DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Dabawenyos to pray for peace in Mindanao in the occasion of the 32nd Kadayawan Celebration.
Duterte-Carpio, during her opening speech on Monday evening at Magsaysay Park, thanked the 11 tribes as the main reason for the celebration but did not miss to sympathize with other areas in Mindanao, which are now facing peace and order challenges like Marawi.
In a similar tone, President Rodrigo Duterte in his message to Dabawenyos for the 32nd Kadayawan Festival, underscored the importance of unity in maintaining the peace and order amid security challenges.
“Let us not forget despite the celebration that we have here in Davao City, during the month of August, let us not forget that we have fellow Mindanaoans who are within challenging times right now. Dili ta makalimot sa ilang mga kaagi, magpadayon ang atong pag-ampo na mahiusa na ug maging malinawon na ang ilahang nagkadaiyang lugar sa atong mga kaigsuonan dinhi sa Mindanao, we are one with you because we are one nation. (We will not forget their experiences; our prayers will continue for them that there will be unity and peace in each of their areas, the areas of our neighbors in Mindanao. We are one with you because we are one nation),” Duterte-Carpio said in her speech.
In the same speech, Duterte-Carpio thanked Captain Ronald Go, Davao City Chamber of Commerce Incorporated President, local government offices, the private sector, national government agencies who helped the local government partners in organizing the 32nd Kadayawan Festival.
Duterte-Carpio attributed to them the initial success of the festival, while also praising the 11 tribes for their participation.
“Ang pinaka-importante sa tanan ang atong pasalamat pagtimbaya, sa atong mga 11 tribes gipangunahan sa atoang deputy mayors kung dili tungod sa inyohang participation dili magmalampuson ang atoang pagselebrar sa kadayawan sa dabaw kay tungod sa inyuha duna tay celebration of thanksgiving dinhi sa siyudad sa Davao (The most important of all is our thanks to our eleven tribes led by the deputy mayors, because if not for your participation, the celebration of Kadayawan will not be possible. Because of you we have celebration of thanksgiving in the city of Davao),” she added.
She underscored that despite the challenges life must still go on in the city.
"Despite the challenges, ang atong kinabuhi ug ang atong siyudad (our life and our city) and our daily lives must go on. And our city must soar high like the Philippine eagle," she said.
The city mayor on Monday officially opened the 32nd Kadayawan Festival with the loud bang of the gong, which earned cheers from hundreds of visitors present in the venue.
Alongside her were the Kadayawan Executive Committee members in the person of Captain Ronald Go, DCCCII President, and Kadayawan Execom private sector co-chairperson, Gatchi Gatchalian- Kadayawan sa Davao Festival Director and Kadayawan Spokesperson and City Tourism Operations’ Office Office-in-Charge Generose Tecson.
As the gong sounded, a magnificent, and rainbow colored eagle came out with the center of the stage.
The mayor also hit the gong eleven times for the official opening of the Kadayawan Tribal village of the eleven tribes which were swarmed by visitors since morning of the same day.
The President urged Dabawenyos to commit to maintain unity "so that our city may remain peaceful and prosperous."
"May our people contribute to ushering in real, meaning and lasting change in the country," Duterte said in a statement.
Duterte said that the festivity is a good avenue where the city's rich historical heritage will be mainstreamed and be appreciated by other people like tourists.
Aside from that, the festival will allow the Dabawenyos and visitors to have a deeper appreciation on the various cultures nurtured here and how the city has developed over the past decades.
"With its colorful display of beautiful flowers, succulent fruits, ornate regalia, intricate crafts and vibrant dances, the Kadayawan Festival is a showcase of Davao City's life-sustaining abundance and remarkable multicultural heritage," Duterte added.
Duterte said, "This event also affirms the harmony that prevails among all Dabawenyos and celebrates the notable achievements that our solidarity has brought to the city."
He also takes pride on how the city has boomed attributed to the collective efforts of the citizens, private sector, and the local government unit.
"I am truly proud of what we have accomplished throughout the decade. Because of our camaraderie, we transformed Davao into a center of commerce and industry, a melting pot of different cultures and a haven for all peace-loving citizens in Mindanao," he said.