Church, city gov’t make Kadayawan more meaningful

Davao City- Stand tall. United. Resilient.

Baguio City has Panagbenga Festival. Bacolod City has Maskara Festival. Cebu City has Sinulog Festival. Davao City has Kadayawan. Themed “Stand tall. United. Resilient,” the 32nd Kadayawan Festival last Aug. 14-20, 2017 brought Davaoeños again to a festival of celebration and thanksgiving for the gift of life, along with the plentiful gifts of nature and peaceful living. The term “Kadayawan” is derived from the Dabawenyo greeting “madayaw.” Dayaw means good, precious, vibrant and beautiful. This precious week-long festivity was a special day for all Dabawenyos since the diocesan clergy of Davao headed by Archbishop of Davao, Romulo G. Valles, D.D. joined the launching mass held in Magsaysay Park last August 14, 2017. Guests, tribes, government officials headed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio graced the ceremony. “I was amazed by the response of the priests of Davao after I texted them about this. They said, they are very appreciative and proud to be part of the mass because they are also part of the celebration,” said Abp. Valles.

TOURIST ARRIVAL
In an earlier press conference, Generose Tecson, Davao City Tourism officer said, “the Mindanao area is our realistic target and we are happy to say that people around the region are actually excited to join this 2017’s Kadayawan. Where is the Martial Law here in Mindanao?” Thus, a confirmation from her about the question if Martial Law would affect the number of arrival of visitors in the City.

According to Kadayawan Steering Committee Chair Councilor Ryan Alejandre, “This is a celebration of thanksgiving, a bountiful harvest sa atoang 11 tribes sa Davao City. We could see we have IPs, we have a muslim tribe here in Davao. Kini sila jud ang mga naunang tao diri sa atoang dakbayan sa Davao… so until now we give them respect, we give them honor. Sila ang nagmugna. Sila ang unang katilingban diri sa dakbayan sa Davao. We still continue that tradition and most of the activities right now are giving praise to all this IP tribes in Davao. Despite sa martial Law declared by the president they still want to come here in Davao. In fact mga 95% occupancy rate sa hotel last week, but right now it’s a 100% total occupancy rate here in Davao. Despite all what happened in Davao, and in Mindanao we still here to project. We would voice out to the whole world that Dabawenyos are united Dabawenyos, standing tall whatever what happens. Kita nagkahiusa ug kita naningkamot nga malampasan kaning mga problema nga gihatag sa atoa. We will ensure the public, the Dabawenyos and especially the city government of Davao is still for front of all these activities. And we are encouraging all to come and join kadayawan festival 2017.”

Many preparations were made such as originally there are seven events planned, this year’s festival had showcased 15 events, including the Kadayawan Village that exhibited 11 tribes in Davao City. Despite the threats, calamities and human inflicted catastrophes, resiliency became a household word describing how the Davaoeños bravely face them. And together with the Church leaders, everyone prays that after the Kadayawan, unity and courage will remain. (Jay Ann Peteros)