Down on the South: Jack’s Ridge

* a small exhibit/display at the entrance of Jack’s Ridge; I like this shot for it highlights the lighting of the display [1]

Finally! A history piece. But upon checking on our saved pictures and comparing those on the things available on the internet, they are essentially the same.

Thus I am now making a first here, a direct quotation from the Jack’s Ridge page, as can be read too if you are to visit the place:

* Jack’s Ridge famous amphitheater [1]

* rocks from the past? [1]

“The land on which Jack's Ridge now stand once formed part of the headquarter of the retreating Japanese forces towards the end of the World War II. The Americans had landed in Davao on May 1, 1945, forcing the Japanese to beat a path to Matina Hills where they had a commanding view of the Davao Gulf where the American ships were anchored. Fierce fighting soon erupted between the two forces, and as history shown us, the Japanese lost.

Today, more than half a century later, Jack's Ridge is filled with reminders of its historic past. Caves dug by the Japanese pockmark the area, and once in a while people still find bullets and other war materials in the rocky soil.

There is also talk that hidden somewhere in the caves are gold bullions and other treasure that the Japanese had taken from other countries and brought to Davao.

Whatever the truth is about the treasure, Jack's Ridge maintains the feature that made it an important outpost for the retreating Japanese forces, a commanding view of Davao City and the Gulf, the same view within the premises is also refreshing, since the owner has made its mission to preserve the natural beauty of the place.”

* team UPLB [1]

* can you discern the height of the place judging from the lights on the background? [1]

The ‘commanding view’ description is fitting enough, as can be seen from the photos here. There was also a discussion during our visit there that the place used to be a part of the sea floor. But man, if that height was the seafloor back then, I can only imagine how big the seas and oceans were before! We were shown those curious rocks half-embedded on the grounds that could possibly stand evidence to these claims. Lastly, one thing that has stuck into me during our visit was the strong smell of goat dung found just outside the place.

(Next stop: Samal Island and the Philippine Eagles)