DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte urged the people here on Friday, August 16, to continue working together for the city’s success in her message for the 39th Kadayawan Festival.
Duterte said the festival celebrates this city’s pride and the people’s continued observance of love, unity, and peace among the 12 tribes here – the Ata, Bagobo, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Bagobo-Klata, Matigsalug, Obo-Manuvu, Bangsa Maranao, Tausug, Kagan, Maguindanaon, Sama, and Iranun.
She said Kadayawan, from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” which means “valuable, superior, or beautiful,” comes from the community's shared history, dreams, efforts, and victories.
Duterte added that the people celebrate the festival as one and always united.
“We built Davao City from the foundations of our past and the strength of every Davaoeños who, despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, would overcome adversities alongside each other – bonded by faith, by the unbroken sense of community, and the shared values that constantly remind us about the life that we nurture as one people,” Duterte said.
The Vice President urged the people to celebrate the Kadayawan Festival with gratitude to the Almighty for all the blessings received throughout the year. She also wished the people to keep living peacefully with joy, respect, and love despite differences.
Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte greeted the people on Kadayawan with a photograph, where his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, mother and elder Duterte’s ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, his sister VP Duterte, and their younger brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
Mayor Duterte acknowledged the people here as the driving force for progress and the Kadayawan’s main feature. He said the true wealth and pride behind the city's development are the people.
“We must continue to do this every year, not just to drive the economy and bring in tourists but especially for the people of Davao to be familiar with our city’s rich culture and history and to live lives honoring and respecting this heritage,” Mayor Duterte said as he wished everyone an enjoyable experience throughout the festival through various activities.