P 15.00 • 16 PAGES @EdgeDavao edgedavao@gmail.comwww.edgedavao.netfVOL.15 ISSUE SUNDAY-MONDAY,105 AUGUST 14-15, 2022
After
very personal
By NEIL BRAVO two virtual Kadayawan is roaring
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MakeLiterally.no mistake about it, the cyberverse looks fancy. Coming face to face with people on screen from one’s couch has a Star Wars feel to it. Very sci-fi. Very hightech. But there’s nothing like celebrating the loud est time of the year up close and very equivalentKadayawanpersonal.istheofChristmas in August. It flaunts the city’s proverbial best foot forward -- from the abundance of the acknowledged King of Fruits (Durian) to the rarity of Waling-Waling. It showcases the wealth of ethnic diversity, the importance of social relevance in a competi tion that transcends be yond the call of beauty (Hiyas Sa Kadayawan) and the measure of sporting prowess in a battleground that puts premium not on muscu lar strength but on raw athleticism (Duwa Sa Ka dayawan).WhileKadayawan is deeply cultural, it is like wiseCreditcultivated.that to many years of experimenting with different vibes until the city found the right mix. Today, Kadayawan is about the diversity of its eleven ethnocultural tribes and the fusion of theirKadayawanaspirations.is so un forgivably unique it has no equal.During the recent media launch of the Ka dayawan Festival, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Dute rte said the Kadayawan remains to be a symbolic way of celebrating life, bountiful harvest, and diversity among our people.“As we bring back the customary activi ties of our face-to-face festival we may find this time to fully enjoy its essence and continue to recognize and pro mote the rich culture of Davao City. This while not forgetting to com ply with the minimum health standards for everyone’s safety,” the mayor said in his mes sage read by Vice May or Melchor Quitain Jr. during the launch held as Seda Abreeza Hotel. After two years of celebrating online, this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao will be celebrat ed like ordinary times -- face-to-face. And on its 37th year, Kadayawan is expected to bring life back to the Meaningfully,streets. the Kadayawan breathes life back to the lives of Dabawenyos.“Twoyears in the pandemic have changed our lives, especially on how we celebrate our re spective festivals in our city. The streets that used to fill with colorful flags and blaring drums have turned into empty al leys, and the celebration under the sun turned into a festival behind the screen. We have two years of virtual celebra tion of Kadayawan but this year’s celebration, the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao is back on the streets after two years. This is the first national festival that is going to be face to face and it is going to be louder and prouder especially for us Dabawenyos,” Dr. Malou Monteverde, co-chair for Kadayawan sa Davao 2022 and president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Indus try Inc, (DCCCII), said. This year’s theme is very timely and apt -“Kasikas sa Kadayawan” or making noise. “Sino ba naman ang hindi maghahanap ng kaligayahan and fun? The Kadayawan festi val is a means to relax and enjoy and a way of thanksgiving for our bountiful harvest. You can see now a lot of du rian, rambutan, man gosteen, and marang. Please do come over and have the taste of Davao,” Monteverde said. Consider these array of events beginning with “Pag-abli sa Kadayawan” (opening ceremony) to the exciting “Hiyas sa Kadayawan (beauty pageant),” Sayaw Kaday awan,” Indak Indak sa Kadayawan,” “Pamulak sa Kadayawan,” “Pitik Ka dayawan,” “Dula Kaday awan,” and “Tambayay ong sa somereadytionpandemic,pasttarilyAfterKadayawan.”beinginvolun‘silenced’inthetwoyearsbythethe37thediofKadayawanistosplitourears.It’stimetomakenoise.
STREETS
Kadayawan: Up close and
years of celebrating on
grounds,
back to life.
BACK TO THE
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General
Printed
“We are ready,” said Baste in a strong message to every one that Kadayawan will return to normalcy.
OLIVIA
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On the opening of the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao
COUNCILOR AL RYAN ALEJANDRE Executive Committee Spokesperson Kadayawan sa Davao We are ready for the opening of the Kadayawan this coming Monday. In fact, we had an Execom meeting just to finalize the series of events, together with our sub-committees and members.” Back in business
Kadayawan is back to its usual element. Vibrant. Color ful. Pulsating. For the first time since 2019, Kadayawan Festival will be experienced on physical terms. Rendered to virtual experi ence in the past two editions by the lockdowns and proto cols of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kadayawan is throbbing to the beat again. Thanks to the patience, discipline and resil iency of Dabawenyos. With Mayor Baste Duterte declaring readiness to bring back Kadayawan’s face-to-face encounters, Davao City is likewise back to life. The declaration of readiness doesn’t mean zero cases of Covid-19. In fact, recent weeks show a rise in positive cases. This means having to contend with the rise in cases by implementing safeguards and continu ing the thrust for vaccination rollout. Reminders for the wearing of face masks and vaccination were intensified by the city government in anticipation of mass gatherings. The city government knows it will not be a perfect Ka dayawan as it foresees cases to rise. However, Mayor Baste assured we are ready and our healthcare facilities and hu man resources would not be overwhelmed.
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EDITORIAL
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VOL.15 ISSUE 105 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 14-15, 20226 EDGEDAVAO It is with great pride that I congratulate my fellow Dabawenyos as we celebrate the 37th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival 2022 this August. With “Kasikas sa Kadayawan” as the central theme of our week-long festivities, we are finally filling the air with the kind of celebratory noise - kasikas - that only Dabawenyos can make. We celebrate our rich cultrual heritage and bountiful harvest, this time face-to-face, the first time in two years since the pandemic. Like in the past, let us make the 37th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival 2022 celebration yet another milestone in our quest for unity, cooperation, and harmony. Let us embrace one another as brothers and sisters, as neighbors and friends, as we face the challenges ahead that will test our character as Filipinos and as a resilient nation. Again, congratulations sa akong mga kaigsuonang Dabawenyo! Naghinaot ako nga kining atong selebrasyon mamahimong sadya, halandumon, ug mahinungdanon. Mag-amping kitang tanan sa kanunay!
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Ask any beauty pageant fanatics what their yardstick for this competition and they’d readily say it is a contest for the pretty and intellectually gifted ladies. But for pageant con noisseurs, the competition is more than just a pretty face.It’s about titles, intellect and above all, one’s rele vance and influence to the community. It’s about being a role model, someone peo ple can aspire to become, and someone people can relateThat’sto.
FHIYAS, P15 By MAYA M. PADILLO
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exactly what Davao City’s “Hiyas sa Ka dayawan” is all about. The uniqueness of this competition is that its defi nition of beauty is more of one’s social value. One of the highlights of the Kadayawan sa Davao Festival celebrations in Davao City, “Hiyas” puts the spotlight on the maid ens from the 11 tribes in the city. Picked as the best women to represent their tribes, they are expected to carry their ethnic iden tity and must exude with knowledge of their tribes’ cultures and traditions in order to be crowned “Hiyas sa Kadayawan.”Formerly called “Bya’Neng ng Kadayawan” during the mayoralty of the then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in 1988, the contest was participated by young women, mostly models and personalities in Davao City, who competed by perform ing songs and dances and answering questions from the Throughjudges. the years, the pageant evolved and has become a platform to thrust advocacy and culture and no longer participated by modern Dabawenyas but women representing the 11 tribes of Davao City namely Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog com prising the lumad peoples, and the Moro groups con sisting of the Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao and the Kagan. The pageant also puts premium on the candi dates’ knowledge of their very own tradition and cul ture.Councilor Al Ryan Ale jandre, spokesperson of this year’s Kadayawan Execom, said the changes were due to the clamor that the candidates should be from the tribes. “The evolution is maayo siya for the tribes kasi somehow they can also give educational information regarding their tribes at the same time kasi mapa kita nila how they live and ilahang ma-announce unsa pa ang need sa ilang tribes from the city government of Davao and the private sec tor,” he “Dihasaid.nila ma-show case ug mapagawas ang ilahang mga advantages. Atong akoa na time amoa silang gina-feature sa laing lugar ug gipakita namo ang ilahang advocacy and many others. Through this, it opened for everybody even the city government, the LGU, to make projects to help their tribes. Naa nay nag donate from NGOs, naay mga projects, and many others. Slowly naka tabang sila (candidates) for the entire tribe for the past years dako na ug contribu tions ang mga “Hiyas” can didates through their advo cacies,” Alejandre said. There was a time when Indigenous People (IP) were mocked because of being uneducated and their ways of life, bullied, and their cultures were not respected. However, all these changed when young women from ethnocultural origins started speaking up through “Hiyas.” This was proven by two of this year’s “Hiyas sa Ka
Hiyas sa Kadayawan: Beyond beauty pageant
As the good old saying goes: children learn that it’s best to be good at all things from a young age and learn ing to lose is just as important as learning to win applies to every competition.
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include 2013, first run ner-up; 2017, 3rd place in “Sayaw sa Kadayawan”; 2019, second place for “Indak-Indak,” and won the Best in Artistic Design award. The school also won third place in the children’s category of “Sayaw”. These students under went rigid training and workshop under their for mer choreographer Mario Leofer Lim who not only trained them to be good dancers but also to develop confidence. “Our preparations in clude rigid practice and workshop para ang bata kabalo unsaon pag sway ug para kabalo sila unsa on paglihok sa ilang lawas. Usahay maabtan nami ug gabii ug practice. Naa ang mga parents sa practice. Gusto nila ang ilang mga anak mag join para maun dang na sige internet,” Vil larreizParticipatingsaid. in com petitions also teaches the students about the impor tance of teamwork, com mitment, and cooperation. They have students participating in the con tests from kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2. Villarreiz said that be ing the best in these con tests give the students a good feeling of themselves and make them proud. She said this shows them that they are good at something which builds their self-con fidence. “Gina-convince sila be cause kung maka join sila they can travel from other places. Nakaabot sila sa Manila for free. Pag manalo may pera they were given incentives para malipay sila,” she Villarreizadded.also said the students do not pay a pen ny for their costumes and props.“Kay gusto nako dili na mag worry ang mga bata,” sheThesaid. recognition giv en to MES has attracted students to enroll in the school. MES’s enrollees are said to have increased to 6,000.MES is now ready for this year’s “Kadayawan sa Davao”.Wishing all the students of MES good luck.
Among the major activ ities of the Kadayawan sa Davao festival, “Indak-In dak” is a street dance com petition with contenders not only from Davao Region but as far as the Cotabato provinces while “Sayaw Kadayawan” is a cultural dance competition.
Breeding Indak-Indak champions
That includes “In dak-Indak Sa Kadalanan” and “Sayaw Kadayawan.”
Among the consistent winners of these competi tions are the students rep resenting Magallanes Ele mentary School (MES). “Since 2001 naga cham pion mi in the open catego ry. Its elementary students laban sa dagko na contend ers from other places,” said Jocelyn Villarreiz, cultural coordinator of MES. In 2008, MES bagged the grand prize for the Davao-based category of “Indak-Indak” and took home P150,000, and was Davao City’s representative for the Aliwan Festival in Manila.“Pag mag champion mi gina-invite mi sa national competitions like Aliwan to represent Davao City,” Vil larreizYearssaid.that the MES won By MAYA M. PADILLO
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VOL.15 ISSUE 105 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 14-15, 2022 11EDGEDAVAO Madayaw! Happy 37th Kadayawan sa Davao Festival Greetings from: Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza‘Lala’ Province of Cotabato
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California“Street dancing. They said this is the mother of all tribal festivals around Mount Apo.” Loreto Valdez, retired college“Bountifulprofessorfruits. Inter esting because people are rejoicing because of the over flowing fruit supply.” – Neng Gomez,“Indak-indakmother sa Kadala nan: colorful and lively peo ple showcasing the culture of Mindanao. I also like the floral float parade.”
– Maria Victoria Dado, government employee“Pamulak sa Kadayawan. I like it because it showcases the bounty of the city, and at the same time it shows unity and creativity of Dabawen yos.” – Julius R. Paner, munici pal tourism officer “Well, I would be very biased – it’s my pet event. It started in 1997 as Urog Etni ka; it evolved to Moda Mind anao in 2006 until 2016. It is a fashion design competition among designers all over Mindanao. I’m happy to note that it has developed known designers like Garimon Ro feros who won first runner up in a fashion design com petition in Paris.” – Oscar Ca saysay, government official “Indak-indak sa Kadala nan. The drum performanc es and the coordination of the dances.” – Eubelle John Mamacos, former journalism student “The flower parade. It showcases the bountiful of what we have in Davao and that includes the fruits.”
– Janoz Laquihon, photographer “The parade of floats showcasing the great har vests – whether bountiful or not, depending on the good weather of the year.”
– JB Villaver Sa sam, elementary teacher “Indak-indak sa Kada lanan. It Is interesting to me because it showcases the different cultures and tribal dances.” – Elizabeth C. Torio, government official “My most favorite is In dak-indak sa Kadalanan, where people and tribes of Davao come together to celebrate the feast and har vest through dancing in the streets as a form of celebra tion and triumph.” – Armand Mortejo, businessman and tourism professor “I have two favorite events: Indak-indak sa Kada lanan and Hiyas ng Kaday awan. The first represents the colorful, energetic, vibrant and abundant Davao City paying tribute to the bounti ful blessing from our Divine Creator. It brings intoxicating energy that refreshes your being Dabawenyo. The sec ond is a celebration of life and beauty. It makes me feel proud that in Davao City, we take pride in our indigenous roots and cultural heritage.”
– Bobet Oliver, hotel manager “My all-time favorite, Indak-indak sa Kadalanan. Aside from being so festive and colorful, ambot nganong lahi ra gyud ang kalipay if ma-witness nimo. Dili gyud complete and Kadayawan kung walay street dancing.” –Vilma Flores Flauta, govern ment“It’semployeethetribal village where everything merges, the authenticity of the tribal people and knowing more of their culture and how they lived when they were in their original domain.”
– Riza P. Lobitos, elemen tary“Theteacherstreet dancing com petitions. I love the music beats, the colorful costumes and vibrant dances and moves. I think you learn so much about Davao watching these parades showcasing culture, customs and beliefs.”
– Darrell Blatchley, owner of D’Bone Collector Museum “I don’t know now. I have different ideas of things now as compared to when I was in my 20s. Way back Marco Polo days, I loved going out to dif ferent bars and hubs. Watch ing a live band concert in the streets.” – Jomsean Alimento, overseas Filipino worker. “Way back before the pandemic, I liked the flora parade which showcases the talent, skills and creativity of Dabawenyos in designing floats using the abundant flowers in the region, es pecially the waling-waling which the region is known for.”
– Mailyn Otakan-Anthony, a former Dabawenyo who now lives in
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–Araceli Lanoy Ayuste, beach resort“Mineowneris Indak-indak sa Kadalanan and the peo ple’s parade because when I see people joyfully danc ing their way and parading their group, they are show casing their unique identity. It also gives me a feeling of inclusiveness because other groups outside Davao can participate which is a true mark of inclusivity and har mony.” – Adrian M. Tamayo, government official “My favorite Kadayawan event is the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan. I like to shoot the various indigenous cul tures despite the heat of the scorching sun. I enjoy watch ing how they perform and interpret their cultural her itage through dancing, with their colorful costume and heart pumping drumbeat. Surely, you don’t wanna miss the street dancing event.” –Joseph Quisido Gumia, pho tographer“Hiyas ng Kadayawan because it celebrates the in digenous people’s youth and inspires the young to dream and be proud of their culture and heritage.” – Eden Jose phine L. David, former tour ism official “I love the bountiful harvest during Kadayawan. There are so many fruits available.” – Bryan Regencia, entrepreneur“Thestreet dance parade. I see the colorful culture of Davao – Mindanao in gener al – through its aesthetic and vibrant costumes, authentic dance moves, the smiles of the participants that allure the audience, especially tour ists, to dance with them with their music.”
– Sherwin Manual, freelancer “Indak-indak sa Kada lanan and Pamulak sa Ka dayawan. Both show the cultural diversity and makes non-Dabawenyos wonder how we can live together in unity. We have a Bagobo for mayor, Ilokano, Cebuano, of Ilongo descent, Muslim lead ers, etc. Fruits and flowers show the fertility of our lands and abundance of food.” –Serafin Ledesma, Jr., newspa per “Thepublisher.native games are unique. Hindi lang games ito kundi historic pa ito.” – Lolito delos Reyes, sports reporter “Indak-indak sa Kadala nan is my favorite. It show cases indigenous culture.” – Joefer Maninang, college professor“Iam always awed and mesmerized by the Indak-in dak sa Kadalanan. When I first actually witnessed it, it brought me to tears. The booming percussion, the blinding colors, captivating rhythm and grace by the per formers are overwhelming and beyond words.” – Juanito Dy, Jr., Lazada territory man ager of “MyMindanaomostfavorite part is the main parade and espe cially experiencing the dif ferent dance performances. I am happy to be allowed again on stage and watch it from there.” – Klaus Doring, German language professor
What’s your Kadayawanfavoriteevent?
By HENRYLITO D. TACIO August is one of the most anticipated months of the year in Davao City. After all, the country’s largest city in terms of land area comes alive as it celebrates “Kadayawan sa Dabaw,” touted as the mother of all festivals in Mindanao. Davao is a festival with lots of comparisons with other ethnic festivals in the country like the Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Maskara among others. Along with the similarities are a number of events and features unique of itsKadayawan’sown. main ingre dients are the durian, wal ing-waling, indak-indak, in digenous games and cultural shows. Likewise, theres the Hiyas sa Kadayawan and the traditional Kadayawan float parade.Edge Davao asked peo ple as to what is their most favorite event during the fes tivity. Read them and com pare their favorites with your own:“Indak-indak sa Kadala nan is my favorite because it features the social function of art. Participants bring in the best of their respective communities to showcase the best in them in terms of produce, colors, design, mu sic and movement. The open category also paves way to Davao’s relationship with nearby communities that are in solidarity with the king city of the South to celebrate the king of festivals.” – Loren zo Balili, Jr., college professor “I almost forgot the feel ing and excitement after probably some 2-year hia tus. But still, street dancing tops my list. It may come second to Sinulog’s in terms of grandeur and populari ty but the preparation and actual demonstration and choreography display of the participating groups can re ally draw crowd’s interest.”
– Dr. Mae Dolendo, physician “Street dancing – because of its festive actions and vi brant colors. It showcases the dancing and musical skills of various contingents not only from Davao City but other provinces and regions as well. It also challenges my photography skills to capture happy moments.”
– Shem Torre Longakit, photographer “The parade amid the fact that Davao embraces the tribes of the region. They showcase them and are proud of them. Not forget ting their cultural history.”
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VOL.15 ISSUE 105 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 14-15, 2022 15EDGEDAVAO dayawan” candidates. Sitti Rohilmina Emani of the Sama tribe shed tears during the presentation as she shared the struggle of his tribe due to discrimination, the reason why she is advocating for equality and the right to education for the Sama tribe (Badjaos).“Myadvocacy is education kasi karamihan sa amin hindi nakapag-aral kaya gina-look down ang aming culture. I want to promote education para ipakita sa lahat na kaya din namin na ipakita sa inyo kung ano ang aming liveli hood. I also want to promote cultural awareness kasi mara mi sa ating kabataan ay hindi marunong kung ano ang ka suotan ng aming tribe,” Emani said.Leizly May Mendoza of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe is ad vocating the strengthening of the cultural identity and conti nuity of her tribe. “Kabalo ko sa akong sarili na well-preserve namo ang among tradisyon and culture and gusto nako ma strengthen. Na-preserve naman sa among ancestors ang amoang tradi ton, culture, and belief and I want to strengthen that kay kami man ang next generation sa amoang tribu,” she said. Through “Hiyas” vitality has returned to their tribes as they are now being priori tized by the city government of Davao.“Forthe past years, ubay ubay na pud ang mga projects, like the Aboitiz na naghatag ug donations for their livelihood programs and many others and the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) naay School for Living Tradi tion, which is a formal school na puwede nila mapasa to younger generation,” Alejan dre said.Italso helped that Vice President Sara Duterte wore a Bagobo-Tagabawa tradi tional attire during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) recently putting ethnic diver sity in the spotlight even more. This is the first time that the traditional attire and culture of the tribes have been show cased in a major event in the Philippines.Bywearing their tribal attire, Duterte not only rep resented the Bagobo-Tagab awa tribe but also the Moros and Indigenous People (IP) of Davao“WeCity.the Bagobo-Tagaba wa really appreciate, proud and blessed kay gisuot ni Vice President Sara Duterte ang amoang tribal attire. This is very sentimental kay dako ni ug bili sa amoa. Ug para sa akoa katong nag discrimi nate nga katawhan dili pud ko maghatag sa ilaha ug lain na komento kay wala man pud ko kabalo kung unsa ang sulod sa ilahang kasingkas ing kay sa tinuod lang wala man pud sila na educate kung unsa gyud ang amoang tribal attire. They can say whatev er they want pero kami isip Bagobo-Tagabawa will never fight back kay kung mu-fight back ka, mubalik man sad na sa imoha, what you do to oth ers will be done also sa imo ha. I know who we really are ug kabalo mi sa among iden tity ug kabalo mi kung unsa ang meaning, it is not just a costume but a tribal attire ug kaning suot nako karon gikan pa ni sa amoang ancestor,” MendozaAlejandresaid. said VP Sara’s SONA attire lifted the morale of several tribes. “Na boost ilang morale ug dili na sila aloof in train ings and gatherings. They are proud of their tribe. Before dili gyud na sila mag wear sa ilahang tribal attire and even speaking sa ilahang dialect kay maulaw kay masultihan ug netibo means ignorante. But for now, murag na highlight sila even in our daily lives,” AlejandreAlejandre,said. a former Na tional Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chief, said these women helped as am bassadresses of their respec tive tribes. He said there is a need to establish the Arts and Culture Division in Davao City to build up these women as spokesperson of their respec tive “Dakotribes. sila ug na help as ambassadors for the 11 tribes as they can now voice out what are the things to be done in their respective tribe kaya lang naka lodge pa man gud sila sa City Tourism Office. Ideally, they should be lodge sa Arts and Culture Division ng city kaya lang wala pa man ta ana. The reason why akong gina-encourage si Mayor Baste to put one kasi 19 sectors ang arts and culture and IPs is one of them,” he said. “Hiyas sa Kadayawan” offers a place for young wom en to become spokesper sons against discrimination. The pageant also provides a glimpse of how cultural groups wish their national identity to be portrayed to the general public. “If you notice, now almost of them hawod na mu-istorya ug mu English, pero naa pud dili. Murag proud nata na ang education gina value na nila. Dako sila ug influence sa ila hang tribu. I hope dili lang during “Kadayawan sa Davao” nato sila ma-remember but for the entire year. I hope they can do more and observe sa ilah ang kultura with the help of the city government of Davao,” Alejandre said. HIYAS... FROM 8
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