Davao Norte gears up for 51st Kadagayaan Festival 2018

Week-long festivities will usher in the 51st Kadagayaan Festival of Davao del Norte, this time featuring the "Visit Davao Summer Festival 2018" aimed at showcasing the province's diverse culture and rich natural resources.

The festival, which will run from June 24 to July 1, will honor the 'Dabaonons' proud heritage, multicultural identity, resiliency and creativity, said Davao del Norte provincial tourism head Noel Daquioag.

Among the activities lined up for the festival is the holding of the Investment Conference (ICon), in partnership with the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalem-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Daquioag said the festival is also being supported by the Department of Tourism, which is also organizing a tourism fair featuring interactive exhibits to be showcased in an open-air pavilion in partnership with the local government units and industry leaders.

The exhibit, he said, will be on the province's must-visit destinations, such as popular beaches and waterfalls, coral gardens, marine park, and culture farm for pearls. Another pavilion will feature an Agri-Aqua Trade Expo with a highly-interactive exhibit of industry-based products.

Daquioag said one of the main highlights will be the Binibining DavNor 2018, which organizers hope to become the grandest beauty pageant in the region.

I am honored and blessed being invited to become one of the distinguished judges along with selected government official, beauty queens, beauty pageant mentors and other influential personalities.

Another will be the Hudyaka 2018, featuring the different festivals all over Mindanao, showcasing the heritage of the island's tribes and ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, some 300 participants will see action during the MUSAMAN TriDavNor National Triathlon competing in the 1.5-km swim, 40 km bike and 10-km run.

Daquioag said the race aims a promote a healthier lifestyle and at the same time promote the province's tourism sites.

My (Philippine) Music/Meine (philippinische) Musik

I love music since I was four years young. I started playing piano and got my first "Hohner" accordion. I really love any kind of music: from Beethoven up to the Beatles.

Moving to the Philippines for good meant also to bring my whole music collection (and library with more then 2000 books). It helped very much to ease some "culture shocks" in the beginning of my expat life here in the Philippines.

I started being very much interested in Philippine music.

Meanwhile I could mention hundreds of favourite Philippine compositions: "Dahil Mahal Na Mahal" (Pinoy Biggie Hits), MINDANAO, or Kung Ako Na Lang (Sana: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

Talking about movie themes: I was really lucky to find in SM City Davao finest music by the best artists - YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE 101. These are 101 digitally remastered recordings on 6 CD's. A really awesome collection for music lovers produced in 2009 by Universal Music International. Check out www.getmusic.com.ph.

Have you ever heard about "Manilac Lay Labi"? This is the second part of a Philippine suite for piano by Ryan Cayabyab "Pahilaga" which is Ilocano meaning in an easterly direction. Manilac Lay Labi means a quite night and this delicate piece transports us to just that - a calm, untroubled and peaceful night.

How about "Pandangguhan"? This is a popular and well-loved Filipino dance piece. One can imagine a Filipino couple dance skillfully and rhythmically to the familiar tune. The piano arrangement is really interesting and exciting.

And, I love Philippine Telenovelas' music. For avid followers of well-known Tagalog TV series such as "Pangako Sa Iyo" or "Sana'y Wala Ng Wakas" these melodies evoke the familiar and the intimate.