22 July 2014 – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao Region and the City Government of Davao, and Marco Polo Hotel in Davao held the “Davao Food and Cultural Festival” at the Conrad Centennial Singapore on July 15 to 20. The festival was to promote tourism to Davao by showcasing its cuisine and dance forms.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales attended the festival's opening reception on July 15 along with Filipino community members and Singapore business persons. The Ambassador promoted Davao as an attractive destination for tourism, investment and business.

DOT Assistant Secretary Art P. Boncato, Jr.'s remarks at the reception highlighted Davao's eco-tourism destinations, which included Mount Apo, Montfort Bat Sanctuary, and Mount Hamiguitan, which was recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Davao City Government delegation included the Kalumon Performing Ensemble which rendered ethnic chants, songs, and dance.

The reception launched a six-day Food Festival comprising the cuisine of the ten tribes of Davao. The culinary menu was conceptualized and executed by Marco Polo Executive Chef, Eduardo Tuazon.

The DOT led a business delegation which held a presentation to the Singapore business community promoting Davao as an investment and business location on July 18 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore. END