Want a manicure, barbecue, or fruit shake? Head out to Davao City’s Roxas night market

By Maya M. Padillo, Correspondent

DAVAO CITY — Sidewalk and ambulant vendors who were affected by the city government’s move three years ago to reclaim walking space for pedestrians were not too keen about the alternative area being offered to them: Roxas Avenue at night.

When the Roxas night market — officially called the Tiangge sa Katawhan — was started in January 2014, there were only about 200 vendors who reluctantly opened stalls, mainly selling second-hand items popularly known in the Philippines as ukay-ukay.

Nowadays, the long stretch of Roxas bustles every night as locals and tourists converge to check out and sample the food, pre-loved goods, and services that 702 vendors are offering.    

Want a manicure, pedicure, or a back massage? Interested in barbecued entrails? A fresh fruit shake? Sneakers or boots?

You’ll find them all in Roxas.

One of the most popular stalls is Mang Danny’s ice cream where there is always a long queue for his homemade delights.

If you want a proper meal, there are also restaurants, cafés, and food stalls on both sides of the highway.

Letty D. Ferrer, administrative officer of the Drainage and Maintenance Unit (DMU), one of the local government agencies handling the nightly event, said the vendors are well briefed about sanitation and are compliant with the nightly clean-up routine.

“Kung oras na magsara na ang night market (by closing time), each vendor is required to clean their respective spaces,” Ms. Ferrer said. “We required each vendor to bring their own cleaning tools and trash bin,” she added.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office then collects the trash.

“Kaya pagdating sa umaga, malinis ang area (That’s why by morning, the avenue is clean),” Ms. Ferrer said.

The Roxas night market is open Monday to Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight.