There’s more than one way to experience the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. Whether you’re going for the usual fruit frenzy and the parade watching, or rediscovering the city through contemporary experiences, there’s always something for everyone.
This is your Super guide to the 2019 Kadayawan.
Life and living
Customary—Visit the Kadayawan Village in Magsaysay Park and experience the traditional homes of the Lumad and Moros which comprise the 11 cultural communities that are celebrated by the festival. The village is open throughout the month and offers interactions (food, crafts and performances) every afternoon.
Marvel at the Philippine Eagle up close in Raptors in Flight, a unique presentation of the national bird flying on cue. This happens in the Philippine Eagle Center on Aug. 17. (Tel. 0917-7089084; email reservations @philippineeaglefoundation.org)
Contemporary—Shop the island’s best products created by MSMEs at the 2019 Mindanao Trade Expo on Aug. 10-14 in Abreeza Mall. The retail event showcases cultural products such as brasswares, wooden furniture, wearables, woven products, jewelry, fashion accessories and native delicacies that celebrate modern creativity of Mindanao’s local designers, craft makers, traders and manufacturers. Witness a different runway on 2 p.m., Aug. 11: Habi sa Pagbangon ng Bagong Marawi: Threading the Path Toward Self-Reliance.
Experience Davao’s story as told by a spectacle of lights and sounds in the 3D light show at the City Hall every evening until Aug. 25.
Sports and games
Customary—Play traditional games with Davao’s tribesmen all day in Dula Kadayawan on Aug. 16 in People’s Park.
Witness cultural performances, showcases of folklore and traditional dances in Sayaw Kadayawan on Aug. 16 in SM City Davao.
Contemporary—Get muddy in Dayaw OCR, an obstacle course race on Aug. 25 in Crocodile Park. (Register on Facebook.com/dayawOCR)
Hit new Crossfit PRs in Bouts of the South, a Kadayawan throwdown by Crossfit Cranium happening on Aug. 31 in Azuela Cove. (Register on Facebook.com/CrossFitCranium)
Go fishing, hiking and cycling in the sky in Eden and Nature Park and Resort Davao. Rooms are also at 40-percent off throughout the month. (Tel. 082-2991020).
Food and fiesta
Customary—Binge on Davao’s fruits in the Kadayawan Farmer’s Market in Magsaysay Park from Aug. 21-25. Snap some selfies with the murals while you’re there.
Join the harvest in the month long Kadayawan Agri-Trade Fair in McArthur Highway. The Floriculture Industry of Davao Inc. are displaying produce, greens and other flora.
Shop in Tabuan sa Kadayawan, a weekend market featuring food, plants, arts, souvenir and Kadayawan- inspired products in the Sta. Ana Wharf; happens 6 p.m. onwards on all weekends of August.
Contemporary—Taste durian of all kinds and sizes in the Kadayawan Durian Festival in SM Lanang Premier from Aug. 9 onwards. Farmers from the Davao Durian Industry Association Council will give your durian fix in any form—fresh, frozen, in ice cream, as candy and maybe even grilled!
Indulge your sweet tooth at The Fat Cow. Young chef Patrick Co puts a Davao spin on tin-can cakes: homemade durian jam is layered with durian mousse and durian pound cake and thick white chocolate ganache. (Order on Facebook.com/ theFatCowDvo.)
Feast on the best of Davao’s beats and bites in the South x Mouth food and music festival in SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier on Aug. 8-11, 16-18.
Drink and celebrate at Huckleberry. Enjoy a flight of Davao fruit-infused rum on snifters for only P300. Don’t miss their Malagos cheese ice cream, too! (Facebook.com/Huckleberry-SouthernKitchen)
Relax and unwind with friends over cocktails at Misto in Seda Abreeza. Enjoy the Pomelo Blaze, a concoction of Davao’s very own pomelo, mixed with bourbon and a hint of honey.
Chomp on cheese and chocolate in Malagos. You can tour the chocolate museum in Tugbok or shop in the downtown Puentespina Compound on Bolcan Street. (Wine and cheese pairing sessions, tel. 082-2218220, 0917-6554066.)
Eat and be merry the Davao way as Marco Polo Davao’s Café Marco offers authentic local dishes prepared by executive chef Alex Destriza. Appetizers, entrees and dessert offer a glimpse of the 11 Davao tribe’s rich culinary culture. The Kadayawan menu is available on Aug. 17-24. (Call 082- 2210888.)
Party and celebrations
Customary—Dance on the street in Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan on Aug. 17 on Roxas Avenue.
Witness a parade of floral floats (with Davao’s ambassadors: Mutya, Ginoo, Reyna and Hiyas beauty queens) in Davao’s main thoroughfares on Aug. 24 in Pamulak sa Kadayawan. Parade starts in Roxas Avenue.
Contemporary—Dance on the streets with Stre3ts’ Kadayawan Roadblock4 Party Series on Aug. 15-17, at Stre3ts Main and Stre3ts Southside. (Tickets are available through Facebook.com/STRE3TS)
Party with over a dozen DJ’s in The Hideout Festival, the gastropub’s first anniversary bash on Aug. 16-17. (Book tables on Facebook.com/thehideoutdvo)
Music and performances
Customary—Listen to the rhythms and living heritage of Davao in Tunog Kadayawan on 7 p.m., Aug. 23, in Matina Town Square.
Dance to the beat of the drums in Pitik Kadayawan drumbeating competition 7 a.m. onwards from Roxas Avenue to the Kadayawan Square on San Pedro Street.
Celebrate with traditional performances by Davao’s 11 tribes in Tambayayong Kadayawan on San Pedro Street, 6 p.m. onwards on Aug. 24.
Contemporary—Go indie and listen to the music of Davao’s independent artists in Suazo: PHOS by Holodeck featuring Jad Montenegro, Cerise and Mau Ria on 7 p.m., Aug. 10; Noble City’s Nasa Diyos ang Awa, Nasa Davao ang Yawa featuring False Contender, Palepaths, Watermelon, REKT, The Sound of Go and Backstabells, 8 p.m. on Aug. 31. (Get your tickets on Facebook.com/SuazoDavao.)
Art, culture and history
Customary—Learn about Davao through Our History as Dabawenyos in 50 Objects in Museo Dabawenyo in the University Avenue, Juna Subdivision on Aug. 15 onwards.
Go old school and check out the philatelic exhibition at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Lobby from Aug. 13-19.
Contemporary—Hunt for the next art piece for your collection in Art Hunt in Amanda Echevarria’s Sanctuary, a weekend “art jungle” bazaar that features works of painters, musicians, and crafters on Aug. 10-11. (Tel. 0917-6272333)
Experience Davao in a different light at the Art Portal— Gallery for Contemporary Art’s Kadayawan-themed installation with paintings by Davao artists and floral arrangement by MaAimee Manangan Suarez. Art Portal is at Paseo de Legaspi. (115 Pelayo St., Facebook.com/ artportalgallery)
Immerse yourself in art at Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao’s popup featuring paintings by Elenita Dumlao, fashion accessories by Kathryn Fanlo, and floral installations by Cameo.
Put on your Davao chic and get style inspirations from local designers in Habi Kadayawan, a fashion design competition and exhibition inspired by the city’s cultural communities and landscape; Aug. 9 competition in Abreeza, Aug. 16-25 exhibition in SM Lanang Premier.
Shop fresh drops from Davao’s sustainable fashion brands @enroutehandcrafted and @karga_bags_dvo.