Ang Dabawenyo

Here’s the schedule of activities for the celebration of Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2008, as provided by the City Tourism Office. I will update this schedule as I receive more information (not to mention, what time these events will be held). I’m also still trying to get some literature on the activities listed below.

This year’s theme is “Musanay Lumadnong Kagikan, Yutang Kabilin Panalipdan!“

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There’s an ongoing event in Davao, called Kalimudan. It showcases the region’s traditional cultures: the Bagobo, Manobo, Kagan, and others. I know that Davao has many local tribes (more politically-correctly referred to as “cultural minorities” — but I personally don’t like this term at all), but I didn’t know that there are in fact more!

The Kalimudan (ka lee MOO dahn) festival aims to increase the level of consciousness regarding the Davao region’s tribal communities. It’s a sad fact that the average Dabawenyo is not aware at all of his heritage, his history. This event will hopefully address the need for more awareness not only of our traditional peoples’ way of living, but also of their plight, concerns and current issues. Read more »

Undas. Kalag-kalag. Day of the Dead. Technically — according to the Catholic Church — 1 November is actually All Saints’ Day; it’s the day after that’s supposed to be the day for remembering our departed relatives. But in traditional practice (one might even say it’s now part of our culture), millions of Filipinos troop to cemeteries on the 1st of November. That’s why each year, the President has to declare that day a non-working holiday.

(This year, even 2 November has been declared a holiday, by virtue of its being sandwiched between a holiday and the weekend. Is it logical? Go ask business owners. But that’s for another post….) Read more »