THE City government of Davao has earmarked ₱60 million for the month-long celebration of the 2025 Kadayawan Festival, set to kick off this August.
According to Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, officer-in-charge of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), said the ₱60 million budget covers the city’s official activities for this year’s festivities. This amount does not include private sector contributions.
Meanwhile, Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, president of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) and COO of Joji Ilagan International Schools, revealed that the private sector has already raised ₱14 million in sponsorships, including both cash and x-deals.
“We are still in the process of negotiating with more entities who are willing to sponsor because when we say Kadayawan marami talagang companies and businesses are interested to support this event (We’re still in talks with more potential sponsors. When we say Kadayawan, a lot of companies and businesses want to be part of it),” Ledesma said during the Kadayawan 2025 media launch held at Rogen Inn.
To compare, the 2024 Kadayawan Festival had a budget of around ₱59 million, with ₱11 million from the private sector and ₱48 million sourced from the city’s Annual Development Fund.
In previous years, the city allocated ₱65 million in 2023 and ₱56 million in 2022.
The 2025 Kadayawan Festival officially begins on August 7 with the traditional Misa Pasasalamat at San Pedro Cathedral, followed by the Pag-Abli sa Kadayawan opening ceremony on August 8 at the Kadayawan Tribal Village in Magsaysay Park.
A trade fair at the tribal village will run from August 8 to 31.
Cultural and community highlights include the Hiyas sa Kadayawan Cultural Presentation (August 9 at SM City Davao), Pananam sa Kadayawan (August 9 to 17), Bantawan Cultural Celebration (August 10 to 12), Kasikas sa Kadayawan (August 13 at Rizal Park), and
Kadayawan Expo & Food Trucks Bazaar (August 13 to 17).
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan Grand Coronation Night is set for August 14 at the USeP Gymnasium.
Festivities continue on August 15 with music and cultural shows at Rizal Park, followed by Larong Pinoy (traditional games) at People’s Park and a concert at San Pedro Square on August 16.
The festival’s most anticipated events—the Pamulak floral float parade and Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan street dance showdown—will take place on August 17.
The celebration wraps up on August 20 with the Kadayawan Pasasalamat thanksgiving event at Rogen Inn. RGP
