Davao

Revisiting the Old Davao...

By Sarah Aterrado - July 15, 2013


....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. :)



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23 Comments

  1. Wanderer JuanJuly 15, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    I hope that Davao's old structures are kept and maintained so that the links to the past can still be seen.

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    Replies
    1. Sarah AterradoJuly 16, 2013 at 6:37 AM

      Yeah, that's what I hope too. Nakakainggit nga minsan ibang lugar like Vigan, they have kept their structural heritage sites.

      Delete
  2. ralphJuly 15, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    wow, that's our city before... hahaha... in as much as i like it now... but a part of me want to experience what was it like before. great find. Yahweh bless.

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    Replies
    1. Sarah AterradoJuly 16, 2013 at 6:38 AM

      Same here. Kung may time machine lang, I'd jump back to that the 50s or 60s siguro.

      Delete
  3. Jonas LabagalaJuly 15, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    These photos are indeed nostalgic as it brings back the glory of Davao. We should preserve the old buildings in our own little ways. A great example is the Paseo de Legazpi which turned into a piece of Spain but the feeling is still there.

    Thanks for these wonderful pictures! Proud to be a Davaoeño.

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    Replies
    1. Sarah AterradoJuly 16, 2013 at 6:41 AM

      Yep they restored it, turned it into a commercial establishment and inn. But yeah, at least the feeling is still there.

      Delete
  4. markpogiJuly 15, 2013 at 8:13 PM

    The old Davao seems so quiet yet its promising to be one of the best places to go to down south.

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  5. Gil CamporazoJuly 15, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    Those old pictures of yours are reminding me of my childhood days. How I wish I could bring back those old days. I want to make some amends to my late parents of my misgivings.

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  6. UnknownJuly 15, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Looking at the photos above reminds me of the description of what my grandparents told when I was young. Davao is indeed progressive even before and it only change during late 70's and 80's when communist rebels dominated Davao.

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  7. Franc RamonJuly 15, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    I've seen the beauty of the present Davao and I learned of its rich heritage from your photos. I can say it's better back then since it was less congested.

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  8. Teresa MartinezJuly 15, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    Knowing the history of a place is half the task of discovering it.

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  9. JL Santiago AquinoJuly 16, 2013 at 12:00 AM

    the nice thing about Davao is the fact that its well-managed up to this day. :)

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  10. Gen-zelJuly 16, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Nice vintage photos! I 've never been to Davao but I would love to visit soon :)

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  11. AlgeneJuly 16, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    Wow! Imdidn't know that such FB page exists! I will like the page and allow them to bring me in e old Davao :)

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    Replies
    1. Sarah AterradoJuly 16, 2013 at 4:24 PM

      Go sis! I actually learned a lot from there. And it's really fun to see photos of the past. :)

      Delete
  12. fbalgosJuly 16, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Old photos make me Sad..
    In here, it made you introspective..
    What would you have given just to glimpse a tim in the past..
    Thanks to Photography!
    This is the reason why I invest in photography, because it is an imprint of what we are or someday, what we have been.
    Its the realization that came to me, looking at these photographs. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. shykulasaJuly 16, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    I love looking at old photos especially photos of places now and then, it makes me feel nostalgic. Bec I grew up in Manila, I did gather old photos of Manila to showcased how beautiful the place looked like before.

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  14. FarahZamoraJuly 17, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    Mao man sar. naa nag visit taga manila dri tingala sya wala dw ta gwapo na structural na heritage sites. hehe ana ko i appreciate nalng ang lifestyle na laidback. bahala na walay heritage sites. hehehe

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  15. San Josenyong GalaAugust 3, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    This post makes me yearn for the past... Kung me time machine lang, talagang gagamit ako para marating ang nakaraan at makita ang lumang itsura ng Davao... Kaya dapat, yung mga natitira pang heritage structure, mapangalagaan na talaga para no regrets...

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  16. UnknownAugust 4, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    wow! these photographs are just classic and beautiful. I appreciate the art behind all these photos.

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  17. Kim NievesAugust 4, 2013 at 8:58 PM

    Those photos tell so much about the old Davao. I really am a fan of nostalgia, I don't know why, sometimes I feel like I'm from the past. Hahaha =)

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  18. UnknownOctober 10, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Very nice~!!

    ReplyDelete