I was born in Zamboanga City to parents who are both Chavacanos, but I am raised in Davao City, and I should say that I am one hundred percent proud that I am a Dabaweña.

No, I am not ashamed of my roots for I am enchanted by the “Spanish - like” dialect of the Chavacanos, but sad to say that I practically grew up here in Davao City that I could hardly speak that dialect and even if that was my first language I have completely forgotten it. But let me speak the language of Davao City and I could say that I am more adept with it as it passes through my lips.

There are simply many things here in Davao that I would never ever trade to the whole world. To name a few - there’s our mayor, Rodrigo Duterte who is not just fearless but who sees to it that peace and order in the city is in his priority list; then there’s an abundant supply of food; the resorts which are considered to be world-class; the generally peace-loving people; and most of all Davao City my home, my sanctuary.

Once I heard my folks saying that anybody who comes to Davao will always come back to Davao; it is as if Davao City has a magic spell and one can’t resist to be swept by it.