Santa Maria, Davao del Sur
An online friend, and regular reader of this blog and the Mindanao PhotoBlog, Allen is currently visiting Davao from his home in the United States. Allen is a Filipino, and spent much of his childhood in both countries. So far, we have not been able to get together and meet in person, but we have exchanged some text messages during his visit here in Davao. The other day, Allen asked me about Santa Maria, Davao del Sur. He was wondering if I had been there, if it was nice, how the peace and order situation there was and such. I told him I had never heard of the place, but I would do some checking to let him know. He and his wife wanted to visit there, because Allen’s father had recently visited and was really raving about the place. After some checking, everything I heard was that it was a beautiful area to visit, and that it was reasonably safe as well.
Over the weekend, I decided to take my wife and kids to visit the place and check it out for myself.
Wow, it didn’t take long for me to decide that I had made a good decision in going there! Getting to Santa Maria from Davao City is actually a fairly simple thing. First, you head south to Digos City, and pass through town, continuing south as if you are headed to General Santos City. As you pass through small towns like Guihing, Padada and such, you just continue straight. Once you pass through Sulop – which is easy to spot because that is the place where they bake all the Bibingka with Buko – time to keep a close eye. Soon you will come upon a large PNP Checkpoint on the highway. Just after passing this checkpoint there is a “Y” in the road, and you should turn off to the left. This road used to be a rough dirt road, but it has recently been paved and is quite a pleasant drive now. You will first pass through Malalag, and continue down the highway, in a short time you will come in to Santa Maria. As you near Santa Maria, here is the view you see from the highway:
What a breathtaking view!
We proceeded down to the water that you can see in the photo above, and then stopped at “Little Boracay” beach in Santa Maria. Little Boracay is beautiful. We were there on a Sunday, mid-day, and I don’t think there were more than a dozen people on the beach. It was real privacy, natural beauty, and peaceful and relaxing! The kids had a blast here, because there were literally thousands of Sea Urchins, Starfish and other sea creatures all along the beach and shallow water. It was really a wonderful outing for the whole gang.
If you will be visiting the Davao area, I highly recommend that you take the time to go to “Little Boracay” and see it for yourself. As I passed through the area, I could not help but think that this place was really a well kept secret, and also that it won’t be long before this develops into a well known tourist spot. For a view of the beach where we settled in for the afternoon, check today’s entry in the Mindanao
Yes! Sta. Maria is a great place! Thanks for featuring this little town… i went there 6 years ago with my tita when i was still in the Philippines. It was really a blast. Try visiting their bakeries after taking a naps in a lazy mid afternoon, it’s so good you can even smell it from a distance. Nice beach, nice people and good food. Thanks Bob!
Yes! Sta. Maria is a great place! Thanks for featuring this little town… i went there 6 years ago with my tita when i was still in the Philippines. It was really a blast. Try visiting their bakeries after taking a nap in a lazy mid afternoon, it’s so good you can even smell it from a distance. Nice beach, nice people and good food. Thanks Bob!
Hi Mae – Yes, I really like Santa Maria a lot, and have been there several times over the past few months. Someday I might like to buy a little get-away house there.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hello Sir, still yesa here. Can i also use the ‘breathtaking view’ photo? Promise to give you the credit to the photo and to the site as well.
God bless you Sir.
Hi yesa – Sure, go ahead.
Hi ,
Hello my husband and i just bought land in davao del sur , Sta.Maria. I want to know what kind of internet you are using there in sta.maria well going to to move on our new house on tuesday, we bought a land in San Agustin , overlooking davao gulf and the town of sta.maria. i hope someday we can meet you with my husband.
Until then
Mrs. Madelyn Beecher
Hi Madelyn – I live in Davao City, and I use PLDT for my DSL connection. I was only visiting Santa Maria when I wrote this! Enjoy your new home!
Hi,Madelyn-My name is Marites,I was born,went to school and grew up in Sta Maria.
I was so excited to see that more people moving to Sta Maria.Myself own a piece of property there and just bought another one recently,I love San Agustin,If you dont mind where in San Agustin?Colongan?I know lots of people there.
By the way Im in U.S.A.
I really miss our beaches there ( beautiful) , planning to go vacation next year.
Did you grew up in Sta Maria?
Sincerely,
Marites Lustado McClung
Hi,Bob- Thank you very much for posting about Sta.Maria,Davao Del Sur.It is really good for us from abroad to follow of whats happening there.As you know Im one of your die hard readers.Loved Feyma’s blog too.Till next time.
God bless you and your family.
Marites
Hi Marites Lustado McClung – I was happy to share my journey to Santa Maria. I have since been there several times, and I really enjoy the place!
Thank you for visiting our blogs!
hi bob? thank you for featuring our place. im dimple from poblacion sta. maria, 18 year-old student and i’m very happy to know that there’s someone like you who really spent time featuring some wonderful places given to us by our creator. my full name is Alvie Villaluz Alvaro and i grew up in there, i hope to see you soon in that place. keep up the good intentions bob.
Hi dimple – Thanks for visiting my site! We probably won’t be able to make it down to Sta. Maria until after the new year! Maybe we’ll see you then!
wow!!! i was really amazed coz ders sum1 lyk u mr.bob featuring our place. ur ryt, sta.maria is a great place esp. when u want to refresh & unwind. beaches like little boracay is the best place where u can dispel anxiety and even help manage stress & depression. if u want to be peaceful jaz 4 a day, visit sta.maria. i am really proud coz i grew up in a place where people are very kind& hospitable.evryone is welcome.. .
thank you mr bob for having dis syt. my name is Naprey Almario living in poblacion sta.maria, 19 yr old. actually, we’v met already mr bob. @ HOLYCHILD school of Davao- [College] during the IT culmination of our department, u r one of our speaker, discussing about entrepreneurship. stil rmember the student in a wheelchair? dat was me. good to know dat u love sta.maria, trully a place for everyone.
hi dimple…its me, NAPZ!!! ur ryt, dis syt is really great. tek care!!
Hi naprey almario – Sure, I do remember seeing you at Holy Child when I spoke there earlier this year! Nice to hear from you! Indeed, Santa Maria is a beautiful place, and my family and I visit there regularly!
Hi Naprey,My name is Marites(tess),I know you, but, you dont know me,Regards to your mom ( Ate bebeng ug kay Ninang Bading YOUR LOLA) dO you know that we are relative through Fuentes?Your lola Bading is also one of my God mother sa akong wedding.
By the way silingan pod mi didto ni lola bading sa lote sa mga Quilojano,Akong lots sa tabi ng lola mo Bading.I also saw your pictures in friendster sa kay ate Glenda sa KUWAIT.
Wow! small world ha! Ingats
Hi Bob? Wish you luck on your exam.
Im sure you will get it all.
Just wanted you to know that our weather here in States is dropping 25 degrees now.Its getting colder every night.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY IN ADVANCE!
Have a good one.
hi bob? ur so nice…….
thank you so much for the response.
nap? thank u….. love yah
nap, i told you
Hi dimple – Thanks for your support.
ok, i always support people like you, thanks
hi marites!!! nice to know that ur also from sta.maria at kpitbhay pa kau ng lola ko.ur ryt, hndi pa nga kta kilala but i’m looking 4ward to see u n person.
thnx to mr. bob, bcoz of ds syt we, pipol from sta.maria able to communicate even if we dont see each other & we are able to discover something new frm this syt.
mor power!!! napz
for those people who grew up in sta.maria or even those who are familiar w/ d said place, i’m enviting u ol to visit dis site regularly & let’s have some communication.hehheeh u cud even visit my friendster account – napzpogi@gmail.com.
thank u & GOD BLESS!!
Hi,Naprey, If Im not mistaken, parang ikaw ata ang ring bearer ng wedding ko sa Sta Maria during my wedding last July 1994,Because your mom and antie Lek2 ang nag incharge.
Yes, Im looking forward to go home Sta, Maria and hope to meet you too..(Planning to come home Next year April).
Please send my regards to your mom & dad, Ninang Bading,ANtie Lek2& uncle mike,Bobong Avila my cousin,Ninang Thelma Dupitas,Ninang Mina Mercado, Ninong Mayor Mariscal,Ninang Baby & Momoy DE Guzman & Ninang Lydia Yap too..to many to mension,he he he he he h e
I really miss all of my friends & relatives there.Also sa mga CLassmates ko like Mary Ann Natad, Benjamin Wong,Bebot Parilla,William Giger,Shiela Avila Abe,Nizette Bacus,& Mr Bautista their house is infront of your Grandma( Son of ex Mayor ) Almario house going to the cemetery?i felt really bad I dont remember his name,Oh well!!I really to keep in touch with them,though, Perhaps maybe a get together party.
Just curious how often you go home to Sta Maria?
How is Sta Maria now?
Hope to hear from you again.
Hi Bob-Happy Thanks giving to you and family!
Is Feyma going to to cook big meals?Do you guys sstill celebrate American Holidays?
For me, I just bought a big Turkey(25 lbs),Im alaso going to cook mashed Potato,sweet potato,sweet squash, pumpkin pie of course with whipped cream YUMMY!!,green beans casserole and more…Im looking forward on thanksgiving day lotsssss of good food!!
Bob & Feyma? Im coming home on April next year, would you guys like me to bring you something from State?Perhaps splendas? or any that you wish that its hard to find there.Iwill be glad to bring it to guys.You also mensioned about that its hard to find clothes for you there.
I always going window shopping watching good sales, if you want I can get you some clothing?
Please let me know I live couple blocks from the big malls here,Please dont hesitate to ask me anything ( bringing you some items from here)
Thanks for all the great info and articles by you,Feyma and your writers on your blog. It is very informative to all.
Bob, I also thank you for everything you had & have done. GOOD JOB & MORE POWER TO YOU FEYMA & FAMILY…..
Tess McClung
Hi Tess – No need to bring anything for us, although we thank you for offering.
Yes, we will indeed be celebrating Thanksgiving, but we will do it on Saturday, since school is in session on Thursday, and we want our kids to join in.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
hi bob, what ur doin s absolutly a great thing. i jz accidentally entered into this site and i was amazed when i saw the name of the place where i lived for almost 16 years, yeah, that place is one of a kind. actually, im not there right now but planning to spend my christmas and new year celebration there. poblacion sta maria is the particular place that i was referring to…recently, im residing here in cebu city that’s why i missed that place.
til then…
maybe some of those people above know me…
Hi omp’s – Thanks for visiting! I hope you make it back home for the holidays! Good luck to you!
hi tess… sure i’ll send ur regards to the names written above.hehhehhe
cguro nga bka anaging ring beare mo ako. d ko na maalala. bout the question of how often i went home to sta maria, i would say that ryt now mejo d na ako nkakauwi don coz i’m a fultym student at the same tym i’m doing a partym job every saturday and sunday. but probably this december, i’ll spent mor tym in sta.maria.
can you send me picture of yours pra nman mkita ko face mo.hehhehehe
till here. gotta go, its already 12 midnyt. i stil have class tomoro 8am
again thnks to mr bob for this sit….
i’l kip on visiting this site .
napz
hi omp’s? do i know u?? why don’t you try to introduce yourself? hmmm… i’d like to have you as my friend.. just text me in this number: 09093202520
to you my dear bob, i missed this site as in. take care bob, i’ll miss you sooner. heheh thanks
nap, how are you nah? you don’t remember me na? hehe ingats nap huh?
hey alvz, i’m okey… of cors i wil always remembr u my dear friend.ingatz . txt2 pud oie
hey mr bob. i saw ur new pic of sta.maria. vry nice… well, its been few months also i wasnt able to visit sta.maria. i miss our place vry much .hop i wil have enough tym so that i can go home na sa sta.maria. aside from the place itself, i miss my family.huhhuhuhu . sana mkauwi na ako.
by d way , mr bob i hav something to ask.
this semester wer ask to make our own system and we already have one. entitled “ONLINE CLUB REGISTRATION system for HOLY CHILD.”
actually where done doing this system but not online, automated only. now, our instructor want us to make it online. i am asking for you help mr bob..plzzz give some piece of advice, what we gonna do now. wer planning to use php as our medium but we are not familiar w/ the language. plz help us…..
hello everyone! i’m happy i found this website. i’m married to a canadian and we just bought a beachline property in sta. maria, just beside mariscal’s beach resort, i think some of you here are familiar of this area, it was owned by pastor dan hiquiana before…my parents are trying to renovate the place and hopefully soon it will be open to the public….it will be name as “green valley resort” as this barrio is located in between 2 mountains….hopefully soon, you will try to visit and enjoy the place…..God bless you all!
plzzz help me guys…
i am actually looking for a sponsor ryt now who
will financially support my studies.
i’m in third year ryt now , upcoming
fourth yr BSIT stud. but i wanna transfer
to another school by the nxt school yr
bcoz of some reasons. i really need
your help guys. if you have a generous
heart, plz3x help me or if u have
missionary friend, plz indorse my
situation. i will surely appreciate
your effort of helping someone like me.
here’s my contact # 09205916206 or email me @ napzpogi@gmail.com.
if u really wanna know the reasons why i want to transfer, i will xplain it to u… but as of now i really need ur help guys…i’ll assure u guys that i wont disappoint u.
by d way, i am a physically challenged person. i am vry willing to share my stories to u.i know u have a good heart.plzzzzz.help.
mr bob.. jaz wana say sorry and thank u.
sorry bcoz i’v used ur site w/ this kind of ads. but i hop u understand, i am just hoping that there will be a “kababayan” that will answer my wish. thank u bcoz of this oppotunity. again THANK YOU!!!
thank you!
NAPREY ALMARIO
19 year old. davao/ sta.maria davao del sur
nap? what happened
?
I accidentally found this site while searching for news about the recent landslide in Sta. Maria. I was really really happy to find out that many people found the place very good. Again, thank you very much to the blogger, Mr Bob for visiting our place and we would hope to see you again in the near future. Just a little heads up on Little Boracay, I have been working with local travel writer Ms. Jojie Alcantara to feature the place not only in the Local Papers but also with Mabuhay Magazine, (an inflight magazine of the Philippine Airlines international route.) Our group, Fanatic Photographers Society will also be doing a series of photo-operations in selected places in Sta. Maria. I hope you guys do watch out for it.
@Mr Bob,
Thank You for visiting the place. It’s a very simple outcome of my parents’ labor. We really wish to put some improvements on the place real soon. Mind if I ask for suggestions on how to make the place better? Any comment, will really be a big help.
Hi Joyce – I like Santa Maria a lot. I can’t really think of any suggestions on exactly how to improve the place. I guess that I would suggest that regardless of any development, try to keep the place unspoilt, natural, etc.
Ok sir. noted.
Hi Bob, Thanks for your aspirations and featuring little town of Sta. Maria, it was deeply appreciated indeed. Well, you had perfectly described our hidden paradise what else can i say. and in fact, it’s only a matter of an hour and 30 mins going to the city. to be honest, Sta. Maria, is really one of a perfect spot especially if you are looking for a place to settle down or relaxation particularly San Agustin, uh gosh! the vast streams of PUTING PANTAD which i really treasured so much, i missed that place ‘though! but of coarse, it really needs a massive development for the place to meet the target.
Hi William – I was happy to feature the place! I enjoyed my time there very much!
Kumusta sa tanan!
To William Giger:
Kumusta?
My name is Marites Lustado McClung taga tibungoy,My father is Dodong Lustado driver sauna sa pdcab padulong Colongan, son of Lola Flavia nga mananabang sa Tibungoy, Sta. Maria and Lolo Joe.
My mother is Meriam Castillo Quilojano Alaba, daughter ni Lola Pining Quilojano Castillo taga Sta.Maria and her father is Lolo Alaba Ex- Mayor of
Alabel,Saranggani General Santos City.
Ang mga Lustado kilid sa S.M.I high school and Quilojano ay next to Avila,Fuentes and Mariscal front of Wong land before.
Correct me if I’m wrong, are you my classmate in elementary sa Timbol?Kinsa imong mga kabatch?akong kabatch cla c Mary Ann Natad,Shiela Avila,Nizette Bacus, Daisy Flores,Bobong Avila,Nelson Sosas, Emmanuel Sosas,Rodrigo Satur,Atty Benjamin Wong,Eddie Tampos,Abel Parilla, Eden Casco,Jassica Gonsaga,Erwin Gapusan,Edwin Agcang,Lilibeth Federiso,Jun Federiso and more…
Hope to hear from You…
Take care & God Bless You,
Marites Lustado McClung
tessmcclung72@yahoo.com
hello Bob!
kumusta kana,Feyma, & family?
Very nice video in Samal….beautiful scenery.
Did you and family visit Sta. Maria lately?
I really miss Sta. Maria, maybe we will visit there sometimes..while Im in Philippines.
Take care and regards to Feyma,
Tess McClung
Hi Tess – Nice to hear from you! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Sta. Maria, but we’ll get back there again sometime soon!
@Tess Lustado> It’s been a long time friend but still i can remember the angle of your face haha! of course di ba ikaw yong sexy’ng magandang hnde namamansin ng mga panget noon during elementary joke. Yah, the reminiscence of our place are still fresh on my mind. the peole, lahat ng kanto-lahat ng sulok kahit saan tayo pupunta dhay alam ko pa rin haha!!! How’s life out there by the way? am sure marami kang eko-kwento sa akin after all those years haha! at marami din akong etsi-tsika sa’yo. kelan ka pa ba last na umuwi sa philippines? buti ka pa, siguro madalas ka doon.may baby ka na ba? i have a baby boy turning 3 by september, i called him Joshua William hehe. Well, masarap sana damihan kaya lang mahirap. buti ka siguro at may katulong ka jan! pero cguro nxt year baka isa pa haha! sabay gnun ano??? pa-share nman ng mga adventure pictures mo jan baka meron ka. try mo sa friendster NANETTE BAUTISTA GIGER/ ang go-gwapo ng mga baby ni feyma ano ang tataba pa.ganun lang talaga pag responsible mommy healthy ang family. okey so much for now and hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
William
@Bob> Thanks for the reply, and say my hello to your family.
Regards,
William
To William Giger:
Wow! ikaw talaga to ha?Long time no hear from you. I dont think its me ang hindi namamansin, parang ikaw yon ba! he he he he,(joke lang din)
By the way, saan ka nakatira ngayon?are you still in Sta. Maria? From where ang imong wife?is she from Sta. Maria too?
How’s your sisters and brothers and parents?
Ngeeeeeh…I have no maids here!Im the maid, all around,U know…
Well, actually Im not married anymore (Divorced)
no kids Im single hu hu hu hu.cge lang that life u know.
I tried searching the name in frienster but I cant find.Can you give me your email add? Can you add me in your friendster? PLZZZZZZZZZZ…
Its really good to hear from You.
Take care & regards to your wife and kids he he.
Your friend,
Marites (Tess) McClung)
Tessmcclung72@yahoo.com
@Tess Lustado> Got a message for you check out your email.
William
William,
Thank you very much!
Take care always,
Tess
@Hi Dina> I know San Agustin very well i grown up there. As far as i know, majority of the people prefer to stay in a beach resort. am sure one of these days GREEN VALLEY of San agustin would be identified too. Goodluck
Hmm…….. I Know that your is beautiful but our place is most beautiful………………….. Let’s go there
oh my! i missed Sta. Maria, too… I was born there, spent more than half of my life there. Actually, i still consider myself a resident of Sta. Maria since I still have my brothers and their respective families there. My father’s PUNTOD is also there…and until today, i am still a bonafide voter of Sta. Maria, hahaha! Yeah..wa pa ko ngtransfer sa Digos or even here in Cebu (where im recently working).
And i am really proud to say that our Place is undeniably wonderful…
I wish i cud visit the place this coming Christmas (if i cud have a short vacation)…
Bob, thanks for this site. It makes us proud!
Happy New Year to all Sta. Marian!!!!
Welcome 2009!!!!!!!!!!!
Reagrds and God Bless us all…
Marites
Hello Bob, Feyma and family…
Kumusta? Thanks for the message pala..
and also Happy New Year!
Take care always,
Marites
Hi Marites – Happy New Year!
hi uncle bOb..i’m so amazed with this little town..wow!!
tnx for featuring..it’s well-appreciated..hehehe!!actually,
i’ve nver been in that place but my ex-boyfriend is leaving thre
together with his parents,brother and sister..sad to say that
our relationship before was left unsaid..woooh!!but it’s okey..
past is past..hehe!!we both have our own different happy lives..
tnx..atleast i knew something about that place..=p
Hi Celine – I am happy to share a little information about Santa Maria with you. It is quite a nice place. Not sure if you would enjoy the place, though, since your EX lives there!
Just kidding.
@ Tess Lustado
Hi there! hope you’ve enjoyed your vacation and say my hello to all… keep in touch.
Regards
hi, everyone……. sta maria is nice place…. i living in sto nino sta maria, since i born,,,,, but now i’m here in london…. i;m study in hercleo casco memorial high school,,,,,, until 2nd year,,,,, after that,,, i move in manila to continue study……… i transfer to makati high school until i gruduate…… and then to finish the college @ UMAK or UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI,,,,, taking of BS – HRM,,,, kahit nag aral ako sa manila…. but my mind still in sta maria,,, coz i miss everything before…!!!!! so after study,,,, i got work in manila for experience almost 2years….. after year,,, i move in london for work!!!!now i’m here in london,,,, i work @ hotel..!!!!yes i’m happy here…. piro akung hunahuna naa sa sta maria ug kung asa ko gipanganak,,,,i’m miss in sta maria talaga,,,, to all my friend,,, and relatives,,,, my classmates before and schoolmates….. i hope we meet again wen i comeback thiere…..maybe next year,,,,, i got on vecation,,,, so magkitakita nlang ta diha,,,, for 4 years na hindi ako naka uwi jan,,,,, so i’m so excited to meet All,,,, and looking around in sta maria place…… see you will byeeeeeeee..!!!!!!
Helu to those people concerned in our place specially to mr bob!..
its a good thing to know dat ur one of those traveller who appreciated sta. maria.. i salute u for that!. . .
i was born on january 1,1983 at kabalantian sta. maria,,,,,,,the place is soo nice if you can visit the place you can never forget in whole your life……………….the place is small but very abundant of beautiful spot and very friendly people…………………. visit my home town………………
im really thankfull to all the leaders of the town your done verry very good to our municipality…………………………thank you for preserving the nature beauty of the place………………thank you to alll.i wish our town become tourist area and become city someday………………….
wow!!ur so cool man,,some1 lyk u treasure my home town,,i love sta.maria..so much!!,,actually i am here now brunei,,and i was amazed when i discover this site…thanks bob for the time that u’ve spend..i hope that u can post anothr new photo”s..of STA.MARIA
nap….kmusta na?heehehhehehe..misssssssssssssssssssssss..youuuuuuuuuu allllllllllllllll
more powers to you! and Godbless
hello the i came from sta mari davao del sur i acatully raise there but i grown up in davao city.but my family live there.sta maria is a good place that i know i was saw the place it was my first time when my frend brogth me there one time take a motor.
hi there.. this is moi,, tnx for this entry.. i grew up in this place and i’m proud to say that this is a very very nice place… this is just a small town and yet rich in beautiful places and breathtaking sceneries.. hehhe.. Good day everyone!!
Hi Mr.Bob..your a blessing for sta.maria…great that you blog this place….hope more people will be encourage to visit and discover more about this municipality…i was born and raise in this town never been home for 3yrs. hi,guy’s u can email me @jkitzslash@yahoo.com…Mr.giger i’m madie sis..hop u can recall..nice to see you in this site . Mr.Bob .your highly appreciated God bls to you and your family…
guy’s my email add jus this jkitzslash@yahoo.com….thank you Mr.Bob…there are lot more hidden scenery in this town….
almost 4years i did not visit my hometown. Last January 10, 2008 w/ my partner in lyf Officer visit my hometown. He interested to visit my hometown.. marami nag bago.. New Municipality…
Hi Joy!
It’s been quite awhile but it’s nice to know that you are still okey. i still remember nong huli kitang nakikita somewhere in sta maria, is medyo mahaba pa ang buhok mo lagpas shoulder, ano na kaya ‘itsura mo ngayon? am sure beauty ka pa rin haha… thanks for the message anyway and say my hello to your mom and the rest of the family. you take care and san nga pala location mo ngayon, nasa philippines ka ba?
Best Regards
hallo mr. bob!thank you for posting some photos of sta.maria davao del sur.im in manila now & my family has a reunion this coming december.by your blog your encouraging people to really visit sta.maria davao del sur.and im one of those people.thanks!
4 sure i’ll be in davao this coming december 4 the reunion and 4 sta.maria.God Bless You Mr.Bob & the family.THANK’s
hello guys,,,,to all the people who visited Sta.Maria thank you very much for appreciating my hometown. IM so glad that there are a lot o people who really likes sta. maria..Proud to be a Sta.marian..THanks a lot..GOd bless
hey.!truly it is!by the way, im saikey of malalag tubig, sta. maria davsur.
it is a great pleasure to boost our very own home town!..
to bob, you’re the man!
hello there, i came from poblacion sta. maria, and i grew up there., i was studying in Jose timbol, and in my high school in Agro Industrial Foundation colleges of the Philippines where my alma matter, i am here in Quezon City… I love all the beaches in sta. maria… i have my relatives there…, bermudez, Quilojano… fuentez, avila… sevilla in mamacao… I miz you all guyz.
hello mr. bob and my friends in sta. maria,
i’d like to extend my best regards and wish a merry merry xmas and happy new year to all……
Kumusta ka, Joan? Salamat sa imong greetings. Malipayong pasko!
hi bob..yiou think sta maria is nicer than the gumasa in sarangani province?
Hi shayne – No, I don’t think it is nicer… I think both places are nice and don’t really compare to each other.
Oo, mao gyud! Kasabot ko ug bisaya! Ha ha.. gi-add ta ka sa Facebook.
Hello Heinz – Indeed, I am from the Vancouver area. Before moving to the Philippines, I lived in Ridgefield, out near the fairgrounds. It's been some 10 years, though, since I've even been to the States, and I doubt I'll ever go back.
Yes, you can make a success out of a food joint, but it will be hard work. You must adapt to some local practices though if you want to succeed. I know a number of foreigners here who have restaurants. Some are very successful, some not so. But, those who are successful show that it can be done, without a doubt!
I live in Davao City, and I love it here! I urge you to check the place out if you are still looking for the right place to settle!
Take care!
Hi Bob.
I just found out about you here in Vancouver Washington from a guy who seems to know of you.
I am retired with a modest SS and have been checking things out on the Web as far as places there to retire at. First it was Olongapo City since I met a lady from there over here, but then I read about the climate in Mindanao which is more to my liking.
Here’s my question. I want to open a small american style food restaurant to keep me busy, (if the ladies don’t, ha,ha) and I’m wondering if you think something like that would fly. I’ll be getting a couple of your books after new years, but in the meanwhile I’d like to know what you think and in what area?
Thank you Bob and I’m sure we’ll talk again.
Heinz.
Sa mga taga sta. maria……. Happy new year to all…… kong kinsa nakaila kay Gulada family likod sa minisipyo paki hatag akong office number please 09228327680…… please miz na nako ang among bonding sa Gethsemane Baptist Church….. i miz my churchmate……. …….
i am planning to be there by may… specifically sta maria to meet a friend. but i don’t think i can be accommodated in their home because of some reasons, do you guys have ideas where to stay there. an affordable one maybe… thanks n advance… by the way i’m from manila…
who knows Harold Giger from Sta.Maria? can you email me guys? i just want to meet him.he is my father pero never ko pa sya nakita.can you email me at bea_1403@yahoo.com.thanks
Hi Bob,
This is a nice website. I born in Sta. Maria and I just left last March 9 stayed for 3 weeks w/ my family around. Next 5 yrs I’m coming back settle down enjoy riding horse around.
Nice job this site…..good luck and someday u can stay in my place in pobalcion Sta. Maria (Colibao area)
Good Speed
Hi Bob,
To the person her name Janice Joy she’s looking for a place in Sta. Maria? I know some one own a house I stayed for few days last March 2010 in Poblacion along the highway, has 3 bd, 1bd w/ a/c. easy access for everything she needs. She can email me @ mtoledad_10@yahoo.com
sir bob, can i ask a favor… can u delete all my comments here in your site? somebody is threatening/black mailing me on the internet. He’s trying to look for sites where i am connected or where my name is present & then will post something negative about me. please sir bob, just delete all my comments here coz as i research my name on the internet, its your site who will appear. please do it for me. thank u in advance. more power!
just a small town girl….
nice one mr bob. keep it up
this is so great. thnx mr bob.
hi Bob, Iam so happy reading your article and comments about my home town sta. maria. I grew up and study till high school in sta maria.im proud to say im from brgy. kidadan,(more or less 10 kilometers from the poblacion)try to visit our waterfalls named “sampao” very cool the sorroundings/mountains so natural you really feel mother earth with friendly people. Plenty of Fruits and vegetables no pollution you can only hear the sound of the birds, feel the cool breeze oh really heaven, if i want to relax from my stressful work in davao city i immediately go home in sta. maria. thanks Mr. Bob…