I have always been a Dabawenyo.
And growing up in Davao, August was never just another month.
It was something I looked forward to.
When I was a child, one of the things that excited me the most was knowing that Kadayawan was coming. I remember waiting for the streets to come alive with music, colors, dancing, and smiling faces.
There was the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, where the city seemed to turn into one big stage.
There was the Floral Float Parade, where the streets became a beautiful display of everything we are blessed with.
And there was always that familiar feeling of excitement whenever August came around.
For our family, Kadayawan became a tradition.
Every August, we went out, watched the festivities, ate together, explored the city, and simply enjoyed being part of the celebration.
As I grew older, my excitement slowly changed.
When I was younger, I was fascinated by the dancing and the colorful performances.
Then came the years when I discovered the bazaars, food festivals, pop-up events, and everything else that made Kadayawan season even more exciting.
And perhaps one of the reasons it became even more fun was because I finally had my own money to spend.
Suddenly, August became a month of food trips, shopping, discovering new places, and finding something new happening around the city.
Without even realizing it, Kadayawan had become a part of my yearly rhythm.
August meant Kadayawan.
Kadayawan meant Davao.
And Davao meant home.
But this year feels different.
I have seen many Kadayawan celebrations throughout my life. Each one had its own charm, its own memories, and its own stories to tell.
But this year?
This one feels incredibly special.
And I know I am not the only one who feels that way.
I have heard the same thing from relatives, friends, colleagues, and even people who came from outside Davao.
They say the same thing:
“This year’s Kadayawan is a celebration in its grandest form.”
And honestly, I couldn't agree more.
They really went all out.
It feels like the entire city decided to celebrate.
North, south, east, west—there is something happening.
But especially in the heart of downtown Davao, you can almost feel the energy everywhere you go.
You don't have to look for Kadayawan.
Kadayawan finds you.
You walk outside and there is music.
You turn a corner and there is food.
You visit another place and there is a bazaar, an exhibit, a performance, a cultural presentation, or another gathering of people celebrating.
It feels like the entire city is telling one story:
This is Davao.
And perhaps that is what I love most about this year's celebration.
It isn't confined to one venue.
It isn't just one parade.
It isn't just one weekend.
It feels like the whole city has become part of the festival.
And through it all, we are reminded of how blessed we are.
Blessed with abundant harvests.
Blessed with fruits that have become part of our identity.
Blessed with flowers that bring color to our celebrations.
Blessed with mountains, seas, farms, forests, and a culture shaped by generations of people who call this place home.
But beyond all of these things, I believe Davao's greatest blessing is its people.
The Dabawenyos.
There is something special about the spirit of our people.
The warmth.
The hospitality.
The willingness to welcome others.
The pride we have for our city.
And the way we know how to celebrate—not just for ourselves, but with everyone around us.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons why so many visitors enjoy Kadayawan.
They don't simply watch the celebration.
They become part of it.
They dance with us.
They eat with us.
They take photos with us.
They laugh with us.
They celebrate with us.
And for a few days, they get to experience something that we Dabawenyos have always known:
Davao is more than a place.
It is a feeling.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
The City Government of Davao and the City Tourism Operations Office deserve recognition for the effort, creativity, and dedication they have poured into this year's celebration.
Every event we see, every activity we enjoy, and every detail that makes the city feel alive comes from countless hours of preparation and coordination.
But a celebration this big can never belong to just one group.
It belongs to everyone.
To the performers who practice endlessly.
To the artists who create.
To the vendors who prepare their best food.
To the businesses that support the festivities.
To the volunteers who give their time.
To the families who come out to celebrate.
To the tourists who choose to experience Davao.
To every Filipino who joins the celebration.
And most especially, to every Dabawenyo who continues to show up.
Because that is what makes Kadayawan meaningful.
We celebrate together.
And maybe that is why this year's Kadayawan feels so different to me.
Because I am no longer that little boy simply waiting for the parade to pass by.
I am older now.
I have seen more of the world.
I have experienced more things.
And yet, somehow, when August comes around, that same excitement is still there.
The same feeling I had as a child.
The feeling that something beautiful is happening in my city.
Only now, I understand it a little better.
Kadayawan is not just about the colors.
Not just about the dancing.
Not just about the floats, the food, the music, or the celebrations scattered around the city.
It is about gratitude.
It is about abundance.
It is about culture.
It is about community.
And most importantly, it is about people.
People coming together to celebrate what we have, where we came from, and who we are.
Looking back, I realize that Kadayawan has been quietly woven into so many chapters of my life.
From childhood memories with my family...
To discovering food festivals and bazaars as I grew older...
To now experiencing the celebration in a completely different way.
And perhaps that is the beautiful thing about traditions.
They grow with us.
We grow with them.
And every time they come around, they bring back a little piece of who we used to be.
So when someone asks me what makes this year's Kadayawan special, I don't think it is just the number of events or how grand the celebrations have become.
For me, it is the feeling.
The feeling of seeing my city alive.
The feeling of seeing people from different places enjoying Davao.
The feeling of watching Dabawenyos come together.
And the quiet realization that after all these years...
I am still that kid who gets excited when August comes around.
Because August will always feel like Kadayawan.
And Kadayawan will always feel like home.
Madayaw, Dabaw.
Thank you for giving me another August worth remembering.
And as a proud Dabawenyo, I can only say—
I am grateful. I am proud. And I am happy to call this place home. ❤️
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