The Poblacion Market, Davao

We used to go to Aldevinco for souvenirs. This was located across from the Marco Polo Hotel and near Ateneo de Davao. Aldevinco and Marco Polo are now closed but the owner of Aldevinco built and opened a new building where people can now shop for local products whether for souvenirs, furnishings and decors, or personal items (e.g., clothes to comply with Filipiniana dress code for government workers).

Some large items that you can use for your home as decor or accent. Many of these might also be suitable for museums!

There are many jewelry shops selling various items. Of course, pearls are the most in demand from these stores. I was joking with the wife that she can't be left alone in these shops. So much temptation!

The shops selling Filipiniana and ASEAN clothing are very popular not just for souvenirs but for clothes you will actually wear. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued a memo that all government employee must wear Filipiniana on Mondays. On the first Monday of the month, they may wear ASEAN clothing. So batik from Indonesia or Malaysia or perhaps silk shirts from Thailand can be worn on first Mondays. Accessories are also quite popular including shawls and vests.

Various Filipiniana for the ladies

And then there are the various souvenir shops with items like boxes, plates, chairs, chests, umbrellas, etc. You can also buy replica canons and pottery.

Various items on display at one of the shops. Aside from clothing, they also have bags, wallets, table runners, hankies, and headwear.

The Poblacion Market is a one-stop shop for a lot of items especially souvenirs for when you travel to Davao. The shopkeepers are very accommodating to customers and you can easily establish a "suki" there for your clothes or even jewelry. 

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Cacao Culture, Poblacion Market, Davao

I found this chocolate shop at the Poblacion Market in Davao. The name of the shop speaks for itself and what it sells. Davao being one of the top producers of cacao and chocolate products, the store provides a one stop shop for chocoholics like me.

Store front - you can't miss it as it is one of the first shops you will see when you arrive at the Poblacion Market.

Some of the products we bought at the store.

Davao is famous for its cacao and chocolates. The two brands that I think are currently the best chocolates - Malagos and Auro - source their cacao in the region and manufacture their chocolates here. There are other chocolates and chocolate products there and we got some tablea, cacao mix for drinking, and some chocolate bars that we only saw there and wanted to try. We'll definitely be back to check out other products the next time we are in Davao.

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Shops at the Bicol International Airport

There are many choices for eating, drinking and shopping at the Bicol International Airport. Here's a quick share of them on this First of April.

There are many choices for the hungry here including Biggs, which has many branches across the Bicol region.

There are the familiar eats like Dunkin, Potato Corner

The shops include many selling local products.

Shops include an OTOP shop, one selling mainly souvenir shirts, and another selling various handicrafts.

Chocolates by Mayon Gold

I got a few shirts for myself, the wife and our daughter. I also got a few bars of chocolates to enjoy and write about later. Tip to travelers looking for souvenir shirts: They have more variety and higher quality shirts and designs here than in Cagsawa or other touristy areas in Albay. And that's no April's Fool joke!

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