Kadayawan 2011 Floral Float Parade

Replica of an eagle, durian and lumad people made from fresh flowers and native raw materials stand out in yesterday's floral float parade!The Pamulak sa Kadalanan is one of the highlights of Kadayawan 2011 Festival. Dabawenyos filled the major streets of Davao to see these parade of bountiful flowers that are found in Davao.

Filipino celebrities normally participated in this event.Coco Martin, Melissa Ricks, Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales, Lauren Young, Marian Rivera, Sid Lucero, Roxanne Barcelo and the rest of the cast of Amaya were just a meter away from me. They are not definitely the main reason why I came to downtown area.It's just a bonus for me.

I'm more on seeing what the people of Davao have come up out of the resources that we have.The different flowers I saw yesterday made me totally happy!

I have lived in Davao for quarter of a century but I just fully enjoyed the view on Pamulak sa Kadalanan. I used to watch it on TV but to be with my fellow Dabawenyos feels different. There's pride and belonging I feel within.

Exposing myself under the heat of the sun is awfully uncomfortable.But seeing the photos I took as I head back home made me forget how pink my nose and cheeks were! I was awed with the Avatar-inspired float! Unluckily I didn't have a good shot of the said entry so I can't add it here. Mabuhay ang Kadayawan 2011 Festival!

Indak Indak sa Davao 2011

Twenty two participants from Davao and neighboring cities participated in Indak Indak sa Kadalanan in celebration of Kadayawan Festival 2011. The program reminds every Dabawenyo of how bountiful our city is. It refreshes the richness of Davao's culture.It was indeed tiring to be there where a lot people struggled to have a comfortable place but it was worth staying.

The winners are the following:

Davao-based Category

Magallanes Elementary School-Grand Champion (Php 150,000)

Jesus Soriano Elementary School-2nd Place (Php 100,000)

Sta. Ana national Highschool-3rd Place (Php 70,000)

Cesario Villa Abrille National High School-4th Place (Php 50,000)

Sto. Nino National High School, Tugbok District 25 (Php 25,000)

Open Category

Purok Sison Elementary School, Surallah South Cotabato-Grand Champion (Phph 300,000)

Sto. Nino, South Cotabato- 2nd Place (Php 200,000)

Isulan Sultan Kudarat-3rd Place (Php 150,000)

New Bataan National High School, Comval Province- 4th Place (Php 100,000)

Sarmiento Central Elementary School-5th Place (Php 50,000)

Tupi, South Cotabato-6th Place (Php 25,000)

Senator Chiz Escudero and former senator Migs Zubiri gave a short message. Marian Rivera and the rest of the cast of GMA's TV series which is Amaya dropped by at Rizal Park for their road tour.

It was hard to get close to the stage where the participants perform. A barricade with policemen forbid us from getting through.Coordinators, photo enthusiasts and official photographers are the only ones allowed.I stood in front of a policeman for an hour where I can barely see the performances. However, I was lucky to get in! Ten people went out and the policeman allowed also the same number to finally get in. I had a clear view then of yesterday's competition while seated on a bleacher. It wasn't easy to see little children having a hard time with their parents because of their willingness to witness the Indak Indak.If only I could help them. I heard people murmuring around me. They curse the policemen for not letting them in. Well, I understand.It's the authority's job to secure the place and to control the people to avoid unwanted accidents. Live telecast is an option that those people perhaps didn't realize.

Kadayawan 2011 Opening Ceremony

The king of all festivals which is Kadayawan was officially opened yesterday at People's Park headed by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.There was a mass going when I arrived followed by a formal program. The contestants of Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2011 were seated on the stage along with some councilors and the people behind the annual festival.The said event was participated by different dance troupes in different schools in the city.The park was filled with spectators and colorful costumes wore by the performers.
 

I caught an eye on some foreigners who were having fun while taking some photos. Lucky for them that they are able to witness how Dabawenyos celebrate our thanksgiving!

Mayor Inday gives the signal that Kadayawan 2011 is open by beating a gong.The moment she stops speaking we saw butterflies being freed and the dancing fountain starts to splash some water!That marks that we are ready for the celebration.

I had fun watching my fellow Dabawenyos doing our native dance. They remind us of how rich our culture is and the ten tribes present in Davao. The cultural show of differently-abled children from DS Foundation was the last part I witnessed there.

Kadayawan 2011

Another year of delightful celebration is about to come in Davao City. Kadayawan 2011 with the theme Ten Tribes, One Vibe will make the major streets of Davao colorful and full of people with a smile on their faces that will officially open on August 15 (Monday). Kadayawan is an annual festivity and thanksgiving celebration for  the city's bountiful harvest, rich culture, peaceful living and well-preserved nature that falls on the third week of the month.However, there's a month-long celebration by catering different shows and competitions by the local government of Davao.

The two major and highlighted events will be the "Indak-indak sa Kadalanan", a street dancing competition that will start from Magsaysay Avenue to Rizal Park and "Pamulak sa Kadalanan", a floral float parade.Lisette Marquez, the festival director said these two events will take place in the morning to save the kids from getting wet because of unpredictable rain that we have in the afternoon.Expect to have "Hiyas ng Kadayawan", a pageant that features the representatives of every tribe present in the city. There are also fair trades, exhibits, and other related activities that will cater the talents and abilities of Dabawenyos.

Schedule of Activities:

• Dayaw Dabaw Street Market in Palma Gil Street (August 12-21)
• Kadayawan 2011 Opening Ceremony in People's Park (August 15)
• Hudyakaan in Roxas Avenue (August 15-22)
• Indigenous People Crops and Crafts Trade Fair in People's Park (August 16-21)
• Hiyas ng Kadayawan: Talent Night (August 16 
• Sayaw Mindanaw in SM (August 16-18)
• Hiyas ng Kadayawan: Coronation Night (August 17)
• Indigenous People Performance Showcase in Gaisano Mall (August 18)
• Indigenous People Performance Showcase in Rizal and people's Park (August 19)
• Pahalipay ni Mayor ug Vice Mayor in Rizal Street-Free Concert and Entertainment (August 19)
• Indak-indak sa Kadalanan August 20)
• Tunog Mindanaw in Abreeza Mall (August 20)
• Pamulak sa Kadalanan (August 20 21)
• Moda Mindanaw in SM Davao (August 21)
• Pasasalamat in Lantawan Hall and Mandaya Hotel (August 21)
• Pahalipay ni Mayor ug Vice Mayor 2 in Rizal Street- Free Concert and Entertainment (August 21)