DAVAO CITY FESTIVALS

By: Kclyn H. Permilona

Davao, like many other cities in the philippines is a multi-cultural society. Different ethnic groups celebrates their distinctive festivals, thus, the many exciting festivities that take place throughout the year.

                                Kadayawan Festival is an annual festivalin the city of Davao in the Philippines. Its name derives from the friendly greeting "Madayaw", from the Dabawenyo word"dayaw", meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. It is held every third week of August^[2].

     

   Filipinos are known for their love of festivals. No wonder they use any chance to organize a celebration. The City of Davao, for example, has a month-long Christmas holiday season. They organize the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao in order to show their anticipation and share the joy. The favourite attraction of the festival is the opening ceremony with the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree. Other Christmas activities include food festivals, fairs, night markets, and other kinds of entertainment. Various events happen all around the city every day. The sounds of music can be heard everywhere, and people dance right in the streets. Public parks and buildings are decorated with lights and colourful accessories with traditional patterns.

   DAVAO City will experience a more festive Chinese New Year celebration this year, according to the Chinatown Development Council of Davao City.

Jasper Huang, the public relations officer of the Chinatown Development Council of Davao City, said this year's celebration will feature Chinese-themed food stalls during the countdown program on February 15 at the Rizal Park.

Chinese lion and dragon dances will highlight the celebration. Organizers said they will be giving away tikoy, the most popular delicacy during Chinese New Year.

Huang said during the countdown, Chinese-themed performances such as the dragon and lion dances of students from various Chinese Schools will be witnessed.

He said as part of the preparation for the festivity, the Chinatown Development Council requested all establishments in the Chinatown area to put up Chinese lanterns or Chinese symbols outside their establishments.

The countdown program on February 15 will start with a 5:30 p.m. Mass at San Pedro Cathedral. The opening ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m.

The welcoming of Chinese New Year will end at 12 midnight on the same day.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio and other city officials are expected to grace the countdown activities.

    The Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a very important festival for the Chinese people, falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Lunar Calendar. This is when the moon is believed to be in its fullest and roundest. This year, it falls on October 3, 2009.

In Chinese culture, the full moon is a symbol of peace and prosperity for the whole family. Its roundness symbolizes wholeness and togetherness. The number 8 is a symbol of wealth and prosperity.




 Pictures and informations are not mine.
 (ctto) (school purposes)