Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2013, The King of all Festivals – Davao City, Philippines

Davao's annual festival, the Kadayawan Sa Dabaw will be celebrated officially on the third weekend of August (August 17-18, 2013) with pre and post festival activities taking place the week before and after. The Kadayawan Sa Dabaw is known in the Philippines as the King of all Festivals and is a celebration of life and a bountiful harvest. The festival offers street dancers dressed in colorful and spectacular costumes, colorful floats decorated with fruits, vegetables and flowers, sporting and cultural events all representing the local tribes of Davao and their traditions.
Photo credit: GinaD CC-BY-SA-3.0

 The streets of Davao are decorated with local fruits and vegetables and there are street dancers dressed in the colorful garments with elaborate props in the traditions of their tribes parading through the streets to the delight of those in attendance. On Sunday the festival continues with the Floral parade featuring floats decorated with flowers, and occasionally vegetables and fruits from the region showing off the blessings the region enjoys. The Kadayawan Sa Dabaw is photographers dream and there are many opportunities’ to get some beautiful pictures this extraordinary festival.

Other activities include the Miss Kadayawan beauty contest where representatives from the local tribes compete for the honor of being crowned the Bya’Neng ng Kadayawan. The beautiful young indigenous ladies competing for the title will not win it on beauty alone. They must be knowledgeable about the traditions, legend and the myths of their local people as well. The competition includes the performing of songs and dances from their tribes, modeling traditional attire and answering questions about their heritage. In the end one young lady will be titled Miss Kadayawan bringing a sense of pride and recognition to her community.

There is boat racing featuring native and speed boats held in the harbor, horse fights, where the studs fight for the rights to mate with a mare and various markets and exhibits displaying the best of what Davao has to offer. Speaking of the best Davao has to offer we can’t leave out the beautiful Mindanao girls that will be both participating and in attendance at the festival. The Kadayawan Sa Dabaw festival is one event you will not want to miss if you’re visiting the Philippines in August. Davao is one of the largest, progressive and most significant metropolitan areas in the Philippines.

Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2012 Official Video Ad

Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2012

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is held in Tacloban City every June 29th in honor of Sr. Santo Niño. The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is actually two festivals merged together to form one large and colorful celebration. Kasadyaan Festival represents the people from the various communities in Leyte that come together for the dance and celebration. Each community has their own theme that reflects the folklore, legends and reflects their pride in their community. The Pintados Festival is a cultural and religious festival commemorating the ancient warriors (Pintados). The ancient warriors were covered in tattoos as a symbol of courage and strength and this tradition is portrayed in the festival.


The most anticipated event of the Pintados festival is the festive dancers. They are painted from head to toe with designs intended to mimic the armor and tattoos of the warriors of old. With the sounds and beats of the native instruments filling the air men and woman file into the streets adorned in the colorful and often elaborate costumes and proceed to dance and parade through the streets of Tacloban City, Leyte. As you watch the colorful spectacle you can’t help but get feel for what it must have been like in the ancient times in Leyte. At the end of the parade a traditional Philippines Fiesta follows and all those in attendance are welcome to join in the celebration the is the Pintados festival.

In addition to the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban City there are many additional Festivals in other Leyte communities providing you with additional options to join the celebration.

Pintados Kasadyaan Festival 2010 

Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2007

Parada ng Lechon Festival - Balayan, Batangas

Parada ng Lechon Festival is held every year on June 24^th. in Balayan, Batangas to honor their patron saint, St. John the Baptist. The highlight of the festival is the actual “Parada Ng Lechon” parade of pigs. Typically 50 or more Lechon are paraded through the streets. The pigs are decorated by members of the organizations providing them and might be wearing sunglasses, wigs or other humorous costumes. In a crazy parade like this you can most certainly expect some pranksters to be lurking and they are in abundance. People from the crowds will spray water and beer over the Lechons as they are paraded by. More than the pigs are hit by these pranksters. The attendants and the crowd also get showered. It’s all part of the fun though and celebrants laugh it off.  Occasionally someone will try and sneak a bite of the tasty Lechons as they pass by as well.

After the fiesta the Lechons are returned to the homes or businesses of their owners and another celebration begins. This one involves feasting and drinking. For many with a sharing attitude they will offer some to the visitors and parade goers as well. It’s an unusual fiesta, but one that is a lot of fun and will provide you with some great memories and plenty to talk about when you get home.

The Parada ng Lechon Festival isn’t only about the parade though. The celebration actually begins the night before when an Anniversary Ball is held at the town plaza. There they will choose and crown the   Queen of the festival. The next morning there is a mass held in honor of St. John at the Immaculate Conception Church. The pigs are gathered on the patio and blessed symbolizing the baptism of John the Baptist. Following the mass, the parade begins and the Fiesta kicks it in to high gear.

Roasted Pigs Parade (Parada ng Lechon) in Balayan, Philippines 

Parada ng Lechon: The Most Celebrated Festival in Batangas 

Lechon - A Filipino Favorite

In the Philippines Lechon has become one of the most popular dishes. Lechon was originally introduced by the Spaniards and the name means, suckling pig that has been roasted.” It is commonly served during festivals, holidays, weddings and many other special occasions here. Typically you can find Lechon year round in the Philippines at local restaurants, stores and numerous street vendors. It is an extremely popular dish here.

Lechon is traditionally prepared by seasoning the pig after it has been cleaned and then skewed on a large stick through its entire length.  Then it is cooked over an open bed of charcoals. The pig is slowly rotated over the heat for several hours until it’s evenly cooked through. This method of cooking and an occasional basting results in a crispy skin and moist and tender meat on the inside. Once you’ve had the opportunity to try Lechon you will understand the Filipinos love for this dish. 

Lechon Baboy

Fun Nights in Lapu-Lapu City

The local officials of Lapu Lapu City have done it again in their efforts to promote the City as a top tourist spot in the Philippines. This time it’s “Fun Nights in Lapu-Lapu” at the Mactan Shrine and it happens every Saturday night. Starting at 6:00 PM and continuing through the night until the people just can’t party anymore. There are live performances on stage of Lapu Lapu City’s famous Rampada Dance and plenty of singing. You will hear traditional songs as well as modern ones performed by the local Oponganon talents.

In addition to the live performances on stage there is a large variety of fine foods prepared by the local ladies for the visitors. A must try for anyone visiting the Philippines. You will even be treated to an awesome fireworks display at the end of the evening. Locals and tourist alike are bound to have great time and it’s the perfect way to end a day of island hopping and or sightseeing.

Thanks Lapu Lapu City, This event is top notch. 

Fun Nights @ Mactan Lapu Lapu

Fun Nights @ Mactan 2nd Dance best in custome Lo ok ES 

Siargao Surfing Cup – June 11-15, 2013

One of the most anticipated events in the Philippines is coming to General Luna, Siargao Island, Philippines. It’s the 6th annual Siargao Girls International Surfing Cup competition. Female surfers from all over Asia and the world will gather and compete for a chance at the 200,000 php (almost USD$ 5000) prize money plus trophies.

Siargao Island is world famous for its surfing because of Cloud 9. Cloud 9 is one of the most famous surfing waves in the Philippines. The large barreling waves make it the premier surfing destination in the Philippines and its ideal for the international competitions.

Siargao is considered an inexpensive tourist destination and offers plenty of activities to go along with the surfing. Aside from the white sand beaches there is the Caob lagoon. It is a beautiful and well preserved wetland of mangroves. Only a 40 minute boat ride away and is one extraordinary sight see for nature lovers. You will also find plenty of fresh seafood and other foods to delight your taste buds. Want to take a break from the surfing? Along General Luna near Cloud you find Cafés to relax in or Discos and bars to party the night away.

Roxy Siargao International Surfing Cup 2012 | Day 3

Surfing Cloud 9 Siargao blue tubes over live coral