The lively spirit of Davao City is in full swing as the 39th Kadayawan Festival takes center stage, offering a sensory feast that promises to captivate tourists and content creators alike. Often dubbed the “King of Festivals,” this year’s Kadayawan is fueled by PLDT Home, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of Davao.
From August 7 to 18, both local and international visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the festival’s colorful displays, rhythmic sounds, and diverse flavors. Kadayawan Festival serves as a grand showcase of the 11 indigenous tribes of Davao: Bagobo-Tagabawa, Sama, Ata, Tausug, Bagobo, Iranun, Kagan, Maranao, Matigsalug, Obu Manuvu, and Maguindanaon. What began as a simple celebration of a bountiful harvest has blossomed into a modern, urban festival that honors and preserves these tribes’ unique cultural traditions.
As a key partner of Kadayawan 2024, PLDT Home is spearheading a series of exciting events throughout Davao City, with the highly anticipated Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant being one of the main highlights.
A Celebration of Beauty and Culture
On August 16, PLDT Home will crown Jane Rose Miones, representing the Bagobo-Plata tribe, as “Hiyas ng PLDT” during the Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant. This distinctive beauty competition seeks to identify the modern Davaoeña who exemplifies the ideal role model, with young women from the 11 Davao communities competing and showcasing the rich traditions of their respective tribes. The talent segment will feature traditional performances, including the vibrant and intricate Maranao dance, singkil.
Miss Universe PH 2024 Chelsea Manalo Joins the Festivities
Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea Manalo, will make a special appearance on August 17, joining a media luncheon to highlight PLDT Home’s exciting Kadayawan Festival initiatives. At the event, Manalo will announce the Kadayawan Festival Sale, offering a P3,600 discount on Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 installations throughout August. Following the luncheon, she’ll visit the PLDT Smart Ponciano Store and the NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza Booth before concluding her day at the PLDT Home main booth in Ramon Magsaysay Park.
To enhance customer connectivity during the festival, PLDT Home will set up booths at key locations across the city. The Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 now offers double the speed—100 Mbps, up from 50 Mbps—perfect for faster streaming and video editing. The plan also includes enhanced Unli Fam Call features, providing unlimited calls and texts across multiple devices, along with access to Cignal TV’s 58 SD and 14 HD channels for clear, high-quality entertainment.
Kadayawan: A True Cultural Experience
With an expected influx of 250,000 tourists, the Kadayawan Festival is a lively celebration of Davao’s cultural wealth. The streets come alive with the Indak-Indak sa Kadalan street dancing competition, where participants don vibrant, intricately woven attire like T’nalak and Inaul, complemented by the iconic malong. This event serves as the climax of Davaoeños’ thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest and a jubilant expression of local culture.
Davao’s culinary offerings are just as enticing, blending indigenous, Malay, and Spanish influences. From the infamous durian to the refreshing pomelo, the region’s fresh produce is a must-try. Seafood enthusiasts can enjoy grilled delicacies like inihaw na panga, while adventurous foodies might be drawn to exotic dishes such as crocodile sisig. Coffee lovers will also appreciate the unique flavors of Mount Apo-grown beans.
This Kadayawan Festival, let PLDT Home’s Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 be your portal to capturing and sharing every unforgettable moment. With its enhanced features, you can easily document your experiences and share the vibrant spirit of Kadayawan with the world through stunning photos and videos.