHRINE PARISH - DAVAO, SCHEDULE OF MASSES - Davao Bliss". Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  16. ^ https://www.davaocatholicherald.com/2016/07/sta-ana-shrine/
  17. ^ https://business.inquirer.net/438808/tracing-hardy-chinoy-roots-in-fujian
  18. ^ https://medium.com/@l.po/our-peoples-tongue-the-history-and-future-of-the-hokkien-language-in-the-philippines-414e0628932f
  19. ^ https://nccc.com.ph/about/company-profile/
  20. ^ https://www.iamlovelyboiser.com/2022/12/nccc-celebrates-44-fruitful-years.html?m=1
  21. ^ https://www.newdavaofamous.com/
  22. ^ https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/new-davao-famous-four-decades-of-good-food
  23. ^ https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/best-of-davao-pancit-canton-guisado
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