Kadayawan 2012 commences
Posted Date : 2012-08-04


Kadayawan, Davao’s annual festival of thanksgiving for a year-round bounty, formally opened yesterday, August 3, at the fantasy-themed People’s Park.
 
In a fitting tribute to this years’ theme “Ten Tribes, One Vibe”, leaders of the ten tribes, joined Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte during the opening program.
 
Accentuating the event was the unveiling of the huge bounty basket containing different fruits and vegetables.
 
Davao City is known, for the longest time, as home to several varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially durian, the king of all fruits.
 
Davao is also rich in other agricultural products like mangoes, mangosteen, lanzones, rambutan, and of export quality banana, cocoa beans and coffee.
 
The City Government of Davao, together with this year’s organizer lined up several events for the month-long celebration. The highlights are slated on August 17 to 19.
 
Major events like the Hiyas sa Kadayawan finals will be on August 17, the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan on August 18 and the Pamulak Kadayawan and Pahalipay Concert ni Mayor Inday and Vice Mayor Rody on August 19.
 
In addition to the annual traditional activities, new events like the Hulagway sa Kadayawan Photo Contest and the Davao City Trivia Exhibit, with the title “Know Your Culture”, have also been lined up.

Earlier, Festival Director and Official Spokesperson Orly Escarrilla said the month-long celebration will bring "more or less" 70,000 visitors to Davao City, based on the figures compiled by the Department of Tourism XI and the City Tourism Operations Office for the festival from 2009 to 2011.
 
Kadayawan is derived from the Mandaya word "dayaw", which means “good”, “beautiful”, ”excellent” or “something that brings good fortune.” It is also used as a welcome greeting or expression of goodwill. (City Information Office)