Melo Villareal
Kadayawan Festival 2016
Now that the Philippines has a newly elected President, incumbent President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, people became more interested in knowing and exploring more about Davao where the incoming president served for almost 20 years. This coming 12th of August, Davao will start celebrating its 31st Kadayawan Festival.
Kadayawan festival is an annual festival held in Davao City. It was said that the origin of this festival was the thanksgiving offerings made by the locals in Davao’s Mount Apo to express their gratitude to their diety named “Manama.” The name of festival “Kadayawan” came from the local dialect “Madayaw.” Madayaw means something with utmost importance, precious or in other terms a treasured valuable. It gives clearance on why the said celebration is about thanksgiving.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, rice and other farm products are put on a mat to be offered. Not only that, loud singing, energetic dancing and ululations were also made by the locals to make the offerings more appealing. Up to this day, it is good to say that that the festival was preserved and have not changed much but there are still minor changes. Some of these are the Kadayawan festival gives way to some independent festivals while remaining the main theme of the celebration which is thanksgiving and has also combined cultural and historic influences.
During the festival, local and foreign visitors tend to shop for farm products. In this point, form products are made affordable for everyone plus you get the chance to have a glimpse of how the foods are prepared.
The festival is celebrated every third week of August. As expected, the numbers of tourists soar high. Because of this, you should make accommodation bookings in advance.
The scheduled activities and venues are as follows:
| DATE | TIME | ACTIVITY | VENUE |
| 08-12-16 | 8:00 AM- 11 AM
4:00 PM- 6:00 PM | Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Cerium Race Fashion Presentation of HiyassaKadayawan | Magallanes, CM Recto, Rizal Legazpi Gaisano South Citimall |
| 08-13-16 | SKIM Davao 3rd Whoosh NatinalSkimboarding Event | MerGrande Ocean Resort | |
| 08-14-16 | 6:00 AM- 1:00 PM | Flight of the Eagles | Magsaysay park-Malagos |
| 08-15-16 | 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM | WAW Davao Recreational Kayak Race | Davao Marina Mark |
| 08-16-16 | 8:00 AM- 2:00 PM
10:00 AM- 6:00 PM
5:30 PM- 6:00 PM
7:00 PM | Davao Whale Watching
Preliminaries of the SayawMindanaw
Mass and Promenade of Pasasalamat Concert of 200 Voices | Lasang, Davao City
SM City Davao
Quezon Park
Centennial Park |
| 08-16-16 | 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
10:00 AM-6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM- 8:00 PM 7:00 PM- August 18 | WAW Davao Surfing 101
Preliminaries of the SAYAW MINDANAW
Search for Festival Symbol or HIYAS SA KADAYAWAN
Mindanao Fashion Show or UROG ETNIKA
Ikabana International Exhibit | Chemas Beach Resort
SM City Davao
SM City Davao
SM City Davao
NCCC Mall Ground Level Palma Gil Street |
| 08-17-16 | 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
4:00 PM- 8:00 PM
7:30 PM- 11:30 PM
6:30 PM- 12:00 MN | WAW Davao Sports Fishing and Island Hopping
Kasamongan Festival
Davao River Festival or SUBA SA KINABUHI
AGONGAN UG KULINTANGAN
2nd Global PWU-PWC Alumni | Island Garden City of Samal
IIPE Grounds
Davao River Promenade
Matina Town Square
The Venue |
| 08-18-16 | morning until afternoon
9:00 AM- 12:00 NN
1:00 PM- 5:00 PM
4:30 PM- 10:00 PM
morning until afternoon
7:00 PM
6:00 PM- 12:00 MN | Globe Intensity G Caravan
Davao Horse Rite or HURAWAN
Indigenous Peoples Festival or LUMADNONG KAGIKAN
WAW Davao Sunset Cruise and Moonlight Cruise
ABS CBN Global Concert
SAYAW MINDANAW FINALS
Blue Roost: Ateneo de Manila National Reunion
| Rizal Park
Gaisano Mall of Davao
Davao Gulf Rizal Park SM City Davao
The Marco Polo Davao
|
| 08-19-16 | 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
9:00 AM-9:00 PM
12 :00 NN- 3:00 PM
2:00 PM- 5:00 PM
7:30 PM
7:30 PM- 2:00 AM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM-5:30 PM | WAW Davao Barkadahan: An Island Getaway Street Dancing or INDAK-INDAK SA KADALANAN Ginoong Kadayawan Longest Durian Roll David Pomeranz Concert Street Disco or YANOG UG YUGYUGAN SA KADALANAN M.O.R. For Life! Street Party Airsoft Games
| Davao Gulf
Major City Routes
NCCC Mall
Roxas Avenue
NCCC Mall Conventional Hall Major City Routes
Bonifacio Street – Legaspi Street RMC Gym
|
| 08-20-16 | 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
1:30 PM- 5:30 PM
5:30 PM- 12:00 MN | WAW Davao Diving 101 Floral Float Parade or HALAD @ PASALAMAT NI MAYOR SA KATAWHAN CONCERT
|
Major Downtown Areas
Rizal Park
|
So what are you waiting for? Book your flights as early as now to enjoy the 31st Kadayawan Festival at its finest!
Where to stay in Davao City?
- 5 Best Rated Davao Hotels
- Top 8 Budget Hotels in Davao City
- Experience the Heart of Davao at Marco Polo Hotel
