Archive for March, 2010

Carabao Festival
may 14
Pulilan, Bulacan

The farmer’s best friend takes on a different task on this day as he is scrubbed clean, his horns rubbed shiny, and adorned to the hilt by his owners. The beasts of burden are then taken to the church plaza where they await to be blessed, then are hitched to decorated carts which they pull around town in a parade. Later in the day, special games are held, including a carabao race, a special show of carabao tricks (like kneeling on their front legs) and other fun activities.

Obando Fertility Rites
May 17-19
Obando, Bulacan

Childless women, some accompanied by their husbands, travel all the way to this town in Bulacan to participate in a procession where they dance as they chant their prayers to bear a child.

Peñafrancia Festival
Third Saturday of September
Baga City, Camarines Sur
Another tributes and thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary, this time to the Our Lady of Peñafranca, patron saint of the Bicol region. A fluvial  parade is the highlight of this festivity, where the image of the Lady is placed on the main barge, while hundreds of smaller boats ply the river behind her.

Lanzones Festival
Third week of October
Mambajao, Camiguin

The round, white, sweet fruit known as the lanzones is harvested aplenty in this part of the country, and as a sign of thanksgiving, a parade that highlights the lanzones is held in celebration. Dancers, floats and everything else are adorned with the lanzones on this day.

Masskara Festival
Second week of October
Bacolod, Negros Occidental

The festival that made Bacolod famous began as an event to inspire the locals to face the hard times with a smiling face, thus masks with smiling faces are worn by revelers who join the parade. Street dancing, drum beating, drinking, eating, and just being merry-all this show the resiliency of Negrenses and their zest of life.

Madayaw! A warm and friendly greeting derived from the Dabawenyo word “dayaw” that means good. It is also used to describe any thing that is valuable, superior or beautiful. Such is “Kadayawan”, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and the serenity of living.

Today, Kadayawan has metamorphosed into a “Festival of festivals”,  as it honors Davao’s heritage, its past people personified by the ancestral streets, and its industry as they parade in full regalla in thanksgiving for the blessed bestowed on the city.

Kadayawan sa Dabaw is an experience with a difference as it explores the past, present and future of the Dabawenyos, the Mindanaoans, the Filipinos. Its sights and sounds remain unparalled. Be part of the experience.

As Davao continues to be a prime tourist destination in the Philippines, DATO packages are carefully designed to showcase the natural wonders & rarities of Davao. The “Island’s best kept secret destination” is down here. Let us show you the exotic south of the islands of the Philippines.

Duaw! Come and visit Davao.
Duyog! Celebrate with us.
Every 3rd weel of August, Kadayawan.