Dabawenyos urged to look back on cultural roots, IP challenges

As Davao City opens Kadayawan sa Dabaw, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte urged Dabawenyos to look back on their cultural roots and the challenges facing the indigenous peoples – in the past and the current situation.

Mayor Sara said that it is important for people to be aware of the challenges facing our indigenous peoples.

“Ang pinaka una ang paghinumdom sa atong kagikan, and then number two ana is ang mga issue and challenges that our indigenous peoples are facing right now. Dili lang sa Covid-19, but daghan, for example, ang ilahang ancestral domain, access to education, access to opportunities, kanang mga ingon ana (Foremost is remembering our roots and number two is the issues and challenges that the indigenous peoples are facing not only with Covid-19 but a lot, for example, their ancestral domain, access to education, access to opportunities, things like that),” she said.

“Kadayawan is a celebration of a bountiful harvest, and our Indigenous Peoples (IP) diri sa atoa syudad sa Davao (here in the City of Davao),” she said on Monday before Davao City Disaster Radio.

She added that the celebration of IP culture here is a celebration of culture elsewhere.

While Dabawenyos enjoy a long weekend (August 21 to 24), Mayor Sara said that Dabawenyos should celebrate Kadayawan in their homes.

Dabawenyos can participate in the watch parties via the Kadayawan Digital Week 2020. They can also cook indigenous recipes in their homes and spend time with their family.

If people choose to go out, the mayor reminded them to practice health protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining one-meter distance from other people, and frequent handwashing for their protection.

On Monday (August 10), the city government has launched the Kadayawan Digital Week – a virtual commemoration of the Kadayawan sa Davao for Dabawenyos to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. Dabawenyos can click on the Kadayawan sa Davao Facebook Page to participate.

During Monday’s joint Media Launching of the Kadayawan Digital Week 2020, the city government and the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) released the Kadayawan schedule of activities.

Gatchi Gatchalian, the DATA president, said this year’s Kadayawan will be a commemoration, instead of a celebration, because the city has declared a period of mourning until December 31, 2020, due to the pandemic.

He underscored the importance of remembering the Kadayawan for the Kadayawan spirit to live on.

“We will do something now and keep on promoting Davao City. Nobody should stop us in promoting Davao City right now because we don’t wanna be forgotten. Kadayawan is worth sharing with the whole world,” he said.

The city government opened the Kadayawan with a Thanksgiving Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral.

On August 17, the city will hold a Flag Ceremony at the City Hall at 8 a.m and the Pag-Abli sa Kadayawan Online at 5 p.m. The opening ceremonies of the Kadayawan sa Davao 2020 are live-streamed via Zoom and Facebook Live.

A series of online viewing parties are also set for Dabawenyos to enjoy at home:

August 18 – the Kadayawan Retrospect Part 1 at 7 p.m. It is a webcast Series featuring personalities sharing their memorable Kadayawan experience

August 19 – Best of Sayaw Kadayawan at 7 p.m. and Best of Hiyas at 8 p.m.

August 20 – Kadayawan in Retrospect Part 2 at 7 p.m and Best of Habi Kadayawan at 8 p.m.

August 21 – Pahalipay sa Kadayawan Online: Paglaum Concert Part 1 at 8 p.m.

August 22 – Best of Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan at 7 p.m. and the Pahalipay Kadayawan Online: Paglaum Concert Part 2 at 8 p.m

August 23 – Best of Pamulak and Pitik sa Kadayawan at 8 p.m. and Best of Bantawan at 9 p.m.

August 24 – AVP showing “Pasasalamat: Honoring the Frontliners”.

The Davao City Tourism Operations Office (DCTOO) and the DATA also prepared various activities, in which, Dabawenyos can participate and win prizes.

These are the Tiktok Indak-Indak Kadayawan (IIK) – a make-your-own Tiktok contest using the official Kadayawan jingle; the Kadayawan Music Video (KMV) Making Competition, a music video-making contest using past Tunog Kadayawan entries and; MMK-X: Most Memorable Kadayawan Experience share-your-old pictures or short videos online. The full mechanics of the contest are posted at the City Government of Davao and Davao City Tourism Facebook pages.

City Tourism Operations Officer (CTOO) in-charge Gene Rose Tecson said that this year’s Kadayawan will serve as a preparation for all celebratory ceremonies under the new normal.

“I think this will also be a precursor for all the other things that we will do in the future and I am very sure that with the private sector and the media—all of us will succeed in the new normal,” Tecson said. CIO