IT'S the third year of Fashion and Fusion, Marco Polo Davao’s Kadayawan showcase. This year’s month-long in-house festival celebration was formally launched on August 1st.
Attending the opening affair were the VIPs of the tourism sector, the members of the Hijos de Davao, artists and art connoisseurs, consular officers and supporters of the Philippine eagle.
In Fashion and Fusion, everything about Davao is highlighted. In the ante-lobby, the display highlights locally produced products, including Movement 8 founding member Maricris Floirendo-Brias’ T’nalak Home home decors and accessories, the blooms and Davao tribes find; the main lobby and second level of the hotel exhibit the paintings of featured local artist, Victor Augustus Dumaguing; and Café Marco’s buffet spread are food inspired by the 11 tribes of Davao.
On the spotlight is the Philippine Eagle. Marco Polo Hotels, a committed supporter and protector of the Philippine National Bird, has been raising funds for the raptor involving its properties in Cebu, Ortigas in Manila, and even Hong Kong, in its program.
Picking up from the successful fundraising event last year, when the hotel auctioned off Philippine Eagle plush toys wearing Renee Salud Mindanao themed designs and raised more than a quarter of million pesos, Marco Polo paraded a new set of limited edition eagle toys for auction.
Featured designers of the ten pairs of Philippine Eagle toys donning clothes inspired by the Davao tribes are members of the hotel’s different departments. Hotel GM Dottie Wurgler-Cronin joins her teams and designs for a pair of eagles as well.
This edition of Philippine eagle toys will be put on display at the hotel lobby until August 30 for interested bidders. Bidding starts at Php2,500 per pair and the winning bid will be announced at the end of the festival month.
To further show Marco Polo Davao’s commitment to the Save the Philippine Eagle cause, the hotel debuted its official mascot— the adorable Philippine eagle, Pepe.
At Café Marco, Chef Alex Destriza whipped up Mindanao tribes-inspired menu. From the array of food offering, the AdobongPugo lands on the top spot of must-try list. The pigeons are cooked whole and one may not just be enough (I know it wasn’t for me).
With Marco Polo Davao doing its share for the festival, this year’s Kadayawan may just be the most colorful and the grandest.
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