The city of Davao will mobilize a total 28,599 men and women in uniform to secure Kadayawan Festival 2017 and its month-long activities beginning on August 1.
P/Senior Inspector Maria Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, told the AFP-PNP press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel that the figure does not include men and women who will be in civilian clothes but who will form part of the security preparations.
“Kasado na ang mga preparations,” she said. “And considering that we are still under Martial Law, the armed forces and the police organization are in full alert status not only to ensure its implementation but also to ensure peace and order.”
PSI Gaspan said the Davao City police alone will mobilize 3,000 of its personnel for the Kadayawan, to be augmented by a contingent from the police regional office.
She added that in the exigency of the service, the police organization has cancelled requests for leaves to ensure most of its personnel are on active status.
Organizers of the festival vowed nothing will stop Davao in hosting a grand celebration. Despite the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, the Kadayawan Festival 2017 will push through as scheduled according to festival Director Gatchi Gatchalian.
He described this year’s edition as the loudest, the grandest and the biggest Kadayawan festival.
A total of 17 events are distributed throughout the month-long celebration, to include : Habi sa Kadayawan, Mugna sa kadayawan , Pitik sa kadayawan, Kadawan dragon boat festival, Kadayawan fruit market, Tunog Kadayawan, Sayaw Kadayawan, Kaondayawan, Bantawan Nightly and the Kadayawan Village.
The regular events like Indak- Inkdak sa kadalanan and Pamulak sa Kadayawan are still included in this year’s celebration.
“Dahil sa dami ng activites ngayon, and a bigger celebration, from 7 last year to 17 now the budget is also bigger right now at P32 million,” said Genrose Tecson of the City Tourism Office. She said the activities have been screened very well by the festival director and the whole Executive Committee.
She said P13 million will be coming from the trust fun intended for the Kadayawan Celebration and the City Government will be adding P4 million to it, with the 15 million to be raised by festival partners.
Gatchillan also thanked Captain Ronald Go, President of Davao City Chamber of Commerce for the chamber’s support and the festival partners for making the event possible.
The Indak- Indak, Pamulak sa kadayawan and Pitik sa kadayawan will be held at the Kadadyawan Dome which will be located at the San Pedro Square which is 18 ft by 200 ft tent. “We are calling it Kadayawan Dome and we are making sure that the entrance looks like a dome.” said Gatchalian. This will cover the entire area from Chowking until the end of San Pedro Cathedral. There are also bleachers available so that the audience will be comfortable. The stage will be an arena style where in the participants will be performing in the 4 sides of the stage. The judges will also be spread out in the different sides.
There are certain changes in this year’s celebration; Pamulak sa Kadayawan will be much louder event because of the Pitik sa Kadayawan which is a Drum Beaters Competition. The Competitors of Pitik sa Kadayawan will be in between the Pamulak Floats. Habi sa Kadayawan is a fashion accessory design competition open to all students, designer, hobbyist and professional. They need to come up with any fashion accessory inspired by one of Davao tribes. “Dito po natin makikita ang creativity ng mga Dabawenyo.” said Gatchalian. Tunog Kadayawan which is a song writing completion sayaw sa kadayawan which is a interpretative dance competition inspired by the 11 tribes. Mugna Kadayawa which is a dooddle art competition, this was made possible in cooperation with some of the Art students in University of Mindanao. This will be held at the Kadayawan Village. The art works will also be displayed the kadayawan Village. Hiyas Kadayawan will have a bigger venue which will be held at USEP Gymnasium and Cultural Center which can accommodate 5000 people. This event is free for the public. (With a story by Angie Saveron)
