Behold Davao's Rich Culture, Up Until October 4 Only! Friday, September 30, 2005

Come and witness Davao Region’s illustrious showcase of culture and
civilization before its draws to a close on Tuesday, October 4, 2005, at the Clamshell 1 in Intramuros, Manila.

Featured as the grand finale for the regional showcase, in line with the
Department of Tourism (DOT)’s “Philippines’ Bests! 2005,” are the various presentations of the deep-rooted ethnic groups of Davao, such as the Manobo, B’laan, Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Maranao communities.

“I enjoin everyone to visit Davao’s exhibit before it concludes in the next
few days. This is such a unique opportunity for us to learn about and
appreciate Region XI’s rich cultural heritage that they have preserved
through the years,” announced Tourism Secretary Ace Durano recently.

Although the event is about to wrap up, there are still a lot of activities
in store for the remaining days. On October 1 and 2, Shangri-la Mall will
host the exhibit of Apo Sandawa, home of the Philippine Eagle. The showcase of Region XI’s pride depicts the Sibulan Heritage Trail ­ trekking from Santa Cruz to Mount Apo to witness the unfolding of the natural and cultural treasures of the highland. Meanwhile, over at Clamshell 1, presentations of the different local ethnic groups will be featured.

For October 3 and 4, Duaw Davao! is slated to occur as the culminating
activity of the region’s cultural extravaganza. The ethnic communities of
the district will again perform to convey a message of heartwarming
thanksgiving to those who visited the showcase.

Highlights of the said presentations are the Manobo Festival, which is a
celebration of life and bountiful harvest; B”LAAN Showcase, a production of the widely spread and dominant ethnic group in Davao displaying their rural way of living with the characterization of detailed beading and weaving; Bagobo Suite, a cultural extravaganza of the most dominant ethnic group in the region, which is also an exhibit of the most colorful people of the Philippines embroidering their clothing with beads and stitch work; and the Mandaya/Mansaka, who are known to be the most elegant of the lumads of Mindanao and are distinguished with their colorful dagum ng usog (man shirts) and the bado ang bubay (lady’s dress).

“During the past weeks, we have witnessed the province’s rich cultural
heritage through the presentations and depictions of their festivities. Not
only did the Best of Davao celebrations take place in Intramuros, but also we brought the affair closer to people by holding it at the Metropolitan Museum, Festival Mall, and the Podium. And as their exhibit draws to a close, we cannot help but remain delighted with the success we have achieved and we look forward to next year’s edition of this event,” ended Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.


Courtesy of:
WOW Philippines [http://www.wowphilippines.ph]