EXPECT more events to come back in this years Kadayawan Festival, a Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) official said.
CTOO officer-in-charge Jennifer Romero said they are planning to bring back more face-to-face events which were halted during the pandemic, which include the Habi Kadayawan and Kadayawan Dragon Boat Festival.
However, the list of additional events has not yet been finalized as these await approval from the City Budget Office.
We are still waiting for the figures for our [City] Budget Office, one things for sure that is we are gearing towards the preparation [of the Kadayawan festival]& mas early atong preparation at least maplantsa siya (we have prepared early so that we can iron things out early as well), Romero said in an interview with the media, June 5, 2023.
Aside from the aforementioned two events, Romero said they are also planning to add an event called Kasikas Kadayawan which will be on the latter part of the festival.
Its a variety show featuring mga Kadayawan songs, dance, and more of musicality for Kadayawan, she said.
The official said the city had started its planning together with its stakeholders in preparation for the annual festival last June 1, and it will be every Thursday until August 10, when the festival will commence.
Ang (The) thrust sa atong (of our) office is we want to level up all events and activities so well make sure well prepare everything na hapsay siya na ma-execute siya (will be go smoothly) as planned, Romero said.
Kadayawan, dubbed as the King of festivals in the country, will mark its second year face-to-face celebration since the pandemic. The festivities are held every third week of August and highlight the 11 tribes of Davao.
Kadayawan was firsty known as the Apo Duwaling Festival in the 1980s. The celebration highlights the bountiful harvest of the people of Davao City and the harmony of all the tribes living within its borders.
In 1988, it was officially renamed the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival, a widely-known festival throughout the world.