DAVAO CITY – Park Inn by Radisson Davao, the 202-room contemporary hotel beside SM Lanang Premier, embraces the Kadayawan festival with renewed vibrant energy and creative flair as the hotel launched this year’s Kadayawan curated exhibit featuring standout local brands Ayla Pearls and Bina Batik, alongside the debut of SMHCC’s sustainability project, Tela Tales.
Launched on August 4 at the hotel’s lobby, the event gathered esteemed guests including local government officials, tourism representatives, honorable consuls, corporate partners, media, bloggers, and influencers.
Among those in attendance were SMHCC Vice President for Sustainability Chef Leah Magallanes, Davao City Councilors Hon. Tek Ocampo and Hon. Myrna Ortiz; Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Romeo L. Castañaga; and Department of Tourism Region XI Assistant Regional Director Judy Colaljo, who delivered a Kadayawan message highlighting heritage, unity, and a bountiful harvest.
Shining the Spotlight on Ayla Pearls and Bina Batik
Now on its fourth year, Park Inn by Radisson Davao continues to showcase the region’s craftsmanship and cultural richness through annual Kadayawan exhibits.
Making a dazzling return is Ayla Pearls, renowned for its stunning collection of authentic South Sea pearls. From everyday elegant pieces to high-luxury statement jewelry, the brand has gained both national and international acclaim, with showcases in Dubai and Singapore.
Complementing this elegance is Bina Batik, hailing from Cotabato City, this independent label breathes new life into batik, combining traditional Southeast Asian textiles with modern silhouettes. Bina Batik not only celebrates Mindanao’s rich patterns but also promotes sustainable practices by crafting pieces from upcycled fabrics.
“This year marks our fourth year Kadayawan celebration at the hotel through a themed exhibit. We’re taking a fresher approach by highlighting wearable art—from handcrafted clothing to jewelry and accessories—that reflects local creativity and sustainability,” said Sven Toune, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Davao. “We’re also proud to launch Tela Tales, an SMHCC-led initiative that supports artisans and the community while reducing hotel waste.”
Tela Tales: Fashion with a Purpose
One of the major highlights of the event was the official launch of Tela Tales— a sustainability initiative by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC). This project transforms condemned hotel linens into meaningful fashion, functional pieces, creating a circular economy that bridges hospitality and local communities. Hotel linens are one of the top wastes produced by hotels and resorts, this initiative aims to create products that are highly marketable that resonate with target audiences.
Spearheaded by Chef Leah Magallanes, SMHCC’s Vice President for Sustainability, Tela Tales has already made waves in other SMHCC properties such as Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo and Bacolod, Pico Sands Hotel, and Taal Vista Hotel. Now, it finds a home in Davao.
To bring this vision to life, SMHCC and the hotel partnered with Davao-born designer Dars Juson, who studied in the College of St. Benilde. He is making his name in the capital city of the Philippines as the co-founder of Manila-based label REPAMANA. Known for transforming discarded textiles into striking fashion, Dars’ philosophy perfectly aligns with the Tela Tales mission.
Joining the effort is Think Outside the Trash, a women-led community group supported by Councilor Tek Ocampo. Under Dars’ mentorship, the women underwent training to create the debut Tela Tales collection—each piece a symbol of empowerment, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
For the first collection, Dars designed a vanity kit, tote bag, and bucket hats, which will be available for purchase at the hotel lobby. The items feature both plain and dyed designs, using the traditional Japanese shibori technique. This method involves binding, folding, twisting, and clamping fabric before dyeing—a process that Dars also taught to the women of Think Outside the Trash.
During the launch, Chef Leah Magallanes gave a brief presentation on the concept behind Tela Tales, along with other sustainable initiatives implemented by SMHCC as part of its goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. A panel discussion featuring Chef Leah, designer Dars Juson, Councilor Tek Ocampo, and General Manager Sven Toune followed, fostering an open and engaging conversation.
Shop with Heart
True to the heart of the Kadayawan festival, the hotel ensures this initiative extends beyond fashion. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from each item sold will go toward providing art supplies, educational materials, and essential resources to students of Malamba Elementary School – G. Astilla Sr. Cultural Minority High School in Marilog District. Last year, through this same initiative, the hotel donated smart TVs to support the school’s learning needs.
Savor the Flavors of Kadayawan
During this festive and vibrant period, Park Inn by Radisson Davao is offering a delicious and abundant lineup of Kadayawan-themed dining experiences, starting with the ultimate Boodle Fight at VANDA Restaurant. Priced at PHP 4,550 for 5 people, this feast includes signature dishes—and yes, a grilled durian experience!
The hotel will also host Kadayawan buffets on August 15, 16, and 17—lunch at PHP 950 and dinner at PHP 1,150. Guests will enjoy regional specialties like Tiyula Itum, Kadayawan-inspired dances, and live music.
Staying in Style and Convenience
Park Inn by Radisson Davao is conveniently located beside SM Lanang Premier, just 15 minutes from Davao International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Davao, where the Kadayawan highlights take place.
Guests can fully immerse themselves in the festive spirit with the Davao Getaway: A Kadayawan Staycation room package, starting at Php7,888 per night. This package includes a breakfast buffet for two, complimentary basket of goods, 20% off the Boodle Fight, and 10% off Kultura. The package is available for the entire month—until August 31.
For those planning to visit during the Kadayawan highlight weekend, Park Inn by Radisson Davao also offers the Kadayawan Weekend Bliss room package, starting at Php 10,088 per night. This package includes a breakfast buffet for two, a complimentary gift basket, 20% off the Boodle Fight, and 10% off at Kultura. Plus, the first 30 bookings will receive a Php 1,000 voucher from Skin Manila, located at SM Lanang Premier. This room package is exclusively offered from August 15, 16, 17.
With culture, creativity, and community at its core, Park Inn by Radisson Davao invites you to experience the vibrant spirit of Kadayawan in the most meaningful and memorable way. Whether you are a local or a traveler, this is your invitation to stay, savor, and celebrate!
