Sun.Star Davao
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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READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Torotots are a common scene nowadays, as Christmas eve is fast approaching. Here, a vendor along the sidewalk of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City sells torotot, widely used as a safer alternative since firecrackers are banned in the city.
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1ST DAY OF MISA DE GALLO.
Mass-goers exit the San Pedro Cathedral, in San Pedro Street, Davao City, after attending the first mass for the first day of Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, illuminated by the fully-lighted belfry of the only cathedral in the city, marking the start of...
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HOLIDAY RUSH.
Passengers scramble to board a public utility jeepney (PUJ) along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Saturday evening, December 13, 2025, as heavy holiday traffic causes commuting difficulties. Despite the availability of buses— including the...
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ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Workers watch as a disassembled part of a crane is being lowered to the ground at a construction site on Pichon (formerly Magallanes) St, Davao City. According to a 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority report, Davao City holds the fastest growing...
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PASKONG DABAWENYO.
A staff of Barangay 39-D in Davao City double-checks their facade Christmas decorations minutes after the switching on of lights. Recently, the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) revealed that despite the budget adjustments for this year’s...
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HOLIDAY FOOD TRIP.
Tagumenyos and tourists enjoy their food trip at Tagum City’s Food Avenida, adding festive cheer to the season as it opens daily from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. until December 30. Located at the Tagum City Hall along JV Ayala Avenida in Barangay Apokon, the...
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PASKOHAN SA KAPITOLYO, PASKOHAN SA DAVAO DE ORO.
The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro lit its first-ever giant Christmas tree with a festive burst of fireworks, much to the delight of the crowd. The event illuminated the province in vibrant colors and lights—an early Christmas gift especially...
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PASKO MAGIC HITS THE STREETS.
A traditional Filipino home float, decorated with festive Christmas ornaments, illuminates Roxas Avenue on Sunday evening, December 7, 2025, during the Banda Dasig and Parada sa Pasko. The vibrant display was part of Davao City’s Pasko Fiesta sa Davao...
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SOX ZINE FEST 2025
LOCAL literature in Soccsksargen remains young. While writers from Region 12 have seen their work published, awarded, and even taught in schools, formal literary circles and organized gatherings are only beginning to take root. One proof of that...
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INAUGURAL TRIP.
Residents from Toril, Davao City boarded the DC Buses for their inaugural trip on Friday, December 5, 2025, marking the start of operations for several new routes, including R102 (Toril-GE Torres), R103 (Toril-Roxas), R402 (Mintal-GE Torres), R403...
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OFFICIAL INSPECTION.
The P3.126-billion Bucana bridge, which is part of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road project initiated by the former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, was officially inspected on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The 480-meter bridge, funded by...
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HANDS THAT SHAPE THE SEASON.
Along Tionko Avenue in Davao City, a man carefully and patiently works on a handcrafted parol, his hands moving with practiced precision. Each fold of bamboo and stroke of color reflects years of dedication to a cherished Filipino Christmas tradition....
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A MOTHER’S PLEA.
A woman carrying her baby sits along the sidewalk of Juan Luna Street in Davao City as she reaches out to students and other passersby for assistance. Authorities continue to remind the public about the restrictions on giving alms under the...
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A NEW RIVAL TO SMX
DAVAO City’s rapidly expanding economy is drawing in yet another major investment, this time a P500 million convention center set to rise in Maa. To be developed by a Davaobased company, the project is expected to match or even surpass the scale of...
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UNDERSTANDING BIODEGRADABLE WASTE
SWILL, the most common byproduct of food waste, has long been used as a primary or supplementary feed for hogs, particularly in backyard hog farming. While this practice was once seen as economical and productive, swill is not an ideal feed for hogs —...
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Baste warns drug pushers: You will pay in due time
ACTING Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte delivered a stern warning to drug pushers operating in the city, particularly those endangering children and young people, during the opening of Pasko Fiesta 2025, Thursday afternoon, November 27, at...
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‘BELOVED KAP’ SHOT DEAD
THE Digos City barangay captain who was shot dead on Tuesday evening, November 25, while doing a Facebook Live, had repeatedly said he was receiving death threats, warnings he shared as he took strong political positions online in support of Davao del...
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TIMELESS CHRISTMAS AT DGT.
Davao Global Township (DGT) lit up its 50-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with colorful decorations and gifts, ushering in the Christmas season with the theme “Timeless Christmas at DGT” on Sunday, November 23, 2025. During the program, DGT pledged...
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BUCANA BRIDGE OPENS IN DEC
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the Bucana Bridge, also known as the Davao River Bridge and part of the Davao Coastal Road project, is 99.2 percent complete and on track to open by December 2025. DPWH Senior Undersecretary for...
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TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN PH NOW LIT.
Tagum City officially lit its 231-foot-tall giant holiday tree on November 21, 2024, at the City Hall Square. This year’s theme is a carnival, featuring decorations such as hot air balloons, a Ferris wheel, and carousels. Tagum City’s Christmas tree...
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PHOTO BY RALPH LLEMIT
At the meat section of the Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City, a cheerful vendor wipes his stall clean, his smile masking the long hours and daily struggles behind his work. Each vendor’s story is one of perseverance — a quiet testament to the...
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MISSING IMAGE.
The image of Sebastian “Baste” Duterte with the placard as vice mayor is hung along the second floor of the Sanguniang Panlungsod, where the images of the incumbent councilors in the city are shown, while the area for the mayor remains vacant, on...
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START ‘EM YOUNG.
A young lady smiles as she tends to a customer at their family’s lively street ukay-ukay near Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. Many families in the area rely on small street businesses like this to earn a living, teaching their children the...
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JOYFUL HOLIDAYS IN THE CITY.
SM Lanang in Davao City welcomed the holidays in grand style as it lit up its 55-foot Christmas tree with more than 2,000 ornaments and illuminations haloed by 13 cascading evergreens on Saturday, November 8, 2025. This year’s theme, “Unwrap a Joyful...
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RESTING BUT NEVER STOPPING.
After hours of assisting pedestrians, especially senior citizens and pregnant women, under the sweltering heat, personnel from the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) take a brief moment to rest at a nearby outpost in Quezon...
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HOLIDAYS IN THE CITY.
SM City Davao is lit up for the season as it kicks off its “Holidays in the City” celebration on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2025, featuring grand 30-foot Christmas trees, dazzling lights, and festive decorations that highlight family and togetherness.
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BIOSECURITY BOOSTED
THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has implemented a heightened biosecurity alert following a confirmed case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, which poses a significant risk to the Philippine eagles housed at the Philippine Eagle...
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UNDERSTANDING BIODEGRADABLE WASTE
I(Part 1) T IS A COMMON thought that food scraps, considered biodegradable waste, are acceptable to be thrown anywhere, as these are “biodegradable” anyway, meaning they will decompose eventually. During a random interview with passersby who were...
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GOING HOME FOR UNDAS.
A steady flow of passengers was observed at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal in Candelaria Street (more commonly known as Ecoland) on October 31, 2025, a holiday declared by the Malacañang Palace, through Proclamation No. 727, to provide...
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MORE AREAS UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY
THE province of Davao de Oro and the city of Tagum have been placed under a state of calamity after sustaining extensive damage from the twin earthquakes that rocked Davao Oriental and neighboring areas earlier this month. The magnitude 7.4 and 6.8...
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STREET SURVIVAL.
An elderly man pushes his cart along Quirino Avenue in Davao City amid stopped vehicles, venturing onto the roadway in violation of traffic and pedestrian safety laws—highlighting not only the dangers and lack of enforcement on the city’s busy streets...
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GENEROSITY CONTINUES
THE 21st Davao City Council has approved P2.7 million in cash assistance for the Province of Davao Oriental, which was heavily affected by the powerful doublet earthquake that struck on October 10, 2025. The ordinance, proposed by Councilor Danilo...
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