There is really no place like Davao- that is the very thing I would really say when I would be going home . I am a “ just-a-traveler” . I mean that I am into places that I could find the satisfaction of going into many journeys like traveling East to North . But guess what ? I keep going back to Davao . Not just I really came from here but this is purely the home I would never dare to replace .
Every third day of August , Kadayawan was celebrated by the Davaoeńos as well as many tourists came from overseas and nearby cities and municipalities . This festival was hailed as the festival of all festivals . It is the king of all festival in the country . Reasons behind it are very obvious . One is the colorful representation of the living historical tribes of Davao . This depicts the discovery of Daba-daba to Ciudad del Davao . The demonstrations of such tribes like Manobos , Mandaya , Bagobo , Kagan , Samales and many more were shown by the Indak Indak Kadalanan 2011 . These tribes' dances of feast , harvest and cultural representation were brought alive by the students came from different schools and people came from different ensembles . It is amazingly magnificent to see the colorful culture of Davao by its tribe despite of beliefs and religion and culture . Davao is indeed a city of merging diversities of many people and culture .
On the star-studded side , nay artists came from different artist center from manila came here to join and experience the Kadayawan with us . I admit it . I regret that I don't have the chance to see coco Martin at NCCC Mall . But I am sure that the Davaoenos are really on the cloud nine by that time most specially when they'd witness the PGT's Musical Protege like our very own Bruce Osorio which have show what they got at Gaisano Mall of Davao . Malls are emptied . I mean emptied of space.
The coastal is also an event's venue ,. For one of the radio stations based here Davao held a “ Bangkarera Festival .The event was joined by many boat riders and operators came from outside and inside the city area. the Sta. Ana wharf was really filled that day .
And if you think that was all , wait! There's more ! A nursing student of San Pedro College was crowned as the Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2011 , replacing the throne of Bernadeth which is remarkable of representing her tribe from Paradise Embac. The new queen represents her tribe is none other none Rahina Usman . Her beauty and wits along with other girls makes Davao's ethnical features more interesting .
I remembered last Saturday's experience of mine . My uncle and I were on our way going to school . But since it is Kadayawan , we are on the alternative route to lessen the traffic and the reason that the road will be used .We luckily seen the beautiful drive of the participants' colorful and creative costumes and props in which accompanied by the festive sound made by their musical corps. I was about to be deaf by the sounds made by the drums and cymbals but I have the Kadayawan Spirit on me . It sounds so weird but it is really a fact ! I enjoyed it so much!And the essence made the cold-rainy morning hotter than the Venus. I love seeing it . It is reminiscing my years before in high school when I was still a member of the drum and lyre corps . The heat of the sun that makes me an African-Filipino and the splash of our own sweat diminished by our enjoyment and smiles.
But before I got so sentimental here . I want to share the float parades that I had seen this morning in the news paper. It is the so-called “ Pamulak sa Kadayawan” . It is came from the word “bulak” meaning flower in Cebuano , the blossoming of flowers of Kadayawan. Colorful flowers were arranged into forms and designs to make a beautiful portrayal of Davao City's festival . A trivia for that, the Abreeza Ayala Mall , who join the category for the first time won the top prize of the Pamulak sa Kadalanan. . The float describes the representation of cultural highlights of Davao City .
Davaoeńos and tourists were surely never ever forget every Kadayawan experienced they could have. As so , as I am . Though it really sucks ton think that I missed the whole thing in actual of it , I do believe that every day is a Kadayawan for me . For we are enjoying ourselves a the people of Davao everyday .
An example to show how Kadayawan is fun-filled celebration , I want to share some reality story here . It is when I was in high school . Since I am a member of the Girl Scout of the Philippines , we are task to give as long as we can , the contingents' participants water or juice to help them in their performance . It is one way of imparting yourself as being one of the people of your city . It is when a tourist , an American citizen is taking some pictures of the parade . When he saw us , he smiled and giving a thumbs up . With no hesitations , I told him with a loud voice saying , “ You want to see the beauty of Davao , Davaoenia and Kadayawan ? Well , look at us . We are about to laugh but it is really surprising that he told us that and ask if he can take some of our smiles and faces in his camera . He shot some . A one , two , three, four and the more and more . He felt so enjoyed a well as my peers , he told us this , “ Davao is really so wonderful like you.” it is really an overwhelming of joys that day . That the fact that even him who didn’t know our story appreciates us .
The month-long celebration of Kadayawan also held the Sayaw Mindanao 2011 , in which the stories of our cultural richness were depicts . One of the contestant is the Kapitan Thomas Monteverde's bird hunting that showed up the promising ethnic stories of the natives , specially the our Lumad brothers and sisters .
The Trade Department of Davao also held a caravan in which many tourist or even the Davao people can purchase a discounted price for products such as agricultural products of the city .
Though this year's celebration is rated 8 out of 10 by our mayor , I know it is worth the effort of the people behind its success . It is really hard of controlling the crowd and the threat of the rain . You can't blame all the flaws on them .the sun didn’t shone up the whole day and the rain drops hard in the afternoon . It is a sign of blessing from God , that He , the Creator celebrates with us on that day .
Let us not live the celebration just like an eagle who flew so fast but instead let us take it as a Durian's smell and taste that sticks on our finger . I mean we have to treasure the richness of our own city . With this Kadayawan festival , we can show up the world that we are still on our beautiful culture and living our own history . Kadayawan is not just a celebration itself but it depicts the beautiful aspects of Davao city's history , culture , ethnic binds and the progressing city's rich yesterday and tomorrows story . This is also a unique representation of a clear creation of Davao's spectacular richness and God-given gifts that we have to treasure.
Lastly, Davao indeed is a melting pot of of all trades and the alike . Leisure are leisure . But Kadayawan is not only a leisure feast and a time here in Davao . It is an event wherein colorful ethnical stars and modern clouds of today merges to make a beautiful Davao's Kadayawan sunshine . :-)
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