Sunday, May 04, 2008 Puentespina is Kadayawan co-chairman
DAVAO Tourism Association (Data) president Angel Puentespina from the private sector is this year's co-chair for the Kadayawan Festival.
Executive Order 12 signed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the festival chair, placed Puentespina and several other Data officers in the 2008 Kadayawan sa Dabaw Executive Committee last April 8.
This, as the private sector especially key players in the local tourism industry wanted a major role in this year's Kadayawan Festival after the local government took charge of the festival last year.
The City Government of Davao decided last year to take charge of the festival due to allegations that it was becoming more commercialized and was losing its true intent.
In Sun.Star Davao's earlier interview with Art Boncato, Data past president and director for sales and management of Marco Polo Hotel, he said after the successful staging of the Kadayawan Festival last year, which focused on the indigenous people, it is about time to involve the private sector in the festivities.
"We want to marry culture and business in this year's Kadayawan," Boncato said.
This year's theme is "Musanay Lumadnong Ka-gikan, Yutang Kabilin Panalipda!" (Flourishing Indigenous Heritage, Protecting Ancestral Nations).
In a Data circular issued April 28 by Puentespina, he urged Data members to "be one in coming up with a great festival of festivals."
The 2008 Kadayawan sa Dabaw steering committee also include Councilor Susan Isabel Reta as vice chair for government, Mary Ann Mon-temayor as vice chair for private sector, Patricia Melizza Ruivivar and Edilberto Barriga Jr. as the secretariat, and Richard Dian Vilar as festival director. (GLP)
