Home is Where the Heart Is

When people ask me of my descent, I always answer with pride that I am from the best place in the entire Philippine archipelago – Davao City. Then I would give a litany of my self-compiled reasons why my claim to such fame for the city that has become my home and could give the Department of Tourism people a run for their money. But I am not a true-blue Dabawenya. Unlike others who can trace their roots to one place, my family are just migrants to this great city. I was born in Zamboanga City but my father’s work as a banker took us to Durian-burg in 1985. And I was not always a Davao fan. It took a good amount of separation and isolation to gain a different perspective. This is my "Walay Kaparehas" story.

Davao's "Bato" (The Rock)

For all Dabawenyos, his name has become synonymous to a man of action - an officer that the common people can rely on and a nemesis to criminals. His 18 months term as Davao City Police Director will soon end in a few days following his transfer and promotion to Camp Crame as Chief of Staff, Police Training Service of the Philippine National Police. I may not know him personally, but as a blogger and Dabawenya by heart, this post is my tribute to one tough guy called "Bato".

PSSupt. Ronald "Bato" M. dela Rosa (source)