Davao Historical Society, Inc

08/04/2026

A nation's strength is found in the memory of its bravest souls. Today, the Davao Historical Society joins the nation as we pause to give thanks.

27/03/2026

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Patricia Irene Dakudao for winning the inaugural 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 for her publication "Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898–1941"!

The Ateneo University Press congratulates Dr. Patricia Irene N. Dacudao for winning the inaugural 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 for Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898–1941.

Launched just this year by the Philippine Studies Group of the Association for Asian Studies, the Archipelago Prize will be awarded biannually to an outstanding early-to-mid-career scholar from any discipline for a first book on the Philippines. It will be awarded to books that "meaningfully advance the field through fresh insights, critical interventions, or innovative pedagogies."

In this, its inaugural year, it has been awarded to Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898–1941 with the following citation: "In this pathbreaking book, Dacudao shows how the explosive growth of abaca production under US rule made Davao a “multinational mosaic” and “roped” the Philippines into transnational networks. This is both a compelling effort to provincialize twentieth-century political history and a vibrant social history that entangles ethnically diverse Filipino settlers, American colonials, Japanese laborers, Chinese merchants, Spanish missionaries, Bagobo traders, and other actors. Weaving her meticulous research into elegant prose, Dacudao models an approach to Philippine history that is global in its implications yet deeply grounded in place."

Congratulations Dr. Pat! 🎉

27/03/2026

BUILDING A LEGACY, ONE STORY AT A TIME

A huge "daghang salamat" to everyone who joined us in person at Poblacion Market Central yesterday and to those who tuned in through their laptops and mobile phones for the Davao Historical Society’s Throwback Thursday.

In celebration of Women’s Month, our theme "Women Building Davao’s Economy" brought together three visionary Dabawenyas who are redefining the landscape of our city through sustainability, culture, and innovation.

✴️ Jolla Soriaga (VP & GM, Alsons Dev): Shared invaluable insights into large-scale development and the strategic growth of our local economy.

✴️ Arch. Gloryrose Dy Metilla (Founder, Swito Designs Inc.): Inspired us with her commitment to culturally sensitive design that remains deeply rooted in the community.

✴️ Arch. Angelica Jem Testado V***a (Founder, AWSM Architectural Design Studio): Showed us the future of eco-conscious building through her expertise in sustainable bamboo architecture.

A very special acknowledgment goes to Poblacion Market Central and their wonderful team for providing the perfect venue, technical support, and the sumptuous snacks that kept our conversations flowing.

Missed the live stream? You can still catch the replay on the official Mindanao Times page.

See you on our next Throwback Thursday!

26/03/2026

And we're live! 🎥

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18oFfz58FN/

23/03/2026

Behind the bustling developments in Davao and Mindanao lie the stories of visionary women who dared to build, lead, and innovate.

​This Thursday, the Davao Historical Society invites you to a special storytelling session honoring two of the feminine forces behind our city’s economic rise. From pioneering entrepreneurship to culturally rooted landscapes, we’re diving deep into the legacies that shaped the Davao we love today.

​Join us for a conversation with the esteemed Rosvida "Rosie" Alcantara Dominguez, a titan of Mindanawon business, and Architect Gloryrose Dy Metilla, a fierce advocate for sustainable, authentically Mindanaoan design.

​Let’s gather to honor their grit, their brilliance, and their unwavering contributions to our thriving economy. See you there!

12/03/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟴𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆! 🏛️✨

As part of this year’s Salida Dabawenyo, we invite everyone to a special public screening of "𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗔𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝘀𝗶." Witness the stories held within the walls of our iconic City Hall and honor the heritage that shaped our home.

🎥 Screening Schedule:
Dates: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟳–𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Time Slots: 𝟭:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 & 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
Venue: 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼
Location: 𝗧𝗲𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝘁., 𝗣𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆

Admission is free! Bring your friends and family to commemorate our city's milestone through film. See you there, Dabawenyos!

01/03/2026

Davao City Hall turns 100 ....

01/03/2026

By virtue of Commonwealth Act 51, the late former President Manuel L. Quezon signed House Bill No. 609 (authored by then Davao assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo) on October 16, 1936, creating Davao City as a chartered city.

On March 1, 1937, Quezon declared the day as the inauguration of Davao City, and declaring it a special public holiday for then undivided Province of Davao.

​Today we celebrate its decades of resilience, culture, and progress. Happy 89th ARAW NG DABAW!

25/02/2026

Day Two..

24/02/2026

Davao City, One Story....

12/02/2026

What an incredible way to kick off our first Throwback Thursday of the year! We are truly grateful after seeing so many members and guests gathered at the Star Hotel today to honor the deep, enduring roots of Davao’s Filipino-Chinese heritage. There is something truly special about sharing these stories- it reminds us why preserving our local history is so vital to understanding the city we call home.

​Today we also made another DHS history as we launched the premier episode of Davao History TV, streamed live via the Mindanao Times page.

​We want to extend a huge thank you to our brilliant resource persons, Davao historians Macario Tiu and Antonio Figueroa, along with our very own Edgar Te, for a truly engaging discussion. Huge thanks as well to our DHS secretary, Patmei Ruivivar, for moderating the session so effortlessly.

Our heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao for her inspiring message.

We are also deeply grateful to Mr. Nelson Chua for graciously hosting us at the Star Hotel, and to Edgar for his generosity in sponsoring our snacks.

​If you weren't able to make it, we would love to see you at the next one! Whether you are a long-time history enthusiast or just curious about the stories that shaped Davao, do join us for our next Throwback Thursday.

Let’s keep these conversations going together 🫰