Dabawenyos go nostalgic through sharing images of past celebrations as Kadayawan 2020 goes virtual
By Jojie Alcantara
As the pandemic crisis sweeps the globe, major celebrations and big events around the world, Olympics included, are unfortunately cancelled. Festivals which are meant to be a joyous revelry and coming together of communities are halted by the coronavirus.
Dabawenyos, however, find a way to unite even if only in a virtual setting, by celebrating Kadayawan Digital Week 2020. This is a first after 34 years of annual romp and revelry which has brought an influx of tourists and photographers from all over.
One highlight of this year’s celebration as a way to relive this festive occasion is through sharing of beautiful old photos and videos for the “MMK-X” or Most Memorable Kadayawan Experience with catchy and witty captions.
Through decisions and agreements made by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Kadayawan Festival Director and Davao Tourism Association (DATA) President Renato "Gatchi" Gatchalian and City Tourism Officer Regina Rose "GeneRose" Tecson, moving to a digital platform would be a wiser and safer option for the residents who will continue to celebrate one of Mindanao’s major festivals from a different perspective.
“Kadayawan Digital Week 2020 aims to commemorate the essence of Kadayawan which means harmony, even with this pandemic,” says Gatchalian.
According to him, DATA initiated this launch to allow Dabawenyos to remember the beauty, the best, and the pageantry of Davao City’s flagship event.
(Jojie Alcantara) 
(Rhonson Ng)
The celebration, which will culminate on August 24, is a blend of “something old, something new” as Dabawenyos go nostalgic over reliving past Kadayawan activities like the Best of Kadayawan Viewing Party, from Indak Indak streetdancing to Pamulak Parade and others. To share this joy of a weeklong throwback Kadayawan, a lineup of activities was announced to encourage everyone to join through online competitions like TikTok Indak Indak (streetdancing moves through the famous app) and creating music videos with the Kadayawan Music Video (KMV) Making Competition. Kadayawan in Retrospect will have special webcast series featuring personalities like former festival directors, Margie Moran Floirendo (Miss Universe 1973) and DOT Undersecretary Art Boncato sharing their Kadayawan memories. The recent opening ceremonies of Kadayawan 2020 “Pag-abli sa Kadayawan” was done via Zoom and Facebook live, and rest of the week’s highlight of activities as well.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared August 24 a no-work holiday in Davao City in celebration of the Indigenous People’s Day during Kadayawan, which pays homage to the 11 tribes of mixed indigenous settlers whose identities make up the rich cultural heritage of this land. Formerly Apo Duwaling Festival in the ‘80s, the festival was renamed "Kadayawan" by then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte himself in 1988. On this closing day, there will be a “Pasasalamat: Honoring the Frontliners” which can be viewed through social media.
Mayor Sara Duterte issued Executive Order 25 declaring a period of mourning and vigilance from April 17 until December 31, 2020, in sympathy of the families of frontliners who died or are in grave exposure to Covid-19 as well as those suffering from the after-effects of the pandemic; and citing the “need for constant obedience of the rules set and implemented to contain the spread of the deadly virus.” Extravagant celebrations, government and barangay festivities are cancelled, and private parties should be low-keyed and tone down in smaller groups while big festivities are asked to postpone until 2021.
For Tourism Officer GeneRose Tecson, there is a lot to be learned from the COVID-19 crisis, and one of them is preparing ourselves for the future of “new normal” tourism celebrations.
Dabawenyos, however, while observing a low-pitched celebration, remain to be one of the most disciplined locals in the country.
DID YOU KNOW ?
- In 1986, a program called "Unlad Proyekto Davao" was launched by the government to unite the people after the Martial Law turmoil. Coined "Apo Duwaling," the festival name was derived from three of Davao’s famous icons: Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak; Durian, the king of fruits; and Waling-waling, the queen of orchids. “Apo Duwaling” showcased the city as a peaceful destination to visit and to do business after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.
- In 1988, then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed the festival "Kadayawan sa Dabaw" to embrace the abundance of blessings Davao is accumulating, from the bountiful harvest of flowers, fruits and other crops, to the city’s growing distinct accolades (the long list can be viewed via www.davaocity.gov.ph), and restoration of peace and order.