Kahimunan Festival in Laak

Gov Tyron Uy joins the celebration of the 9^th Kahimunan festival in Laak on September 21, 2019 with other guests and officials. (M. Lasaca/ID Comval)

Of festival and blessings

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

The different activities and event of the 34th Kadayawan Festival in Davao City kept me very busy and enjoyable too. That's the reason, why this column is being published a little bit late. But, not to late, because Kadayawan will be going on up to the end of this month of August. 

Of course, as a member of the Davao City's (Mindanao's) Consular Corps, I am receiving invitations as German Consul for Mindanao for most all different events of this amazing and awesome festival. While writing this piece, the festival is still ongoing. The celebration offers an incredible array of activities full of fun and joy: dance group competition (just experienced yesterday, grabe!), street party and a food trip at the strip. Sure, Kadayawan is also about the indulgence in the best cuisines that Davao has to offer. Kadayawan is indeed a fest of sorts.

Living and working in Davao City since almost 21 years now, I observed this festival is becoming more and more awesome. As our good mayor Inday Sara Duterte said during the launching,  "We celebrate it annually not just to give Dabawenyos a reason to celebrate; we do it o we do not forget where we come from and what blessings we have received through the years, blessings which we continue to receive".

Living in Davao City, I strongly agree: We have been blessed not just with natural resources but favorable climate conditions, a thriving economy and peace and order. I go further. While observing global disputes at any corner, we are blessed in Mindanao. Not only Dabawenyos are showing the whole word how to get together as a multicultural community. 

Yes, this year's Kadayawan is indeed different, as most events have spread during the weekends of the month of August to ensure the city will be able to accommodate more visitors. I was surprised meeting you so many people during so many events from different countries.

First time ever, I came to together with Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte. He said, "A bountiful harvest, rich natural resources, disciplined an resilient people, dedicated public servants, safe community and a lot of wonderful opportunities."

Yes, we have to be thankful for everything, while looking to so many place on earth, where the situations look different and scaring. 

 I still remember then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte saying in 2009, " With global warming and climate change a very real phenomenon in our lives now, we need to look to our indigenous people for wisdom and guidance as they have been respectful towards their relationship with the earth!"

The Presidentsaid this ten years ago ... ! Happy Kadayawan 2019!

God bless Mindanao. God bless the Philippines!

Festival Extravaganza Tops First Night of Comval Bulawan Fest

Festival extravaganza tops 1^st night of Comval Bulawan fest  

 

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province-- For several hours, the viewers are treated in a night of spectacular show of fun and revelry. A blast of exciting sights and sounds permeating Compostela Valley’s provincial capitol grounds as the teachers show off their talents right on the first night of the 9^th Bulawan Festival on March 3, 2016.

 

It was not only the “DepEd goes Festivals of the World” but they brought the audiences to every corner of the world reliving the famous festivals from different countries. Mabini featured the festival of Bahamas, Nabunturan with Hawaii/Tahiti, Pantukan with Venezuela, New Bataan with Thailand, Maragusan’s Mexico festival rendition, Compostela’s Trinidad and Tobago, Maco’s Argentina, and Mawab’s festival of India rendition.

 

Laak teachers won the judges’ overall nod with their performance of Brazil festival with their choreography, execution, showmanship, as well as appearance and style. Their Carnival de Brazil concept and predominantly Samba dance steps made them the grand prize winner of P60,000. The teachers of Montevista comes in second with their Baranquilla festival rendition,Colombia’s most important folklore celebration and is one of the biggest carnival in the world as per Wikipedia. They won P40,000 cash prize.

 

Meanwhile, Monkayo teachers dazzled the crowd with their Chinese festival featuring Lantern and Dragon festivals, among others, and landed 3^rd place bringing home P25,000 cash prize. The rest of the entries won P15,000 as consolation  prizes.

 

Representing DepEd Reg. Dir. Alberto Escobarte, Ms. Jeselyn Dela Cuesta expressed their thanks to the provincial government saying this is the most opportune time that the teachers can showcase their talents aside from the usual work they do in school.

 

Last year’s Bulawan festival featured teachers performing Musical Broadway shows. (fe maestre/ids comval)

 

 

Photo captions:

(Deped night)

It is a night of spectacular show of fun and revelry as the teachers show off their talents right on the first night of Comval’s 9^th Bulawan Festival on March 3, 2016 with the “DepEd goes Festivals of the World.” (m. lasaca/ids comval)

Famous SINULOG GRAND PARADE 2016. Cebu City/PHILIPPINES CULTURE, TRAVEL.