Mindanaons flock to Davao’s Kadayawan

Mindanaons flock to Davao’s Kadayawan

By Carmelle Marie Harrow and Ivy C. Tejano,
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 21, 2011

DAVAO CITY – More or less 6,000 people coming from various towns and cities of Mindanao and tourists flocked to Davao City Saturday to witness the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan, a street dance competition.

Police said all sides of the city streets were filled with people to witness and cheer their favored contingents joining the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan competition.

At least 23 contingents in the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan performed in front of the judges, Dabawenyos

Local and foreign guests were very pleased to have witnessed such a festive way of showing indigenous traditions through dances.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte officially opened the competition by welcoming all Dabawenyos and visitors who came to witness the event. She was joined by Senator Chiz Escudero, former senator Miguel Zubiri, and city councilors and officials.

“Paganda ng paganda ang Kadayawan festival bawat taon at parami ng parami ang bumibisita upang saksihan ang iba’t ibang mga celebrasyon ng Kadayawan, nawa’y patuloy na maging mapayapa, makahulugan at makabuluhan ang celebrasyon ng Kadayawan sa Dabaw (The Kadayawan Festival is getting more beautiful every year and more and more people are visiting Davao City to witness the Kadayawan festival celebration. I hope the celebration will continue to be peaceful and meaningful),” said Senator Escudero during the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan.

“This is a great celebration where people could get to see the different cultural ethics of a city. A great event that Dabawenyos must be proud of because I personally believe that the people should be reminded of their cultural heritage especially the young people here,” said Atiq Juma Faraj Nasib, senior director for commercial services of Dubai Chamber.

Official entries for the Open category are the following: Sto. Nino South Cotabato; Tupi South Cotabato; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao; New Bataan National High School; and Surallah Purok Sison.

Contingents from Davao include the following: San Lorenzo Elementary School; Sta. Ana Central Elementary School; Kapitan Tomas Elementary School, Sto. Niño National High School, Artemio Loyola Elementary School; St. Alban’s College of Technology; Catalunan Pequeño; Piedad Central Elementary School; Vicente Hizon Elementary School; Cabantian Elementary School; Jesus Soriano National High School; Crossing Bayabas; Magallanes Elementary School; and Cesario Villa-Abrille Elementary School.

The newly proclaimed Iranun tribe showcased their talents and will receive a participation fee.

Winners of the open category will receive the following prizes: grand champion – P300,000; 2nd placer — P200,000; 3rd placer — P150,000; 4th placer — will receive P100,000; and 5th placer — P50,00.

For Davao-based category or category B, prizes are: grand champion — P150,000; 2nd placer — P100,000; 3rd placer — P75,000; 4th placer — P50,000; and 5th placer — P25,000.

There will also be 10 consolation prizes for each category. For Category A, consolation prize of P20,000, and a cash prize of P15,000 will be given for Category B.

Indak-indak sa Kadalanan is just one of the weeklong activities of Kadayawan Festival.

Kadayawan is an annual celebration for Dabawenyos to celebrate the bountiful harvest of Davao’s flowers, fruits and other produce as well as the wealth of the city’s cultures.

It also honors the city’s richness and diverse artistic, cultural and historical heritage in a grand celebration of thanksgiving for all the city’s blessings.

Meanwhile, police said they expected and prepared for a big crowd during Saturday’s activity.

San Pedro Police Station Chief Cesar Cabuhat said there were a lot of people who watched and cheered for their favored contestants.

Cabuhat said there were some 300 members of the Philippine Army, including the Public Safety Battalion, 130 barangay police, 200 personnel from Regional Police Headquarters, 50 radio communicators, and 70 from San Pedro police Station deployed for Indak-indak sa Kadalanan.

“Perfect! Everything was perfectly set. From preparations, security, down to the participants and its customs and talents, it really shows the different cultures and tribes the Davao City has, and it’s wonderful indeed. I had fun,” said Jim Boys, a US national, adding it is his first time in Davao City.

“It’s great! I don’t mind those reports in other areas here in Mindanao. I’ve been here in Davao just two months ago and it seemed that everybody is working out for the security of the city. The police and military are everywhere; their mobile patrols were roaming around the city; and people in here are polite, which I felt is really great. Enjoy, I am so happy roaming around, feel free,” said Ellie German, Germany national.

She said she cannot just go home immediately because she wanted to finish the one week celebration of the Kadayawan.

“Nalingaw ko. Once a year lang man gud ning Kadayawan di bale na init basta kay nag-enjoy lang ko. Sa security? Ok man, visible man pirmi ang mga kapulisan ug kasundaluhan diri, angay na dili ikabalaka sa mga gaanhi, magbantay lang pud kay dili baya maiwasan ng mga kawat-kawat sa daplin. Pero ok tanan, mas daghan kalingawan ron (I really enjoyed it. This comes once a year only; I don’t mind the hot weather as long as I enjoyed it. On security? It’s ok, the police and military are very visible, nothing to worry for those coming here, although you just have to be careful with pity thievery on the side. But overall it is ok, it’s more fun this year),” said Bing Calimpong of Cotabato.