A gentle harmony unfolds. Like notes purposely set on the staff, the sweet tunes of a composition are softly resonating across Davao City’s hospitality landscape—the Aria Hotel & Residences.

Nestled within a unique, modern structure that reflects the evolving city skyline, Aria Hotel & Residences unveils its distinctive brand of hospitality, representing a refined expression of contemporary elegance. Its location within the dynamic urban center, the property affords guests seamless access to the city’s business districts and cultural attractions, offering convenience.

Two sleek and spacious lobby spaces executed in contemporary design set the guests’ mood for an exciting stay. The ground floor lobby is exclusively dedicated to receiving arriving guests, who are then escorted by the concierge service to the third floor lobby, where assistance for check-in and check-out is conducted.

Bathed in natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, the open layout of the third level also presents an unobstructed perspective of the hotel’s social spaces—from the lobby to the all-day dining restaurant through the lobby bar.

The hotel will feature 174 well-designed guestrooms, each conceived as a sanctuary of comfort and style. Thoughtfully appointed with convenient amenities, intuitive design, and elegant furnishings, every inch of the space is crafted to deliver a restful and elevated guest experience. In its current soft opening phase, the hotel introduces a curated selection of approximately 72 rooms, featuring 68 deluxe rooms and four Aria Suites, offering guests an exclusive preview of its vow to excellence.

Culinary experiences are presently anchored by two distinctive dining outlets: Rhapsody Asian Fusion, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, and Cadenza Bar, its lobby bar. Each delivers a refined yet approachable interpretation of global and local flavors, with additional venues to be unveiled in due course.

Rhapsody Asian Fusion, the all-day dining restaurant, is a dynamic culinary destination that invites guests to explore the rich emotional tapestry of Asian gastronomy. Each dish unfolds as part of a larger narrative, capturing the depth, heritage, and evolution of flavors across the region. Guided by a vision that honors and elevates Asian influences, the restaurant presents a thoughtfully curated selection of refined dishes, available throughout the day for a truly immersive dining experience.

Cadenza Bar offers an exhilarating interplay of artistry and spontaneity, where each visit unfolds like a solo performance. Cadenza Bar offers a curated selection of elevated bar fare alongside a distinctive repertoire of handcrafted beverages. In this space, moments of excitement and drama unfold with every sip and bite, creating an atmosphere that is both dynamic and refined. 

Aria Hotel & Residences is poised to emerge as a distinguished culinary destination, with plans for five exceptional dining concepts ranging from relaxed gourmet fare to elevated luxury dining, culminating in a signature sky bar experience set against panoramic city views.

For meetings and events, the property currently offers three elegantly appointed venues, designed to accommodate intimate gatherings and corporate functions with precision and style. For larger occasions, the Soprano Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 260 guests. These offerings will expand to six versatile function rooms, catering to a wide spectrum of events and occasions.

Wellness and recreation are thoughtfully integrated into the guest experience. A newly renovated fitness center, located on the sixth floor, provides a modern environment for health and vitality, complemented by a dedicated children’s playroom designed to engage younger guests. At the pinnacle of the property, the 33rd level reveals an awe-inspiring swimming pool, where guests can unwind while taking in sweeping panoramic views of the city.

“As a locally rooted brand, we take great pride in showcasing the richness of our culture, the strength of our people, and the spirit of our community,” says Colin Tan, general manager. “We are committed not only to delivering exceptional hospitality but also to creating opportunities, supporting local talent, and contributing meaningfully to the destination we call home.”

The essence of Aria is rooted in its namesake. In opera, an aria is a solo vocalist’s performance accompanied by an orchestra, the music rising and falling in harmony with the singer’s emotion and expression. At Aria Hotel & Residences, the property embodies the orchestra, while guests represent both the performer and the audience. In this interplay of service, experience, and emotion, a seamless harmony is created, with each stay unfolding like a unique composition, where every moment contributes to a memorable journey.

Aria Hotel & Residences stands as a testament to deliberate elegance, where every detail is considered, every experience elevated, and every stay defined by quiet sophistication, embodying the promise of “Life in Harmony.”

On Valentine's Day 2014, I first stepped foot in Dapitan and Dipolog, the twin cities of Zamboanga del Norte. Unlike Jose Rizal, who was exiled in Dapitan in July 1892, it was a short (but sweet) stay for me. But perhaps like Rizal, I saw there was so much to love about the place. Before leaving, I said “Ta ama yo contigo Zamboanga! I bid you not with an “ultimo adios” but with a “hasta la vista.” 

Promise fulfilled. Eight years later, I entered the “Gateway to Western Mindanao” again, this time to re-experience its heritage, culture and arts, and see what’s new after eight years since the first visit. 

If you haven’t been to Dipolog and Dapitan, here are 15 reasons why it should be on your travel bucket list. 

1. Dipolog Sunset Boulevard is a perfect place to be at Golden Hour—any spot along the 7.6-kilometer esplanade offers a good point of view of the setting sun. Stay towards the evening and watch the parallel property turn into the city’s most happening spot attracting locals and tourists. Grab a bite and enjoy the entertainment! It's the site of the annual P'gsalubok Festival and other major events in the city. The latest addition to the stretch? The “Explore Dipolog” landmark, erected in 2019. 

 

The Orchid Pavilion at Plaza Magsaysay

Address: Bordered by P. Ramon, Bonifacio and Herrera Streets, Dipolog City

 

Monument of the Three Prominent Dipolognons

Address: Rizal Avenue corner Herrera Street, Dipolog City 

It’s one short plane ride away to the City of Smiles from Davao—Bacolod City. What comes to mind? Sugarcanes, the Ruins and the food! Talk about chicken inasal, batchoy, cansi, KBL and the array of cakes and kakanins the place has to offer. It will be one (or another) memorable food trip! 

Where to stay? Make Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod your nest for the days you’re in town. Why? Let me list it down for you. 

If a place has been under Spanish colonization with a goal to convert the locals to Christianity, expect to find a good number of churches in the area. Count Iloilo as one of those areas in the Philippines. Founded in 1566 as a temporary Spanish settlement and formally established as the second colonial outpost in the country in 1572, old churches in Iloilo come aplenty, and each has a story to tell. 

When In Iloilo to visit or revisit, do a Visita Iglesia to the province’s heritage churches as a part of your checklist. Whether devout Catholic or not, the old churches’ are breathtaking and their history quite interesting. 

The 1864-built Jaro Cathedral aka the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles is the seat of the Archdiocese of Jaro and the center of devotion for the miraculous Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. The Marian image, first to be canonized by a Pope in Asia, is raised above the entrance of the cathedral’s facade Except for the Lady of the Candles statue, the church’s interior features an all-male statues of saints. The church was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1976. 

Standing on Jaro Plaza, across the Romanesque Revival-style cathedral, is the Jaro Belfry, one of the few built apart from the church. Restored at the end of 1900s, the belfry was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1984. 

Across the Molo Plaza that features a domed structure in the plaza featuring Greek Goddesses is the 1831-constructed NeoGothic church of Molo. It’s known as the “Feminist Church” with 16 female saints lining the central columns, including Saint Anne, the patron saint of Molo. It was declared as a national landmark in 1992. 

Completed in 1869 during the Spanish colonization, the San Joaquin Church is known for its pediment which features a military scene depicting the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetouan. The church was marked as a National Historical Site in 1980 and declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001.

Built in 1774 using yellow sandstone and corals, Guimbal Church is referred to as Iloilo’s Yellow Stone Landmark. The belfry, four stories high, served as a watchtower during the Spanish era.

Tigbauan Church 

Before the church was renamed to St. John of Sahagun, an Augustinian saint, it was originally under the advocacy of Our Lady of Grace. 

Through centuries, the 16th century church has survived calamities including World War II, but it was the earthquake of 1948 that heavily damaged the interior. What remained are the facade, bell tower and a section of the convent. In place of the historic interior is what we see today—an impressive coral stone mosaic mural in religious themes. A room by the main entrance enshrines an image of the Sto. Niño. 

Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites roster in 1993 under the “Baroque Churches of the Philippines,” the Miagao Church displays its dominating presence in the highest point of Miagao town. The 18th century Baroque Romanesque church, also known as the Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church, was erected using adobe, egg, coral and limestone as construction materials (thus the ochre shade of the structure). Designed like a fortress as protection to the Moro invaders, the massive stone walls are 1.5 meters thick and are intensified through the use of 4 meter thick setback buttresses.

The town’s native flora, with the coconut tree (depicting the tree of life) where St. Christopher holds on to as the prominent figure, decorates the ornate bas-relief on the pediment of church facade. Below it is the carved image of the town’s patron saint, St. Thomas of Villanueva. 

For a tour of the Heritage Churches, as well as Iloilo’s historic spots and other points of interest, the Iloilo City Tourism Office and Southwest Travel make it convenient for travelers to reach these spots within the city and the countryside. Itinerary, tour guide and transportation will be taken care of. All you have to do is show up at the lobby of the hotel at the appointed time. Hotels, like Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, can arrange the tours for you. 

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.