Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines | August 2025: The Bistro invites guests to experience its Kadayawan Learn and Dine Night, a one-night-only culinary and cultural showcase happening on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 6pm to 9pm.

As Davao celebrates the Kadayawan Festival this month, a season that remembers the city’s indigenous roots, bountiful harvests, and vibrant cultural identity, Discovery Samal’s The Bistro offers a unique dining experience that honors the spirit of the season. More than just good food, Kadayawan Learn and Dine is designed to be an exciting gastronomic journey that intertwines gastronomy, storytelling, and culture, this time, spotlighting the richness of Davao’s culinary delicacies and traditions while reimagining them for the modern table.

Guests will be guided through the inspiration behind each dish, exploring how indigenous practices, local ingredients, and modern culinary techniques come together to create flavors that are both familiar and new. The evening serves as a celebration of Davao’s bounty; from land to sea, from ancestral kitchens to contemporary gastronomy.

At the heart of The Bistro’s Kadayawan Learn and Dine is a thoughtfully curated five-course menu, each dish crafted as a narrative of Davao’s culinary heritage:

Appetizer: Tres Alab

A bold opening inspired by Mindanao’s kinilaw traditions, featuring tuna cured in tabon-tabon and biasong citrus, malasugi with tart green mango and velvety coconut, and a final note of malasugi with pomelo pearls and spiced oil. A harmony of acidity, freshness, and cultural roots.

Soup: Tiula Itum

A contemporary interpretation of the Tausug Classic: a slow-cooked chicken in a velvety sauce of burnt coconut, lemongrass, and native spices, enriched with black garlic oil. A dish of depth, heritage, and warmth.

Fish Course: Pasalubag by the Bay

A reimagined Mindanaoan inun-unan, this course pairs sesame-crusted malasugi with heirloom adlai rice and tangy soy-calamansi glaze, presented in a handcrafted pasalubong container. A modern culinary gift that celebrates coastal traditions.

Main Dish: Pastil ng Davao

A refined take on the well-loved pastil — tender Canadian ribeye confit wrapped in a fragrant rice parcel, served with banana leaf-infused chips for crunch. A union of tradition and modern craftsmanship.

Dessert: Durian Diwa

A luscious durian mousse shaped in homage to the “King of Fruits,” finished with Kadayawan-inspired hues and tropical accents. A sweet finale that honors Davao’s most iconic fruit with artistry and pride.

What makes this dining experience unique is its interactive and educational elements. Each course is not only served artistically, but also tells a story of its cultural significance, origins, and culinary process. Guests are invited to engage with their own stories behind the food, making the evening as enriching as it is indulgent

“We created this event to bring people closer to Davao. Davao has a lot to offer, from its culture, flavors, and people. Now, during Kadayawan, where everyone is celebrating Davao’s cultural roots, we thought that it would be the perfect time to tell the story of Davao’s heritage through its dishes that are deeply rooted in culture yet presented with a fresh and modern perspective.”, shared Discovery Samal’s Director of Food and Beverage, Mr. Jordan Tan.

With breathtaking views of Davao Gulf, The Bistro is located at Discovery Samal. It is one of Discovery Samal’s culinary centerpieces, offering a mix of international and locally inspired cuisine. Known for its artistry in its dishes and commitment to using fresh and seasonal ingredients, The Bistro continuously redefines elevated dining on the island. It’s Learn and Dine stands as a testament to its vision, to celebrate culture through food while creating momentous experiences for all guests.

With only a limited number of seats available, this exclusive dinner promises an intimate setting, perfect for food enthusiasts, culture lovers, and festival-goers who want to experience Kadayawan in a truly unique way.

The Bistro’s Kadayawan Learn and Dine will take place on August 30, 2025, from 6pm to 9pm at Discovery Samal. For reservations and inquiries, please contact fb@discoverysamal.com.

Celebrate Kadayawan at Discovery Samal’s The Bistro, where culture, flavor, and storytelling come together in one unforgettable evening.

ABOUT DISCOVERY SAMAL

Discovery Samal is the first and only Discovery Resort brand in Mindanao, with the biggest resort convention facilities in Davao. Backed by Discovery’s award-winning, iconic, and memorable service and branded experiences, Discovery Samal offers the most magnificent views of the Davao Gulf, located in a sprawling enclave of carefully curated meeting, dining, and relaxation in the country’s premier Resort City.

With 153 lavish villas and plush accommodations, four intimate meeting rooms, and one opulent convention center that can accommodate up to 1,200 guests, Discovery Samal promises profound experiences for business and leisure, combining idyllic settings, refined comfort, convenience, and connectivity, and the genuine culture of care the Discovery brand is known for.

ABOUT DISCOVERY RESORTS

More than a luxury resort, Discovery Resorts promises a profound experience that combines idyllic settings, refined comfort, and the genuine care of its passionate hosts.

Every stay at Discovery Resorts is brimming with cherished memories, the kind that live not in the mind but in the hearts of its guests. A unique story passed on from generation to generation, real life to social share or is secretly treasured by oneself. Discovery Resorts is a beloved place where guests always return to enjoy and appreciate the moments that matter.

ABOUT DISCOVERY HOSPITALITY

Discovery Hospitality Corporation (DHC) is a proudly home-grown Filipino hospitality group managing the Philippines’ best-loved brands. It has emerged as the pioneer in the Philippine hospitality industry – owning and operating a diverse and vibrant collection of properties in the Philippines’ most celebrated destinations. Confident in the growing Filipino hospitality industry, the group leverages its brand equity and trust for further growth in hotel management and expansion. Driven by its purpose to care for its stakeholders, DHC strives to deliver authentic experiences that are true to the locale and build hotel brands that inspire the modern traveler, underpinned by genuine Filipino warmth. For more information, visit www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com.

For reservations and inquiries, please visit http://www.discoverysamal.com or contact +63 84 308 2998.