Davao Driving Journey with the Strada

Mention Davao, and instantly the iconic images of the durian, tropical fruits, waling-waling orchid, Mt. Apo, and the Philippine Eagle, come into mind. But aside from being the country’s biggest city, Davao also refers to the vast region in Mindanao which covers the provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, the newly-created Davao Occidental, and Compostela Valley which will be later renamed Davao De Oro.

Collectively known as Davao Region, it is an exotic destination given by the Department of Tourism (DOT)—the “Islands to Highlands” tag, is arguably among the best road trips you can get because of the diverse countryside wonders. And even if you combine all the negative perceptions and embassy advisories over the past few years, cruising around it is sheer delight which makes it a top magnet for local and foreign tourists, as well as road trippers who are discovering its charm.

The four-lane, well-paved, high-grade main roads can very accommodate mountain bikes to trailer trucks, but for driving journeys in style, a pick-up truck like the Mitsubishi Strada is an ideal choice to take you to the region’s most sought-after spots.

Whether its the 4×2 or the 4×4 version, the Strada can be the best ride through the scenic roads of Davao especially since the handling and ride comfort have been improved tremendously from its previous version. It is also very safe: seven SRS airbags, Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control, five 3-point seatbelts, seatbelt reminder, blind-spot monitors, traction control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, radar-based forward collision mitigation system, and Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System.

Moreover, the Strada is arguably the best in class in terms of power-to-weight ratio, and with a refined suspension setup, loading farm produce and some other surprise finds like furniture, woodcraft or handicraft along the way will never be a problem.

Below are some of Davao’s must-sees where you can test its improved steering, suspension, and greater stability even if you shift to high gear on the highways.

Pit Stop 1: Tagum. The provincial capital of Davao Del Norte, it is the region’s second most progressive city due to banana export. Situated 45 kms from the Francisco Bangoy Airport, it is a smooth drive once you get past the Davao’s city limits. It also serves as the commercial hub of ComVal and Davao Oriental residents who don’t want to travel all the way to Davao City for shopping, dining or government transactions. Due to its booming economy, traffic congestion has become a problem, prompting the construction of a flyover.

Banana Beach in Tagum, Davao Del Norte

Tagum boasts of wide, tree-lined roads, akin to portions of Singapore. It boasts of a multi-level city hall with a high-ceiling atrium similar to a mid-sized mall.

Make your way to the posh Hijo Estates Resorts, tucked in the banana plantations and a 60-hectare forest. The native-themed resort is known for its mile-long Banana Beach, The Spot Restaurant where you get a drink, picturesque casitas, infinity pools and manicured greens.

Pit Stop 2: Lubi Plantation. Officially known as Kopiat Island in Mabini, Compostela Valley, it is home to a world-class 36-hectare luxe leisure complex managed by the Thailand-based Dusit Thani group. Reachable by a 5-minute boat ride from the Barangay Pindasan jetty, Kopiat is part of the 3,433-ha Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape at the Davao Gulf, and is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Pit Stop 3: Davao Oriental Welcome Park. Every road tripper is on the lookout for the welcome arch or landmark welcoming him to a new town or province, almost always for posting on social media. This landmark in Banaybanay town which welcomes travelers to the province won’t disappoint with its neat and ‘Instagrammable’ landscape. Its central figure is a huge statue of a Mandaya woman, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, and the screaming all-caps sign of Davao Oriental which can be perfectly framed with the Strada. The park also has a small store for snacks, local souvenirs and food products.

Pit Stop 4: Mt. Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum. Situated at an interior road in San Isidro town, it showcases the rich animal and plant life within the 6,000-ha Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site. It also has an Eco-park which offers a taste of a brief forest experience for those who cannot do the whole nine yards of the trek to the world’s largest pygmy forest.

Skimboarding in Dahican in Mati, Davao Oriental

Pit Stop 5: Gov. Generoso. DavOr’s southernmost town can be reached after a leisurely drive along scenic coastal roads, as if straight from a movie set. Once a frontier, it is being groomed as a tourism hub for beach bumming and watersports because of its almost infinite coastline, 53 kilometers to be exact, hugging the Davao Gulf and the Celebes Sea.

It is also being positioned as a scuba diving spot because of its lush marine life at Sigaboy Island, the The Wall dive site off the coast of Barangays Pundaguitan, Tagabebe, and Cape San Agustin. A recent underwater expedition led by the DOT and the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) explored the depths of the sea, and gave the go-signal for the viability of diving in the area, and the neighboring sites in Mati City and Tarragona town.

The sprawling Mediterranean-themed El Don Resort is being eyed as the watersport facility hub to support the emerging tourism industry in the municipality. As if located in the middle of nowhere, the newly-opened resort boasts of classy accommodation and swimming pools designed for the family and barkada. It has sleep-inducing huts, couches and hammocks looking out into the sea to remind us that we are simply strangers on the shore.

Further down south is Cape San Agustin, the country’s southeasternmost point or the proverbial “dulo ng Pilipinas” on this side of the archipelago. It has three lighthouses, built during different periods of time, and which you can ascend for a breath-taking 360-degree vista of the landmass and the Pacific Ocean.

Down below is a pink sand beach and an awesome rock formation dubbed “The Altar,” because of its tall ceiling and chamber which has seen the passing of merchant ships through the centuries.

Before heading back, it might interest you to note that Gov. Generoso is also the province’s fishing capital where freshly-caught seafood is unloaded and sold at rock-bottom prices. If you wish to bring home the obligatory pasalubong and the bounty of the sea, the Mitsubishi Strada has a spacious back compartment for your precious cargo.

With so much to see around the natural playground of Davao Oriental and the region, the Mitsubishi Strada will surely be a new reliable companion on the road.

Location map of Mitsubishi dealerships in the Davao

Location map of Mitsubishi dealerships in the Davao

Location map of Mitsubishi dealerships in the Davao