WHETHER you’re in a tight budget or still waiting for your allowance to arrive, do not let it hinder you from enjoying this year’s Kadayawan Festival.
Since it is made for showcasing the city’s unity and rich culture, everyone can enjoy it without exhausting much from your pockets. Here is a list of how you can maximize your Kadayawan adventure.
The Fluvial Float Parade and the Gathering
These two events mark the beginning of the festival as the city’s 11 tribes will be parading along Davao River, carrying with them their cultures and identities.
It is a good way to start off your Kadayawan adventure as you get to know the history of each tribe as it was believed that ethnic tribes around Mt. Apo usually gathered years ago during the harvest-time when they had a bountiful harvest to give thanks to their gods particularly the all-powerful Bathala (supreme God).
After the float parade, all the tribes will meet at Tionko Field to share their various delicacies and showcase their tribal dances. No admission fees required so all of you can witness the unity of culture and religion.
Hiyas sa Kadayawan
This unique pageant searches for that distinctive indigenous young lady who is knowledgeable of her native culture and wisdom. Last year, Inna Maristela Cassandra Garcia of the BagoboK’lata tribe won the crown. She also won the Hiyas ng Kulturang Lumadnon for best in cultural presentation.
The event is usually held at Davao Recreation Center and is open for public. But you have to arrive as early as two hours before the event starts if you really want to have a nice sitting spot for yourself.
Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan
This is the liveliest event throughout the festival.
Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, or street dancing, features the bountiful harvest as well as the wealth of the city’s cultures through dancing. Different contingents from Davao Region and neighboring provinces fly to Davao City to exhibit their various identities as a community and compete for the grand prize.
Pamulak sa Kadalanan
Being considered as the last highlight of the festival, Pamulak sa Kadalanan or Floral Float Parade always leaves a lasting impression for everyone.
This event is a celebration of the bountiful harvest, unity amidst tribal diversity and eternal beauty of the city’s people. You will see tons of gigantic floats made from hundreds of flowers and fruits to indicate the city’s bounty of resources.
Of course, Food Night Markets
Wonder where your P100 can take you for dinner after the activity-filled Kadayawan experience? Well, Roxas Night Market and the Ka’andayawan will surely save you.
As always, the Roxas Night Market has been the go-to of every Dabawenyo for food ventures. There you will see long arrays of barbeque stands, Filipino street foods, ice cream stalls, and many more varieties of food to choose from.
If you want to experience a new vibe of night market, the local government of Davao has brought us K’andayawan, a nightly food street market in Palma Gil Street, specially made for the festival. It will be open from August 18 to 20 with entertainments such as live band performances.
Hope you start inviting your friends and families and enjoy the Kadayawan vibes without spending too much. You will not only have fun times but you will also learn the history of why life is here in Davao City.