Here in Davao City, it is Festival Time! It’s Kadayawan Festival right now. Kadayawan is one of two major Festivals in Davao City, the other being Araw ng Dabaw, which is held in March.
Festivals are a very important part of Filipino life. Every town, city, even every Barangay has it’s own festival, and people here will take every chance they get to celebrate in a festival! Tomorrow is even a holiday in Davao, with many businesses being closed, certainly all the Government offices are closed down so that the employees can celebrate Kadayawan.
What is Kadayawan? Well, it’s a festival celebrating a fruitful harvest. At this time of year, many fruits are at their peak here in Davao. The King of Fruits, Durian (one of Davao’s favorites) is at it’s best starting now, through October. As you drive around Davao you will see little Durian Stands set up all over town around this time of year! They also have “Durian Gardens” where you can go, choose a Durian fruit and sit down to enjoy it right there! One thing I love at this time of year in Davao is that as you pass by one of the larger Durian Stands around town, the fragrance really permeates that air all around you! For me, it’s a heavenly aroma that I find very pleasing. Others think that it stinks. For me, I used to dislike the smell, but I really enjoy it now, since I’ve become accustomed to it.
In addition to the eating of Durian and other fruits, there are lots of events going on around Davao over about a two week period of Kadayawan. There are contests, parades, street dancing, all kinds of parties and such. Indeed, it is a very festive occasion. For many people, particularly those who are poor and have little to look forward to in life, the time when there is a major festival is certainly one of the highlights of their life. It’s not just a day or two of fun, it is a lifestyle that they live throughout the year. Why do you think the town basically shuts down for Kadayawan? Because this is such a major part of these people’s lives that to expect them to work would be unheard of!
Want to imagine better what Kadayawan or other major festivals are like in the Philippines? Imagine the revelry of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or Rio de Janero, and put that into every political unit in the Philippines at one time of year or another! Now you have got an idea!
Happy Kadayawan to all Dabawenyos! Madayaw!
Ah, Durian! Stinks like hell, tastes like heaven! 😆
don't miss the mindanao expo. i know it happens around that time. that's one event i love going to.
🙁 i miss my durian 🙁 Go have one for me, Bob.
Hi Paul – Nah, in addition to tasting like heaven, the smell is heavenly as well!
Hi Macky – I'm not aware of that Mindanao Expo, I'll have to check into that. I had some Durian last week, by the way – it was delicious! 😀
Madayaw sa inyo tanan dinha sa Dabaw!..Happy Kadayawan sa tanan! Miss the DAvao durian. I found a Durian here in a Korean Market but it does not taste as good as the ones in Davao. There's no taste like home, LOL. Really food back home are really delicious specially fruits. Haven't seen any mango here like the ones we have there. I haven't even seen mangosteen since. Hebi, santol,serguilas,binangay, rambutan panghatag mo diha!… Hahayyy. I better stop it's making me crave those fruits which is unaquirable.
Oh you should go to the expo, Bob. I tried looking for info regarding the expo for you and the site I found looked familiar. Then I saw your photo on the upper right section.
It was your wowdavao site, haha. http://wowdavao.com/blog/?p=3669
I hope you can still make it. I always looked forward to it because you see some innovative and export quality products. They can also inspire to think of new business ventures. great shopping too. It used to be in the Central Bank but I read it was moved to SM this year.
Hi Mahdy – I'll eat a durian for you too! Let's see, now I need one for me, one for Macky and one for you…. OK, I'll be full, but I'll do it just for you guys!
Hi Macky – OH yeah… I went to the expo when it was in the Central Bank a while back, they had some real nice furniture that was Mindanao made there! Hey, that's a nice website you pointed me to! That guy is really on top of things!! 😆
Bob – If you want help eating the Durian call me. I haven't eaten fresh yet but I think now is a good time to try it.
Hi Louis – I'll keep you in mind! Not sure if I'll be getting out soon, since my mother arrived this morning. Will be spending some time with her.
Bob – i really miss DURIAN! Hope you are enjoying the festival! There's also a FRUIT Festival in Kidapawan – Its been a long time since the last time i experienced the Kadayawan festival (1997) – we usually come to Davao on December – but hopefully after few years – I would be able to experience it again – & this time with my daughter & my husband (whose from Luzon). . Madayaw nga adlaw!
Hi Marygrace – I hope you do make it back soon! I am sure your daughter would enjoy the celebration, as would your husband!
Hi Bob,
Dabawenyos love Durian so much. Even my daughter who is an Aussie born likes it. Whenever we see Durian in the stalls in Asian stores, my only child forced us to buy even it costs around 5-6 Aussie dollars a kilo. Howabout Lanzones? You did not mention this fruit which is alongside the durian stalls in Davao. Hey! Try the "duco" variety of lanzones, the best.
Hi Ida – I love Durian myself! It's very delicious. I like Lansones too, although I don't consider them a particular Davao favorite. Yes, people here like them, but the real favorites of Davao are Durian and Pomelo.
Hi Bob – Yes, lanzones can be seen anywhere in the Phil. anyway. Even in neighboring Asian countries. But try visiting Camiguin Island, there's a Lansones festival in that place. Back to durian, love it – the Monthongs, Chanees, Puyats, etc. Up to you what variety you prefer.
Hi Ida – My favorite durian is either Puyat or 101, they are both excellent. Last year, I was up in Northern Mindanao just shortly after the Lansones Festival. All up in Misamis Oriental the Lansones are piled up along the highway during that part of the year. I do hope to make it to Camiguin for the Lansones Festival sometime soon, hopefully this year.
Hi Bob,
Try the Arancillo durian variety. It's smaller but more potent! Now, if you can handle that, you're a real Dabawenyo! That happens to be my favorite. Have one for me and tell me how you like it. Yum! 😀
Hi Tina – I have heard of that Arancillo, but don't recall if I've tried it or not. I will make it a point to keep an eye out for it.
Tina- is the Arancillo the malagkit (sticky) one ? For me, I don't care for as long as it is durian.:lol:
One time my sister brought a huge tupperware full of durian. I had it refrigerated first. O my, I felt dizzy, as if I got drunk! 😛
Hi Bob:
Just make sure that there are lanzones fruits during Lanzones Festival. There was a time we made fun of the festival because only few trees were bearing, not enough for display. Sometimes, the dates of the Festival don't jibe with the peak season. So we called it Saging Festival since there were more bananas in town than lanzones. 😆
Lanzones is highly sensitive to extreme weather and if it's picked in a harsh manner, chances are, they won't bear fruit the next season.
Hi jul – Funny story about the lanzones festival! I do think that these festivals are set up at a time when the fruit in question is supposed to be in season, but these things vary, so what can the organizers do?