This year’s festival director, Lisette Marques, showed the logo to me a few days before it was publicized, and I told her right then and there: it’s going to get a lot of negative vibes. And it seems I was right. Like many later on, I asked her then why the logo needed to be changed. In her best estimation, she said the decision to change the logo came “from the top” and most probably had to do with the city’s current branding efforts.

I remember back in 2008, the original logo was modified to give it a more updated look — but even that failed because the result looked like a half-baked effort at making the festival branding fly.

The aforementioned branding efforts, unfortunately, might suffer a major blow if Kadayawan 2011′s festivities are tainted by an ill-received symbolic image. Many of those who answered “I don’t like it” in the facebook survey lament the logo’s lack of festiveness, its bland appearance, the complete departure from its purpose of making the Kadayawan sa Dabaw a recognizable event in the country. Others expressed disillusionment, and still others conveyed confusion over the unexpected mutilation of the 20-year-old festival’s banner.

Sun•Star Davao, in its 29 July 2011 editorial, brands the switcheroo an unnecessary political gambit by the local powers-that-be. “How insecure to paint an already popular festival with the color of politics as if the present mayor needs the popularity of Kadayawan to prop up her own.” The paper was alluding to Mayor Sara Duterte’s notoriety (or popularity, if you think the mayor’s violence was acceptable), acquired from the very start of this month.

I personally have no knowledge whether the new logo’s particular hue of green simply coincided with the Duterte campaign color, or it was intentional. Either way, “the logo sucks,” to quote a Dabawenyo facebook user.

And what about the new tagline?

Kadayawan sa Dabaw used to be tagged “the festival of festivals”. Now it’s being touted as “the king of festivals”. Several people seem to like it, possibly because they believe Dabawenyos should aim high. On the other hand, some feel that the claim is a bit too much. Especially with a new logo that’s far from being kingly.

My personal view, which was formed and has not changed since I saw the logo for the first time, is this: It is completely unacceptable as a representation of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival. It lacks creativity and fails to inspire pride among Dabawenyos. I’m afraid it’s not one that will attract visitors to celebrate the festival with us at all.

Allow me to say, however, despite my deep disappointment, I trust that the vibrant colors of this year’s festivities will more than make up for the drabness of this monochromatic logo.

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

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.

These are very capable and dedicated people in the steering committee, and the private sector, as always, is very supportive. Ergo, we can expect an even grander celebration in August 2009! So, mark your calendars: Kadayawan sa Dabaw will be from 17 to 23 August 2009. Watch this blog for updates!