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| Effigy of PNoy at the Araw ng Dabaw Parade Photo courtesy of Skyscrapercity.com |
The merry month of March 2012 is another festive month in Davao City, because it is on this month that Dabawenyos will be celebrating its 75th Araw ng Dabaw 2012 in its diamond year anniversary this March 16, as the city was founded 75 years ago, with this year's theme, "Pag-higugma sa Nasud Pag-Amuma sa Syudad", and numerous fun-filled activities, events, and contests have been lined up by the city government of Davao and the various socio-civic organizations in the city. The celebration is a special non-working holiday in Davao City.
"Araw ng Dabaw," which literally means "Davao Day," is a week-long celebration of the founding of the city with trade fairs, colorful socio-civic and military parades along the main streets of the city, cultural presentations of the various ethnic tribes in Davao City, sports competitions, and fireworks. The highlight of the event is the selection of the "Mutya ng Dabaw," which means "Miss Davao", from among the best, the brightest, and the most beautiful ladies in the city every 15th of March, with this year's crowned beauty getting P75,000 cash prize.
This year's 75th Araw ng Dabaw 2012 is the grandest celebration yet as the city government has increased the budget to P8.2 million, or more than double last year’s budget of P3.9 million, with P7.6 million appropriated from the city's coffers, and P550,700 from corporate and private sponsorships. The budget will be used for the various city-led events and prizes of various contests.
The
Araw ng Dabaw has its roots. In the 1930's, Davao was completely under the control of the Japanese immigrants, who, despite laws restricting foreign ownership of land, managed to become the largest plantation owners in Davao. They were able to achieve this by using dummies to buy land for them, and by marrying local women particularly with Datu lineage, and also by renting land from local landowners. During this period, the then undivided province of Davao was the biggest producer of abaca in the world with the Japanese practically controlling the entire industry. Their economic dominance in Davao made them politically influential. They had built their own schools, hospitals, and constructed road networks. The biggest concentration of the Japanese was in the Guianga District, centered around Mintal, and their population grew to about 17,900 by 1939.
As Japan was becoming a world power, having defeated Russia in 1904 and annexed Korea in 1910 and Manchuria in 1931, doubts were raised as to the real intentions of the Japanese presence in the country. In the 1934 Constitutional Convention, Davao delegate Pantaleon Pelayo Sr. bravely denounced the control of Davao by the Japanese and their unlimited acquisition of land. The presence of the Japanese in Davao had now become a national problem.
On March 16, 1936, Davao Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo filed Bill No. 609 or Commonwealth Act No. 51 - An Act Creating the City of Davao, which was intended to break the control of the Japanese. The Act further stipulated that the city officials would be solely appointed by the President of the Philippines instead of being elected, as it was believed then that in elections, Japanese-supported candidates would win, and, therefore, entrench Japanese power in Davao.
On October 16, 1936, Bill No. 609 was signed into law by then President Manuel L. Quezon. The following year, on March, 1937, Executive Proclamation No. 132 was issued that formally created the City of Davao.
It was during the term of Mayor Elias B. Lopez that the celebration of the foundation of Davao City was made a week-long celebration that culminated on March 16.
Today, Davao City remains the most progressive city in Mindanao and is considered the most livable city in the Philippines. Foreign investors and tourists are most welcome, but Davao City will always remain under the firm and sole control of Filipinos as its founding fathers had intended.
75th Araw ng Davao 2012 Schedule of Activities:
February 8, 2012
On the Spot Painting Contest
Youth Category, 8–17 years old - 8AM – 12PM
Senior Category, 18–35 years old - 1PM – 5PM
Davao City Recreation Center
February 9, 2012
Poetry Composition Contest
Youth - 8AM – 12PM
Senior - 1PM – 5PM
Davao City Recreation Center
February 10-29, 2012
On the Spot Painting and Poetry Contest Finalists Roadshow
Abreeza, Gaisano Mall, NCCC, SM City Davao - Mall Hours
February 11, 2012
Mutya ng Dabaw Screening - 10AM – 5PM
Kick Off: Blog Competition: Davao Life is Here! - 1 PM
Kick Off: Davao Video Competition: Davao in a Minute - 1 PM
SM City Davao
February 12, 2012
Mutya ng Dabaw – Closed Door Interview - 1PM – 5PM
SM City Davao
February 14 or 15 2012
Opening of the Floriculture Park Old DAR, Ecoland
February 16, 2012
Song Composition Contest - 8AM – 5PM
Davao Mascot Design Competition - 1PM – 5PM
Davao City Recreation Center
February 17-29, 2012
Song & Mascot Design Competition Finalists Road Show
Abreeza, Gaisano Mall, NCCC, SM City Davao - Mall Hours
February 22, 2012
Davao Cookfest: Make your Davao Dish!
Schools - 8AM – 12PM
Restaurants - 1PM – 5PM
Davao City Recreation Center
February 23-29, 2012
Davao Cookfest: Finalists Roadshow - Mall Hours
Abreeza, Gaisano Mall, NCCC, SM City Davao
February 23, 2012
Davao Cookfest: Make your Davao Dessert! - 1PM – 5 PM
Davao City Recreation Center
March 1-31, 2012
Araw ng Dabaw Competitions Roadshow - Mall Hours
Abreeza, Gaisano Mall, NCCC, SM City Davao
Davao: Then and Now in Museo Dabawenyo - 9AM – 12NN / 1PM – 6PM
Museo Dabawenyo
Araw ng Dabaw Agri Trade Fair - 9AM – 5PM
SM Grounds, Ecoland
Hudyakaan sa Araw ng Dabaw- 6PM -2AM
Roxas Avenue
March 1-10, 2012
Band, Singing Competition (at Hudyakaan) - 6PM
Roxas Avenue
March 9, 2012
1st Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte Athletes’ Recognition Night - 6PM
The Ritz Hotel Garden Oases
March 10, 2012
Folk Dance Competition - 2PM – 6PM
Rizal Park
March 12-18, 2012
"Best of Davao" Showcase
Abreeza Mall - Mall Hours
March 12, 2012
Thanksgiving Mass - 4PM
San Pedro Cathedral
Opening Celebration: Davao’s 75th Anniversary! - 5PM
Rizal Park
March 13, 2012
Mayor’s and Vice Mayor’s Leaders’ Appreciation Program - 6PM
Davao City Recreation Center
Lankuban: Musiko Dabawenyo - 6PM
People’s Park
March 14, 2012
Mutya ng Dabaw Coronation Night - 6PM
Davao City Recreation Center
March 15, 2012
Datu Bago Awards - 6PM
The Royal Mandaya Hotel
Celebrity Adventure Race - All day
Around Davao
Sayawan sa Dalan - 2PM
Roxas, CM Recto, Bonifacio, Pelayo, San Pedro
March 16-23, 2012
Urban Sights and Sounds: The Stories of San Pedro Street Photo Exhibition - Mall Hours
Abreeza Mall
March 16, 2012
Parada Dabawenyo (A Civic-Military Parade) - 7AM
Roxas Avenue to Rizal Park via CM Recto Avenue, Bonifacio Street, Pelayo Street , San Pedro Street
Pahalipay Concert: AEGIS - 6PM
Rizal Park
March 17, 2012
Sayawan sa Dan Davao Streets - 1PM – 5 PM
Pahalipay Concert - 6PM
Rizal Park
March 18, 2012
Araw ng Dabaw Fun Run - 5AM – 8AM
Assembly at Rizal Park
Around San Pedro Street, Illustre Street, Camus Street, Quirino Avenue , JP Laurel Avenue
Around San Pedro Street, Illustre Street, Camus Street, Quirino Avenue , JP Laurel Avenue
Bangkathon sa Davao Gulf 2012 - 7AM
Sta. Ana Wharf
Pyrotechnics or Light & Sound Show
Closing Ceremonies
Good info and I wish I will pay my visit at Davao one day to explore more about the place that you have mentioned here.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Tina
Cheers to you too, Tina and to Davao City. Blogging is quite a tedious task and it is a great consolation that there are people out there who read my posts and find same informative. This blog is my own little way of inviting everyone to take a closer look on Davao City and find the countless qualities and attributes that make the city unique and equal to none. I certainly look forward to your visit to Davao City soonest.
DeleteWarm regards.