By CJ KUIZON | Davao Today
Davao City – Councilor Pilar Braga called attention to the city’s less famous landmarks among the historical attractions that should be promoted in the city.
She said Davao’s attractions should not be limited to People’s Park, the Philippine Eagle conservation park, Malagos garden, Eden resort, Gap farm and the Crocodile farm but should also include lesser known sights that remind Davaoenos of their colorful culture and history.
These landmarks include the gigantic steel statue of a Bagobo in Epol, Marilog; the war veterans’ golden kris memorial at the junction of Lanang and Agdao; and the massive carabao (water buffalo) at the junction of Toril; among others.
The steel Bagobo is in lotus position and is holding a durian in between his palms, as if in supplication. Conceptualized by painter Augusto Suazo and executed by Ruperto Solon, the sculpture is a testament to the contributions of the Bagobos to the rich culture of the city.
At the junction of Lanang and Agdao, the golden kris, which is a Moro weapon, stands on its hilt. It was built on April 9, 1991, a project of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. of Davao City, half a century after World War II.
Standing at the junction of Toril in the southern tip of the city, the imposing statue of the carabao or water buffalo symbolizes the city’s dependence on agriculture, according to Braga. It was built only a few meters from Lipadas River, once a favorite sanctuary of water buffaloes.
Southwest of the city, the Ohta monument in Mintal serves as a monument to the pioneering spirit of Japanese entrepreneurs, who developed Davao into a bustling agricultural hub. According to Braga, the Ohta monument and the monument for Eternal Peace are repositories of war remains and a burial ground for Japanese pioneers.
Braga also called attention to five religious buildings; which include the San Pedro cathedral, the Lon Hua Temple, the Pulien Temple, the Ikwanul Islamic Al Davao and the Shrine of the Holy Infant of Prague, among noteworthy sights in the city.
She said the San Pedro cathedral has been the “most enduring among old landmarks,” an achievement in architecture, melding Moorish arches in its rotunda, symbolizing the co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the city.
Braga said the modern dome, resting on massive posts evenly distributed throughout the edifice, is unique to the region. She said that the cathedral’s subterranean cavern is now actually a necropolis, where three bishops were buried. The cathedral came from a nipa-and-bamboo chapel built in 1847.
Lon Hua temple, Mindanao’s biggest Buddhist temple, is an example of Chinese architecture and art. It was built in 1964 by Chinese priest Fr. Kwong Fan. Its manicured lawns are shielded from outside view by a massive gate and the altars are embellished with gold, Italian bronze and black marble tiles accented by wooden carvings depicting Buddha’s life. There is also a lily pond that lends solemnity to the place as saffron-robed monks chanting the sutras to Buddha or lighting incense to a golden Kuanyin stroll around the compound.
The Pulien Temple constructed by Lim Pee at the heart of the city is home to ancient Buddhist practices. It has a multiple tower with many stories that taper off towards the top, with an upward card projecting like a roof over each story, its curved lines emulating hands folded in prayer.
Along Quimpo Boulevard, Ikwanul Islamic Al Davao is the most prominent among the city’s mosques. It was commissioned by Arab businessman Hamza Jamjoom of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The mosque compound is 4,000 square meters big and can accommodate 2,000 worshippers at a time. It is the site of traditional Moslem obligations like tarawee, tashbek and tahadjjud.
The Holy Infant Shrine on Matina hills houses the icons of the Holy Child of Prague and Our Lady of Fatima. It overlooks the gulf and the city. Its manicured lawns, nicely pruned ornamentals, flower-bearing trees, and well-maintained gardens make the shrine suitable for meditation. The uphill route towards the church is also famous for via dolorosa (way of cross) stations sheltered in chaplets.
But Braga called on authorities to stop housing development up the shrine because it is causing soil erosion and landslide. The councilor said that the city should put a stop to the kind of development that endangers properties and the lives of residents living near the foot of the hill. (CJ Kuizon/davaotoday.com)
