The Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) has revamped the pillars for this year’s Duaw Davao event, making it more exciting and inclusive. Willenito Tormis Jr., the head of CTOO, shared that they replaced the orange pillar, focusing on “Duaw Ta sa Arts and Colors,” shifting the spotlight from music to a broader range of arts. They’ve also given prominence to sports, rebranding the red pillar to “Duaw Ta sa Sports and Lifestyle.”
This year’s festival revolves around four main themes:
- Duaw Ta sa Davao Turismo (Blue Pillar): Celebrating Davao’s best tourism spots and offering great deals.
- Duaw Ta sa Fiesta sa San Pedro (Green Pillar): Honoring the fiesta in celebration of Davao’s patron saint, St. Peter.
- Duaw Ta sa Arts and Colors (Orange Pillar): Showcasing Davao’s vibrant art scene, including music and film.
- Duaw Ta sa Sports and Lifestyle (Red Pillar): Featuring various sports, e-sports tournaments, and wellness activities.
The month-long Duaw Davao kicks off with a significant sales event, the Big Duaw Davao Sale, from June 1 to June 30, providing discounts at numerous participating shops and restaurants.
A standout attraction is the Reyna ng Davao 2026 beauty pageant, with interviews on June 8, preliminaries on June 13, and the grand coronation on June 19.
For those eager to explore, there are walking tours on June 6 and 13, along with a special Kape ug Tsokolate Crawl from June 15 to July 5, where locals and visitors can indulge in the best local cafes and chocolate treats.
Sports enthusiasts have plenty to enjoy, including the Duaw Davao Esports Tournament on June 20, as well as a Pickleball Tournament from June 27 to 28. The art-loving crowd can participate in the Night of Music and Colors on June 21 and the Film Showcase running from June 18 to 26.
An important event for the LGBTQIA+ community is the Pride Parade planned for June 21, coinciding with Pride Month’s celebrations.
Trade and business activities are also part of the lineup, featuring the “Duaw Davao: The All-in Expo” from June 22 to 24 and the Mindanao Kaimunan Food Bazaar on June 27 and 28.
The entire festival culminates in the 61st Araw ng Dabaw Fiesta, with key events like the Fiesta sa San Pedro and the Pagkadayaw Fiesta at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pedro from June 27 to 29.
This year’s festivities promise to embrace diversity, celebrate local culture, and provide fun for everyone in Davao. For more on Davao’s tourism plans, check out the Philippine Department of Tourism.
