August 19, 2003
Pamukaw ushers in Kadayawan

OVER a thousand Dabawenyos onboard close to 500 vehicles braved Monday's cold morning to participate in this year's dawn curtain-raiser, popularly known as the "Pamukaw", in the 2003 Kadayawan sa Dabaw festivities.

Barangay 5-A chief Edgar Ibuyan, Pamukaw committee chair, said there was massive support when people from all walks of life joined the musical wake-up call to rouse city residents from their sleep and enjoined them to actively patronize all the other highlights of this week-long ethnic-inspired spectacle.

"Gikalipay gayud nato ug daku uyamot ang paghugop sa katawhan sa malampusong Pamukaw diin ubay-ubay ang mitampo sa ilang paninguga ug panahon ingon man miduyog sa atong kasaulogan," Ibuyan said.

Armed with their traditional sulo (bamboo torches) and with sirens blaring to awaken the entire cite, the daybreak activity drew participants from various sectors such as the 180 barangays of the city's three congressional districts, government offices, schools with their respective drum and bugle corps, militant groups such as Bayan Muna and Anak ng Bayan, which joined for the very first time, Karancho riders group, our Muslim communities and many, many more who came to make the Pamukaw sa Kadayawan successful.

For his part, Davao City Police Director Conrado Laza assured the public that there are adequate security personnel deployed to secure the various festival areas from day one to the culminating activity.

Pamukaw organizers expressed great appreciation to all those who helped usher in a truly successful opening salvo as well as those who helped give meaning to this year's apt theme "Du-aw, Duyog! (Come, celebrate!)" Sun.Star Davao

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School kids present concerns in a skit
Aurea A. Gerundio of Sun.Star Davao

SOME students of the Magallanes elementary school Monday bared their aspirations in a form of a skit addressed to the Davao City councilors holding different committees at the City Council.

The performers presented the plight of the children during the opening program of the Kadayawan festivities, which was attended by Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan and 16 out of the 26 councilors. Absent were Councilors Shane Dolor, Diosdado Mahipus, Amilbangsa Manding, Bonifacio Militar, Peter Laviña, Beethoven Orcullo, Wigberto Al-ag, Victorio Advincula, and April Marie Dayap.

The children called the attention of the councilors on some concerns since they are said to be responsible in crafting ordinances to address the problems.

Among the children's concerns are proper education, enough food to eat, children's rights, environmental preservation, affordable medicines, jobs for their parents, peace in the city, and the end of summary killings of youths.

"Hinaot nga ang among pangandoy mapakaylap pa sa mga opisyales (We hope these dreams will reach our officials)," the children said.

In this regard, Bonguyan said the presentation of the children was a reminder for city government officials to really look into the deeper problems of the city.

"It is a wake-up call to everyone. I just wished that all the councilors were here. I issued a memorandum to all the councilors but I cannot force them to participate in the program. Hindi naman kasi sila (They are not) obliged to attend except during the sessions," Bonguyan said.

August 19, 2003
Pamukaw ushers in Kadayawan

OVER a thousand Dabawenyos onboard close to 500 vehicles braved Monday's cold morning to participate in this year's dawn curtain-raiser, popularly known as the "Pamukaw", in the 2003 Kadayawan sa Dabaw festivities.

Barangay 5-A chief Edgar Ibuyan, Pamukaw committee chair, said there was massive support when people from all walks of life joined the musical wake-up call to rouse city residents from their sleep and enjoined them to actively patronize all the other highlights of this week-long ethnic-inspired spectacle.

"Gikalipay gayud nato ug daku uyamot ang paghugop sa katawhan sa malampusong Pamukaw diin ubay-ubay ang mitampo sa ilang paninguga ug panahon ingon man miduyog sa atong kasaulogan," Ibuyan said.

Armed with their traditional sulo (bamboo torches) and with sirens blaring to awaken the entire cite, the daybreak activity drew participants from various sectors such as the 180 barangays of the city's three congressional districts, government offices, schools with their respective drum and bugle corps, militant groups such as Bayan Muna and Anak ng Bayan, which joined for the very first time, Karancho riders group, our Muslim communities and many, many more who came to make the Pamukaw sa Kadayawan successful.

For his part, Davao City Police Director Conrado Laza assured the public that there are adequate security personnel deployed to secure the various festival areas from day one to the culminating activity.

Pamukaw organizers expressed great appreciation to all those who helped usher in a truly successful opening salvo as well as those who helped give meaning to this year's apt theme "Du-aw, Duyog! (Come, celebrate!)" Sun.Star Davao

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Quitain urges local execs to reflect on commitment

"LET us look inward and reflect whether we have kept faith to our responsibility towards our children and the city," City Administrator Melchor Quitain Monday said as the 18th Kadayawan sa Dabaw festivities officially opened.

Quitain pointed out to the challenge facing every Dabawenyo to continue their sense of volunteerism and actively participate in the affairs of the community.

"Government cannot do it alone, it needs the cooperation and active involvement of the people," he added.

Quitain also stressed the need for reflection on whether each one was able to dispense their responsibility to the community, especially the children of the city.

"What we are doing today is for the future of the city's children, let us reflect whether we have done our role the best that we can for them," he said. "Let us also look into ourselves and ask whether we are worthy of God's blessings," Quitain added.

He also challenged local officials to "go out and be one with the private sector," in celebrating and giving thanks for the bounties and blessings from Allah or Magbabaya.

"In these festivities, we are all one in ensuring the development of the city, its peoples and communities," he said. Davao City Information Office

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Local tourists set to flock Kadayawan

THE Kadayawan Festival dubbed as the "Festival of all Festivals" has become the gateway to the arts and culture of Mindanao and nurtures the city as a culture of peace in harmony with nature and with great respect to indigenous traditions.

Department Tourism 11 Director Sonia Garcia said this year's celebration would showcase more on domestic tourists.

"A lot of visitors all over Mindanao the region would flock to Davao city and join the Davao residents as it rejoices its bounty harvest," she added.

Garcia said the tourism community is banking on local tourists to boost the industry.

But she emphasized that a troubled-free Kadayawan festival would lure back businessmen and foreign tourists.

Garcia is confident that the Philippine National Police, military, special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and military reservist are competent and capable in handling and maintaining the peace and order as the city rejoices its bounty harvest. Davao City Information Office

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Local execs take note of children's issues

THE 18th Kadayawan festival formally kicked-off yesterday with a musical wake-up call at dawn, reminding the residents of their ancestral beginnings and culminating with a thanksgiving mass and a program facilitated by children coming from the barangay and public school.

Through a presentation, the children posed a challenge to city officials on their needs for a modest home, quality education, access to health care, human rights and their right to protection and full development.

City Tourism Office chief Id Acaylar said the children want reconciliation, peace and development.

"All the issues being raise is true and touching because everything we do is intended for our children's as the future leaders," Acaylar said.

Councilor Susabel Reta said that the children just spelled-out their dreams and aspirations.

Councilor Mabel Laman was, however, touched by the presentation and pledge to do better especially for the welfare of children.

Councilor Angela Librado, on the other hand, committed to legislate better laws that will ensure the respect of children's rights, upholding their genuine welfare and development. Davao City Information Office

DAVAO City's Traffic Management Center (TMC) came up with a rerouting scheme for the upcoming Kadayawan sa Dabaw celebration, particularly on Aug. 23 and 24 for the "Indak Indak sa Kadalanan" and the "Floral Float Parade".

TMC Chief Celedonio Tibayan said during the "Indak Indak sa Kadalanan", the route performance areas will be San Pedro, Anda, Bonifacio, Bangoy (Ponciano), Roxas and C.M. Recto Streets.

Downtown bound vehicles from the south passing the Generoso II Bridge, can turn right to Pichon (Magallanes) then to Quimpo Boulevard, Quezon Boulevard to Roxas and then to Jacinto.

Northbound vehicles from the south passing the Generoso Bridge can go straight to Quimpo Boulevard to J.P. Laurel or Sta. Ana then left to Leon Garcia to Cabaguio or R. Castillo Street.

Northbound vehicles passing the Bolton Bridge can go straight to Quimpo and Quezon Boulevards left to Roxas Avenue or to Sta. Ana and to J.P. Laurel Avenue.

On Aug. 24, Tibayan said that the "Floral Float Parade" will pass Magsaysay Avenue to CM Recto Street, right to Bonifacio Street then to Legaspi Street and left to San Pedro Street.

The exit route will be passing through Trading (Quimpo) Boulevard to Quezon Boulevard, left Hataw Road in Ecoland and to the SM City Parking lot.

Tibayan said that all northbound trucks would have to use the Diversion Road via the Buhangin Road and likewise with southbound trucks.

While trucks from Mc Arthur Highway and Quimpo Boulevard will have to take the Maa Road to Diverson if northbound or left to Buhangin bound for downtown. Sun.Star Davao

August 11, 2003
8,000 composite troops to secure Kadayawan
Ben O. Tesiorna

A SIZABLE security force will be deployed to secure the weeklong Kadayawan Festival that will start next week.

Davao City Police Office Director Conrado Laza said about 8,000 police, military, reservists and civilian volunteers will be deployed all over Davao City to ensure that no untoward incident would happen during the Kadayawan festival that is expected to draw thousands of local and foreign visitors.

But are 8,000 personnel enough to secure Davao City during the Kadayawan festivities?

To Col. Gaudencio Pangilinan of Task Force Davao (TFD), the number is not enough.

"No amount of security forces is enough for a determined terrorist," he said during Sunday's "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" television program.

Major Rolando Suarez, TFD executive officer, said the security force for Kadayawan would include at least 450 TFD members, 300 Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) members, 250 reservists and at least 200 ROTC from different institutions in the city.

TFD would also deploy 12 K-9 dogs, mostly imported from other regions in the country and some from private company in the city.

Laza and Pangilinan assured Dabawenyos that they are ready with security measures for the Kadayawan festivities to be held next week.

Both officials, who was a guest in the weekly program "Ato ni Bay" at the After Dark Resto in Ecoland last Sunday, said that in preparation for the Kadayawan festival, which is slated on August 18 to 24, they are doubling their efforts especially on intelligence gathering to secure the city against acts of terrorism.

But Pangilinan said that although they are ready to provide security, the citizens should also cooperate.

"We need the vigilance of the people. No matter how many we are, we cannot stand guard on every building, school, church, bridge, and market. Our effort is to educate you to protect yourself," he said.

He said that though the risk is lower, they cannot guarantee absolute security, adding that community effort is still needed even if they double the forces of the TFD and the DCPO.

Pangilinan said their mission is not to reduce the risk of terrorism in Davao City, but also to bring back the confidence of the people, especially the business community, and to generate positive public opinion good for business.

"We're lucky to have overwhelming support of the business group lately. Kahit nandito kami at wala nang terrorist threats, kung wala ang suporta ng business groups, wala ring mangyayari (Even if we are here and there are no terrorist threats, if there is no support from business groups, nothing will happen)," Pangilinan said.

Laza also said they need the vigilance of the community to address the security problem faced by the city.

He said in their security plan for Kadayawan, they are basing it on the "worst-case scenario."

But Laza was quick to add there is no need for the Dabawenyos to be alarmed since they are doing the best they can to preempt and prevent any terrorist activity that may happen during the celebration.

It was learned that canine dogs, special weaponries like night vision binoculars and technical teams on intelligence are on their way to the city to beef up the security.

Laza said that aside from TFD, they have to increase their manpower to secure all areas.

"The regional headquarters is going to reinforce our forces, considering that two bombings have occurred in the city," Laza said.

He assured the public that they have already devised plans for the activities planned in commercial establishments, malls, parks and PTA grounds.

"We tailored the security scheme that we are going to implement to be able to meet the security requirements in all the scheduled activities," he said.

Suarez said that MGen. Cristolito Balaiong, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, would also send additional military troops in the city depending on the security situation of the city.

The joint forces of TFD and Davao City Police Office will give a tight security in the city especially to the outdoor Kadayawan Festival activities.

But in an earlier interview, Laza said intense security would be implemented on August 23 to 24 where thousands of Dabawenyos are expected to flock the city's downtown area to witness culminating activities of Kadayawan.

DCPO would also deploy the two K-9 dogs, additional to the K-9 dogs from the TFD.

Military and police authorities will be implementing full-security measures following the intelligence report that Philippines would be the next target of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiya after Marriott Hotel in Indoneia was bombed.

After the Davao airport and Sasa Wharf bombing incident, authorities have been keen in every reported terrorist attack and implements a proper alert status.

DAVAO City will spend between P7 million to P8 million for the Kadayawan Festival this month, Tourism Officer Ed Acaylar said during the Tabak forum at the Madayaw Ihaw-ihaw and Restaurant Sunday.

But this will not all be in cash.

"Mga exchange-deals ang uban ana (Some are exchange deals). Example, several publications gave us advertising spaces in their newspapers, because we want this to be of national coverage, others supplied us with food to feed the participants," Acaylar said.

He estimates the exchange deals to be between P4 million to P5 million.

He added that the City is donating P700,000 only, which is not even enough for prizes of the "indak-indak sa Kadalanan" and the floral floats contest.

"The government has given their support through lending facilities, equipment and people to make the Kadayawan festival on August 18 to 24 as grand as last year's," Acaylar said.

The organizers of the Kadayawan festival are looking forward to the participation of all winners of all festivals in Mindanao to learn more about their cultures.

"Kadtong nakadaug sa (Those who won at the) national competitions, we are inviting them here for exhibition only. We will finance their coming here, food and accommodation but they are not going to join the contest. We are presently looking for corporations to sponsor their coming," Acaylar said.

"Our main goal for the Kadayawan festival is to restore the confidence and goodwill of the people of Davao and to erase the negative perceptions people are harboring," Acaylar said.

THIS year's Kadayawan sa Dabaw slated from August 18 to 24 will serve as a vehicle to promote other festivals in the region, City Tourism Officer Eduardo Acaylar said.

Acaylar, who was among the guests in the Ugnayan sa Mandaya, said the festival expects to attract thousands of visitors both in the domestic and foreign visitors.

It will be an effective tool in the promotion of tourism in Southern Mindanao, he said.

This, he added, is in line with the city's desire to serve as the tourism hub in this part of Mindanao.

"We will market the other festivals in the region, we'd like them to display what to be seen, where to sleep, eat and stay in their areas," Acaylar said.

The tourism promotion aspect of the Southern Mindanao festival showcase will be handled by the Davao Association of Tour Operators (Dato), which is also formulating tour packages for the various tourism areas in the Southern Mindanao region.

According to Acaylar, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Island Garden City of Samal have committed to promote their respective tourism destinations.

Acaylar said more participants from different parts of Mindanao are invited to grace the occasion, making the non-residents of Davao feel they are part of the celebration.

Acaylar also said that the committee will give more emphasis on the participation of the indigenous peoples and Muslims.

This will also be the first time that the city will hold a Ginoong Kadayawan pageant.

Staples of the celebration include the Agro Trade Fair, Hiyas sa Kadayawan,
Indak Indak sa Kadalanan, Indigenous People's Festival, Floral Float
Parade, Bagobo horsefight, among others.

THIS year's Kadayawan sa Dabaw slated from August 18 to 24 will serve as a vehicle to promote other festivals in the region, City Tourism Officer Eduardo Acaylar said.

Acaylar, who was among the guests in the Ugnayan sa Mandaya, said the festival expects to attract thousands of visitors both in the domestic and foreign visitors.

It will be an effective tool in the promotion of tourism in Southern Mindanao, he said.

This, he added, is in line with the city's desire to serve as the tourism hub in this part of Mindanao.

"We will market the other festivals in the region, we'd like them to display what to be seen, where to sleep, eat and stay in their areas," Acaylar said.

The tourism promotion aspect of the Southern Mindanao festival showcase will be handled by the Davao Association of Tour Operators (Dato), which is also formulating tour packages for the various tourism areas in the Southern Mindanao region.

According to Acaylar, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Island Garden City of Samal have committed to promote their respective tourism destinations.

Acaylar said more participants from different parts of Mindanao are invited to grace the occasion, making the non-residents of Davao feel they are part of the celebration.

Acaylar also said that the committee will give more emphasis on the participation of the indigenous peoples and Muslims.

This will also be the first time that the city will hold a Ginoong Kadayawan pageant.

Staples of the celebration include the Agro Trade Fair, Hiyas sa Kadayawan, Indak Indak sa Kadalanan, Indigenous People's Festival, Floral Float Parade, Bagobo horsefight, among others.

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