Dabawenyos and tourists alike can expect a safe and colorful staging of the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao Festival this year as it marks the first face-to-face celebration since COVID-19 hit the city in March 2022.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, whose message was read by Vice Mayor Atty. Melchor Quitain, Jr. during the media launch at Seda Hotel on Friday afternoon, July 8, 2022, said the Kadayawan Festival remains to be a symbolic way of celebrating life, bountiful harvest, and diversity among Dabawenyos.
“As we bring back the face-to-face customary activities of our festival, may we find this time to fully enjoy its essence and continue to recognize and promote the rich culture of Davao City. This, while not forgetting to comply with the minimum health standards for everyone’s safety,” the mayor said.
With this year’s festival theme, “Kasikas sa Kadayawan”, Mayor Duterte encouraged everyone to celebrate valiantly as the city marks another momentous milestone.
He added, “With the reopening of borders, we are inviting all of our friends across the globe to witness the festivities prepared by the City Government of Davao for the 37th Kadayawan Festival.”
The mayor also congratulated the 2022 Kadayawan Executive Committee and everyone taking part in the 37th Kadayawan Festival.
Meanwhile, Metro Davao Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Maria Lourdes Monteverde, in her welcome message, said the past two years of the pandemic have changed everybody’s lives and the way festivals were celebrated in respective cities.
In Davao City, according to her, the past two editions of the Kadayawan Festival were celebrated through online activities.
She said, “The Kadayawan Festival is back on the streets after two years. Let’s give ourselves warm applause. This is the first national festival that is going face-to-face and it’s going to be louder and prouder, especially for us, Dabawenyos.”
Dr. Monteverde assured that “Kasikas sa Kadayawan” means to make noise and to have fun in celebrating the city’s festival; to relax and enjoy; and a way of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest as a lot of Davao City’s famous fruits like durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and marang are now available; and to showcase the celebration of the city’s 11 tribes.
“But this year, we welcome everyone to celebrate with us the first festival to be physically celebrated after the onset of the pandemic. Join us as we fill the empty streets with blaring music, creative artworks, colorful banners, and bring life back to Davao. Sabi natin (We said) life is here so let’s make and live up to what we mean that life is really in Davao City,” she added.
City Administrator Atty. Francis Mark Layog told reporters the safety and security of tourists and Dabawenyos who will celebrate the Kadayawan festival amid the COVID-19 pandemic is assured.
Atty. Layog said, “Dayon gyud ang Kadayawan, mag-wait lang ta sa (The Kadayawan will continue, we will wait for the) alert level system from the national IATF for August. We are optimistic that Kadayawan will continue as planned with all necessary precautions. The City Health Office (CHO) is also part of our sub-committee.”
He also said that security will remain strict as the city’s Security Cluster will ensure to keep everyone safe without threat.
Atty Layog cited that Davao City is currently under the alert level 1 status, allowing fully operational and full capacity status in establishments.
For updates on the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao Festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/kadayawanfest.CIO
