This year’s Kadayawan Festival will be bigger, both in terms of budget and activities, officials said.
During last week’s official media launch of the festivity, City Tourism Office-in-charge Regina Rosa Tecson revealed that this year’s Kadayawan will have a P44-million budget, P2 million higher than last year’s.
“The City Government will shoulder P12 million for the prizes and the food of the security personnel while the private sector will be the one to raise the remaining amount,” she said.
Tecson said that the city is eyeing a total of 200,000 foreign and local guests to join the festivity, which will start early this year on August 10.
“Last year, we hit more than 185,000 guests so this year, we are targeting more tourists to come and celebrate the festivity with us,” Tecson said.
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, during her speech, called on Dabawenyos to take part in the events to honor and celebrate the blessings that Davao City has received. She also invited tourists to experience Davao.
“With this year’s Kadayawan, let us show the world what Davao City and the Dabawenyos have to offer. Come witness the colors of Kadayawan and experience the best of Davao City,” Mayor Inday said.
Festival director Gatchi Gatchalian, Jr. bared that new activities had been lined up for this year’s Kadayawan, in order to make guests and tourist experience its essence.
He said they added Kadayawan Ball, a tribal-inspired fashion ball competition featuring that of the city’s 11 tribes, and Kosplay Kadayawan, a contest for younger Dabawenyos to exhibit their creativity and imagination in coming up with outfits inspired by the Philippine Eagle.
Gatchalian also revealed that the Hiyas ng Kadayawan will be held on August 11, a day after the opening ceremony so that the winning candidates could act as ambassadress of the Kadayawan Festival.
Other festival activities and attractions that started last year will continue. These include the Kadayawan Village in Magsaysay Park, Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan and Pamulak sa Kadayawan.
The Kadayawan Festival is now on its 33rd year and will run until August 19. This year’s celebration is the first time for the city to partner with a festival management director to run all Kadayawan activities. [CIO]
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