(SPOT.ph) The Philippines is well known for its celebrations, whether it's a barangay party or an annual non-religious festival that brings in a crowd from all over the country (and even abroad). One of these is the Kadawayan Festival, a highly anticipated event in Davao City that boasts a colorful float parade and fun-filled street dancing.
What to Know About Kadayawan Festival
Kadayawan comes from the word "madayaw," which loosely translated to treasured or valuable. This is why the annual festival is a form of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, good life, and thriving culture in that region. Early versions of it started in the 1970s to highlight the 11 indigenous groups in Davao City through the "I-indak sa kadalanan", a street dancing competition. In 1986, the Kadayawan Festival was officially established, then with the name "Apo Duwaling," which is a combination of Davao's iconic Mt. Apo, durian, and waling-waling. In 1988, it was officially called Kadayawan.
The Kadayawan Festival is held every third week of August. Kadayawan Festival 2022 ran from August 15 to 21.
If you want to get amped up for next year's Kadayawan Festival, check out this Studio Spot video:
How to Get There
AirAsia flies three times a day from Manila to Davao City.