Terror threats fail to stop Kadayawan street dance

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Terror threats failed to stop thousands of people from joining yesterday’s Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan street dancing event as part of the activities culminating the celebration of the 28th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival this weekend.

Local and foreign tourists gathered along the route of the street dancing that featured representatives from various tribes clad in their local costumes and moving in the beat of the indigenous musical instruments.

The Kadayawan Festival actually celebrates the unity among Davaoeños, despite of their diverse origins.

Davao City has 10 indigenous tribes including  the Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvo, Klata-Djangan, Tagabawa, Tausog, Maguindanao, Maranao, Kagan, and Sama.

The festival is set to end today with the grand Pamulak sa Kadalanan flower and fruit parade this morning, which is also expected to draw crowd.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier considered calling off the Kadayawan festivities due to the series of explosions this past few weeks that rocked parts of Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato cites, and some towns in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

City police director Senior Superindendent Ronald dela Rosa said additional forces from other police units helped secure Kadayawan. 

Duterte has prohibited the use of backpacks during the festivities especially in crowded areas. Cars were not allowed to park along the route of the Indak-Indak sa Dalan and Pamulak sa Kadalanan parade.