How did you spend the Kadayawan Festival?
Kadyawan is a festival celebrated by Dabawenyos each year in the month of August. It is celebrated to thank our creator for the good harvest and blessing. There are lots of events, tourist from around the globe, TV Icons visiting and having Mall Shows, Sale and many marked down prices on almost all items in the Malls, Sporting events namely Motocross, Fun runs, marathons and many more. There is also street dance and float parade where each participants showcase the culture and creativity of Dabawenyos and many spectators enjoy the colourful costumes and designs.
I spent the Kadayawan Festival with friends, classmate and family. On the first day of the festival me and my Classmates in English 102 namely Erix, Princess and her friend Jela went to a KTV near People’s Park. We sang, danced, and stuffed ourselves with delicious food and snacks. Even if we don’t hit the right pitch of the song we still had fun laughing at ourselves. We had so much fun starting at 4 o’clock in the afternoon up to 8 o’clock in the evening. After the KTV we went separate ways and my friend and I went to Gaisano Mall and had our dinner at Pizza Hut then went home.
On the second day, my friend and I went to Crocodile Park and watch the motocross. It was my first time to see it in person and I was so amazed to see the stunts like floating in the mid air. I was also impressed to see kids driving side by side with professional motocross racers. After watching motocross we to a restaurant and had some Pancit for snack then went to Nccc Mall. I bought some toys and books for my son. It was so crowded in the Mall because Enrique Gil was there but I was not able to see even just a glimpse of him.
Then me and my friend went to Jade by the sea at Times Beach where we had our dinner and sang again in a KTV room. I went home past 10 o’clock in the evening. On the third day, Sunday, My Family went to church. I thank God for the protection and for all the blessings He had given me and for the good health especially during the celebration of the Kadayawan. Even if there are bomb threats and the City is on Red Alert, I would say that God shielded my friends, family, love ones and all who Dabawenyos from any harm. I never stop thanking him for everything.
Before, I don’t usually enjoy Kadayawan because I only watched it on TV but this time that I had experienced the fun that I’d missed for all those years. But this time, next year I would make sure that in every celebration I will be there to have fun and see the different presentations of our culture. Three days of enjoying was not enough for me but it was still worth it. I would also like to thank our City Mayor for a well organized Festival and especially for keeping the City safe from terrorist attack. I am so lucky to be born in Davao and I am very proud to be called a Dabawenyo.
