Davao City — As preparations for Kadayawan Festival 2025 shift into full gear, the Kadayawan Executive Committee (Execom) unveiled its plan to institutionalize the country’s grandest celebration of Indigenous culture—ensuring that its rich history, particularly the iconic Kadayawan Village, will be preserved and promoted for generations to come.
During a media conference on Thursday held at Rogen Inn, Execom members, local officials, and stakeholders outlined the groundwork for formal legislation that would solidify the Kadayawan Festival and Kadayawan Village as cultural pillars of Davao City.
Tracing the Roots of Kadayawan
Oscar Casaysay, Execom member and head of the Office of Culture and Arts, revealed that a proposed ordinance is underway to officially declare the festival’s founding year. Contrary to popular belief that Kadayawan began in 1985, Casaysay said research suggests it may have started earlier.
“If there were narratives before that explain why 1985 was declared as the start, we could not cull it out. We’ve decided to pass a resolution to the city council to dig deeper into the festival’s origins,” Casaysay explained, emphasizing the need for thorough documentation.
As a result, this year’s festivities will not bear a commemorative number, pending further research. “While we’re still finding out and doing research on when it truly started, the executive committee decided to remove the edition number. We’ll just label it as ‘Kadayawan 2025’ until we find out when it really began,” added Carmelita Bangayan, also a member of the Execom.
Casaysay called on historians and longtime Dabawenyos to come forward with stories or evidence that could shed light on the festival’s early beginnings, noting the lack of systematic, scientific documentation as a historical gap.
Kadayawan Village: A Living Cultural Showcase
Beyond the festival’s timeline, the institutionalization of the Kadayawan Village—located in Magsaysay Park—is also a legislative priority.
Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, said the move aims to provide year-round care and maintenance to the Tribal Village, making it a permanent tourist attraction that showcases the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes.
“We want the village to be more than just a festival fixture. It should be an everyday destination that generates livelihood for our Indigenous Peoples and Moro communities,” Ortiz said.
Casaysay added that a redesigned layout is being proposed in consultation with the 11 tribes and the Davao City Economic Enterprise, the office in charge of Magsaysay Park. “The current layout does not reflect a true multicultural community. We’re working on bringing the tribal houses closer together to better represent unity and diversity,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Gabriel Nakan of the Bangsa Maguindanaon confirmed that renovations are ongoing to improve the stability of the tribal houses and enhance the cultural experience for visitors.
Full Swing Preparations, Cultural Grandeur
With the theme “A Festival Rooted in Culture and Heritage,” this year’s Kadayawan Festival will showcase Davao’s vibrancy, abundance, and diverse population through month-long festivities starting August 8 at Magsaysay Park.
Among the major highlights are:
- Hiyas sa Kadayawan (cultural pageant),
- Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing),
- Pamulak sa Kadayawan (floral float parade),
- Dula Kadayawan (traditional games),
- Agong ug Kulintangan (gong music showcase), and
- Daily cultural performances in the Tribal Village.
Atty. Jonah Margarette Presto, Officer-in-Charge of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), said all preparations are on track. “Everything is in full swing as we approach the event. This year’s Kadayawan highlights our city’s rich heritage and cultural roots.”
Safety, Tourism, and Celebration
To ensure a safe and peaceful celebration, Major Jose Daniel Kimpo, Acting Operations and Coordination Officer of the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), said over 14,000 security personnel will be deployed throughout the festivities. He also reminded attendees to observe the city’s ordinances and embrace Davao’s “Culture of Security.”
Meanwhile, the hospitality and tourism sector is doing its part, with hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies rolling out promotional packages and discounts to attract both domestic and international tourists.
As the Kadayawan Festival 2025 draws near, Dabawenyos and visitors alike are invited to take part in a celebration that not only dazzles with color and performance but also honors the deep roots of the city’s identity—a living heritage now on its way to being officially preserved.
Madayaw, Davao!