WITH a radiant burst of colors, music, and cultural fervor, the 38th Kadayawan Festival sprang to life in an opening ceremony at the Bantawan Amphitheater in Magsaysay Park on Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City on Thursday afternoon, August 10, 2023.
With the theme “Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals, the 'Pag-abli sa Kadayawan' transformed the park into a vibrant tapestry of traditions, unity, and boundless enthusiasm.
The festivities commenced with a mass officiated by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles.
The spotlight then shifted to the heart of the festival — the Kadayawan Cultural Village. A feast for the senses, the village showcased the rich cultural heritage of Davao City's 11 tribes - the Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog, Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, and Kagan - each with its unique stories, dances, and craftsmanship on vibrant display.
Subsequently, the 'Pag-abli sa Kadayawan' unfolded with a series of significant events, beginning with the solemn tri-people prayer and culminating in the symbolic act known as "Paghalad sa Abot sa Makugihong Kamot," executed by the 11 esteemed deputy mayors: Deputy Erwin Adolfo of the Bagobo-Klata tribe; Deputy Roel Arthur Ali Jr. representing the Ata tribe; Deputy Anthony L. Duyan from the Obu-Manuvu tribe; Deputy Carlito S. Guinto Jr. of the Matigsalug tribe; Deputy Sheirelle Uy Anino representing the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe; Deputy Estrellita T. Mahamud of the Bangsa Sama tribe; Deputy Nicanor Mohamad, Alhadj, representing the Bangsa Kagan tribe; Deputy Pamikerin Latip Arumpac Jr. from the Bangsa Iranun tribe; Deputy Ismael Nakan, Al-haj, of the Bangsa Maguindanaon tribe; Deputy Masil S. Ahalul, Alhadj, representing the Bangsa Tausog tribe; and Deputy Rahima Usman-Polao from the Bangsa Maranao tribe.
After the Paghalad, the University of Mindanao Chorale performed their winning piece “Padayun”, followed by a message from Kadayawan Executive Committee Co-Chair Nicole Ledesma who underscored the festival’s significance as a celebration of the core identity, collective emotions, and narratives that unite the Dabawenyos.
The Kalumon Performance Ensemble then took the stage, performing Joey Ayala’s composition, “Agila”, captivating the audience to a symbolic portrayal of the majestic King of the Kadayawan Festival, the Philippine Eagle.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, in his opening message, underscored the essence of unity and the culture of security among Dabawenyos. He emphasized that despite coming from diverse tribal backgrounds, the entire community had converged to commemorate the Kadayawan Festival.
“Timan-i ninyu mga Dabawenyo, usa ra ang dugo nga naga-agi sa atoang ugat, dugong Dabawenyo (Always remember, fellow Dabawenyos, there flows just one kind of blood in our veins – the blood of Dabawenyos),“ Duterte said.
Shortly after, all the deputy mayors, Kadayawan execom co-chair, and festival director joined Duterte onstage for the symbolic banging of the Agong to signify the official opening of Kadayawan 2023.
The resounding beats of the Agong reverberated across the amphitheater, heralding the official opening of the Kadayawan Festival.
After the event, the performers and drumbeaters led the spectators to the Magsaysay Monument for the Patikim, a delightful showcase where the 11 tribes generously shared traditional cuisine for everyone to savor.
Events organizer Leda Jacinto said in the ISpeak media forum on Thursday morning, August 10, that this year's opening was better than last year’s. She lauded the event for seamlessly blending modern elements while steadfastly preserving core essence of Kadayawan, which is to shine a spotlight on the rich heritage of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes.