THE PREPARATIONS have shifted to high gear for the 38th Kadayawan Festival next month.
City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) promotions head RR Lopez said at the Davao City Disaster Radio on June 27 they are holding regular Kadayawan Execom meetings to finalize details of the festivities.
“Ang administration under ni Mayor Baste is very keen on details, gina envision nga full blast gyud ang Kadayawan. Dili na mix with virtual, 100 percent face-to-face na gyud (The administration under Mayor Baste is very keen on details, envisioning Kadayawan to be in full blast. It’s no longer mixed with virtual events, it’s going to be 100 percent face-to-face),” he said.
He also said, “Mag-enjoy gyud ang tanan kay jampacked atong Kadayawan. Duna na’y five events with mechanics and guidelines. Ang mga Dabawenyos diri ug sa ubang bahin are anticipating gyud sa mga activities nato (Everyone will enjoy because our Kadayawan is jampacked. There are already five events with mechanics and guidelines. The Dabawenyos here and in other parts are anticipating our activities).”
Lopez cited the Pamulak, a floral float parade; Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, a street dancing competition; Agong ug Kulintangan sa Kadayawan competition, a battle of playing indigenous musical instruments; Hudyaka sa Kadayawan, a school-based drum and lyre/drum and bugle/brass and marching bands competition; and Habi Kadayawan, a showcase of the city’s weaving traditions and Dabawenyos’ expert craftmanship of traditional textiles, as among the Kadayawan events that already have mechanics and guidelines posted on the official Kadayawan Festival page (https://www.facebook.com/TheKadayawanFestival/).
He, however, said entries for the Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2023 are already pre-determined by their deputy mayors.
Also included in the official calendar of highly-anticipated Kadayawan events are Dula Kadayawan, Kasikas sa Kadayawan, Bantawan Cultural Celebration, and Tabuan sa Kadayawan. The Kadayawan opening is scheduled on August 10.
“Pag-release pa lang sa official Kadayawan calendar sa Facebook page, grabe na gyud ang reception sa comments section. Gusto nila mahibaw-an gyud ang mga dates ug ang mga lugar sa activities, daghan gusto muuli (Just after the release of the official Kadayawan calendar on the Facebook page, the reception in the comment section is really good.
They want to know the dates and the places of the activities; many want to come home),” Lopez said.
Aside from city-funded and organized events, he said some private organizations and establishments also have their initiatives in celebrating the Kadayawan, spicing up the festival vibe.
