The 39th Kadayawan Festival was truly a feast for the senses, offering tourists and content creators a dream experience as they immersed themselves in the rich local culture during Davao City’s “King of Festivals,” powered by PLDT Home.
From August 7 to 18, the Kadayawan Festival provided local and international visitors with the opportunity to experience the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of the region. The festival highlighted the 11 tribes or indigenous peoples of Davao, including the Bagobo-Tagabawa, Sama, Ata, Tausug, Bagobo, Iranun, Kagan, Maranao, Matigsalug, Obu Manuvu, and Maguindanaon. This modern, urban adaptation of their traditional celebration honored a bountiful harvest.
As a proud partner of this year’s Kadayawan Festival, PLDT Home hosted several exciting events in the city, including the much-anticipated Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant.
On August 16, PLDT Home awarded the title “Hiyas ng PLDT” to Jane Rose Miones, representing the Bagobo-Plata tribe, at the Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant. This unique beauty contest sought the modern Davaoeña who embodies the qualities of a perfect role model. Young and accomplished women representing the 11 communities of Davao competed for the title while showcasing the rich heritage of their respective tribes. The talent contest featured performing arts, including the vibrant Singkil, a traditional ethnic dance from the Maranao people.
Miss Universe PH 2024 Chelsea Manalo’s Visit
On August 17, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea Manalo, joined a media luncheon to spotlight PLDT Home’s Kadayawan Festival initiatives. During the luncheon, Manalo unveiled the Kadayawan Festival Sale, offering a P3,600 discount on Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 installations for the entire month of August. Following the luncheon, she visited the PLDT Smart Ponciano Store, the NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza Booth, and concluded her day at the PLDT Home main booth in Ramon Magsaysay Park.
To enhance customer accessibility during the festival, PLDT Home set up booths in strategic locations throughout the Kadayawan Festival. The Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, now offering double the speed with 100 Mbps, provided faster streaming and video editing capabilities, as well as enhanced Unli Fam Call features. Subscribers also enjoyed access to Cignal TV’s 58 SD and 14 HD channels for crystal-clear viewing of their favorite shows.
Kadayawan: A Cultural Experience
Kadayawan Festival, which attracted around 250,000 tourists, was a vibrant celebration of Davao’s rich cultural heritage. The streets came alive with dancers dressed in colorful, intricately woven attire like T’nalak and Inaul during the Indak-Indak sa Kadalan street dancing competition. This event served as the culmination of Davaoeños’ thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and a celebration of vibrant local culture, with the iconic malong adding to the festive atmosphere.
Davao’s culinary scene was equally captivating, offering a diverse array of flavors influenced by indigenous, Malay, and Spanish cultures. Visitors indulged in fresh produce like durian and pomelo, seafood delicacies such as inihaw na panga, and exotic dishes like crocodile sisig. Coffee enthusiasts savored the distinct taste of Mount Apo-grown beans.
The magic of Kadayawan, powered by PLDT Home’s Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, was an unforgettable experience. Attendees captured every moment and shared their journey with the world through stunning photos and videos.
