”Madayaw Dabaw”, “Madayaw na adlaw”, “Madayaw na pag-abot” are the most common greetings that we can hear from our real-blooded-davaoeÑo elders. How unique madayaw term is, so much more its meaning which is goodness, beauty, and marvel. That is why Kadayawan Festival has come to an existence. Kadayawan Festival is the davaoeÑos' way of expressing gratitude towards the giver of life, the Almighty; His benevolence to explicit superabundance. If you come here for a vacation, attend the Kadayawan Festival, and ask for Davao’s tropical bounties, you’ll just realize later that it’s tiresome memorizing them all. Lansonez, Mangosteen, Rambutan, Mango, Pomelo, Papaya, Marang, and the greatest among the others: Durian.

“Sometimes, we put something into until there is room for nothing more.” That’s what people often say whenever they eat the much irresistible Durian. Why? It is because Durian has a delightful and an inviting taste. “Durian tastes like heaven. No other fruit could be as pleasurable as Durian. ”, BeeDee2000 said. Now, we could tell that Durian is indeed irresistible for testimonials could prove that it is too strong and fascinating. Clever, isn’t it?

During Kadayawan Festival, a “Mutya Ng Davao” is being chosen who will later play an important role to the society. The Mutya ng Davao will be an influential and effective agent of promoting Davao City in all its endeavors, specifically, Davao City’s source of income such as tourism, Davao-made products, fruit cultivation and flower cultivation. She will not only promote the bounties that Davao has but will also help in reducing the rates of crime and poverty. Mutya ng Davao is a perfect opportunity for women who are aiming to make Davao City more prodigious and more progressive.

Interpretative, theatrical, or melodramatic dancing is what we have during the “Indak-indak sa Kadalanan”. It is one of the scenic formal exhibitions the Kadayawan Festival has; portraying the customs, traditions, and culture of the Indigenous groups of Davao City; showing off their eminent and distinguished characteristics as people preserving DavaoeÑos’ own cultural heritage.

Orchids, Crisantimum, Baby’s breath, Sampaguita, Daisy, and Jasmine; you can mention all those beautifully named flowers but, there’s only one kind of flower Davao City is proud of; Waling-waling. It’s not about the name. It’s about the real beauty behind its simplicity. Waling-waling is Davao’s most prominent flower. Not because it has a lovely name, but because it grows anywhere in Davao. It shows flexibility which signifies its simplicity. Simple yet it has added the attractiveness of Davao City.

If the flowers of Davao themselves have shown flexibility and simplicity, how much more the people? It’s nice to hear we had. In a certain place, people should be first organized before the things that surround them. That is why Kadayawan Festival has another event called “Halad”, a floral float parade. In this event, Davao’s different companies, establishments, institutions, and social groups display their official seal or official symbol as a sign of thanksgiving for the firm support of the people to them. Also, for the success their establishments have been experiencing for the past few years. In addition, some of these establishments conduct events such as Davao Trade Expo (Inviting the foreign people to invest here in Davao), Mindanao Information and Communications Technology, and other Investment conferences.

Kadayawan Festival also has exciting activities like skimboarding at Mergrande Ocean Beach Resort, the flight of eagles at Malagos garden, Kayak racing at Davao Marina Park, the concert of the famous local artists/bands of Davao City, windsurfing, and fashion showcase of our local lovely professional models. For the things that have been mentioned, it goes to show that davaoeÑos have instilled unity in their minds despite their diversity. Not only that. A lot of people said, “Davao City is truly an undisputed city of highly enjoyable natural sceneries”. Indeed, Davao City is more than enough for us davaoeÑos. Let’s continue loving the place where we belong.