The Blog of rosse.olinac

POV: Our Trip to Davao City for the General Conference

It was that time of the year again—our annual General Conference, where people from all over the Philippines come together to worship and connect. This time, the venue was in Davao City. Just hearing the name already sparked excitement in all of us. A new place. A new adventure.

The moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Davao greeted us not just with its natural beauty, but with the feeling of peace and order. It felt like we were meant to be there.

One of the people who made this trip even more special was Charvie. This is Charvie—my mother's "lost daughter" as we joke, because they've been together since forever. Honestly, my mom has almost adopted her. She’s from Davao, so she became our instant tour guide, companion, and family member all rolled into one. Having her around made everything more fun and meaningful.

What truly amazed me was the fellowship. I got to worship and be part of a crowd of over 20,000 people. Just thinking about that number still gives me goosebumps. Seeing so many hearts united, singing and worshipping God together—it felt like a piece of heaven on earth. I felt so blessed to witness that moment.

But the trip wasn’t just about the lectures and sessions. After every gathering, we had time to explore the city—and trust me, we wasted no time. We went out right away and tried to experience as much as we could.

One of the highlights was the night market. It was packed with people and full of colors, scents, and sounds. The variety of food was overwhelming—in a good way! There were so many options to choose from, depending on whatever our cravings led us to. Some dishes were unfamiliar to us since we came all the way from Cebu, and Davao has its own unique flavors. But despite not knowing what we were eating at times, it was all so delicious. It was a new experience for our taste buds, and we welcomed it with open arms (and empty stomachs!).

Aside from food, the night market also had clothing stalls—dresses, shirts, souvenirs—and of course, we couldn’t resist. It’s always special to bring home something you can wear, not just to show off where you’ve been, but to keep the memory alive. Plus, the fabrics were surprisingly good quality and affordable too.

And then came the last day—probably one of the most fun parts of the trip. We went island hopping! Yes, we finally got to enjoy Davao’s natural beauty from the sea. The view of the ocean, the breeze, the crystal-clear waters—it was surreal. We even saw the vibrant reefs of Davao, which made us appreciate the underwater world even more. We swam, we laughed, we took tons of photos, and yes—we got sunburnt! Our skin darkened so much, but none of us cared. We knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime moment. What mattered most was that we were there, together, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

This trip wasn’t just a getaway. It was a soul-refreshing experience. From the powerful worship and fellowship to the unforgettable city adventures and beach memories, Davao gave us moments we’ll carry forever. And as we returned home, our hearts were full—not just of joy, but of faith, gratitude, and a deeper bond with one another.

PS: Thanks for making it to the end of my Davao chronicles! If you’re still here, wow—you deserve a halo-halo and a lechon! 😂 Seriously though, thank you for joining me on this wild, sunburnt, and unforgettable trip. From worshipping with 20,000 people to stuffing our faces at the night market and getting roasted by the Davao sun during island hopping—it was all worth every minute and every shade darker of our skin!

“We came for the conference, stayed for the food, and went home two shades darker but ten times happier.”

Catch you on the next adventure (or maybe at the next night market)! 😎🧳🌊