Kadayawan Festival

Annual festival in Davao City, Philippines

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Kadayawan

"I-indak sa kadalanan", or street dancing competition, part of Kadayawan Festival celebration

Observed by| Davao City
Type| Thanksgiving / cultural
Date| Third week of August
2025 date| August 8-17, 2025[1]

The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival in the city of Davao in the Philippines. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.

The festival was previously known as Apo Duwaling Festival, named after three icons of Davao; Mount Apo, durian, and the waling-waling orchid.[2]

Previously,[3][better source needed] this festival was held in the third week of August every year which was highlighting the 11 tribes of Davao City. In 2019, the celebration was extended and held from 2 to 31 August. This 2025, Kadayawan Festival will be celebrated from 8 to 17 August.[4][better source needed]

One of the highlights of the Kadayawan Festival is the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, which translates to street dancing.[5] This is a showcase of the diverse indigenous cultures of the region. The festivities feature different communities in Mindanao dancing in vibrant costumes that highlight their indigenous heritage.[6]

## History

[edit]

In 1970, Mayor Elias B. Lopez encouraged all the Davao tribes to showcase their thanksgiving rituals. In 1986, the Davao City government focused on uniting the people in the turbulent times of martial law. At this time the festival was called "Apo Duwaling". This name was created as a combination of three natural wonders: Mount Apo, durian, and waling-waling. Also an important event in Davao that brings together friends and families.

In 1988, the festival was officially named "Kadayawan Festival"[7] by then Mayor (now former Philippine President) Rodrigo Duterte.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was held digitally in 2020 and 2021. The festival returned normally the next year, albeit with safety measures. In 2023, the festival made a big change with its aims to promote it globally, with a new theme song titled "Kada Kadayawan" sung by Maan Chua and Neil Llanes, and a theme "Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals". The theme song was remastered the next year.[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kadayawan Festival".
2. ^ Neil (2022-08-23). "Kadayawan Festival returns to the real world". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
3. ^ "Kadayawan Festival Davao City". Guide to Philippines.
4. ^ "Kadayawan sa Davao festival".
5. ^ "Indak-Indak Sa Kadalanan: Telling the Lumad's story through dance". globaldailymirror.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
6. ^ "Kadayawan Festival Davao: History, Schedule, and Local Ti..." Guide to the Philippines. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
7. ^ "Kadayawan Festival - Philippines Information Agency". Philippine Information Agency.
8. ^ "Davao City bares Kadayawan 2023 theme, logo". City Government of Davao. 2023-07-18. Retrieved 2025-02-01.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Facebook of Kadayawan Festival
* Davao City official website

* v
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Davao City

Geography|

* Davao Gulf
* Davao River
* Mount Apo
* Pantaron Mountain Range
* Epol Falls
* Metro Davao
* Davao del Sur

History|

* Nueva Guipúzcoa revolt
* Japanese invasion of Davao
* Battle of Davao
* 1989 Davao hostage crisis
* 2000 Air Philippines crash
* 2016 Davao City bombing

Government|

* Mayor
* Council
* Districts
* Legislative districts

Public services and utilities|

* Davao Light and Power Company
* Hospitals
* Davao Doctors Hospital
* Southern Philippines Medical Center

Landmarks|

* Abreeza
* Apo View Hotel
* Davao Cathedral
* Davao Chinatown
* People's Park
* Davao City Recreation Center
* Davao City–UP Sports Complex
* Gaisano Mall of Davao
* KJC King Dome
* Lon Wa Buddhist Temple
* Malacañang of the South
* National Museum of the Philippines (Davao)
* NCCC Mall VP
* Skyscrapers
* SM City Davao
* SM Lanang
* Vivaldi Residences Davao (Euro Towers)

Education|

* Universities and colleges
* Ateneo de Davao University
* Holy Cross of Davao College
* University of the Immaculate Conception
* University of Mindanao
* University of the Philippines Mindanao
* University of Southeastern Philippines
* Primary and secondary schools

Culture|

* Davaoeño
* Giangan
* Kadayawan Festival
* Torotot Festival
* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao
* Television stations
* Radio stations
* Newspapers

Transportation|

* Airport
* Seaport
* Davao City Expressway
* Davao City Bypass Road
* Davao People Mover
* Davao Public Transport Modernization Project
* Davao–Samal Bridge
* Mindanao Railway

* Category

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