A Scoop of Durian Ice Cream started it all!

Davao City– I am once again in one of my favorite cities in the Philippines. The land of DURIAN ICE CREAM…

I've been frequenting the place since the early 90s. In fact, during the time of President Ramos, I was here almost six times a year or more (I remember our provincial trips all over Mindanao then was almost monthly because he wanted to promote the region as an investment area. In fact, it was during his tenure were the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area was created).

I was asked once what place in the Philippines I am willing to relocate or work and i said i wouldn't mind to be assigned in Baguio and Davao. I don't know but I have this special affection for this place. Not all the places i've been to in the Philippines have elicited this kind of affinity and level of comfort. (I've been to Batanes up north down to Tawi-Tawi down south and this is one thing I am grateful to FVR because as his close-in reporter then, I got to visit far-flung places in the country during his six-year term.)

Unfortunately, when I moved to the corporate world in 2001, my travels to this place have lessened. Therefore, each visit to this city is something that i look forward to. I am here for the Philippine Art Awards-Mindanao awarding ceremonies later and despite the huge tasks that we do here to ensure the event's success this afternoon, it seems it isn't work at all. I am having FUN here!

It's always nice to see old friends from way, way back. Though we seldom see each other, somehow the bond that was strengthened by time is as strong as ever,and getting stronger   in fact after my every visit. Last night, I was with Philippine Star Mindanao bureau chief Edith Regalado. This lady is such a charm. I call her "Princess of Davao." Through her, I got acquainted with members of the Davao-based media and one of them is Dennis Jay Santos of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, who was also with us last night.

It felt good to see the two of them. It feels even better to look back and reminisce of how one beautiful friendship blossomed through the years. We were so engaged with out chit-chat that lasted til 1.30 am today (Bitin!).

Dennis asked how Edith and I became friends and we both exclaimed (ala duet) "Durian Ice Cream!" and we laughed. Yes, a scoop of Durian ice cream started our 15-year friendship. I vividly recall, I was busy faxing a story to Manila back in 1992 at the old PIA office and I was so harassed when suddenly a jolly lady approached me with a broad smile holding a scoop of ice cream in a cone and said "o, mag-ice cream ka muna. durian yan, especialty ng davao."

I never ate durian fruit in my whole life  (until now) and i don't like its smell but instead of saying no to her, i gladly accepted the ice cream and i never had any regrets. From then on, it became one of my favorite flavors. I never miss eating durian ice cream whenever i go to Davao. In fact, I just had one a while ago hehe.

So when I'm back in Manila and think of Durian ice cream, i will not only relive the experience of savoring its exotic taste (Sadly, durian ice cream is not available in Manila), i will remember a great friendship. Nestle Durian ice cream started it all….