PREPARATIONS for the grand opening of the Kadayawan Festival 2026 are on full track, featuring a live fluvial reenactment of the historic convergence of 11 ethnolinguistic communities along the Davao River.
Harold Quibete, event organizer for Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtagbo, confirmed that setting up key venues is nearly complete during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing held Wednesday, August 5, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
“All systems go for Kadayawan 2026,” Quibete assured, adding that primary staging tents at both Tionko Field and Magsaysay Park have already been mounted ahead of the opening activities.
The opening leg will feature Subang Sinugdanan and Panagtagbo, symbolizing the historic meeting and peaceful co-existence of Davao City’s Moro and Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities.
According to Quibete, representatives from the 11 recognized ethnolinguistic groups will jump off from Magallanes in Bankerohan for a river cruise heading towards Tionko Field.
Upon arrival at Tionko Field, a one-hour program will showcase the 11 cultural communities alongside the official candidates of the Hiyas sa Kadayawan.
Following the morning showcase, preparations will shift toward Pag-Abli sa Kadayawan (the Grand Opening), scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Magsaysay Park, where cultural presentations will be staged in front of the monument together with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
The festivities will immediately transition into the Concerto sa Kadayawan, scheduled for 6 p.m. at San Pedro Square.
Quibete, who also handles the major street events, noted that setup is moving smoothly toward the festival’s high-impact culminating activities scheduled for Aug. 16.
These include the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan street dancing competition and the Pamulak sa Kadayawan floral float parade, which are expected to draw thousands of local residents and tourists.
