DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 July) – Davao’s Kadayawan Festival kicks off August 9, with a series of activities that will “bring back the core essence of the festival,” according to Lisette Marques, acting city tourism officer.
Highlights of the festival, she said during the regular iSpeak media forum Thursday at the conference room at city hall, will be on August 16, 17 and 18.
Festival activities, according to City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chair of the tourism and beautification committee, include Hudyakaan sa Kadalanan on August 8-18; opening ceremony on August 9; Tunog Mindanaw and Hiyas sa Kadayawan Cultural Showcase, August 10; Kadayawan Run, August 11; Lumadnong Gama, August 9-18; Lumadnong Bantawan, August 12-16; Sayaw Mindanaw, August 14-15; Pasalamat and Hiyas sa Kadayawan Finals, August 16; Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan and Konsiyerto sa Kadayawan, August 17; Pamulak Kadayawan, Moda Mindanaw and Pahalipay ni Mayor Concert, August 18; and Agri Trade Fair, August 1-27.
Marques said they are encouraging the Davao Association of Tour Operators to have their participants come up with new tour packages to entice more guests and tourists to come to the city. “It would depend on their creativity and participation, on how they would put the Kadayawan theme in their tours,” she added.
Alejandre mentioned the plan to come up with a special mall-to-mall route shuttle service initiated by Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte for the convenience of the tourists.
The vice mayor, she said, already has requested the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the proposal and is now waiting for the agency to grant special permits for the buses. (Florienne Melendrez / MindaNews)