Kadayawan

Davao City had its first election for mayor to eight (8) councilors in 1955.

Elias Baguio Lopez was the Political Wonder Boy. He was the first and only Mindanao Lumad (Obo Guiangan) student to be elected President of the U.P. Diliman Student Council (1954-55). He took the BAR exams in September, 1955. Returning Home in October, he ran for Councilor in October. The elections were held on the second of November. With only 35-plus days to Campaign from Sibulan to Calinan, Poblacion, Ilang, Lasang, he was elected the number one Councilor. He became a lawyer after the election. In 1955, he already planned the Kadayawan. In 1967, after winning as the second elected City mayor, he convinced the City Council to declare Aug 15 as the Kadayawan Festival week.

Kadayawan means good, plenty, referring to all the food crops, fruits like durian, rambutan, mangosteen and the most beautiful exotic Waling-Waling. Kadayawan is the Dabawenyos’ way of showing their joy, love, respect and honor to the heavens for the year’s wonderful blessings. This includes protecting Dabawenyos from natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, wildfires, pestilence, and violence. It is a gentle reminder of what the Dabawenyos of old did in making Davao the biggest and richest city in Mindanao. In the 1930s, through sheer hard work, patience and the kindness of the heavens, Davao became the world’s biggest abaca rope and ramie fiber producer. Up to the 1950s, the world considered Manila Hemp (actually Davao abaca) as the best rope. The economic activities starting the 1920s, led us to where we are today; the number one Mindanao City. All glory and honor to the lumads, the 5 tribes (Obo Klata, Guianga, Obo Bawa, Matigsalog, Ata), the Kalagans, & a Duuuy, Madayaw Agaw Kadi.