CITY tourism officer Rizal Giovanni Aportadera said the upcoming Kadayawan festival is not just about fruits and flowers but more importantly about Davao's culture.
"The most unique selling proposition of a city is always its culture," said Aportadera who is also the concurrent City Information Office chief.
Along with Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2009 Mecodel Abel from the Tausug tribe, Aportadera released the final schedule of events in the upcoming Kadayawan Festival during yesterday's Club 888 forum.
The following activities have been lined up for the celebration of the 25th Kadayawan Festival:
* Dayaw (August 20, 6:30 p.m., Rizal Park) - official launching of the Kadayawan 2010
* Kadayawan Tabo (Sangguniang Panglungsod lobby, August 16-22) - a fair trade by women's groups and small entrepreneurs.
* Hulagway (Museo Dabawenyo, August 11- September 11) - a month-long exhibit of Engr. Manuel Mendros' paintings
* Panagtagbo (August 16-19 and 21 at People's Park and NCCC Mall) - will feature cultural dance and music as well as indigenous crafts
* Agri-Trade Fair (August 1-31, SM City Davao Future Development Site) - a display of flowers, fruits and livestock
* Hudyakaan (August 16-22, 5 p.m. - 2 a.m., Bolton Street) - nightly concerts featuring local and national bands
* Kadayawan Tiangge sa Chinatown (August 20-22, Unity Arc) - street bazaar featuring local and imported merchandises
* Hiyas sa Kadayawan (August 20, 8 p.m., Almendras Gym) - a search among the representatives of Davao's indigenous tribes
* Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (August 21, 7 a.m. street dancing from C.M. Recto Street to Roxas Avenue, 3 p.m. showdown at San Pedro Street) - a parade that showcases the different traditional dances of Davao and Mindanao tribes
* Pasasalamat (August 22, 7 a.m., San Pedro Cathedral) - a thanksgiving mass
* Pamulak (August 22, 8 a.m., Magsaysay Avenue - San Pedro Street) - a floral float parade featuring the fruits and flowers of the region
Aportadera also called for everyone, especially those who are working in the frontline industries of tourism such as taxis and hotels, to cooperate in making the Kadayawan 2010 a success.
"We are in close coordination with the management (of hotels and taxis) and they committed to help promote the Kadayawan activities," he said, adding that their office will be providing said industries with proper information.