Revisiting the Old Davao...

....through photos!

I was born in 1985 in Manila, but we moved to Mindanao before I turned 1. I spent 27 years in Davao but only cared about my hometown when I turned ten. I never really got to see the beauty of Davao in the late 80s and early 90s. But thanks to Davao of the Past | A Repository of Old Davao Images, I got the chance to visit my beautiful hometown even in the earliest times.  Yep, even as early as the days of Spanish Colonization.

Delight came over me as my eyes feasted to more than a hundred old photographs. I feel so nostalgic even though I know I haven't been to that time, but I know it is where I always belong. Seeing the beautiful and developing years of Davao has made me happy; but sadness coupled with yearning also dawned upon me as I know I will never be able to visit those places. Not in their grandiose form, to say the least.

These are just a few of my favorite photos that I grabbed from the page (circa 1920s-1980s, in no particular order). Way better than any instagram filter, right? So see for yourself the beauty the old Davao has to offer. What would I not give in a heartbeat to jump back to this era? :)

The old cinemas in Claveria where we used to watch a movie doubled with another movie.
 Of course, this photo is way older. 

The beautiful Talomo beach and the scenic Mt. Apo at the background

Old San Pedro Church

The Clean and Beautiful Magsaysay Park.

Rizal Park. City Hall at the background

  Jones Circle. Now Acacia. Corners of Claveria, Ponciano, J.P. Laurel Ave, Uyanguren St. and Jacinto St.
Just look at those cars, who wouldn't be in love with this era?

Davao Mental Hospital, burned down just last May this year.

Sad to say, only few of these remain standing. The demise of our most significant heritage sites, like the 95-year old Davao Mental Hospital that went down in ashes just a few months ago, is a big big lost. And we don't want that to happen to the remaining heritage structures, ancestral homes included, because of progress and neglect. I haven't seen a lot of these sites in these pictures now. But I've spotted quite a few around Davao, and that is promising.

This is now CM Recto Street, still the same, only the cars have changed.

PNB, still standing until now in all its glory

Our heritage is our pride and our history - and this is something that we want to preserve for our children and our children's children. I hope we could find some ways to safeguard their existence; else, our heritage, our history, our pride, will be lost forever. So here comes the challenge: save our dying heritage.

As someone who is not socio-politically involved to anything, I know I could not take drastic measures to help preserve our heritage.  I do not have the power or influence, I cannot pass laws or legislation, I cannot create groups or foundations, I cannot donate in significant amounts or raise enough funds, I cannot start a movement. But our simple and mundane ways are not far-fetched if you think about it. I believe, the best way to help protect and preserve our heritage is to simply share it with others.

Let's instill awareness to others and perhaps we'd also be able to enrich their lives through the gift of discovering our beautiful heritage. Yes, sharing is one great way to accomplish what we want: protection and conservation as we pass it on the next generation. As Davaoeños who take pride of the legacy of our forefathers and our glorious history, it should be our responsibility to let the public be aware and develop appreciation of the rich heritage we have.

Anyway, here are more cool photos:

PU Minica! Our taxi way back

That's one cute jeep! And an interesting movie poster? Haha

Soap Box Derby. Look at that! I never thought they were this cool!

Those cars are ♥

All photos are courtesy of the contributors and admins of Davao of the Past, if you want to learn more about our history through the old photos, please feel free to like, view, and share the page. :)