Smitten: Mondate

I don’t usually wake up early on a vacation. It’s that time to be lazy and tuck deeper into bed, until you are called for lunch. This day was an exception…meeting my girlfriends for a breakfast date on a Monday morning. It’s the only time Chelin can squeeze a meet up because of work.

Hello, Dencia’s food!

Arrozcaldo and tokwa't baboy.

Dencia’s is one restaurant that survived competition with the mushrooming of inasal, buffet and Manila food markets. I grew up eating Dencia’s food, pancit canton con chopsuey as my top favorite. The place is owned by a Chinese family, who oversees the place daily. Whenever I’m in Davao, I never fail to eat here. Hinahanap-hanap ko talaga.

The Breakfast Club: Annamae, Chelin and Bret. My 17th time to wear the Traveling Dress =)

We left a little before 11am and rushed to Abreeza to check if the Valentino shades of Bret was left at Seafood Island or the cinema. Praise God for honest people, we were able to retrieve it from the guard of the cinema.

Annamae and I planned to go around People’s Park, but it opens at 1:00pm. Eventually, Bret decided to cancel his trip to a nearby town. So we have the whole day to waste! Since some friends were at work, we decided to pay them a visit. First stop: MARINA.

Hello, Gen Lee!

We demanded coffee right away (sorry, Gen). We talked and laughed, just like the good ol’ days. And Bret was marking a seaman, who was processing his application across the room.

Our parting picture.

Next stop: Ateneo de Davao University

It never changed, parking is still difficult.

Annamae and Bret wanted to request a copy of their TOR and diploma. The school registrar was our classmate, so processing wouldn’t be that difficult. Unfortunately, Jett was in a meeting, and the queue was too long because it was enrolment day, so we ended up exploring the campus instead.

How nostalgic! I haven’t set foot here for almost 10 years. So much has changed. Entering through Jacinto gate, this statue greeted us. This wasn't built yet at the time I was a student here.

There's a new building. That place used to be the school canteen and PE room.

The green patch used to be huge as it was the soccer field.

The mini-auditorium is now being converted into a chapel.


Love the stained glass.

The trees have grown taller. The gazebos are still there.

I used to read here a lot.

The law school building!

This building housed so many fond memories.

They now have elevators. Sosyal! During my time, it was just stairs. Just imagine if you're running late for class and the assigned room is at the 5th floor. Marathon talaga!

Next stop: office of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

Lawyer at work.

Dan-dan was surprised to see us. I only see him via Facebook. He is popular in the group (Singles Travelers *lol*) because of his trips both local and international. After soooo long, I got to see him physically finally.

We ripped him out of his office and invited him for a late lunch. Our unanimous choice: Luz Kinilaw.

The place never changed. It’s still mabaho and poor-looking. But mind you, the food is outstanding. It’s actually a tourist destination because they serve the best and freshest kinilaw and panga in the city.