Culture
Kung Hei Fat Choi Meaning, Spelling and How Cebu Celebrates
Kung Hei Fat Choi, Kung Hei Fat Choy or Gong Xi Fa Cai? What the greeting means, how to say it, and how Cebu and Davao ring in the Lunar New Year.
Davao Guide: News, Travel, Food & Life in Davao City
Everything Davao: Samal Island beaches, Mount Apo, the Philippine eagle, durian and Kadayawan — plus live Davao weather and news.
- Region
- Davao Region (Region XI), Mindanao
- City size
- One of the largest cities by land area in the Philippines
- Language
- Cebuano/Davaoeño, Filipino, English
- Airport
- Francisco Bangoy International (DVO)
- Big festival
- Kadayawan — August
- Famous for
- Durian, Mount Apo, Samal, tuna
Culture
Maganda in Tagalog and Gwapo Meaning: How to Compliment Filipinos
What maganda, gwapo, gwapa, pogi and gwapito really mean, plus ready-to-use compliments in Bisaya and Tagalog.
News
PAGASA Typhoon Signal Levels 1 to 5 Explained: What to Do
What Signal No. 1 to No. 5 mean, how to read rainfall warnings, why Davao is rarely hit but not immune, and a checklist to prepare your family for typhoon season.
News
Samal Bridge Update: The Samal Island-Davao City Connector
The Samal Island-Davao City Connector will link Davao City and Samal by road. Here's what the project is, where it stands and how it could change travel.
Travel
Best Time to Visit Cebu and Davao: A Month-by-Month Guide
When to go to Cebu and Davao: dry and wet seasons, typhoon months, Sinulog and Kadayawan, crowds and prices, month by month.
Travel
Davao Itinerary 3 Days: City, Highlands and Samal Island Plan
Three days, three moods: the city, the cool highlands and the beaches of Samal. A day-by-day Davao itinerary with transport tips and an approximate budget.
Money & Work
Digital Nomad Philippines Guide: Working From Cebu and Davao
Fibre internet, coworking spaces, beaches on weekends and a new digital nomad visa. What remote workers need to know before basing themselves in Cebu or Davao.
Culture
Oi Meaning in Bisaya and Tagalog, Plus Words for Pissed Off
What does oi (or uy) mean in Bisaya and Tagalog? Learn how to use it, plus the local words for being pissed off, from nalagot to naiinis.
Entertainment
Davao Cinema Schedule: Where to Check Movies Showing This Week
A practical guide to Davao City's mall cinemas and the fastest ways to check now-showing movies and showtimes before you go.
Food
Durian Davao Guide: Varieties, Season and Where to Buy
Davao is the durian capital of the Philippines. Learn the varieties, when the season peaks, how to choose a ripe fruit, where to eat it and why your hotel may say no.
Culture
Philippine Fish Names in English, Bisaya and Tagalog
Lapu-lapu, maya-maya, bariles, danggit, hito: a big translation table of Philippine fish names in English, Bisaya and Tagalog for the market and the kitchen.
Food
Cebu Pasalubong Guide: Best Treats from Cebu and Davao
What to bring home from Cebu and Davao: dried mangoes, danggit, otap, rosquillos, Carcar chicharon, lechon, durian candy, pomelo and chocolate, plus how to pack them.
Sports
PBA Basketball and Beyond: UAAP, MPBL and Gilas Explained
A simple guide to the Philippines' basketball obsession, from the PBA and college leagues to the MPBL, Gilas Pilipinas and the barangay court.
Sports
Filipino Boxers From Cebu and Mindanao: Legends and Gyms
Cebu and Mindanao have produced many of the greatest Filipino boxers. Here are the legends, the gyms and why the south punches above its weight.
Sports
Pickleball in the Philippines: Why It's Booming and How to Play
Pickleball has taken over courts across Cebu and Davao. Here is why the sport is booming, how to play, what gear costs and where beginners can join.
Sports
Cebu Marathon and Running in Cebu and Davao: A Runner's Guide
From the Cebu Marathon in January to misty trails above Davao, here is how to find races, train in tropical heat and stay safe as a runner in Cebu and Davao.
Tech & Esports
Mobile Legends Philippines: Why MLBB Rules and How to Start
From jeepney rides to world championships, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the Philippines' favourite game. Here's why it dominates, plus beginner tips.
Tech & Esports
Internet Providers Cebu and Davao: Fiber, Starlink and 5G
How to choose home internet in Cebu and Davao: fiber providers, wireless and satellite options, approximate plan prices and what to ask before signing.
News
SunStar Davao and Other Davao News Sources: A Reader's Guide
A practical guide to SunStar Davao and the other news outlets that cover Davao and Mindanao, plus SunStar's sister editions in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
Culture
Learn Bisaya: 50 Essential Cebuano Phrases for Travellers
Fifty everyday Cebuano phrases for greetings, getting around, eating, shopping and counting, with pronunciation tips to help you sound friendly in Cebu and Davao.
Culture
Davao Tribes: The 11 Indigenous and Moro Communities of Davao
Ata, Bagobo, Matigsalug, Sama, Maranao and more. A respectful introduction to the 11 tribes of Davao City, their crafts and how to visit with care.
Food
Filipino Barbecue Recipe: Sweet Pork BBQ with Banana Ketchup
Sweet, smoky and sticky, just like the street stalls of Cebu and Davao. Our Filipino pork barbecue recipe with an easy marinade and basting sauce.
Money & Work
Cost of Living Cebu vs Davao 2026: Rent, Food and Budgets
How much does it cost to live in Cebu or Davao? Approximate 2026 ranges for rent, food, transport and bills, with sample budgets for a local, an expat and a student.
Lifestyle
Cafes in Cebu and Davao: Local Coffee and Cafe Culture Guide
From Mount Apo arabica to Cebu's sikwate and puto maya, here's how cafe culture works in Cebu and Davao, what to order, and how to be a good laptop guest.