VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte joined local officials and City Hall employees on Thursday noon, Aug. 6, for a Thanksgiving Mass (Misa Pasasalamat) at the San Pedro Cathedral, officially kicking off the Kadayawan Festival 2026.
In an interview with reporters following the liturgical service, Duterte delivered a message centered on resilience, unity, and spiritual fortitude for residents and festival visitors alike.
“My message for Kadayawan to all Davaoeños and, of course, to our visitors this Kadayawan is a message of strength and wisdom,” Duterte stated. “Davao City has always stood proud, and through all the years, we will continue showing courage through good times and bad times.”
Referring to the homily delivered during the Eucharistic celebration, the Vice President echoed the spiritual leader’s call to stay resilient despite ongoing challenges.
“Nothing is perfect, and as Archbishop Valles mentioned earlier, he said we have to be strong in the coming days,” she added.
The mass was presided over by Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles, bringing together members of the City Council, department heads, and municipal staff under the historic arches of San Pedro Cathedral to offer prayers of gratitude for the city’s peace, bountiful harvest, and rich cultural heritage.
Duterte’s attendance at the local opening event follows her recent return from The Hague, Netherlands, where she visited her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The annual Kadayawan Festival, celebrated every August, is Davao City’s premier cultural event honoring the region’s 11 indigenous and Moro tribes while showcasing local heritage, traditions, and agricultural abundance.
