In my youth, there was only one McDonald’s in Tagum City. On my recent trip back, I saw the city where I was born grow exponentially. Many new buildings, hangout spots, and big-name brands are now in town. Here’s a short guide to what’s new, where to go, and what to see in Tagum City, Davao.
I haven’t been back in a while so it was nice to see some of the changes around different parts of the city. We started the day pretty early running errands with some family members and while waiting for some things to get done, we decided to get a coffee and chill at Blugré Coffee. It’s a cafe located on Maharlika Highway or the National Highway, not far from City Mall. They have a great selection of hot and cold drinks, from the classics such as cappuccino, americano, and iced mocha. They also have interesting drinks like choco loco, mochagelo which contains coffee jelly, and durian coffeeccino.
Whether you want a snack or a meal, they do have a few options when it comes to food. From the usual cafe favorites such as sandwiches and slices of cake, they also have heavier options in the form of rice meals and pasta. I opted for a tuna sandwich and a cafe latte which to my surprise was a little stronger than I expected it to be. They have plenty of tables and chairs inside to accommodate a group or if you are looking to work alone. They have conveniently located outlets that make it easy for you to charge your phone or laptop, and they also have free fast wifi. It’s a great little place to work since it’s usually quiet during the day and not overly crowded.
Aside from shopping at the malls to kill time, or if you are a bit of a history buff you can visit the Tagum City Historical & Cultural Center for free. It is also surrounded by places to eat or to sit down for a moment if you want to hit two birds with one stone. Although the museum is small, it’s a great place to learn a little bit more about the area and its people. Some sections talk about the history of the location and the importance of some key geographical points, as well as the people and their culture. From the different tribal groups, food, clothing, and language, you’ll be able to tell pretty quickly that Mindanao and the Davao regions are very rich in history and culture. It’s a good place to get some quick information and background since it’s not very large. You start at the ground floor and then make your way to the third floor. An hour is probably enough to absorb the exhibits and to take photographs.
When it comes to lunch or dinner plans, there are many places to choose from around the city. There are now various restaurants with different cuisines which was unheard of when I was growing up. One evening, I decided to check out Hugo Bistro since I noticed that they are usually packed during the evening, especially on weekends. I wanted to see what the hype was all about. With cute interiors and a fairly large but affordable menu, I can see why people flock to this place. They’ve got a little bit of everything. From pizza, pasta, Pinoy favorites, and even some Korean options. My family members favor their spinach pizza which is indeed a good choice, however, if that’s not your kind of pizza they do have other options like pepperoni, trio cheese, vegetarian, meaty supreme, and beef overload. They also have ribs, carbonara, buffalo wings, as well as some Korean options with jjampong, chap chae, kimbap, tteokbokki, and many more.
If you’re ever in the area and want to try out Hugo Bistro, it’s probably best to go earlier in the evening or to book a reservation in advance since the waiting times may be long due to its popularity. Keep this in mind for special occasions and holidays as it does get very busy, very quickly.
If you happen to stay in the area for several nights and are looking for some extra adventure, I highly suggest you rent a car if you don’t want to commute and hit up some local hidden beaches. There are many to choose from which are all a short drive from the city center. It only takes about 45 minutes to maybe an hour at most and you’ll find yourself at the beach with minimal entrance fees and clear waters. From the areas of Pindasan, Mabini, and Tagnanan, there are many resorts to choose from. Some are more quiet than others, and they are all usually next to each other so you may take a look and compare before choosing where to spend the day. The drive there is also fairly simple. Just take the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road which is pretty much a straight stretch. You’ll also notice that from the main road there will already be plenty of signs for resorts and beaches.
What’s nice about these places is that they are relatively unspoiled since the usual goers are just the locals in the nearby areas. There are no big buses of tourists or day trippers, just mostly families celebrating birthdays and whatnot, as well as groups of friends and maybe even colleagues. If you are looking to stay overnight, many resorts do offer rooms both with and without air conditioning depending on your preference. For a true adventure, you can try sleeping in a kubo or hut if you want the true Pinoy experience. It is also best if you bring your own food since some of these places are located far from any markets. However, you will pass by many local markets selling fresh produce especially fish and seafood along the main highway before you even reach any of the resorts.
Whether you want to explore a city other than the one you landed in, or if you are looking for both the provincial views of coconut trees or some relaxing waters without having to go very far, Tagum city is a good place to start!
