38th Kadayawan opening: Harmony of tribes, unity of Dabawenyos

If the Pag-Abli (Opening) program at the Bantawan Amphitheater in Magsaysay Park on Thursday night was a preview of what this year’s Kadayawan celebration will be, then it sure will be grand.

No less than Mayor Sebastion Duterte showed how the 38th Kadayawan Festival should be celebrated– with a bang. He, with all his might, struck the gong thrice, signalling the opening of the festivities.

The Pag-Abli started with a mass celebrated by Archbishop Romulo Valles D.D., followed by a Tri-People prayer, and the symbolic offering or “Paghalad sa Abot Sa Makugihong Kamot” by the 11 deputy mayors, the Hiyas representatives and tribal representatives.

Nicole Bian-Ledesma, Kadayawan Executive Committee Co-Chair, said Kadayawan is a celebration of identity.

“Kadayawan is not just an event but a celebration of our shared identity. Our shared emotions and stories that bind us together as one,” Bian-Ledesma said.

“History has indeed taught us that we are stronger than we think and we are stronger together. Our rich culture and heritage, our shared gratitude, hope, faith, and love for our city will illuminate the path for our brighter future for us all. Padayon ta tanan, Padayon Davao,” Bian-Ledesma added.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in his speech, underscored the city’s secret to progress– its people, inclusivity and discipline.

“Mao ra gyud na nganong kita mahimo gyud nga mapanindot nato ang atoang lugar kay dili man ta magsinikohay, dili lang pag-abot sa lahi nato ug sa kuan pud sa atoang respeto sa isig katawo, paghigugma nato sa atong lugar ug pinaka-importante sa tanan ang disiplina natong Dabawenyo. (That is what I can see why we are capable of making this city better because we exist fairly, not only in the midst of people with different roots from us but we also show respect to our fellowmen, we have love for our city, and most importantly, we Dabawenyos have discipline),” the mayor said.

“Bisan asa asa ka gikan ning kalibutana ni kung diri ka nagpuyo sa Davao [kung] nagatuo kag kalambuan, nagatuo kag kalinaw ug naa kay kahadlok sa Ginoo, kang Allah, kang Manama, ikaw maoy tinuod nga Dabawenyo (Wherever you may come from when you live here, if you believe in progress, if you believe in eace and if you have fear to God, Allah, or Manama, you are a true Dabawenyo),” he added.

Junior Mayor Elysse Ciano, representing the Davao City Junior Officials who took oath in line with the Lingo ng Kabataan, said Kadayawan is a celebration of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Ciano also emphasized on the contribution of each Dabawenyo to the safety and security of the city through exemplifying values of respect honesty and discipline.

“More than that it is also because our hospitality and warmth that we continue to co-exist as one united multi-cultural community,” Ciano said.

Thursday Pag-Abli was a cultural overload of sorts, with performances from the University of Mindanao Chorale, Kalumon Cultural Ensemble and others.

The Pag-abli ended with a musical showcase by the Mebuyan band and dance performances by the Kalumon Cultural Esemble. They were joined by no less than Mayor Duterte, the reigning Hiyas ng Kadayawan Beauty Rose Gandarosa and the 2023 Hiyas ng Kadayawan participants. CIO