'Araw' trending on social network site

THE success of 76th Araw ng Dabaw celebration was not only felt within the metropolis, but it also invaded the social networking site Twitter as the word "Davao" trended, taking the ninth place in the Philippines.

Tweeps (an online slang which means Twitter users) joined the celebration by posting their greetings and reminisced their best memories during their stay in Davao City.

Vanessa Ruth Q. Chan, @vanny_chan, tweeted: "Happy 76th Araw ng Dabaw!! Wishing I was there to celebrate with my fellow Davao friends!! Enjoy the weekend Dabawenyos!"

Chan was Mutya ng Dabaw 1st runner-up or Diwa ng Davao in 2009.

Lovelle Jykka Orbeta, @LoveJykkz, said: "I just love how Davao is now on the Philippine trends list. Happy Araw 76th ng Davao! #ProudDabawenya."

"Music everywhere, People everywhere, Busy street... Araw ng Dabaw it issssss:-)," Doris Dianne, @dorisdianne, tweeted.

Neizzy Mainit, @neizzymainit, tweeted: “Happy Araw ng Dabaw! 1st time not to be in Davao to witness this very important event for dabawenyos."

Orly Escarilla, spokesperson for Araw ng Dabaw 2013, was glad to know that "Davao" trended Saturday noon.

"Wow! That's great," Escarilla said.

Meanwhile, the Parada Dabawenyo hit its target to end at 12 noon.

"The parade was smoothly carried out through the leadership of chair Erwin Alparaque with his team and the safety and security cluster," Escarilla said.

Alparaque, assistant city administrator and chair for Parada, earlier said there would be 362 contingents for the Parada representing almost all the sectors in the metropolis.

"The Dabawenyos and visitors were also very cooperative which led to the success of today's Parada Dabawenyo," Escarilla said.

Among the national candidates who joined the celebration Saturday were Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Teddy Casino, and Samuel Pagdilao.

Lawyer Karlos Izagani Zarate and Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares were also present.

Heavy traffic was experienced in the major streets of the city since rerouting and road closures were implemented to give way for the parade.

The parade passed through Roxas Avenue, then left C.M Recto Avenue, right to Bonifacio St., left to Pelayo St., and right to San Pedro St.

Alternate and access routes for vehicles from north part of the city to south, and vice-versa.

Traffic advisories/signages were also mounted in strategic areas.

Retired Colonel Desiderio Cloribel, TMC head, said their office deployed around 200 traffic enforcers, including the Traffic Eagle Squad.