The festivities were officially opened with the symbolic banging of the gong.
This is the first time in two years that Kadayawan will be held in-person, after being previously held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Misa Pasalamat was celebrated by Archbishop Romulo Valles before the Pag-abli sa Kadayawan program started with a performance from the Kalumon Ensemble.
The deputy mayors from the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes, with the 11 Hiyas sa Kadayawan candidates made a symbolic offering of the city’s harvests.
Duterte in his message, said the festival is the city's way of honoring the 11 tribes, adding the diverse cultures of the city’s indigenous peoples have continued to thrive because “Davaoeños are peace-loving people” who do not discriminate.
The mayor urged everyone to join in the festivities but he also reminded them to observe the minimum public health protocols at all times.
Dr. Maria Luisa Monteverde, President of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCll) , meanwhile said Kadayawan comes back with a "big bang" after its two-year hiatus.
The locals and tourists can witness the cultural performances of the 11 tribes which will be showcased starting Tuesday (August 16) at the Bantawan Amphitheatre.
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan coronation night will be held at the RMC Petro Gazz arena on Wednesday (August 17), followed by the Sayaw Kadayawan dance competition at the Bantawan Amphitheatre on Thursday (August 18). The Dula Kadayawan (Indigenous sports) will be at the People's Park on Friday (August 19).
The Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan is slated on Saturday (August 20) at the San Pedro Square, while the Pamulak sa Kadayawan, Pitik Kadayawan, and Tambayayong sa Kadayawan are set on Sunday (August 21).
The opening was also attended by Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr., city councilors, including foreign delegates from Germany, Spain, Malaysia, and South Africa.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday extended his greeting to Davaoeños for the annual Kadayawan Festival.
Marcos described the city as among the country's "shining beacons of progress."
"Nothing brings us closer together as Filipinos than a colorful and festive gathering to celebrate our culture and rootedness as a people. Thus, I am one with Davaoeños this year as they commemorate this season's abundance and show the best of what their hometown has to offer, despite the hardships we have faced as a nation," Marcos said in his message.
The President said it is a commemoration of Davao City’s “abundance” an opportunity to show “the best of what their hometown has to offer.”
“l could not help but admire the story that Davao City has written through the years, in which it has emerged as among the country's shining beacons of progress. It is with no doubt that Davaoeños have embodied solidarity and contributed wholeheartedly in weaving their own tale of nation-building to bring their beloved city to where it is today,” he said.