Davao City's Pasko Fiesta opens Dec. 1!

The Davao City government-sponsored Pasko Fiesta celebration will officially start on December 1, 23 days before Christmas Day.

The event will start with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree at People’s Park.

The Pasko Fiesta Committee has prepared a host of activities and contests with corresponding prizes as much as P100,000, with both the young and old have the opportunity to join the various competitions.

The events include among others, Sayaw and Kanta Contest, Panaygon Contest, Christmas Tree Contest, Parol Designing Contest, Christmas Light Designing Contest, and a special Bulalakaw sa Kalinaw search for the senior citizens.

Some of the city streets will also be closed for the night market the whole month of December with nightly music with bands in some areas.

On December 18 a portion of Uyanguren or Ramon Magsaysay St. up to Bangoy Street will be closed for bazaars.

Some of the activities for Pasko Fiesta like lantern lighting, painting contest, dragon dances, and stores will be dressed up.

Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw Schedule of Activities

• December 1. "Pasko Fiesta Lighting" ceremony at Rizal Park, 5 p.m.; simultaneously at the People's Park will be the "Ilaw Dabaw"; Pasko Fiesta opening and launching of the interactive fountain, and opening of the "Coca-Coca Village" on Palma Gil St. fronting People's Park.


• December 1 to January 2. Pasko Fiesta Street Market 2010, occupying San Pedro and Bolton Sts; "Coca-cola Village" at Palma Gil St.; nightly entertainment at San Pedro and Bolton Sts. every 5 p.m. onwards, sponsored by San Miguel and Coca-cola.


• December 2. The Coca-cola Chorale Competition at the People's Park, at 5 p.m. onwards.


• December 3. The Coca-cola Christmas Caravan at Damosa Gateway, 5 p.m. onwards.


• December 4. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Bunawan District) at Barangay Mahayag, 1 p.m.; Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 5. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 6. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Marilog District) at Barangay Baganihan, 1 p.m.


• December 7. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Calinan District) at Barangay Tamayong, 1 p.m.


• December 8. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Baguio District) at Barangay Gumalang, 1 p.m.


• December 9. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Tugbok District) at Barangay Tagakpan, 1 p.m.


• December 10. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Paquibato District) at Barangay Malabog, 1 p.m.; and Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 11. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Toril District) at Barangay Toril proper, 1 p.m.; and Paskong Kapuso a GMA Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 12. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 13. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Buhangin District) at Barangay Angliongto, 1 p.m.


• December 14. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Talomo District) at Barangay Matina Aplaya, 1 pm.


• December 15. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Agdao District) at Barangay R. Castillo, 1 p.m.


• December 16. Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 17. Pasko Fiesta sa Distrito (Poblacion District) at Barangay 20-B, 1 p.m.; and Evening Performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.


• December 17-23. Pasko Fiesta sa Chinatown, 5 p.m. onwards on Bangoy St.


• December 18. Kapamilya Pasko Na, ABS-CBN Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 19. Paskong Kapuso, GMA Network Christmas Special at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 20. Dasig Sayaw, a cheerdancing competition at the People's Park, 5 p.m.


• December 21. Rondalsaya sa Kalsada, a rondalya competition participated by schools, at the People's Park 1 p.m.


• December 22. Baktas Karakas, a marching band competition, People's Park, 1 p.m.


• December 23. Lamdag Parada 2010, lighted Christmas Float Parade at the People's Park 5 p.m.


• December 24, 25, 31, January 1 and 2. There will be evening performance at the Park, People's Park at 5 p.m.

Kadayawan Cultural Performances Dates and Venues!

Peoples Park and NCCC Mall will play hosts to a series of cultural performances in the Kadayawan sa Dabaw’s Panagtagbo on August 16-19 and 21. Panagtagbo will showcase the 10 indigenous tribes of Davao as they converge and exhibit their culture and traditions through dance, music, chants, rituals, indigenous crafts and costumes.

The 10 distinguished tribes are Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan.

Schedule of their performances are as follows:

Peoples Park:

• August 16 -  Klata (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Maguindanao (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 17 - Kalagan (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Ata (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 18 - Maranao (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Tagabawa-Bagobo (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 19 - Tausug (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Uvu-Manuvu (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 21 - Sama (5:30-6:30 p.m.);; Matigsalog (6:30-8 p.m.);

NCCC Mall:

• August 16 -  Klata (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Maguindanao (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 17 - Kalagan (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Ata (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 18 - Maranao (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Tagabawa-Bagobo (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 19 - Tausug (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Uvu-Manuvu  (6:30-8 p.m.);


• August 21 - Sama (5:30-6:30 p.m.); Matigsalog  (6:30-8 p.m.).

For more information, contact the secretariat, Door 8, Magsaysay Park Complex, R. Magsaysay Avenue, tel. nos. 222-1956-57. Visit the official website at www.kadayawan.com or check out the Facebook page, search for “Kadayawan Festival 2010”.

Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-Gapi) performs in Davao Feb. 12-14!

Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-Gapi) will hold performances in UP Mindanao, the Davao City Peoples' Park and in Matina Town Square from February 12-14, 2010. Kontra- Gapi is the official ethnic group for music and dance of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Literature.

Kontra-GaPi will conduct workshops and interaction in music, dance, mime and painting. Artists, students and the general public are invited to these events.

Dates, time and venue:

February 12, at 1:30 p.m., will be the performance of Kontra-GaPi at the Atrium, UP Mindanao Administration Bldg., Mintal, Davao City. At 3 p.m., a simultaneous workshop for music, dance, mime (at CHSS AVR) and a painting interaction will be conducted by Kontra-GaPi in the same venue.

• February 13, at 4:30 p.m., will be the performance of Kontra-GaPi at Davao City Peoples' Park. Promenaders in the Park will be in for a pleasant surprise to hear the music of Kontra-GaPi.


• February 14, Sunday, at 10 a.m., Kontra-GaPi will have an interaction with local artists and indigenous groups at UP Mindanao School of Management, Anda Street, Davao City.


• February 14, Valentine’s Day, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Kontra-GaPi activities will be at Matina Town Square (MTS), Davao City.

At 3 p.m. will be a simultaneous workshop on music, dance and mime. At 8 p.m. will be a musical performance of Kontra-GaPi at Matina Town Square, and at 9 p.m. will be the "jamming" of Kontra-GaPi with local musicians.

At 10 p.m. will be a painting interaction.

Free Diabetes Screening at People's Park this Saturday Nov. 14!

In Celebration of the World Diabetes Day there will be a free medical check-up in Davao City's People's Park!

All park goers are invited  and the following check-up are available:

• Free Blood Sugar Screening


• Cholesterol Screening


• Blood Pressure Monitoring


• Screening on Obesity


• Lecture on Healthy Lifestyle

All these services will be rendered free and screening will start at 5:30 in the morning at People's Park, J. Camus St., Davao City.