The Davao Cultural Festival was opened on September 9, 2013 with the Marco Polo Parkside General Manager Stanley Lau, DOT Chief Tourism Operations Officer Eden David, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing Candice Iyog and Celebrity Chef Gene Gonzales leading the guests to a toast.

 

Philippine Ambassador to China was represented by Minister and Consul Donna Rodriguez. With her are the officials from the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Department of Tourism -Beijing office represented by Mr. Warren Palacio.

 

The opening night was graced by the media, officials of Marco Polo, Cebu Pacific officials  and corporate guests of the said hotel.

 

Entertainment was provided by the Kalumon Performing Ensemble who will perform daily every lunch and dinner at the Café Marco at Marco Polo Parkside Hotel until September 27, 2013.

 

The more than one hundred hotel guests that night from the invited partners to the regular diners, tasted Davao cuisine prepared by team of the celebrity Chefs Gene and Gino Gonzalez.

 

Kinilaw ( tuna with vinegar) and  Pomelo Salad were the appetizers and followed by the Davao Malagos cheese as sidings to the dried shrimp. Lechon manok (roasted chicken) and grilled tuna panga ( tuna jaw)   were some of the main dishes at the Filipino buffet spread.

 

The Davao Cultural Festival is a joint project of the Department of Tourism with partners Marco Polo Parkside and Cebu Pacific. It is part of the DOT program on growing the Chinese awareness on Davao especially in Beijing and encourage them to visit Samal and Davao cities.

 

Cebu Pacific thanks DOT and Marco Polo for the partnership which is the second time for the Davao Beijing promotions. "Thank you for making Cebu Pacific part of this event. We hope you enjoy the Davao Cuisine.