HOME with DAVAO
Unique Deca Homes float 2nd in Pamulak sa Kadayawan
VETERAN mass housing developer 8990 Housing Development Corporation (HDC) did not just settle as Gold sponsor of the just-concluded 32nd Kadayawan sa Festival but it also made its debut in the annual Pamulak sa Kadayawan on a high note, bagging the Dako (big) category runner-up honors.
Just like last year, 8990 HDC sponsored P1 million to this year’s staging of the festival of festivals.
8990 HDC, who owns the DECA Homes brand, pulled off a surprise in the floral float parade as it romped away with the P500,000 second placer cash prize. The company joined the competition for the first time.
Januario Jesus “JJ” Gregorio Bustos Atencio III, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of publicly-listed 8990 Holdings, Incorporated said: “Of course we’re very happy that we won second place this year. Kadayawan is not so much about winning but more about being a part of the growth and development of Davao.”
He said that every year they take part in celebrating the city’s unique and rich culture.
“We’re part of Kadayawan because we are part of Davao and its potential. We are committed and tied to this place and to the Dabawenyos as well,” Atencio said.
THE DESIGN
Building the DECA Homes float took four weeks to complete.
Freelance artist Samuel James Calawigan said they first started conceptualizing the design. When the design was approved, they worked on framing the structure on the small Elf truck.
“One week ang pagbuild sa structure paghuman kay ang design na mismo, nag steel framing sa screen og sa foam (It took us one week to build the structure then we made the actual design, steel framing of screen and foam),” Calawigan said, adding that putting of flowers and dried leaves started five days before the August 20 parade.
Fresh fruits and fruit carvings were placed one day before the big event.
He also said they used flowers available in Davao City and in other parts of Mindanao like crysanthemums, mums, anthuriums and orchids as well as fresh durian, watermelon and santol.
Indigenous materials like coconut shells, corn and beans were also used.
Calawigan also said over 20 crew worked on the float including welders, carpenters, florists, artists and painters.
Six model houses of DECA Homes were also showcased through painted sytrofoam that was covered with beans. Featuring three eagles, three umbrellas and three baskets symbolized the oneness of Christians, Muslims and Lumads in Davao City.
“Three also represent the Holy Trinity,” the artist, who joined in his sixth Pamulak sa Kadayawan, said. The Deca Homes float, however, was his first time to compete in the big float category.
The DECA Homes logo on the front part of the float has 11 posts representing the city’s 11 tribes.