DAVAO CITY – The city government of Davao unveiled on July 17, Monday, the brand-new logo and theme song for this year’s 38th Kadayawan Festival which is set to make a grand comeback in August. The city government launched the 38th Kadayawan Festival at Seda Abreeza on J.P. Laurel, Bajada, with the theme: “Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals.” It also revealed the new logo with “Kada Kadayawan” as the official theme song. Davao City Tourism Operations Office (DCTOO) officer-in-charge Jennifer R. Romero said in a press conference during the 38th Kadayawan Festival Media Launch that the combination of modern, symbolic, and inclusive logo draws inspiration from various sources. The logo includes the waves that pay homage to the origin of Davao’s name, previous festival logos, and cultural patterns from the 11 tribes in Davao City, said Francis Mark Layog, acting city administrator. Layog added that each pattern incorporated in the logo had received the approval and blessing of the tribal deputy mayors, ensuring their representation and respect and that event logos under the Kadayawan Festival 2023 will follow a coherent design, reinforcing the festival’s unified image. Inspired by the colorful culture of the tri-people and how Kadayawan has embraced the new age, the Kada Kadayawan theme song aims to invite tourists all around the Philippines and the world to experience the festival. With lyrics in English, Filipino, and Bisaya, the song writer, Willenito Tormis Jr., aimed to promote inclusivity and open the festival to everyone. The music’s fusion of pop, tribal, and modern beats uplifts spirits, ignites joy, and celebrates the essences of Kadayawan Festival. Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, in his message read by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., invited everyone to go out and celebrate this year’s festival of festivals hich promises a line-up of many exciting events. Duterte defined the importance of the Kadayawan Festival as the time of the year to honor the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of this city and acknowledge the gifts of nature. “This year, we are back and bigger than ever. We are excited to stage a more exciting Kadayawan Festival for everyone. Let us come together to celebrate the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and abundant harvest of our city,” Duterte said. He urged the people of Davao to embrace the soul of gratitude and acknowledge the shared reverence for the distinctiveness of individual customs and traditions that unites everyone as one Dabawenyo community. Romero said the city government is confident to host the 38th Kadayawan Festival with all their preparations, which they started in the first week of June. She added that they believe this year’s event would be successful. Layog said the city government has been coordinating with the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), Davao City Police Office (DDCPO), Task Force Davao (TFD), and City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), among others, for peace and order. “Peace and order have been a priority and will always be a priority in Davao City. I can safely say that Davao City is safe. Davao City is conducive for tourists. We have the best police office in the country based on last year’s recognition,” Layog said. Regarding traffic, Committee on Tourism and Beautification chairperson Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre said the CTTMO would soon release their traffic advisories for the vehicles and commuters’ guidance on which roads have ongoing events and are accessible to pass by. The 38th Kadayawan Festival, which has a P65-million budget (P12 million from private sector and P53 million from the government), includes Pag-abli sa Kadayawan, Habi Kadayawan, Agong ug Kulintang sa Kadayawan Competition, Tabuan sa Kadayawan, Hiyas sa Kadayawan, Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, Dula Kadayawan, Bantawan Cultural Celebration, Kasikas Kadayawan, and Pamulak ug Hudyaka sa Kadayawan. This city resumed face-to-face celebration for the festival last year as pandemic restrictions have eased.