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[Media Release]

The City Government of Davao, in cooperation with the Davao Association of Tour Operators and the Davao Tourism Association, will be holding the 1st Davao Summerfest from April 29 to May 29, 2011. In full support of this endeavor are the Davao Travel Agency Association, GUIDE-Davao, Small Hotels Association of Davao, Davao Airline Operators Association, and the Davao Cooperative Center for Visitors and Conventions.

The 1st Davao Summerfest was organized to address the need to hold an event during summer in Davao City, a season when the city receives the most number of tourists, as well as to complement the city’s existing major festivals — Araw ng Dabaw and the Kadayawan Festival. With the development of a new festival, Davao City will aim to establish itself as a primary summer destination in the country.

This year’s Summerfest will showcase a series of events that will focus on sports, eco-adventure, and entertainment for both visitors and locals to enjoy during the summer season. As the guests can participate in the line-up of events during the Summerfest, they can also enjoy the diverse man-made and natural attractions of the city.

Blessed with “natural venues” for outdoor sports, the Summerfest will allow visitors to see and experience the wonders of Davao Gulf, Davao River, as well as the well-paved roads leading to the mountains of Marilog, where one can also hold various eco-adventure activities.

This is also an opportunity for local facility owners, tour operators and sports organizers to showcase Davao’s various sports adventure facilities, such as zip lines, a wakeboarding park, river rafting, kayaking, mountain climbing, spelunking, among many others. The city can also highlight its existing facilities that can readily host world class competitions, such as golf courses.

The Summerfest will not only generate revenue for the city during the summer season but will also promote camaraderie, project a wholesome image for the community, and promote an interest in sports and healthy living among the youth.

Holding an annual Summerfest will also ensure a regular flow of tourists throughout the year as it will lure them to come back, not just to compete in sports for the following summer, but also to enjoy the sights that Davao City can offer all year long.

Schedule of Activities

For more information, please visit Tourism Davao on Facebook.

Samal, that gem of an island to the east of Davao City, is gearing up to be the summer destination of 2011. The Island Garden City of Samal (“IGACoS”), through the Samal Island Tourism Council, and in tandem with the Department of Tourism – Region 11, is cooking up a summer-long series of deightful events that will please your senses and satisfy your need for exercise and entertainment on the beach. Visit Samal Island this summer, get those swimsuits out and bask in the sun!

Here is the calendar of activities, courtesy of the Mindanao Tourism Council (MTC), which is providing promotional support to the project:

For the benefit of the uninitiated, the Island Garden City of Samal — or “IGACoS” — is a component city of Davao Province (also known as Davao del Norte). It is best reached, however, through Davao City by air. To get to the island, you can go by banca or by ferryboat (roro). By helicopter? Sure, if you have the moolah, you can!

The government of IGACoS is issuing passports to tourists going to the island. Yes, that’s right: a passport for your summer trip to this southern paradise! You’ll be able to enjoy discounts and freebies from participating resorts and other establishments on Samal, from March to May 2011. Who knows, there might be a contest of some sort for the passport holder with the most number of stamps!

For more information or for assistance with bookings, please contact (82)221-0070 or email organiczar[at]gmail.com. Check out the event’s Facebook page, too!

Hey, Twitterers out there! Please use the #samal hashtag to talk about the island and this summer’s events!

Here are some photos of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2009 festivities, taken by Jaime Haw.

And here are a few blog posts and news items that have been published online:

• Ginoong Kadayawan 2009
• The Revolution that started in Kadayawan 2009
• Darna flies to Davao for Kadayawan 2009
• Kadayawan 2009 by Councilor Mabel Acosta
• 2009 Kadayawan sidelines: indak-indak
• 2009 Kadayawan sidelines: Pamulak
• Mayor Rody & Inday Sara – Kadayawan football results

The City of Davao is geared up for this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival. As city streets have already been adorned with colorful buntings and streamers, the 2009 Kadayawan Festival Executive Committee — headed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte along with private sector co-chair Lorenzo Te, Jr. — has lined up an exciting calendar of events for this year’s celebration.

This year’s theme, “Naghiusang Katawhan Nakigdait sa Kalibutan” (“One People in Communion with the Earth”), fittingly responds to the need of the times as Dabawenyos are reminded of their responsibilities towards Mother Earth. As Davao’s indigenous tribes have deemed the earth as the core of their existence, they have also maintained a special connection to the earth which is also the source of the life, living, culture and traditions. Thus, the earth seriously needs to be given utmost care especially this time when climactic changes have affected the lives of many. That is the main cause of this year’s celebration.

Kadayawan, a celebration of thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living while paying tribute to Davao’s artistic, cultural, industrial and historical heritage, will officially begin on August 21, 2009 with “Dawow: Dayaw – Subay sa Suba” at Tionko Field (Agro Foundation College). The opening ceremony will feature a grand water ritual, musical and cultural performances and the sealing of the people’s covenant to protect mother earth.

Under the “Lumadnong Kasaulogan” (Peoples Indigenous Festivals) component of the festival, referring to the showcase of the indigenous peoples’ culture and arts, the following events have been organized: “Hulagway sa Kaliwatan” (Indigenous Peoples Visual Arts Exhibit), a Visual Arts Competition and Exhibit featuring indigenous life ways (August 17-September 17, Museo Dabawenyo); “Panagtagbo”, the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan tribes’ celebration of thanksgiving of their oneness with the earth through performances, culinary fiesta and craftsmanship (August 20-21, Peoples Park and Rizal Park); “Hiyas sa Kadayawan”, the search for the Kadayawan Symbol, the indigenous lass who is knowledgeable of her indigenous culture and wisdom through a pageantry of Mindanaoan myths and legends (August 16, Gaisano Mall of Davao); and “Tugtogan sa Kahiusahan” (Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Music Festival), performances of indigenous music virtuosos from all over Mindanao using various gong percussions, string and wind instruments (August 22, Peoples’ Park).

Meanwhile, under the “Subay Sa Lumadnong Kagikan” (Contemporary Indigenous-motivated Celebrations) component, illustrating the impact of the indigenous culture and traditions to contemporary artists and communities, the following events will be showcased: “Tunog Mindanaw” (World Music Festival), a Mindanao-wide competition of popular yet Mindanao tradition-based music (August 18, NCCC Mall); “Moda Mindanaw”, a fashion and floral design dompetition showcasing indigenous-inspired silhouettes, Mindanawon fabrics, and floral accessories (August 16, Gaisano Mall of Davao); “Sayaw Mindanaw”, competition of Mindanao myths, legends and folklores transformed into dance narratives by Mindanao-based dance groups (August 18-20, SM City Davao); “Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan”, street dancing competition and Mindanao festival showcases (August 22, downtown streets); “Pamulak Kadayawan”, the grand finale featuring floral float and parade competition (August 23, downtown streets); “Kalasikas”, contemporary music and dance concerts (August 17-23, Peoples Park); and “Pakonsyerto ni Mayor Rody ug Vice-Mayor Sara sa Kadayawan” (August 23, Rizal Park).

Other events that are sure to make this year’s festival the grandest ever include the “Baylehan sa Katawhan” (August 23, San Pedro Street), “Kasadalanan” (August 29-30, Streets of Davao), Agro-Industrial Trade Fair and Floral Exhibit (August 1-30, SM City Davao), “Tabo” (August 17, SP Lobby), and Hudyakaan Street Party (August 17-23, Bolton Street), as well as those initiated by the private sector.

For more information, please refer to the Kadayawan festival website. This is a media release from the City Tourism Operations Office.

The people of Sarangani Province are gearing up for their annual summer festival, which will take place in the last week of May 2009. Everyone is welcome! In fact, a group of bloggers from Davao, General Santos and Metro Manila are going to join this year’s celebration of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2009.

Below are the activities planned for the 3-day event. Thanks to Michelle Solon of Go Sarangani Travel for the information, and for helping in the arrangements for the bloggers.

28 May (Thu) • Kiamba

Ceremonial Opening Program, Lumba Bugsay (paddleboat racing), Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball, Sayaw Sarangani – Hataw sa Tag-araw, Beach Concert and Fireworks Display.

29 May (Fri) • Maasim – Glan

Swim across the Bay (from Maasim to Glan), Bay Bodies Pageant, Scubasurero (dive to harvest crown of thorns), Sand Castle Competition, Bay Fair (selling and promotions fair), Beach Party with Club DJ and Fire Dancers, and continuing activities of Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball.

30 May (Sat) • Gumasa, Glan

Bombo Bancarera (motorboat racing), San Miguel Concert Party (Manila band), Recogntion and Awarding Ceromonies, and continuing activities of Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball.

I’m so excited! These three days will surely be a series of scorchingly hot parties and über-cool outdoorsy events! Can’t wait…

Glan, Kiamba, Maasim and the other towns surrounding Sarangani Bay are largely undiscovered jewels of nature. For example, the beaches of Glan are reputed to have sand as fine as that found in Boracay. And the scuba diving is spectacular, by all accounts (check out my post about Lemlunay Dive Resort). Parts of the bay, I was told by Michelle, are protected sanctuaries, so that divers now see much growth and resurgence of indigenous species in the area. When we went for a dive, we saw the cement domes that were installed in different parts of Sarangani Bay to promote the growth of coral.

And the food! I bet I’m going to gorge myself on tuna, sturgeon fish (I wish!), crab, and other goodies from the sea! On the flip side, however, accommodations facilities in the Sarangani province are rather rudimentary.

The bloggers’ excursion into Sarangani is being coordinated by yours truly, Avel Manansala (of Bariles Republic fame), and the indefatigable Michelle, the wife of Vice-Governor Steve Solon. But blogger or not, anyone is very welcome to join the festivities. Budget? Less than ₱3,000 (including transportation to & from Davao) per person will most certainly suffice. To be there to party with everyone is free, but the clinics, competitions, etc. will have minimal participation fees.

For more information, please get in touch with Go Sarangani Travel — gosaranganitravel[at]gmail[dot]com, (83)552-8015 or (83)304-4398. This festival is being organized under the auspices of the Sarangani provincial government. Check out their official site: www.sarangani.gov.ph.

[Media Release]

Araw ng Dabaw, the city’s celebration of its 72nd charter anniversary, officially opens on 9 March 2009, 4:00 PM with the “DAWOW” Grand Opening Ceremony at Quezon Park (in front of City Hall).

The program will kick off with a musical presentation by the Davao Community Band and Blue Velvet Band, followed by a prayer to be rendered into song by the Davao Boys Choir, Matina Central ES Choir and UIC Chorale. A thanksgiving prayer will be led by Carlito Guinto, Jr., representing the indigenous community, Samrah Nuh, representing the Muslim community, and Archimedes Udaundo, representing the Christian community, symbolizing the city’s multi-cultural population.

After the prayers, “Bahaghari Tayo”, the celebration’s official theme, will be performed by popular Dabawenyo artist and the song’s composer Popong Landero, together with the Davao Community Band, Blue Velvet Band and the Kaliwat Theater Collective. Kaliwat Theater Collective, Davao Community Band, Blue Velvet Band, Davao Boys Choir, Matina Central ES Choir, UIC Chorale, Madayaw Cultural Troupe, and students from Magallanes Elementary School will then share the stage for the “Dabaw: Sulyap Salaysay” production number.

Mr. Sammy Uy, this year’s co-chairperson of the celebration’s Executive Committee (EXECOM), will deliver the Pagpapasalamat speech while City Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz and Mr. Lafayette Lim, EXECOM vice-chairperson will talk about the theme and introduce the EXECOM members of this year’s celebration.

This will be followed by the “Ang Dakilang Pangako” number to be performed by local artist Juliet Bahala together with the Davao Boys Choir, UIC Chorale, Matina Central ES Choir, Blue Velvet Band, Davao Community Band and Kaliwat.

City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is the chairman of Araw ng Dabaw 2009 EXECOM, will deliver the celebratory address while Councilor Ortiz will raise the theme along with EXECOM co-chairperson Mr. Samuel Uy.

The program, to be hosted by Oscar Casaysay and Mutya ng Dabaw 2004 Aileen Cainglit, will close with the community singing of the “Tayo’s Dabawenyo”.

The 72nd Araw ng Dabaw celebration highlights include the Museo Dabawenyo DUHWOW : DABAW Exhibit Opening (March 10, 10 AM, Museo Dabawenyo), Kalasikas Cultural Performances (March 10-16, 6-9 PM, People’s Park), PAGTUGYAN: Yuchengco Scholarship Program Launching (March 12, 3 PM, Rizal Park), Unveiling of Datu Bago Mural (March 12, 5 PM, Museo Dabawenyo), SALIDAbaw: MTV Finals (March 13, 3 PM, Gaisano Mall), Mutya ng Dabaw Coronation Night (March 14, 6 PM, CAP Auditorium), Sayawan sa Da’n (March 15, 2-8 PM, from Legazpi St., Rizal St., Bolton St., San Pedro St., to City Hall Drive), Pasasalamat :Thanksgiving Mass (March 16, 6 AM, San Pedro Cathedral), Parada Dabawenyo (March 16, 8 AM-12 NN, from Magsaysay Ave., CM Recto Ave., Bonifacio St., Legaspi St., San Pedro St., to Quimpo Blvd.), Banda Hudyaka : Showdown Presentation (March 16, 2 PM, People’s Park), Dickies presents: Pahalipay ni Mayor Concert featuring Slapshock (March 16, 7 PM, Rizal Park). On-going events include the Agri-Trade Fair (February 28-Macrh 16, SM City Grounds), Hudyakaan: Street Food Festival (March 9-16, 4 PM-2 AM, Bolton St., beside Sanguniang Panlungsod), and Chinatown Night Market (14-16 March, 6 PM-2 AM, R. Magsaysay Ave.).

For more information, visit www.arawngdabaw.com and www.mutyangdabaw.com.

Araw ng Dabaw will be upon us again in March 2009. This year is the 72nd anniversary of the city’s foundation day, and the theme is “Pagtupad sa Dakilang Pangako“. For more information about Davao City’s history, please see the relevant entry in Wikipedia.

Here is the Calendar of Activities, courtesy of the City Tourism Operations Office. The official date of Davao City’s foundation day is 16 March, but there are many events scheduled around this date (including the 2nd Davao Food Appreciation Tour).