During the Kadayawan Festival, we got to visit and attend some of the highlights of the Kadayawan festivity, its a month long celebration and there lots of line up of events that are launched to promote the culture and heritage of the Davaoenos and also to honor the 11 tribes of Davao.
Since we can’t attend them all, we got the chance to visit some of the events and get to feel the cultural vibe in Mindanao. I can say that they have a very unique event and also much focus on what they want to promote, it is not so mainstream, but its great to see that everyone in Davao collaborate to celebrate the cultural diversity and harmony of its people.
This photo is from the Davao airport. We’re surprised that they’ve prepared a cultural show for us arriving tourist in Davao. You get a teaser of what to expect at the Kadayawan Festival.
At that time, I wasn’t aware about the 11 tribes of Davao.I get to know more about them when we visited the Kadayawan Tribal Village in Magsaysay Park.
So here are some of the events that we attended during the final week of the Kadayawan Festival.
This photo is from the Davao airport. We’re surprised that they’ve prepared a cultural show for us arriving tourist in Davao. You get a teaser of what to expect at the Kadayawan Festival.
At that time, I wasn’t aware about the 11 tribes of Davao.I get to know more about them when we visited the Kadayawan Tribal Village in Magsaysay Park.
So here are some of the events that we attended during the final week of the Kadayawan Festival.
KADAYAWAN BALL
The Kadayawan Ball is a fashion design competition participated by well known fashion designer and maker here in Davao. Its their first ever fashion event and competition that highlights the modern take and fashion fusion of the different culture of Davao based on the 11 tribes.
The event was held in SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang.
The event was attended by lots of VIP, LGU, Tourism dept, fashionista, media, bloggers, deputy mayor of the 11 tribes, also Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Israeli Ambassador H.E. Effie Ben Matityau
The event featured the fashion design entry of Davao’s young fashion designers, each of the designs showcase the contemporary fashion based on the cultural design from the 11 tribes of Davao.
The contest was judged by the country's best and top fashion designers -- Lulu Tan Gan, Cary Santiago, John Herrera, Ronnie Cruz and Rajo Laurel
That day they also introduce the winners of the Hiyas ng Kadayawan. A pageant competition of beautiful women from the 11 tribes of Davao.
The grand winner of the 1st ever Kadayawan Ball -- Christopher Lim Zamora as the Kadayawan Ball Designer of the Year. And his prize -- PHP 150,000 cash prize.
Christopher’s design is based on the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe
At the red carpet area, we got a chance to have a closer look of the fashion design entry for the Kadayawan Ball.
My comment:
Ang gaganda ng mga gawa nila, the design is so Filipino and I loved how the fashion designers incorporate the traditional look of the clothing of the 11 tribes at ginawa ito very fit for modern fashion. Lalo na yung mga top and bottom fashion design for men, ang gagaling ng mga gawa at sobra ganda.
If you want to have a tailor made of the same design, you can contact the fashion designers and let them know you are interested to have it for your collection.
Right after the event, we got to meet the awesome bloggers of Davao headed by Ms Ria Jose.
HABI KADAYAWAN
Habi Kadayawan is a fashion accessories design competition during the Kadayawan Festival and the entries are made by Davao's top accessories designers and artist.
The design entries can be woven accessories, jewelries, shoes, bag and other fashionable items that are based on the cultural design of the 11 tribes of Davao.
I didnt get to take a closer photo of the winning designs, but based on my research the winners are:
Maan Chua - for the Agung Necklace based from the Bagobo Tribe, she won PHP 10,000 cash prize and another PHP 10,000 cash from designer Ann Ong.
Maan Chua - for the Agung Necklace based from the Bagobo Tribe, she won PHP 10,000 cash prize and another PHP 10,000 cash from designer Ann Ong.
Jun Artajo - 1st runner up for the Vinta footwear based on the Sama-Badjao tribe.
Kathryn Fanlo - 1st place winner under Hobbyist and Artisan category for her Pahidungog entry
source:
REGIONAL TRAVEL FAIR B2B NETWORKING
For the TPB (Tourism Promotions Board) side, we got a preview of the events happening inside their Regional Travel Fair B2B networking activity. They’ve invited several travel operators from around the Philippines to join them in a regional travel fair.
I’ve learned that this was their 5th or maybe 6th leg touring around the Philippines, to meet hotels and resort operators, other tour guides, eco adventure organizers and the LGU for them to help in promotion of their properties and natural tourism site of each town.
We also met some reps from the Department of Tourism, and we learned that they are in full blast in promoting Western Visayas. This is good because more tourist will be attracted to visit the western side of Visayas.
Western Visayas includes Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Ilolo, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
I’ve been to Iloilo City and Bacolod City, I hope I can visit the other provinces in my next travel adventure.
REGIONAL TRAVEL FAIR
The Davaoenos got an awesome treat and sweet deals from the travel operators at the 2nd Regional Travel Fair in SM Lanang. The travel fair is the 2nd year for the TPB to bring over more travel operators to promote other city, province, islands, hotels and resort from different regions of the Philippines.
Stakeholders and travel industry players from different regions of the country are here to do networking and showcase the beauty of their land to Davaoenos and also to other local tourist.
The Regional Travel Fair is an annual travel fair event that can help the community on each province and also keep tourism more alive and healthy
Kadayawan cultural dancers during the opening of the 2nd Regional Travel Fair.
Travel operators from different regions got their own booth space to offer their travel packages.
Wow!! Check out the travel packages..its so affordable, and the price mentioned are only for the tour. We learned that they advised that the the air travel will be from Davao to Clark Airport if ever they are going to travel going to Northern Luzon.
The funny mascot of the Regional Travel Fair..look like he is a travel blogger.
I’ve never been to the far reaches side of the Philippines, and its my 3rd time here in Mindanao and I never explore the entire island yet.
Its really more fun here!! So if ever you saw a travel fair in your area, I suggest you visit them to score super discounted travel packages and you can consult them travel operators if ever you want to travel around and explore the beauty of the next region.
Whew! Ang dami na nangyari and I’m still at the one to the last blog post for my Kadayawan blog series.
Up next.. It will be about the street parade and the float parade of the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.
Thank you for reading and see you at the next blog post.
