Deep in the city’s bustling corners and quiet alleyways, havens of creativity pulse with life. They beckon the public to step into worlds where moments are frozen in film frames, captured in impressionistic strokes, or preserved in verses.
On June 20, students, members of the media, vloggers, and some of the city’s tourism industry movers gathered at the Cinematheque Center Davao for the Duaw Davao Art Walk. Far beyond a casual walk, this curated journey was an invitation to discover the city’s soul, guiding participants through galleries and studios where the historical and the contemporary converge. Focused on the historic Poblacion and San Pedro areas, the walk unveiled culturally significant locations often overshadowed by the city’s relentless pace.
“During the art walk, we visited spaces na naga-offer g’yud og different arts. Giadtoan pud nato ang mga heritage houses nga girepurpose nila (During the art walk, we visited different art spaces. We also went to repurposed heritage houses),” Oscar Casaysay, Head of the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts (DCOCA), said in an interview.
The first stop for the art walk was The Green House Cinema. This is an independent cinema and a creative venue that hosts different social events. More than a home-turned-movie house, it serves as a gathering place for local filmmakers and storytellers. With both indoor and outdoor screening areas, the space buzzes with creative energy. Inside, shelves are crammed with local films, books, and zines—a veritable treasure trove for cinephiles and literature lovers alike.
Just a few meters away, My Hotel Davao offered a quiet counterpoint in its lobby café. Participants were treated to a well-curated exhibit featuring the works of Aimee Suarez, whose paintings unfold through impressionistic strokes that move freely and emotionally across the canvas. The venue also showcased handmade crafts by local artisans, reminding visitors of the city’s tangible artistic traditions.
To rediscover Davao is also to explore its layered architectural history. A stop at Bondi & Bourke Davao on Pelayo St. exemplified this. As one of the city’s numerous ancestral houses, it has been preserved and reborn as a restaurant. While its facade hints at a colonial past, the wall mural behind it explodes with contemporary depictions of urban life, bridging the old and the new.
The tour then pivoted to the contemporary at Viviid Kulture, located at ATU Plaza. This vibrant gallery spotlights the raw, evolving talent of up-and-coming Dabawenyo artists, ensuring the city’s art scene is not only about preservation but also about forward momentum.
The experience culminated with a film screening back at the Cinematheque Center Davao, a national hub for cinema that champions both indie gems and mainstream productions from local and national filmmakers.
Initiated by the DCOCA in partnership with the City Tourism Operations Office and La Herencia, the Duaw Davao Art Walk was designed with a clear purpose: to forge a new tourism circuit for those eager to explore the city’s art scenes. But beyond the itinerary, the walk served as a catalyst for discourse, prompting participants to share their own memories and connections to the spaces visited.
The City Government of Davao extends an open invitation to both local and international tourists to immerse themselves in the city’s rich tapestry of heritage, culture, and artistic expression. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo from: Duaw Davao