[Featured Photo: Anton de Arca/CrossTV/105.9 Balita FM]
It is Kadayawan season once again!
People from all walks of life will soon come together in streets of Davao City to celebrate the profusion of harvest and richness of culture. We can’t help but swoon over the colorful and vibrant events lined up this month, whether it is organized by the government or the malls. All are in-store to let you experience the essence of being a Davaoeno.
But is missing no single event the best way to celebrate Kadayawan?
The activities are odes to the five icons of Davao City – the Philippine Eagle, the Mount Apo, the Indigenous People, the Durian, and the Waling-Waling. There is the Indak-Indak (street dancing), the Pamulak (floral floats), tribal music performances and contests, Hiyas sa Kadayawan to name a few. There are baskets and stalls brimming with different fruits at a low price for you to enjoy.
However, the bliss and excitement during the whole month are ephemeral. The city returns to normal after the festival. The memories may linger for a quite a long time but not until the next Kadayawan. And the significance, for some reason, will be left intangible and ideal.
There is something we can do to at least one of the city’s icons – the Philippine Eagle, the preserver of nature where the bounty springs from and the guardian of the forest where it resides, in unity with the indigenous people.
For the whole duration of the celebration, adorable and fluffy eagle stuffed toys in traditional and fashionable ethnic garbs are up for bid at the Marco Polo Davao. Buying a pair of the eagle toys mean adopting and supporting a real Philippine wildlife king at the Philippine Eagle Center. The auction starts with a price of 2,500 pesos for a pair. Proceeds will go to the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
The toy eagles were presented by the staff of the hotel as they open this year’s Kadayawan with the launching of Fashion and Fusion, both a gastronomic and visual festivity of everything Davao. There are also paintings that are for sale. And lastly, the cacao and chocolate products from various business members of the Cacao Industry and Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. (CIDAMi) are on the display. In case you don’t want to bid, you can still donate by buying a regular stuffed toy eagle for 600 pesos.
Feel the vibe of Kadayawan by visiting the hotel at the heart of Davao, Marco Polo Hotel for the month-long arts and business exhibition and celebrate with a lasting impact. Supporting the eagles, the symbol of a true blooded Davaoeno, will perfectly embody this year’s theme: “Stand Tall. United. Resilient.”
BOB TRAIL TALES 