DAVAO CITY – The City Government of Davao has thrown its support behind "Kulay ng Sining Year 3," an art exhibition launched on Monday, August 10, at the Acacia Davao Hotel in Lanang in celebration of the 2026 Kadayawan Festival.

Dubbed "Anyo, Kulay, at Likha," the exhibition features "Hiraya: La Ropa Nueva Vergara," an installation by Vheejay Salonga inspired by Davao's former colonial name, "Nueva Vergara," and its rich cultural history.

Hiraya: La Ropa Nueva Vergara is the major visual element of the event, which Salonga described as a tribute to Davao City's 11 Indigenous cultural communities, their shared heritage, and enduring traditions.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibit, City Tourism Operations Office officer-in-charge Willenito Tormis thanked Acacia Davao and the Davao Art Collective for staging the event and for their consistent support for the city and the tourism sector.

Tormis said initiatives such as Kulay ng Sining help strengthen Davao's creative industry while also giving greater visibility to the traditions, patterns, and identities of the city's 11 ethnolinguistic cultural communities.

He particularly noted the lobby installation created for the event, which incorporated patterns from the 11 ethnolinguistic cultural communities and paired them with floral colors and forms. "It's an artistic way of presenting Davao's cultural identity."

Salonga said the installation brings together distinct tribal identities into a single visual tapestry, with each community carrying its own stories, traditions, artistry, and legacy, yet connected by a shared home and cultural heritage.

"The work honors generations that preserved their traditions and stories through art and culture," Salonga said. "It also connects the past, present, and future by presenting heritage in a modern, creative form."

Tormis encouraged organizers and cultural groups to hold similar activities throughout the year, saying Davao's culture and the heritage of its Indigenous and Muslim communities should be celebrated beyond Kadayawan.

Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts head Oscar Casaysay earlier said the city is working to strengthen its creative industry and gain recognition as one of the country's creative cities, and that cultural advocates and artists have been preparing for this.

Kulay ng Sining, running from August 10 to 23, features over 100 artworks in painting, contemporary art, floral design, fashion, and other creative works. It features works by nine artists and floral creations by the Floral Artists of Davao.

Wilfred Dexter Tanedo, speaking on behalf of the Davao Art Collective, said the exhibition was designed not merely as a display of attractive works but as a gathering of the city's creative community.

He said the participating artists represent different chapters of Davao's artistic development, with some working from traditional and classical approaches and others exploring modern and contemporary forms. 

"Their works draw from observation, beauty, memory, identity, nature, imagination, and personal experience," Tanedo said. "I've seen Davao artists struggle, experiment, fail, start again, and eventually find their individual voices."

He added that an artist's value is measured not only by awards, recognition, exhibitions, and contributions to the community but also by the courage to continue creating and contributing for everyone's benefit.

Tanedo said the exhibition also features an award-winning group of all-female floral artists whose members have previously exhibited in Manila and Davao, reflecting the organizers' efforts to broaden the event beyond conventional visual art forms.

"Participation of designers and other creative practitioners underscores that art extends beyond the canvas and becomes part of clothing, spaces, objects, identity, and everyday experience," he said.

Tanedo, grateful to Acacia Davao, emphasized that Davao City has no shortage of artists, but the creative community needs more spaces to showcase their work, share their voices, and connect with wider audiences.

Acacia Hotel Davao resident manager Daffodil Martinez-Bahani welcomed artists, guests, and cultural partners and thanked those who contributed to this year's art exhibition, including the creators of the lobby installation. 

Bahani said this year's theme highlights the diverse artistic styles, stories, and forms featured in the exhibit. She added that the event is part of Kadayawan, which celebrates Davao's cultural diversity, abundance, and creative identity.

The City Government of Davao said it hopes the exhibition will continue to grow in the coming years, attract more participants, and help build a stronger platform for local artists, designers, and cultural communities.