The history of Davao is brief but interesting. It harks back to the past and brings to mind tribal wars, drum beats and ritual fires along the river banks which, according to some sources, gave origin to the word "Davao" from daba-daba", meaning fire. The early inhabitants occupying the eastern shores of Davao were the Manobos, Tagcaolos, Guianggas, Bilaans and Aetas. On the western portion were the Mandayas and Bagobos. The Samals occupied the Samal and the Talicud Islands. Later, the Maguindanaos from Cotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo migrated to Davao and succeeded in driving the natives inhabitants to the mountains.

In 1528, Davao was visited by the Spaniards, led by Albaro de Saavedra. In 1844, the ruling Sultan ceded Davao to Spian. Still, the Muslim inhabitants refused to be ruled by Spaniards. So Spanish forces, led by Don Uyanguren, quelled the revolt and killed Muslim leader Datu Bago in 1847. Uyanguren became the first governor of Guipozcoa (an area that now comprises Davao City and environs).

At the end of the Spanish rule, Davao was one of the seven districts under the political military government of Mindanao. Major Hunter Ligget led the American forces that came to Davao in 1900. In 1903, the Moro province was organized and Davao became a district of the province. However, in 1914, the Moro province was abolished and in its stead, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Davao then became one of the provinces of this Department with Davao municipality (now Davao City) as its capital.

In 1900, the Japanese established extensive plantations of abaca around the Davao Gulf and engaged in fishing, logging and trading. The number of Japanese steadily increased such that the area was called Japan kuo (little Japan). It had its own Japanese embassy, school, Shinto shrine, Buddhist temple and newspaper. On the whole, they established extensive abaca plantations around the shores of Davao Gulf and developed large-scale commercial interests such copra, timber, fishing and import-export trading.

Unknown to most, turning Davao into a city was envisioned by Pres. Manuel L. Quezon which he gave to honourable Romualdo C. Quimpo (the first elected assemblyman from the district of Davao) who eventually carried out the plan. By authoring Bill no.609 or Commonwealth Act no. 51 "Act Of Creating the City Of Davao" on March 16, 1936, Hon. Quimpo's bill became the model for other proclamations for cityhood.

Davao was formally inaugurated as a charter city in March 16, 1937 by President Elpidio Quirino. Thirty years later, Davao was subdivided into three independent provinces, namely Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. Over the years, Davao has become an ethnic melting pot as it continues to draw migrants from all over the country, lured by the prospects of striking it rich in the country’s third largest city.

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