The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) is building up its chief festival attraction — the Kadayawan tribal village — for an enhanced visitors’ experience in the 38th Kadayawan sa Davao festival.
The Kadayawan tribal village has been the main attraction during previous editions of the Kadayawan sa Davao showcasing the rich culture of the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes — Ata, Maguindanaon, Matigsalug, Bagobo Klata, Maranao, Obo Manuvu, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Tasug, Sama, Iranun, and Kagan.
“Part sa atoang gisugdan na karon is the enhancement of the village. We will make sure na ready ang atoang village to cater to the guests in time for Kadayawan. We will also be improving the signage. Although, this is just a proposed layout, naa ta’y buhaton na vicinity map, where guests can see and scan QR code when they go inside Magsaysay Park and get the overview or get to know each tribe. Para interactive while they are also roaming around the village, they can learn the background of the 11 tribes. Those are some enhancements nga atoang ginabuhat,” said Jennifer Romero, officer-in-charge of CTOO during Wednesdays media forum at Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall.
Aside from the activities set at the tribal village, Romero said they are coordinating with City Economics Enterprise on putting up a food fair inside the park to make it interactive as well as identifying an area wherein food and drinks can be sold throughout the Kadayawan festival week.
She said they are also proposing to utilize the beachfront in Magsaysay Park for the family to enjoy.
She also said they are planning to set up an exhibit like plants for the plantitas.
“We wanted na they (visitors) can able to feel the Kadayawan at Magsaysay park this month of August,” Romero said.
Meanwhile, Datu Rody Mande, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the City Council of Davao, said the 11 tribes are honored to celebrate this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao festival.
“Ang atoa dinhi sa Davao nga natun-an nga magkahiusa gayud, bisan unsa man nga tribu ang importante nagka hiusa ta,” he said.
