Davao del Norte – Davao del Norte once again teems with pride as it stages the Kadagayaan Festival 2018, in celebration of the 51st founding anniversary of the Province.
Derived from the common Visayan word “dagaya”, which means bounty, the feast marks a celebration of thanksgiving, showing off the abundant harvest, proud heritage, multicultural identity, creativity and resiliency of the Dabaonon people.
Governor Anthony del Rosario will lead the opening of the festival after delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA), dubbed as ‘Ulat ng Pagbabago’, on June 25, 2018 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.
The governor said the festival is about honoring the history and identity that bind the Dabaonons as one, while they make the most of their rich and diverse culture in moving the province forward.
He said this year’s theme, “Bawat Araw, May Biyaya ng Pagbabago,” takes inspiration from the blessings brought about by the transformational change sweeping all over the country.
“We continue to tread the path of relevant change and endeavor to provide all our people the best opportunities each day to achieve inclusive sustainable growth and development,” del Rosario said.
Among the expected guests are ambassadors and consul generals, who will be gracing the opening of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) BIMP-EAGA Tourism and Investment Expo.
As among the main highlights of the Kadagayaan Festival 2018, the expo will feature the exchange of culture and destinations among the Bimp, while providing a great opportunity for the local tourism industry and entrepreneurs to market their products within the country, as well as to Eaga member countries.
The Kadagayaan Agri-Tourism Fair also showcases highly-interactive exhibits of industry-based banner products, as well as the must-visit destinations of the province.
A plethora of government services will further rain down during the festival with the staging of the three-day BEST PEOPLE Festival of Services from June 26-28.
Other highlights include the 1st Mindanao-Wide Dog Sports Competition, Farmers-Technicians’ Day, Basta DavNor Sikat! Talent Grandfinals, Inter-LGU Basketball Championship, Hanas Dabaonon Skills Competition, Bb. DavNor 2018 Coronation Night, Hudyaka Street Dancing, and Alay DavNor Walk 2018, among others.
The festival will be capped by a grand fireworks display marking the conclusion of the grand anniversary celebration on July 1.
This year’s 51st Araw ng Davao del Norte is backed by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) and Ulticon Builders, Inc. as the official partners.
The sponsors of the historic event include the MED 9, Hijo Resources Corporation, Davao Metro Shuttle, Kapalong Cooperative, Tagum Cooperative, Inc., and LYR Group of Companies. While, the donors are the Holiday Garden Island Development Corporation and TrueMoney Philippines.
