CELEBRATED every August, the Kadayawan Festival is a feast of the city's bountiful harvest and appreciation of the 11 tribes.
To officially kick off the celebration, a media launch was organized July 8 at the newly-opened hotel -- DusitD2 Davao Hotel. The launching was led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Davao City tourism head and this year's festival director Generose Tecson.
Kadayawan 2019 is also co-chaired by Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.
For its 34th celebration, a total of P70 million budget is eyed to be raised, P20 million of this will be shouldered by the City Government, while the rest will be coming from the private sector.
Tecson revealed that merry-making will be stretched throughout the entire month of August.
"This Kadayawan is different, as we have spread out the events during the weekends of the whole month of August to ensure the city will be able to accommodate more visitors during the Kadayawan month," she said.
Unlike the previous festivals, this year's Pamulak, Indak-Indak, and other highlights will fall on separate weekends. Indak-Indak will be on August 17 while the Pamulak will be on the 24th.
This sounds interesting as this would mean another reason for tourists to stay longer in the city and not just one weekend to witness some of the festival's highlights.
However, a lot of factors still needed to be considered. Are we ready? Especially the city's tourism operators and players?
It is too early to conclude. Let us just hope for the best. It's a good thing though that the Kadayawan execom has weeks left to iron things out.
The city has prepared a lot of activities for this year but may it not overshadow the real purpose and meaning of Kadayawan -- celebrate the harmonious living of the Lumads, Christians, and Muslims.
"We celebrate it annually not just to give Dabawenyos a reason to celebrate; we do it so we do not forget where we come from and what blessings we have received through the years, blessings which we continue to receive today," Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said.
May Dabawenyos go out and not just enjoy the festivities but use Kadayawan as an opportunity to continue to learn about one another living in a multicultural Davao community.
After all, a successful Kadayawan is a collaborative effort of the whole community.