- Hails the City’s bonanza and underscores love of country
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte joined Dabavaoeños at the Thanksgiving Mass at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, marking the formal opening of the 2026 Kadayawan Festival last Thursday.
Duterte said she was pleased to attend the Thanksgiving Mass, presided over by Romulo G. Valles and attended by city officials, the Office of the Vice President–Southern Mindanao Satellite Office, and the public.
“Let us celebrate with joy and give thanks for the blessings we have received. Happy Kadayawan Festival,” Duterte said, calling Filipinos to continue loving the country.
This year’s Kadayawan Festival features its largest lineup to date, with 26 official activities scheduled throughout the celebration.
Earlier, the Davao City Government said it is targeting 250,000 tourist arrivals as it expands the annual festival and increases support for the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic communities.
City Tourism Operations Office Officer-in-Charge Willenito Tormis Jr. said more than P68 million has been allocated for this year’s festival, exceeding last year’s budget due to the expanded program.
Among the highlights is the relocation of the grand showdown of the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan on Aug. 16 to the Davao City Coastal Road, which Tormis said will provide a larger venue for spectators.
While the street-dancing parade will retain its traditional route from Roxas Avenue to San Pedro Square, the final performances and awarding ceremony will be held at the coastal road.
The city also increased cash prizes for major competitions, with the Open Category champion receiving P1.5 million, the School-Based Category winner P1.2 million, and the Pamulak sa Kadayawan grand champion taking home a record P1 million.
