Month-long Kadayawan Festival kicks off in Davao City

By Ivy Tejano

Published Aug 7, 2026 01:56 pm

DAVAO CITY – Top officials here called on the people to celebrate the 2026 Kadayawan Festival with gratitude, unity, and pride as month-long festivities traditionally opened with the Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtagbo on Friday morning, Aug. 7.

The first traditional sunrise ceremony since 2019

reenacted the shared history and cultural heritage of Davao's indigenous community and the Bangsamoro people through cultural presentation and a symbolic boat parade on the Davao River at the Tionko Soccer Field.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in a message read by Councilor Myna Dalodo-Ortiz, welcomed people and visitors and said the celebration honors the indigenous and Muslim communities whose settlements, cultures, and traditions laid the foundation for the city's identity.

“This year's theme, 'We Are One, KadayawONE,' reflects the heritage of Davao's 11 ethnolinguistic tribes and the unity of Davaoeños,” Duterte said, encouraging residents to continue honoring their culture, celebrating diversity, and promoting peace and progress.

Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, in his message, described Kadayawan as more than a festival, saying it is a celebration of the city's cultural identity and a reminder of the resilience, generosity, and unity of the people of Davao City.

He urged people to thank God for the city's blessings while recognizing the contributions of farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, workers, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and families to Davao's continued growth.

Vice Mayor Duterte assured Davaoeños of his commitment to building a city that is safe, progressive, and compassionate and invited visitors to experience not only Davao's attractions but also the warmth and hospitality of the people.

Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chairperson of the City Council Committee on Tourism and Beautification, hoped that this year's festival would bring blessings and unity and lead to the successful staging of festival activities.

Ortiz cited the opening of Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtagbo led by the deputy mayors of Davao City representing the Bangsamoro and Indigenous Peoples communities as a symbol of the Kadayawan's cultural significance.

First district Rep. Paolo Duterte described Kadayawan as a celebration of Davao City's culture, unity, and resilience. He encouraged the people to welcome visitors with respect and hospitality, work together, and celebrate the festival responsibly.

He recognized the contributions of farmers, fisherfolk, workers, entrepreneurs, artists, Indigenous cultural communities, government employees, barangay officials, uniformed personnel, and volunteer responders in the city's continued progress.

"Kadayawan serves as an occasion to give thanks for the city's blessings, honor its rich cultural heritage and indigenous communities, and celebrate the unity that strengthens Davaoeños," said Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat party-list Rep. Harold Duterte.

Harold said the festival highlights the importance of protecting the country's fisheries and maritime sectors while encouraging the preservation of culture, environmental stewardship, and collective efforts toward a more peaceful and prosperous Davao and the Philippines.

The grand opening of this year's festival will be held at Magsaysay Park on Friday afternoon. It features its biggest program to date, with the city government organizing 26 official activities, up from 16 last year, and targeting 250,000 tourist arrivals.

Angelica Lopez of Palawan wins first Reina Filipinas crown

 

By Carissa Alcantara

Published Aug 8, 2026 12:22 am

Angelica Lopez of Palawan, Alexie Brooks of Iloilo, and Anne Patricia Lorenzo Diaz of Manila emerged top winners at the inaugural Reina Filipinas beauty pageant held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Friday, Aug. 7.

Lopez was crowned Reina Filipinas Grand International 2027, succeeding Emma Marie Tiglao. 

Meanwhile, Brooks and Diaz were both crowned Reina Filipinas MGI All Stars.

Completing the roster of winners in the first Reina Filipinas pageant were Cleopatra Barrera of Zambales, who was named first runner-up; Isabella Ortega of Camarines Sur, who finished as second runner-up; Zeah Nestle Pala of Mandaluyong, who placed third runner-up; and Luisa Lorin Benavides of Caloocan, who was named fourth runner-up.   

During the final question-and-answer portion, the seven finalists were asked: “There are undeniably so many pageants already. What space do you hope Reina Filipinas would occupy?”

Lopez answered:

“I understand that every pageant serves a purpose, and so does Reina Filipinas.

Here, they have a business that gives women the opportunity to learn new skills, become more empowered, and grow as individuals—whether in sports, entertainment, or business. It is truly a meaningful and empowering platform, creating a win-win situation for everyone so that we can all move forward toward progress, development, and productivity.”

Over 130,000 individuals affected

 

Over 130,000 individuals affected as 'Maymay', 'Luis', 'habagat' whip six regions

AUTHORITIES inspect the water level of the Amburayan River in Sudipen, La Union as heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone "Maymay" pound the province on Aug. 6, 2026. (File photo)

The combined effects of Tropical Cyclones "Maymay" and "Luis" and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) affected 39,879 families or 132,956 individuals across six regions, with 6,215 people staying in 61 evacuation centers. Read more

5 Rare skills that will set you apart from 99% of people:

 

1. SUSTAINED FOCUS

Every day this skill gets more valuable.

Attention spans are dwindling. Distraction is everywhere.

Simply being able to focus on one thing without interruption for 45 minutes will separate you from 90% of the population.

How to improve:

• Use “Focus mode” on your device
• Use the Pomodoro Technique
• Stop multitasking

2. DISCIPLINE

• Success requires consistency.
• Consistency requires discipline.
• Discipline requires strong systems.

Stop relying on motivation and willpower.

Start building systems to set you up for success.

How to improve:

• Remove temptations
• Have a clear goal and plan to reach it
• Understand your strengths and weaknesses

3. COMMUNICATION

Your ability to effectively communicate your thoughts impacts everything you do:

• Friendships
• Business
• Dating

This is a non-negotiable skill.

How to improve:

• Study storytelling
• Ask for feedback
• Listen more and speak less

4. SALES

Ok, now hear me out. Have you ever.

• Had a job interview
• Asked someone on a date
• Asked your child to do something

That's sales. Negotiation and persuasion.

Whether you realise it or not, you're doing some form of selling nearly every day.

How to improve:

• Find a mentor
• Get in more reps
• Learn to accept rejection

5. TAKING ACTION BEFORE YOU FEEL READY

Most people's time:

80% thinking

20% action

Flip those numbers. Watch your life transform. 80% action 20% thinking.

How to improve:

• Use “Focus mode” on your device
• Use the Pomodoro Technique
• Stop multitasking

Drop💯 if you reached here!

This shows you are a part of 1% who actually finish what they start.

The heartbreak of a beautiful nation

 

 Christian Gil D. Argonza

The Philippines stands at a difficult and defining moment in its history. Across many communities, ordinary citizens are carrying burdens that should never have become normal: rising prices, uncertain livelihoods, overstretched households, and a growing sense that public institutions are drifting away from the people they were meant to serve. For many Filipinos, daily life has become an exercise in endurance rather than an opportunity to live with dignity, security, and hope.

One of the deepest wounds in our national life is the persistent perception of corruption and self-interest in government. Whether in local offices or national institutions, many Filipinos have grown weary of seeing public service reduced to political maneuvering, personal advantage, and endless division. At the same time, the cost of basic commodities continues to climb. Food, transportation, electricity, water, and school needs consume an ever larger share of family income, while wages often fail to keep pace. The result is a public that is exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally—working harder each day, yet feeling no closer to a better future.

This reality is especially painful because the Philippines is a country of immense promise. It is blessed with natural beauty, cultural richness, resilient people, and talent recognized across the world. Yet many Filipinos themselves struggle to enjoy the full potential of their own homeland. A nation so abundant in possibility should not leave its citizens feeling trapped in survival mode. What people ask for is not extraordinary privilege, but the fundamentals of a decent society: good governance, transparency, accountability, and public policies that place the welfare of citizens above the ambitions of the powerful.

The continued migration of Filipino professionals is one of the clearest signs of this imbalance. Discussions about “brain drain” often focus narrowly on salaries, as if compensation alone explains why skilled workers choose to leave. But the issue runs deeper than income.

People leave not only because they seek higher pay, but because they long for systems that function, institutions they can trust, and a future where effort is rewarded fairly. When public resources that should improve education, health care, infrastructure, and employment are wasted or misused, the nation loses more than money—it loses confidence, talent, and the faith of its own people.

The pressure is most visible in the everyday lives of working families. Taxes and rising costs affect nearly every essential need: food, water, power, transportation, rent, and school supplies. Each increase, however small it may appear on paper, has a real consequence at the dinner table and in household budgeting. The public senses this gap sharply: people are expected to contribute faithfully as taxpayers, yet too often they do not see the same degree of faithfulness in return from those entrusted with national resources. This is why anger grows. Citizens are not merely frustrated by hardship; they are wounded by the feeling that sacrifice is demanded from them while accountability is withheld from those in authority.

This crisis also places the next generation at risk. José Rizal’s enduring belief that the youth are the hope of the nation remains true, but hope cannot thrive on words alone. The young need quality education, safe communities, meaningful opportunities, and leaders who model integrity rather than cynicism. A country cannot expect its children to build a better future if they inherit broken institutions, normalized dishonesty, and a political culture that rewards influence over service. If we truly believe in the promise of Filipino youth, then we must also demand a society that equips them—not one that discourages them before they even begin.

Ultimately, democracy places a solemn responsibility in the hands of every voter. The freedom to choose our leaders is not only a right; it is a moral obligation to think carefully, remember history, and resist deception dressed as generosity or popularity. Elections should never be reduced to spectacle. They are decisions that shape whether future generations will inherit justice or disorder, opportunity or decline. If we are tired of corruption, inequality, and repeated disappointment, then we must become more disciplined in the way we judge those who ask for public trust. National renewal begins not only in government offices, but in the conscience of the citizenry.

The task before us is not simply to wait for change, but to participate in it—through vigilance, integrity, and a shared refusal to accept public life at its worst. The Philippines deserves more than survival. It deserves justice, competence, and a future worthy of its people.

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