KADAYAWAN Festival 2026 was officially opened on Friday, August 7, with a ceremonial gong strike led by Vice President Sara Duterte and the 11 deputy mayors representing Davao City's Indigenous Peoples (IP) tribes, signaling the start of the city's month-long thanksgiving celebration rooted in culture, unity, and gratitude.
During the revival of the Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtagbo earlier in the day, participants were reminded that the Davao River is where the city's story began — a place where culture met and unity was born. Present during the opening were the councilors of the Davao City Council, department heads, the deputy mayors of the 11 cultural communities, the Hiyas ng Kadayawan candidates, Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte, members of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), and the Vice President herself.
In her speech, Duterte described Kadayawan as more than a celebration of bountiful harvest and tradition, calling it also a display of strength and resilience, especially amid social struggles. The event also looked back on the festival's humble beginnings, noting that Kadayawan started in 1988 and has since grown into the country's "King of Festivals" — now the biggest edition of the celebration to date and still one of the most anticipated festivals in the country.
“The Kadayawan is more than a colorful celebration of culture, harvest and gratitude. It reflects the strength and resilience of the people of Davao especially in the face of economic and political struggles,” she said.
“Karong panahona daghang nagkalisod tungod sa kamahal sa mga panaliton, kakulang sa trabaho og lain-lain nga opinion sa pulitika, apan ang kadayawan nagtudlo kanato nga mas importante ang pagtinabangay, pag respeto sa usa’g-usa, ug pagpasalamat sa mga grasya nga atong nadawat gikan sa Ginoo (Nowadays, many people are struggling because of the rising cost of goods, lack of jobs, and differing political views. However, Kadayawan teaches us that what matters more is helping one another, respecting each other, and giving thanks for the blessings we have received from God). We will remain unbowed. this is the true spirit of Davao and this is the true meaning of Kadayawan,” the Vice President added.
The ceremonial rite, one of the festival's most enduring traditions, formally opened this year's celebration as the resonating sound of gongs symbolized unity among Davao City's 11 ethnolinguistic tribes and honored their enduring role in preserving the city's cultural identity.
The opening ceremony gathered local officials, tribal leaders, cultural performers, and residents in a celebration that highlighted Davao's Indigenous heritage and agricultural abundance.
The gong strike also underscored the festival's core message of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and the blessings enjoyed by the city and its people.
This year's festival carries the theme "We Are One, KadayaONE!" with the tagline "KadayaONE All Over the City: Best Kadayawan Experience," emphasizing unity among Indigenous communities, settlers, and visitors while promoting Davao City as one of the country's premier cultural tourism destinations.
According to the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), Kadayawan Festival 2026 features 26 official events spread throughout August, making it one of the largest editions of the annual celebration.
The city government allocated a ₱68-million budget for this year's festivities, higher than previous years, to accommodate additional activities, improved cultural presentations, and increased prizes for major competitions. Organizers are targeting around 250,000 tourist arrivals, surpassing last year's visitor turnout.
Among the festival's highlights are the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, Pamulak sa Kadayawan Floral Float Parade, the Hiyas sa Kadayawan cultural pageant, the Agri Trade Fair, tribal village showcases, cultural performances, and community events that celebrate the traditions of Davao City's 11 Indigenous Peoples tribes. The festival also serves as a platform to promote local products, tourism, and the city's thriving agriculture sector.
To ensure a safe and orderly celebration, the city government has deployed around 19,000 integrated security and safety personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, emergency response units, and other partner agencies across festival venues and major thoroughfares throughout the month-long festivities. Authorities have expressed confidence that the extensive security measures will help deliver a peaceful and successful Kadayawan celebration for both residents and visitors. DEF, GRS
