MARCH is here and the month-long 82nd Araw ng Davao celebration was officially opened by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio via a Pasiugdang Nga Pagsaulog program at Rizal Park on Friday, March 2.
The influx of domestic and foreign tourists alike are to be expected as the city government of Davao and the private sector lined up various activities to add spice and color to the celebration of the city's charter anniversary on March 16 that will be highlighted by the annual Parada Davaoeño, a civic military parade.
Different schools citywide also started Friday the Davaoeño Ako storytelling as well as the Kalingawan sa Sta. Ana, a food fiesta and entertainment village, at Sta. Ana Pier.
The Mutya ng Davao coronation night is set at 3 p.m. today at the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Petro Gazz Arena to crown the outstanding Davaoeña beauty. while the Pasundayag sa Rizal Park opens at 6 p.m. today. It will also be held on March 3, 9 and 10.
Meanwhile, the country's future triathletes will vie for honors in the 2019 Araw ng Davao Supertrikids and Novice Triathlon slated 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, at Villa Josefina Resort Village in Dumoy, Toril.
Ginoong Davao, search for Mr. Davaoeño, is set at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center. This is the first time such event was included in the annual celebration along with the Reyna Davaoeña, Davao City's first Trans Davaoeña, on March 8 at People's Park. The Hudyaka is set the next day, March 9, at the park from 2 to 7 p.m. while a Women Summit on March 6 at Ritz Hotel and International Women's Day Parade on March 8 from Freedom Park to People's Park will also be staged.
The 49th Conferment of the Datu Bago Awards, for its part, is also on March 8 at the Arcadia Gym.
Other events include the Araw ng Davao Light Show (March 1-16), a 3D light show at Davao City Hall; Pahalipay sa mga Distrito (Feb. 20, 22, March 1, 3-8, 12-14) in 12 sub-districts; Davao Quiz Competition (March 6) at Davao City Library; Pasidungog: Garbo sa Davao (March 6) at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove; Araw ng mga Empleyado (March 8), a fun day for city government employees, at Rizal Park; 2nd Davao City International Marathon (March 10) at People's Park; Sayaw Pinoy (March 15) at SM City Davao, Kanta Dabawenyo (March 16), Sister City/Consular Offices Exhibit (March 15-17) at SM Lanang Atrium; TDR 80 Ultra Marathon (March 16-17) at Magsaysay Park-Eden Nature Park and Agribiz Expo (March 25-26) at Gaisano Mall of Davao atrium.
On the other hand, at least 29 events are entered in the month-long Araw ng Davao Sports Festival 2019.
Of course, don't dare forget the 2nd Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 24. Organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. bared Thursday that local and international entries swelled to about 2,200 last week. Mexican Mauricio Mendez and Czech Radka Kahlefeldt are defending champions but they will have to compete against those from the 38 participating countries including the Philippines.
“We are encouraged by the success of last year’s staging and the enthusiasm Davao has shown in hosting us and I expect we will see this race steadily grow in terms of prestige and participation,” Sunrise Events, Inc. founder Wilfred Uytengsu said in a statement.
Indeed, there is much to see out there. Celebrate Araw ng Davao with your loved ones. Take part in the events, be a witness, and have fun!