THIS YEAR’S Kadayawan Festival 2026 will bring back the live presentation of the “Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtabo” to highlight the unity of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes in Davao City.
The live reenactment is one of the most culturally significant traditions of the Kadayawan Festival, making a full return after seven years, since its last run in 2019.
Subang Sinugdanan this year will feature a spectacular boat parade and a reenactment of pre-colonial barter traditions.
Sheirelle Anino, Bagobo-Tagabawa deputy mayor, said this year will be an actual presentation, unlike last year, when it was just a visual presentation.
“Makita ninyo nga nag meet ang Moro ug IP, from the land to the sea, makita ninyo nga magsabay ang mga 11 tribes nga magnaog,” Anino told TIMES.
She confirmed that the historical event, which showcases the peaceful convergence and early trading between Davao’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Moro communities along the Davao River, will feature actual boat presentations.
Scheduled for early morning at Magsaysay Park on August 7, the event will be a key highlight of the opening leg of the Kadayawan festival.
Anino said that two primary vessels representing the Moro and Lumad groups will take to the water to symbolize the historic arrival and meeting of the 11 tribes.
The Subang reenactment was previously replaced with video presentations due to safety measures and pandemic restrictions in 2020.
Gabriel Nakan, deputy mayor of the Maguindanao tribe, said returning to its live, physical format marks a major milestone for the city’s cultural celebration.
He emphasized that the return of the live reenactment goes to show the enduring peace and harmony among the city’s recognized ethnolinguistic tribes—consisting of five Lumad and six Moro groups.
“Most Muslims, except for the Kagan tribe, arrived as immigrants from other regions. We came from other cities and the indigenous peoples warmly welcomed us to live in Davao City,” he said.
“Since then, there has been no conflict among the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes. This event highlights how that peaceful welcome took place,” he added.
