BY: ARIEL JAMES P. MERO & LINDON L. ABAPO | DSSC INTERN
MUSEO Dabawenyo is introducing the “Dayaw Arts, Culture, and Film Showcase” as a fresh addition to the highly anticipated Kadayawan Festival this August 2026.
Donna Richel Sarong, researcher and administrative officer at Museo Dabawenyo, revealed that the initiative is organized in close partnership with the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts and the Davao City Tourism Operations Office.
The concept builds upon the positive reception of the “Sine + Sining” film showcase and previous Art Walk held along Magallanes during the Duaw Davao festival.
While prior walks explored different routes, this year’s installment focuses on a brand-new area to spotlight the city’s dense cluster of culture, arts, and heritage sites.
The development of the route was spearheaded by La Herencia, which originally designed the walk before partnering with the Culture and Arts Office to bring it to Kadayawan.
Participants can look forward to a comprehensive path featuring established art hubs, starting from the Poblacion Market and moving down Claveria.
The curated walk will guide visitors through iconic local spots, including Freedom Park and the Emila Mindanao Souvenir Center. The itinerary also features newly opened attractions along Claveria, such as the Upside Down Museum, alongside culinary and hospitality landmarks like Cafe Gervacios. The Royal Mandaya Hotel is also integrated into the tour, inviting walkers to view the dedicated art galleries and creative works displayed directly inside its lobby.
The journey will conclude at Cinematheque Centre Davao, which serves as the main hub for the Dayaw Arts, Culture, and Film Showcase. To complement the tour, Cinematheque Centre Davao will host a specially curated art bazaar and a food bazaar for visitors to enjoy.
By weaving through prominent streets like C.M. Recto and Claveria, the Art Walk explicitly incorporates the rich, interesting history and heritage of Davao City.
The diverse mix of souvenir shops, food stops, and galleries is intentional, as the route aims to celebrate the seven disciplines of art, which include gastronomy and artisanal crafts. Beyond standard festival anchors like Indak-Indak and Pamulak, the City Government is pushing to continuously innovate and diversify what it offers to the public.
The Dayaw Art Walk serves an important advocacy role by providing a dedicated, long-awaited platform for local creative sectors.
According to Sarong, local artists previously felt overlooked but shared highly positive feedback following recent pilots. “Finally, naa najud space, naa na’y avenue for artists,” she said.
The local government aims to sustain this momentum across future festivals to permanently give the Davao arts sector the visibility it deserves.
“Daghan jud good na pwede i-expect ang atong mga Dabawenyos, atong mga bisita, ug turista, kay gi paningkamotan jud ni ug gi pag-handaan jud ni sa city government,” Sarong concluded.
