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Friday, August 18, 2006
The show goes on
THIS year's celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival is definitely the most memorable and colorful festival for the last 21 years. The celebration is hounded by different intrigues and controversies just two days before the festival officially started.
First, Hiyas sa Kadayawan '06 committee chairperson Oscar G. Casaysay resigned from his post after being slighted when he was ordered by City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to remove the male contestants from the contest.
Second, the Hiyas sa Dabaw contest was cancelled after the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Foundation, Inc. and the nine female Hiyas finalists decided not to push through with the said contest after learning that the three male finalists are to be eliminated as ordered by the city mayor. Tears fell from the female finalists with the "sacrifice" they have to make for the sake of gender-sensitivity and unity.
Third, Tourism Operations Officer Id Acaylar, who is a member of the Kadayawan Foundation, voluntarily resigned from his post after the mayor advised him to.
With all the controversies, conflict, resignations, one can't help but ask, is there still something to celebrate? The answer is a big yes, according to the organizers themselves.
Kadayawan sa Dabaw Foundation, Inc. president Tina Dotimas said celebrating the Kadayawan Festival is relevant to the economy of the city and in building a positive image of the city.
Acaylar said it will always be relevant to celebrate the Kadayawanas as shown by the people's common beginning.
He said, through the celebration, the people's culture is preserved and remembered.
Dotimas also said the festival is one way of promoting the city to the world.
"If you have noticed, most of the companies, establishments or groups in Mindanao or even sa labas would coincide their events in time for the Kadayawan," Dotimas said.
Based on the official list of Kadayawan activities, there are only 16 official events, these are the Tabo-Agro Industrial Trade Fair, Kaan Dawet-Street Food Fiesta, Pasalamat-Mass and Opening Rites, Tingog Kadayawan- Concert of 400 Voices, Hiyas sa Kadayawan-The Festival Symbol, Urog-Etnika-Mindanao Fashion Showcase, Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan-Street Dancing, Halad-Floral Float Parade and eight others.
But, the list of activities reached until 50 as groups and private establishments have also enlisted their events in time for the Kadayawan.
Among them is the Ikebana International Exhibit, USA Kadayawan Balik Davao Dinner Dance for a Cause, 2nd Global PWU-PWC Alumni Congress, RMN Kadayawan Pop Fiesta, Castrol Kadayawan Motorcross Competition, David Pomeranze Concert, MUZIKLABAN and many others.
Davao Convention and Visitors Cooperative Bureau vice-chair Art Boncato has confirmed the statement of Dotimas saying that August has become the peak month for travel and tourism in the city because a lot of people are coming into the city to witness the celebration.
"They know that they can get a premium because of the Kadayawan so a lot of groups, organizations would want to plan their meetings and events around the Kadayawan period," Boncato said in a separate interview.
According to Boncato, there are a total of 2,900 rooms in all hotels in the city. During the festival, these hotels enjoy a 90 to 100 percent occupancy.
"Regularly, there is only a 50-70 percent of occupation in hotels," he said.
With it, Boncato, who is also the vice chair of the Davao City Tourism Council, said celebrating the festival has helped the city become a tourist destination.
"Holding a festival sends positive messages. We have created a very good name for Davao because of the festival. Kadayawan has been a reputation itself already. In fact, it's position now is the festival of all festival," Boncato said.
According to him, the festival paved way for the participation of provinces in the Mindanao to participate and showcase their own culture, and songs and dances.
Boncato said the city's tourism has constantly improved as years passed because of the festival. (BRQ)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 18, 2006 issue)
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