Day Tour – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

Last thursday, a few members of Davao Bloggers’ Society were invited for food and dessert tasting at Saging Repablik , one of Davao’s newest , and possibly the most talked about restaurant these days. Saging Repablik is located along Tiongko Ave. corner V Mapa St., a few blocks from Bangko Central. It would be impossible not to notice this two storey glass box building, fully lighted at night. The bold lighting , matte black signages and polished concrete finish gave its contemporary industrial look , which reminds me so much of some restaurants I’ve visited in Singapore.

Saging Repablik opened its doors sometime around late June of this year. Barely three months old, people are still buzzing over this modern style restaurant serving specialty Asian/Filipino dishes , with a twist of Banana. Saging Repablik is uniquely Davao Born. The restaurant’s concept was derived from Banana ( Saging in Filipino ), which Davao region is also famous for producing. Aside from serving local dishes, the restaurant also promotes local banana products such as flavored cavendish chips, as well as locally made chocolate products.

As a curious person, I admit that it wasn’t my first time to dine at Saging Repablik the time our Bloggers group was invited. Ive been to this place three times already for coffee and their Banana-Walnut Torte , which is probably one of the best Torte I had. It is made up of layers of caramelized Banana, Chocolate, Walnut and Something like Sansrival , perfectly coated with chilled cream. I would say this Dessert alone, already makes Saging Repablik worthy of a visit. =)

saging13 — Saging Repablik’s Banana-Choco-Walnut Torte . priced at P 150 per slice. Its a big slice at around 7 inches tall, I would say its good for two. (Photo credits to the owner)

20140911_180628_Fotor — Flavored Cavendish Banana Chip , P 75 per serve

20140911_195629_Fotor — Turon Dip with a Twist

20140911_181109 — Freshly Pomelo Juice P 85 . My Fave

Here are other Appetizers and Main Entries I personally Liked . All dishes, are of big servings, which can be shared. And it comes with Rice =)

20140911_183952_Fotor — Camaron Rebusado Con Banana ( Deep fried Shrimp and Banana Slices ) P 160

20140911_185913_Fotor — Beer Battered Fish and Banana Chips P 185

20140911_191253_Fotor — Humbanana Cue P 195 . comes in two hefty slices of Pata meat per order !

20140911_191300_Fotor — Beef Pochero con Saba P 225 .

20140911_191307_Fotor — Sisag ( Sisig at Saging ) P 165 . Yummy !!!

20140911_191316_Fotor — Pork spare ribs in Banana BBQ Sauce . P 220 , and comes in two hefty slices of Ribs per Serving. Super Heavy .

20140911_205203 — Here’s a look at the Modern Contemporary Interiors of Saging Repablik . Mezzanine Style Layout , with glassy interiors and walls generally finished in Matte Black, red bricks and polished concrete.

20140911_210322_Fotor — These Rustic Incandescent Drop lamps gave the places its contemporary industrial feel

20140911_205145 — A view of the main dining from above

20140911_204345_Fotor — Bold Text Cut out is always a fun and interactive idea for store branding .

20140911_203127 — And they have Saging Repablik Apparel as well . =)

20140911_204315 — Some thoughts to ponder on.

My Personal Rating of this place

Price Range : Mid priced. Main Dishes at 160 – 220 , and can practically be shared by a couple.

Main Dish Taste Rate : 7/10 . Main dishes were good. Personal Pick — Humbanana Cue and Sisag

Dessert and Beverage Taste Rate : 10/10 . Banana Walnut Torte and Large Mocha Caramel Coffee is a pair to die for.

Place : 10/10 (if i rate it solely for Davao Market) Place is super Stylish, you would wanna take some selfies in it.

Service : 8/10 ( Nice staff. Gatchi , the owner is nice =)

Serves 7AM Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner til 1 AM =)

Restaurant details:

Saging Repablik

Tionko Ave. Corner V. Mapa Street

Contact number: (082) 285 9648

Email address: sagingrepablik@gmail.com

My Visit to Angkor Wat Complex has somewhat put to reality the days when we used to research and detail this temple for our History of Architecture Subject. More than Just a sacred Religious Site for Buddhist , Angkor Wat is a showcase of early mankind’s craftsmanship and ingenuity, making it one of Man’s greatest Architectural Masterpieces . On my first morning in Siem Reap, I rented a tuktuk for $ 19 USD that i could catch the temple as the sun rises behind its towers and perfect symmetry. At 4:30 am , Indeed, it was amazing!

Angkor Complex is around 20 minutes ride from the city. It would have been cheaper if I knew how to ride a bike since they can be rented for only 3 USD. Entrance fee to the complex is 20 USD. You get an ID Pass with your picture in it.

I did not book a guide to talk me though the temples but I made brief researches on its history, and also the maps and brochures I got from Angkor Museum were helpful.

SAM_0878 — My 19 USD tuktuk ride , good for 4. Picks you up at 4:30 am .
Any hotel can help you get one.

The Angkor Wat Main Building ,

The biggest and most well preserved. While generally considered a temple for worship, some expert say this was built as a tomb , because of its west orientation.

I was the first one to get inside the Complex, and It was very difficult to do a selfie without a tripod. haha

Carved Frescos depicting the life and struggles of the Khmer Kings during the early days

A pact of tourists , taken from inside Angkor Wat, since I was the first to go in, while they are still busy taking sunrise pictures. — Pact of tourists , taken from inside Angkor Wat, since I was the first to go in, while they are still busy taking sunrise pictures.

SAM_0758 — Angkor at around 6:30 am, moments after sunrise.

The Bayon in Angkor Thom,

one of the most widely recognised temple in Siem Reap because of the giant stone faces that adorn the towers. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom.

The Ta Prohm

Strangely beautiful as it has been taken over by the jungle , and minimal restoration has been done to maintain its atmosphere of of trees growing out of the ruins. This is the most dramatic of all Khmer Temples .

SAM_0842 — Cambodian Artists selling his sketches inside the temple

After I visited the lesser temples , I asked my tuktuk driver to take me back to the main Angkor Wat to see the sunset. But it was obvious that a storm was brewing, so we decided to head back to the City.

It was a tiring day of walking and climbing, but Ill definitely visit this place again to take an Angkor Sunset Selfie =)