Celebrating artistry, ancestry

performances perk up 10-week visit Davao summer Festival 2018

ANOTHER successful highlight of the Visit Davao Summer Festival (VDSF), dubbed as the longest festival in the country, has been pulled off, this time the Lumadnong Pagsaulog held at the People's Park last May 26, 2018.

Lumadnong Pagsaulog highlights the indigenous artistry and ancestry of Davao.

Bagobo Klata, Ata Manuvu, Tagabawa, and Tausug of Davao’s 11 Tribes performed along with the Kaliwat Performing Artists Collective, taking centerstage anew to share performances that is of their tribe and "community stories that manifest the values of hope, unity, strength and resiliency".

"It went very well. The crowd appreciated and applauded their performances. The groups are looking forward to more activities for them and we thought of doing it again on Kadayawan, more traditional practices (music, dances, costumes, crafts, games, storytelling and food) to be featured/ showcased at the Kadayawan Village and People's Park," said Maree Cantaoi Cayas of the Alampat Productions, the organizer for various events of the VDSF.

"It is a timely showcase where traditional

and contemporary performances are witnessed by both the locals and tourists of Davao," she said.

The whole program was aptly hosted by Abet Padilla who made sure that both audience and performers were engaged.

Yesterday, it was the turn of local bands to hype up the stage at the Rizal Park in the Tambayayong Dabawenyo, yet another highlight of the VSDF.

Tambayayong, still organized by Alampat, brought onstage the Igsu ni Pupung, Mad Dog and the Blues Drivers, Nairud, and Naughty Notes, the city's most notable bands that are enjoying a huge following. Onstage were Davao band icons Popong Landero, Eric Dalisay and Icoy San Pedro.

Giving the celebration a push through its all-out support were the Department of Tourism 11, (DOT 11), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), City Government of Davao, City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), Davao Summer Festival 2018 and co presented by Air Asia, Globe Telecom, Cebu Pacific, Tanduay, Flanax, Bonamine, and Tempra.

Tambayayong marks the close of the monthlong festival that highlighted the artisty of Dabawenyos, from the visual to the performing and indigenous. Dubbed the LongFest and WideFest because it's 10 weeks long stretching throughout the summer months and coordinating all other summer activities held in other areas in the region, the VDSF formally opened through a kick-off neon party at MuzicHaven Bar last April 15.

Joining the VDSF with their own events were Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, Mati City, and the province of Davao Oriental.

Thus the 10-week festival featured not just parties, bands, and art, it also brought together the Mt. Apo boulder face challenge that was participated in by international sportsmen, ComVal's Aquathlon, a swim and trek race, and Bubayi Climb, an all-women climb to Mt. Amakan; Igacos' Samal Marathon and Air Asia Durian Man Cross Channel Triathlon; and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur's Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Challenge Race.

It was a two and a half month-long series of activities that kept the region busy and kept the visitors coming.

Now, everyone's looking forward to next year's VDSF and wondering what else will be in store.