As said during the festival's media introduction on July 17, "For this year, hopefully, ang atong (our) target is between 180-200[,000 tourists]," City Tourism Operations Office officer-in-charge Jennifer Romero remarked.
Given the "normalization" of all operations, she claimed that the goal for this year is a "full-blown" expectation.
Photo credit: Lungsod ng Dabaw
The representative continued, "They will come and visit and they will visit us (tourists) here... This should be an enhanced Kadayawan experience."
Being the second Kadayawan the city celebrated in person after it was postponed in 2020 and 2021 because to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's celebration had witnessed some minor adjustments.
Indak-Indak will move from its customary 8 a.m. time slot to an afternoon start in 2023. to 2:00 p.m. to protect people from the harmful effects of heat, including heat-related illnesses.
"The heat index is very high, so maluoy ta sa mga bata basig mag-suffer sila sa (let's have pity on children-performers as they might suffer) dehydration and many other conditions," Committee on Tourism and Beautification Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre stated.
Romero also announced Habi Kadayawan's return, their first since 2019.
The 38th edition of the "festival of festivals" was officially launched on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the Bantawan Amphitheater in Magsaysay Park on Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City, under the theme "Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals, the 'Pag-abli sa Kadayawan'."
The Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog, Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, and Kagan were among the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao City whose rich cultural legacy was highlighted during the opening.
Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, underlined the need for community cohesion despite the diversity of the local population's ethnic origins in his opening remarks.
Always keep in mind, fellow Dabawenyos, that there is only one sort of blood that courses through our veins—the blood of Dabawenyos. Duterte remarked, "Timan-i ninyu mga Dabawenyo, usa ra ang dugo nga naga-agi sa atoang ugat, dugong Dabawenyo."
Soon after, Duterte joined the other deputy mayors, the co-chair of the Kadayawan executive committee, and the festival's director on stage for the symbolic pounding of the Agong to mark the beginning of Kadayawan 2023.
In this year's return of Habi Kadayawan on August 12, 2023, at Ayala Malls Abreeza, several Mindanao designers displayed exquisite designs and unique concepts via their apparel and accessories, portraying a vibrant culture and gorgeous weaves of Davao City.
The youth, commercial, and community-based accessories competition and the main event, the garment design competition, were the two categories that made up the fashion show.
The "Latag" by Jason Doble in the youth-based category, the "Panolong" by Chris Gomez in the commercial-based category, and the "Bakutal" by Datu Danwata Women's Association in the community-based class category were hailed as victors. These top prize winners each received P150,000.
Erich Mioza's "Banyuhay" won the first place and a P200,000 cash prize in the garment design competition, while Akmad Kari's "Denaul" and Shine Casio's "Higalaan Splendo" placed second and third, respectively. Casio received $75,000 while Kari claimed P150,000.
The new Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2023 is a Bagobo-Klata law student who triumphed over 10 other contestants from different tribes on August 17.
Kristine Claire Tar's advocacy for Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2023 is centered on preserving the Bagobo-Klata cultural legacy and livelihood projects as well as recreating the coveted art of weaving their ancestors' renowned "Naw'wo" Abaca tapestry.
"Nakita naku na ang [I see the] Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a very good or important platform for myself as a 'hiyas', as an advocate kay [because] you are given a voice to share your concerns, the problems within your tribe and not only within your tribe, but also to other communities as well, to other tribes as well," she said in a phone interview.
In the meantime, Juhanah Sultan of the Maranao tribe and Althea Asnawi of the Tausug are the members of Tar's royal court (Hiyas sa Panaghiusa 2023).
The prize winners each earn P150,000, P100,000, and P80,000. The eight Hiyas sa Kaliwatan received P25,000, while the Paragon of Cultural Presentation received P10,000.
On August 19, the Sindac Anib Performing Ensemble of Bislig, Surigao del Sur won the 2023 Open Category of this year's Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan competition.
They have won the competition three times in a row, having also been crowned winners in the Indak-Indak editions of 2019 and 2022. Additionally, the ensemble received P1 million and won prizes for Best Music and Best Choreographer.
Tribu Maganahay, representing the Matiao National High School Special Program in the Arts in Mati City, Davao Oriental, came in second, followed by Landan National High School Performing Arts Group from Polomolok, South Cotabato, who took third place, Banayan Performing Arts from the Municipality of Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, who took fourth place, and Agusan del Sur Artists' Guild, who came in fifth.
The Pocari Sweat-Award went to Banayan Performing Arts, while Tribu Maganahay was recognized for Best Visual Appeal.
The Davao City National High School Sining Sayon Dawet Cultural Ensemble won the P1 million top prize in the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan (Davao City School-Based Category) after being absent from the competition for four years.
Sining Mananayaw Ensemble from Catalunan Pequeo National High School came in second, followed by Lapulapu Elementary School's performing arts group in third, Tribung Lacson's performing arts group from Lacson Integrated School in fourth, and Mabini National High School's Apo Duwaling Dance Company in fifth.
The parade of stunning and vibrant floats from the Hudyaka sa Kadalanan and Pamulak sa Kadayawan competitions marks the festival's conclusion.
The Philippine Retirement Authority's balangay float came in third, followed by Teleperformance in second position and Alorica Teleservices Inc. as the winner in the gamay category.
In the meantime, Vista Mall Davao came in third, followed by Philippine AirAsia Inc. in second position and VXI Global Holdings in first place in the Daku category.
Magallanes Elementary School's Drum and Lyre Corps (DLC) won the Hudyaka competition, followed by Carmen National High School's Marching Band, Mintal Comprehensive High School's Harmonic School DLC, and Juan de la Cruz Central Elementary. The fourth award went to school. Fifth-placed was the Tagum City Youth Symphonic Band.
Facebook Conversations