Stand Tall. United. Resilient.
With August just a stone’s throws away, Davao City is again excited to celebrate the annual Kadayawan Festival – Davao’s most colorful, loud and deliciously diverse festival.
‘Nothing can stop us from making this beloved festival world class and truly Davao,’ Capt. Ronald Go of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. said.
Go challenged those in attendance to encourage everyone to join, participate and show what is truly happening in our beloved city of Davao.
The launch paved way for the unveiling of the official logo of the 32nd Kadayawan Festival. The magnificent shape of the mighty powerful eagle decked in specks of colors signifies solidarity and strength between and amongst Dabawenyos, Mindanaons and of us, Filipinos. That despite the hurdles and challenges, we come together as one.
Present during the unveiling were Capt. Roland Go from the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, Deputy Mayors/Tribal Leders from the eleven (11) different tribes in the city, reigning Hiyas ng Kadayawan and our beloved City Mayor Sarah Z. Duterte-Carpio.
Aside from the official logo, the official Kadayawan trophy was also presented.
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, during her message called for unity towards peace, inclusive growth and environmental and cultural preservation. She said, ‘I invite Filipinos and foreign visitors alike to come to Davao and experience a Kadayawan Festival like never before. Life is Here in Davao City; and now more than ever, we are committed to the embodiment of this maxim. So allow us to amaze you with a fiesta of colors and cultures, of gastronomic delights and pulsating music and dance. Allow us to showcase the best of Davao and the best of the Dabawenyo.’
Festival Director Gatchi Gatchalian Jr was in high spirits as he gave a rundown of this year’s upcoming activities and events. ‘Some old, some new’, he said. Of which, the events and activites were designed to further emulate the many beautiful reasons to come together and celebrate the abundance that Davao has.
The Kadayawan Village and Bantawan Nightly at the Magsaysay Park will showcase the authentic lifestyle of the eleven (11) ethnolinguistic tribes in the city. The village will highlight the culture, livelihood and ways of each of the tribes. It also is the first and most interactive village in the city.
The Hiyas ng Kadayawan will take centerstage at a new venue to accommodate a bigger crowd (USEP Gymnasium). Dula Kadayawan (at the Tionko Fields) is about the many competitive tribal games. Kaondayawan at the Palma Gil street is about the union of delicious gastronomic food finds in the city and the beats of Davao. On the other haand, Sayaw Kadayawan is a competition of dance narratives featuring Mindanao myths, legends and folklores.
The most awaited Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, Panulak sa Kadayawan and Pitik Kadayawan will all take place at the newest and biggest Kadayawan Dome that will have bleachers on the side.
Additions for this year’s festival includes Habi Kadayawan, a Kadayawan-inspired professional fashion competition and Mugna Kadayawan, a Kadayawan-inspired doodle art competition.
Also this year, the Kadayawan Festival will have a new jingle – composed by renowed folksinger-songwriters Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios and our very own, Popong Landero.
More so, this year, the festival committee are working together with the Davao Digital Influencers, Davao’s premier blogging and vlogging community of social media influencers, to utilise the vast scope of online and social media. For the latest on the upcoming Kadayawan festival, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @kadayawanfest. #Kadayawan
“This year’s Kadayawan is the festival that they will never forget. We encourage our fellow Dabawenyos and visitors to celebrate with us in the streets. See you in the streets!,” Gatchalian said.
