SINCE I MOVED to Makati almost half a decade ago, I could count with my fingers the times I came home to visit.

When the plane lands Davao City’s International Airport, the flight attendant would then announce that Davao is a No-Smoking city. Leaving the plane, passing the tube to the terminal , I would see familiar faces smiling, not only because i worked in the airport years ago, but Davao is also a place of friendly people. Outside the terminal, you’ll see the big stone art of a Durian fruit and Bagobos inside it. As if i could smell the fruit, i would smell home.

Davao City as I always thought, is a great place to live. The city is not crowded. The traffic’s moderate. The air is good. Of course, with the no smoking city ordinance you won’t get a headache from smokers, because you won’t see one on the sidewalks.

The city is a combination of a developed urban and a peaceful get-away. It may not be as progressive like the business districts of Makati. But it has it’s own pace in keeping up with the rest of the world.

Beaches, hilltops, flowers, and other sceneries are the best . Second to food. And the lovely people of the city.

People have the misconception of Davao since it is located in the island of Mindanao. But Davao is not, and never was, a battle zone. Like what most people thought it is. Majority of the population are Christians. It is peaceful, except maybe for a very few inevitable incidents. But Davao is a community that all Christian and Muslims alike are treated equal.

And Davao City will always be home for me, and to the people who leaves, but still comes back.