Sun.Star Davao
DELIVERED AFTER 3 YEARS
BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno announced that the BOC-Port of Davao has completed the delivery of all 732 balikbayan boxes abandoned at the port by unscrupulous freight forwarders, marking full completion of all boxes under...
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ONGOING DEMOLITION.
Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao City Engineering Office continue to conduct the partial demolition of a dilapidated pedestrian overpass, located in front of the former NCCC Mall VP along JP Laurel Avenue, Davao...
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PRESERVE WAR VETS’ LEGACY
ONLY three World War II veterans remain in Davao City, officials said Monday, underscoring the urgency of preserving their legacy as the country marks Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, 2026. Remedios Josol, regional head of the Philippine Veterans...
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CANCER STRONG, FAITH STRONGER
“GUSTO ko na mag-give up pero parang yung heart ko hindi gusto mag-give up, so that’s why nag-pray na naman ako, and yung nag-relapse na naman ako sa last protocol, yung New York, down ako pero I felt peace because nagta-trust ako kay Papa Jesus ([On...
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FLOOD CONTROL PRIORITY
AROUND 76 percent of Dabawenyos believe the government should prioritize flood control issues over other social concerns, according to an online survey by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO). Of the 1,200 respondents, 914...
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COASTAL CALM AT SUNDOWN.
Golden light spills across the horizon as the sun sets over the Davao Gulf, casting silhouettes along the rocky edge of the Davao City Coastal Road. The 17.8-kilometer highway serves as a key traffic bypass and a public promenade, where esplanades and...
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PALM SUNDAY.
Massgoers at Our Lady of Fatima Parish along Aurora and Fatima streets in Davao City gather at the church entrance and raise palm fronds for blessing on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026. The observance commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and...
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HEAT, HOPE, AND PRIDE
DESPITE the intense heat, many Dabawenyos still gathered to watch the Parada Dabawenyo on March 28, 2026. More than 407 contingents and 50 marching bands, comprising about 35,000 participants, took part in the event, including representatives from...
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DAVNOR EYES MALAYSIA FUEL
DRIVERS SEEK FUEL RELIEF. Jeepney drivers from Matina Pangi stage a rally at Matina Crossing in Davao City on Friday, March 27, 2026, calling for a rollback in fuel prices and the removal of value-added tax as diesel exceeds 100 per liter and gasoline...
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PUMP LINES.
Motorists queue at a gasoline station along Palma Gil Street in Obrero, Davao City, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, taking advantage of a fuel price rollback of P5 to P8 per liter. The station, bearing the tagline “Bayan ko, Mahal ko,” draws a steady...
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JOURNEY TO GOOD SLEEP
THE Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), is intensifying efforts to promote sleep health among Dabawenyos through its 19th Annual Convention and Regional Caravan, themed “Journey to Good...
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BREAKING THE CALM SEA AT DAWN.
Athletes cut through the waters off the Davao City Coastal Road at daybreak as the Ironman 70.3 Davao unfolds on Sunday, March 22, 2026. From the Sunrise Sprint to Filipino elite contenders, age-group racers, and relay teams, the race captures powerful...
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PRAYERS BEFORE EID.
Muslim faithful gather for afternoon prayers on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Davao City Islamic Center along Quezon Boulevard, as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close. The observance was extended until Saturday, March 21, after no moon was...
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NORMAL DAY.
A public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver calls a student passenger along MacArthur Highway near the University of Mindanao–Matina Campus in Davao City on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Traffic remained normal across the city despite a nationwide transport...
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RIDING OUT THE FUEL HIKE.
A father and son share a bicycle as they pass San Pedro Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2026, in downtown Davao City. Many residents turned to bicycles and other alternative transport amid rising fuel prices, with gasoline up P12.90–P16.60...
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SUNOG SA AGDAO.
A young resident helps put out the fire that broke out in Brgy. Tomas Monteverde, Davao City, on Monday afternoon, March 16, 2026. The fire crew also helped in preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby homes by spraying water onto adjacent...
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NOT-SO-DURIAN SEASON.
A durian vendor arranges her durian at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. Vendors had reported fluctuating prices for the city’s famous “King of Fruits” as supply remains limited in the celebration of the month-long Araw ng Dabaw. Common varieties...
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UNDERSTANDING VP ROLE
VICE President Sara Duterte graced the Office of the Vice President (OVP)’s 90th anniversary pop-up exhibit and led the launch and signing of the book First in Line: Vice Presidents of the Philippines on March 14, 2026, in Davao City. The...
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LIBRENG SAKAY.
Dabawenyo commuters line up to board a DC Bus along C.M. Recto Street in Davao City on Thursday evening, March 12, 2026. Amid the continued rise in fuel prices, more residents are opting to take public transportation instead of using their private...
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LIGHT SHOW HONORING DUTERTE.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who previously served as Davao City Mayor for more than two decades, was featured during the lighting show at Davao City Hall on March 11, 2026, a year after he was arrested and brought to the International Criminal...
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‘NOT JUST A DATE’
DAVAO City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte described March 11 as a somber milestone, recalling the day his father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was taken to The Hague — a moment he called deeply painful for both the family...
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ONGOING RENOVATION.
Exterior renovations are currently ongoing at San Pedro Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Davao City. A fundraising campaign called “Gasa Ko, Halad Ko” is also ongoing, where donations can be placed in glass boxes near the church entrance or at...
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BRACING FOR FUEL SHOCK
ADVANCE REFUELING. A rider refueled his motorcycle at a gasoline station along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City on Sunday morning, March 8, 2026. Motorists in Davao City continue to feel the impact of recent fuel price increases as they brace for the...
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CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN SAMAL
WASTE generation has become a major global problem, with the United Nations projecting that solid waste generation will rise to 3.8 billion tons by 2050. With increasing tourist arrivals and a growing population, the Island Garden City of Samal...
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TOURISM REMAINS OPTIMISTIC
Although tourism is within our control, the situation requires coordination with the national government and other agencies to ensure safety and smooth travel for visitors. WILLENITO P. TORMIS JR. Davao City Tourism Operations Office OIC
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BHAUS ON FIRE.
Fire personnel respond to a boarding house on fire along Artiaga Street, corner Bonifacio Street, Davao City, on Wednesday morning, March 4, 2026. Authorities said the Bureau of Fire Protection received the alarm at 11:04 a.m. The blaze was placed...
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YOUNG AND ALERT.
Two children are crawling near to a fire exit simulation at a fire escape maze booth during the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) “Fire Square” on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at SM City Davao Annex. The event, in line with the Fire Prevention Month, aimed...
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LIGHTSHOW.
The City Lighting Ceremony illuminated Davao City Hall on Saturday evening, marking the formal opening of the 89th Araw ng Dabaw celebration. City officials, employees, and guests gathered at the City Hall grounds to witness the ceremonial switch-on,...
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Uy tells Davao Light: Also act with urgency in Talikud
DAVAO del Norte First District Board Member Al David Uy has called for immediate action to address the long-standing electricity crisis in Talikud Island, urging Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) to also prioritize reliable service to the...
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LAST MORNING AT HOME
RESIDENTS of Arroyo Compound in Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City, had already begun self-demolishing their homes before the demolition team arrived on Friday morning, February 27, 2026. Some were seen carrying their clothes, cabinets, and pieces...
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PAY HIKE STARTS MARCH 13
WHITED. Repainting of the Davao City Hall façade is now underway, restoring its original white finish in keeping with its neoclassical architectural design first introduced in 1926. The transformation is part of the city government’s preparations for...
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‘MAKE CORRUPTION SHAMEFUL AGAIN’.
Dabawenyo Catholic faithfuls participated in the candle-lighting ceremony outside the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026. Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles leads the candle-lighting and prayer rally following the...
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DAVRAA 2026 OPENING.
Athletes from Davao City, known as Davao Durians, march proudly to the opening of the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) 2026 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex on Sunday, February 22, 2026. A total of 11 delegations carried the...
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DANCING IN THE DEEP
OUT in the warm turquoise waters around Island Garden City of Samal, just a quick boat ride from Davao City, something really special is happening underwater. A group of certified freedivers is taking the quiet, focused world of breath-hold diving and...
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7 DEAD IN DAVAO LANDSLIDES
AT LEAST seven people died in landslides as heavy rain from a shear line pummeled Davao Region on Friday, February 20, 2026, forcing widespread class suspensions, evacuations, and emergency responses, disaster officials said. The Office of Civil...
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WHERE HOMES ONCE STOOD.
Children linger over the charred remains of houses destroyed by a fire that struck along Trading Boulevard, Barangay 37-D, Davao City on Wednesday evening, February 18, 2026. Despite the devastation, some of the young evacuees are seen playing in the...
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ASH WEDNESDAY.
Catholic faithfuls fill San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on February 18, 2026, as Catholics observe Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christian calendar. Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles presides over the Mass, during...
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FOR GOOD LUCK.
A man could not contain his curiosity and touched the “dragon” during Davao City’s Chinese New Year celebration at the Bucana Bridge in the evening of February 16, 2026. The 1.34-kilometer bridge was illuminated with bright lights, cultural...
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CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE HORSE.
Visitors took photos in front of a Lunar New Year display at Davao City Hall. The city transformed the area with red lanterns and zodiac-themed installations to mark the start of the new year. Meanwhile, the city celebrated the Chinese New Year event...
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FROM GOVGEN TO GLOBAL MARKETS
A Japanese-led shrimp venture in Governor Generoso (GovGen), Davao Oriental, could boost vannamei shrimp (whiteleg shrimp) production in the Davao Region using nanobubble technology. In an exclusive interview with Sunstar Davao on February 7, 2026,...
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HEARTS AND BLOOMS.
A man checks the flowers sold in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on Friday, February 13, 2026. Dabawenyos visited streets and stalls to purchase flowers and gifts ahead of Valentine’s Day. Vendors offered a range of fresh flowers and...
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SACRED VISIT.
With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, Filipino-Chinese devotees offer prayers at the Long Hua Temple in Davao City on Thursday morning, February 12, 2026, seeking blessings of prosperity, good health, and harmony for the year ahead. Located along...
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PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID.
A child displaced by the Sitio Malamboon fire draws a house during a Psychological First Aid session Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Barangay 76-A, Davao City. The City Social Welfare and Development Office, with the San Pablo Quick Response Team, provided...
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DIAMONDS, DONE DIFFERENTLY
IN ONE of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history, Marilyn Monroe once said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. This way of thinking changes once one learns that mining these precious jewels involves extractive practices that cause land...
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RUSH FOR LAST TRIPS.
Commuters clutching different sizes of bags hurry across Sasa Wharf in Davao City on Thursday, February 5, scrambling to catch the final trips to Island Garden City of Samal and Talicud Islands before the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel due...
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WATERWAY SAFETY.
Balancing fares and footing, a young collector boards small boats along the Sandawa River in Davao City. The image comes amid a proposal at the City Council to require boat operators to secure clearances from the Maritime Industry Authority and the...
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WHEEL CLAMPING MOVES
A TOTAl of 60 personnel from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will undergo training for the implementation of wheel clamping under the newly amended Davao City Traffic Code. Lawyer Eduardo Perez IV, officer-in-charge of CTTMO,...
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CHOCOLATES MELTING AWAY
DAVAO’S chocolates are more than just a regional pride, they are a source of national honor. Yet behind the world-renowned flavor of Davao chocolate lies a cacao industry facing mounting challenges. Climate change, pests, and declining farm resources...
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‘LITTLE ACHIEVER’.
Some children with autism, along with their parents and guardians participated in the parade of the 30th National Autism Consciousness Week at People’s Park, organized by the City Government of Davao on Friday, January 30, 2026. The event was led by...
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MIDDAY BREAK.
A father and his son pause over street food along Tahimik Drive in Matina Crossing, Davao City, taking a short rest from the demands of work and daily life that continue just beyond the curb.
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MARITIME INCIDENTS EXPLAINED
LESSONS AFTER THE BELL. After school, a young boy helps his father sell apples along Juan Luna Street in Davao City — learning responsibility, sacrifice, and love, one fruit at a time. He balances a box on his head, passing it to his father, carrying...
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BEGINNING OF THE PAWIKAN’S JOURNEY.
Children took part in the release of 169 hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings from two nests, safely guiding them to the sea and underscoring the need to protect pawikan. The activity highlighted the importance of preserving nesting areas and caring for...
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‘NOT LOSING HOPE’
ON THE eighth day of search and rescue (SAR) operations, the Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) on Monday, January 26, 2026, has shifted its focus between Sector 4 and the adjacent upper portion of Sector 3, following...
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HONORING SAF44’S SACRIFICE.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) paid tribute to the fallen SAF 44 on Sunday, January 25, 2026, commemorating the anniversary of their deaths on January 25, 2015, during a mission to neutralize an international terrorist. The Mamasapano clash in...
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CARRYING TATAY DIGONG’S LEGACY
ACTING NO MORE. Sebastian Z. Duterte and Rodrigo S. Duterte II formally assumed office as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City, respectively, after taking their oaths on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Davao City Hall. The oath-taking was administered by...
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AMEJARA INCIDENT FALLOUT
THE Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) is set to relieve the commander of the Coast Guard Sta. Ana Substation along with its seven personnel. Macy Gabion, acting deputy commander of CGDSEM, said this directive came from the...
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SEARCH WIDENS FOR AMEJARA
THE Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) is investigating the unauthorized departure of the motorbanca MBCA Amejara, which capsized in rough seas off Sarangani, leaving only one of 13 confirmed passengers rescued while 12...
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PROTECTION FOR KIDS.
The Department of Health–Davao Region (DOH-Davao) officially rolled out the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity on Monday morning, January 19, 2026, at SM Lanang Premier. The ceremonial launch in Davao City featured the first symbolic...
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VIVA, HOLY INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE!
Devotees gathered at Shrine Hills, Davao City to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague on Thursday, January 15, 2026, filling the shrine with prayers and faith as they honored the beloved Child Jesus.
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SUNDAY MORNINGS AT THE COASTAL ROAD.
Health enthusiasts make the most of the “Car-Free Sunday” initiative at the Davao City Coastal Road on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Every Sunday, the stretch from Crossing Bago Aplaya to Crossing Tulip Drive is closed to motorists from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. to...
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BEYOND THROWAWAY CULTURE
A DAVAO City-based environmental group is pushing for a circular economy to lessen waste generation and encourages Dabawenyos to adopt it to ensure the city’s sanitary landfill remains sustainable. Lemuel Manalo, program coordinator of Interfacing...
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TRASLACION.
A member of the Hijos del Nazareno or “Sons of the Nazarene” is seen throwing back a towel during the Traslacion on Friday afternoon, January 9, 2026, along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City. Devotees throw towels toward the image of the Black Nazarene...
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BUSINESS PERMIT RENEWAL.
Business owners flock to the City Government of Davao’s Business Bureau on Monday afternoon, January 5, 2026 as the city officially kicks off business permit renewal for the new year. The renewal period will run until January 31.
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FREE DATA FOR LEARNERS
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology–Davao Region (DICT-Davao) will give free SIM cards with mobile data to students in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) as part of the pilot Bayanihan SIM Project. Engr....
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LOCAL TALENT, GLOBAL STAGE
DAVAO once again proves itself a cradle of talent and innovation as its top universities showcase their ingenuity on international platforms. Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and the University of Mindanao (UM) recently garnered multiple awards,...
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FIRST MAJOR FIRE OF 2026.
Firefighters respond to a blaze at Gaisano Grand Citygate in Buhangin, Davao City, on Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026. The fire was raised to the third alarm at 4:25 p.m. As of press time, firefighters continue to battle the blaze amid moderate rain.
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IN-DEMAND ROUND FRUITS,
Despite the scorching sun, a bustling scene unfolds at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City as Dabawenyos rush to buy last-minute ingredients and round fruits for their festive Media Noche on New Year’s eve, December 31, 2025. The 12 types of round...
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LAST GLIMPSE.
The first mall in Davao City, Victoria Plaza, will permanently close today, December 31, 2026, after its recent acquisition by a new owner, paving the way for another development project. Opened on March 16, 1993, in time for that year’s Araw ng Dabaw...
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SEASON OF SERVICE
CHRISTMAS in the Davao Region is more than lights, carols, and festive décor. Across its provinces and cities, the season became a time of service — marked by generosity, community care, and programs that brought the true meaning of Pasko closer to the...
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PEACEFUL PASKO PAHALIPAY
THIS year’s Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal, a long-running Christmas tradition of the Duterte family, pushed through peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, even as former President Rodrigo R. Duterte remained in The Hague, Netherlands to face trial. This...
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HOLIDAY LOVE ON THE GO.
Fresh from their day shift, a couple pauses at a Christmas display along R. Castillo Street in Agdao, Davao City, capturing a sweet moment and sharing holiday cheer.
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FLAGS OF HOPE.
Magbok Fil-Chinese Friendship School students wave small Philippine and Chinese flags while holding snack and gift bags from the Association of Davao Fil-Chinese Communities and the Chinese Consulate General in Davao during the school’s formal turnover...
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QUESTIONS OVER SEGMENT B
A DAVAO City councilor expressed shock at the seemingly forced opening of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Segment B (Tulip to Roxas) to motorists and drivers. Councilor Jopet Baluran, who chairs the committee on transportation, said that to verify...
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