This city may be known for many nicknames, but it is home to two of the most awaited festivals in the region—the Kadayawan Festival and the Davao City’s Araw ng Dabaw.
Donning the “Life Is Here” motto, Davao is full of life today as it celebrates its 82nd anniversary, enthralling Davaoeños and tourists alike.
Davao City, a highly urbanized city in the island of Mindanao, Philippines and the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area, is the third most populous city in the Philippines after Quezon City and Manila, and the most populous city in the country outside Metro Manila.
Geographically situated in the province of Davao del Sur, the city is governed and administered independently from it.
Davao City is the center of Metro Davao, serving as the main trade, commerce, and industry hub of Mindanao, and the regional center of Davao Region.
Its cityhood was proclaimed on March 16, 1936. Since then, its cityhood anniversary has been the highlight event of this bustling City in Mindanao.
Araw ng Dabaw, one of their centerpiece events in a calendar year, is a vibrant feast celebrating oneness of a multicultural city.
In true grand gala fashion befitting the largest city in Mindanao, the festivities come complete with a “jam-packed, seven-day schedule of trade fairs and cultural presentations.”
Apart from this, a colorful civic-military parade and a citywide beauty pageant, featuring the smartest, most charming ladies this side of the islands in their much-anticipated search for the “Mutya ng Dabaw” are among the reasons to have fun here.
This also includes the “Parada,” “Bandahan sa Kadalanan,” “Piging sa Dan” food street party, and “Kasikas”, the city’s Ambassador of Goodwill.
Other events, such as “Huni” (pop music song writing competition), concerts, arts and culture presentations, various sports competitions are also held during the festival.
According to the city, there will be several stars of Philippine entertainment gracing the 82nd Araw ng Davao celebration.
The list of personalities includes Sam Milby, the special guest during the Mutya ng Davao pageant, and teen actress and singer Janella Salvador at the first ever Ginoong Davao male pageant.
Meanwhile, actor Joseph Marco was present at the first Reyna Dabawenya. Comedian Gladys Guevara will join the first Kanta Bidabawenyo, which will be held at the Rizal Park.
City Tourism Office head Gene Rose Tecson said that all artists joining the city’s 82nd founding anniversary celebrations are paid for by San Miguel Corp., the city’s partner for the massive celebration this year.
“These artists will join and celebrate with us to give more colors to the celebration of the Araw ng Davao. These events are created for the enjoyment of Dabawenyos and visiting tourists,” Tecson said.
“We encourage Dabawenyos to go out of their houses and join us in celebrating the 82nd Araw ng Davao,” she added.