Kadayawan in the north of town



Intricate & detialed. Jay-R Flores’ evening gown was inpired by the 4 tribes of Sultan Kudarat



If there is a clear, irrefutable evidence that the city is dissected into districts, the Kadayawan and the like activities are it. Heavy traffic is dictating it.

Gone were the days when traveling from north to south of the city was a snap of the fingers. The time needed to traverse the route has tripled or quadrupled. The festival season makes it worse.

The couple of Kadayawan affairs I had to go to were in the north, but I live in the opposite side of town. Expecting heavy traffic, my solution was to get a room. That’s to spare you from the ranting about the road condition, and me from the stress of snail-paced commuting.


Homebase: Park Inn

 

The colors of Park Inn by Radisson Davao makes the hotel a happy home north of the city

 

Park Inn by Radisson Davao is (always) the wisest choice. Attached to the SM mall where the events were, nothing can be more convenient than staying in this hotel. Making it my address in the north meant more time for rest and recreation in and out of the hotel.

 

How convenient. The affairs I need to be at were across the hotel


 

First stop: Moda Mindanao

For some reason, SM moved Moda Mindanao from its birthplace in Matina to Lanang. Along with change of venue were other revisions: a more stylish staging was, a new production crew with no representative from the original Moda Mindanao committee, and the competition turned its eagle eyes on wearability.

 

A stylish production of Moda Mindanao at it’s new address, the SM Lanang Premier

 

Yes, the pieces that came out on the runway were indeed wearable, constructed well and sans the shock and entertainment value of its predecessors. It was “too edited” that the staging overwhelmed the clothes, if not competing and winning over it. Except for one.

 


The evening gown entry from Koronadal unveiled with drama


The gown on all sides. The designer Jay-R Flores said it was inspired by the 4 tribes of Sultan Kudarat

 

Again, another Sultan Kudarat designer bagged the title, a clean sweep no less, winning three of the major awards—best in evening gown, best in Pret-a-porter and Philippine Daily Inquirer 2bU editor’s pick.

 


...and emerging the winner. A clean sweep for Jay-R Flores. He won the top 3 awards of the 11th Moda Mindanao young designer’s fashion competition


Inspired by four tribes-the Maguindanaon, Maranao, Blaan, and the T’boli, designer Jay-R Gamboa designed an impressive mixed lumad evening gown, which was unveiled with drama. He used the “inol” fabric of the Maranao and Maguindanaon (same fabric he used for his ready-to-wear entry) and his heavy beadwork inspired by the T’boli and Blaan.

For years now, designers from this part of the Mindanao has stuck with their formula of design and come up with couture pieces that can still be worn off the runway. They always go home with the laurel.


Second stop: South by Mouth

With the same Davao Gourmet Collective purveyors, I knew what to expect and I knew what to eat.

 


South x Mouth presented the 4th edition of Davao Gourmet Collective at SM Lanang Premier



I went for Alibaba Shawarma’ chicken wrap and the debuting dishes of Soul Kitchen Co.-the Bahn Mi sandwich and Kale-Banana smoothie, and Kai Artisan-the Dark Chocolate bar with Blueberry and hot Davao tsokolate stirred with a disappearing chocolate spoon for an added layer of chocolate.


SOUL Kitchen Co’s must try- the Bahn-Mi sandwich (I love the jalapeños on this) & the Kale_Banana Smoothie


Kai Artisan Chocolates’ new goodies- Party Mix Bar & the Dark Chocolate Blueberry


Chocolatier Kai shows how to make Kai artisan Hot Chocolate.




Having a fill of my favorite food plus a comfort drink was the perfect way to call it a day and head back “home” a few steps away, the Park Inn hotel.

Back in the cool comforts of my room, I was able to avoid the nightmare of a traffic and spend the extra time to get a good night’s rest. Just like before I know I’ll have a restful sleep and will be dreaming in colors.

 

To dream in colors on Park Inn Davao’s most comfortbale bed


Good morning. Sunrise over the Davao Gulf seen from my 7th floor room of Park Inn By Radisson Davao


*****

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit ofapplesandlemons.com and jeepneyjinggoy.com.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 27, 2016.