REGION XI

KADAYAWAN SA DABAW

Background Of The Artist: the artist made

this as of giving thanks for the good harvest
of their fields and good blessings that they
receive Kadayawan Festival is being
celebrated every 3rd Week of August. A
celebration of the plentiful harvests of fruits
and orchids during the season.

Nature: Ethnic tribes around Mt. Apo usually

gathered during the harvest-time when they
had a bountiful harvest to give thanks to their gods particularly the all-powerful Bathala
(supreme God). According to legend, the occasion is noticeable by happiness, singing, and
dancing, as well as offerings to their divine protectors.

Everyday Life: The streets are adorned with local fruit & vegetables while people hold street
dances with abandon for four days. The harbour is the venue for native & power boat races.
Everybody fights for seats to watch the Horse Fighting wherein stallions fight each other over
the rights to mate with a mare.

Society,Politics, and Economic and History: The festival began from a government-initiated
program called “Unlad Proyekto Davao” in 1986, planned to unite the Davaoeños after the
chaotic martial law years and to showcase the city as a peaceful and colorful place to visit and do
business in. At the time, it was called “Apo Duwaling,”a name created from the icons Davao was
famous for: Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak; durian, the king of fruits; and waling-waling.
The queen of orchids. Davao is also home of the majestic Philippine eagle, the national bird. In
1988, the festival was renamed “Kadayawan sa Dabaw” by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to celebrate
the city's unique wealth in flowers, fruits, and ethnic culture.

Mode of Reception: Today, Kadayawan has transformed into a festival of festivals, the mother
of may other festivals in the region as it honors Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage,
its past personified by the ancestral “lumads”, its people as they celebrate on the streets, and its
floral industry as they parade in full regalia in thanksgiving for the blessings granted on the city.
Kasal,Binyag,Libing by Joey
Ayala
Lyrics by Vim Nadera
Open Hands by Joey Ayala

Background Of The Artist: Joey

Ayala is the Philippines' most
successful regional songwriter-
musician having blazed a trail in the
country's music industry—once the
dominion of pop balladeers from
Manila—and the world music scene.

Nature: Joey, likewise, popularized

indigenous music instruments, (especially the hegalong of the T'boli), all deftly used by the
members of his band Bagong Lumad (new or alterered native).

Everyday Life: He and his songs have been described in very many strong ways—prophetic,
poetic, ethnic, and "plumbing the depths of the Filipino Spirit" (Eric Caruncho, Punks, Poets
Poseurs, Anvil Publishing)—having found the magic formula for weaving beautiful melody and
sagacious poetry into song.

Joey's major contribution to changing the country's musical environment, and raising awareness
on social and environmental issues has earned him the TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men)
Award, the Datu Bago Award and Special Philippine Centennial Citation from the City of
Davao, Environmental Heroism Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts,
the Gawad ng Pagkilala from the Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino, the Gerry Roxas Leadership
Award, the Special MAGIS Award for Outstanding Alumni from Ateneo de Manila, and a
Special Citation from Concerned Women of the Philippines for inspiring "the youth and
progressive movements committed to ecological wholeness, justice and peace through music and
song.”

Mode of Reception: Joey Ayala inspired the youth and progressive movements committed to
ecological wholeness, justice and peace through music and song.
REGION XII

T’NALAK FESTIVAL

Background of the Artist: T’nalak Festival,

also known as Tinalak Festival, is a festival
held to celebrate the anniversary of South
Cotabato, and is observed every July.
The festival’s unique name is attributed to a
popular piece of colorful cloth woven by the
local T’boli women (T’boli is a tribe in the
region). The cloth is known as a t’nalak, and
is made of abaca clothing.

Nature: t’nalak is woven by the women of the community, symbolizing their diversity and
unified resilience. The process of weaving is time-consuming, and this reminds participants that
strength too comes this way, requiring time, effort and patience.Tourists attending the T’nalak
Festival are welcomed by a rich and vibrant culture.

Everyday Life: Whether it is through the intricate display of traditional artifacts, or the adorning
of ethnic regalia, visitors are in for a cultural espionage of a lifetime.

Society,Politics, and Economic and History: This also presents a perfect opportunity to get
meaningful souvenirs of your trip to the Philippines.
Other highlights of the festival include the energetic street parades, the diverse sporting activities
as well as the dancing competitions.

Mode of Reception: For the latter, make sure you enjoy the popular float and cheer dance
competition at the onset of the festival. Look out for the Trade Fair on location too if you would
like an entrepreneurial aspect to your holiday in the Philippines.
To experience a perfect blend of culture, fun and dance, there is no better place to be at than at
the T’nalak Festival.
Panangpit by Grace Nono
Hol Doyon Kuy D'wata by Grace
Nono
Source: Gadu Ugal, Arranged by
Bob Aves

Background of the Artist: Born in

Agusan, Northeastern Mindanao, Grace
Nono spent nearly 20 years studying the
indigenous and folk music of the
Philippines.

Nature: Working closely with

composer and music arranger Bob
Aves she produced several albums of
contemporary world music inspired
from these oral traditions, including Tao Music, Diwa, Isang Buhay, Opo, Hulagpos, and
Dalit.

Everyday Life: She also founded Tao Music Records, which produces music albums
featuring indigenous and world music artists, and has co-produced with Aves an audio and
print series on Philippine oral traditions and instrumental music. She is the Founding
Director of Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts, a non-profit "engaged in cultural
regeneration and holistic development initiatives."

Society,Politics, and Economic and History: Grace has reaped over 40 awards for her music
and cultural work, including the country's prestigious TOWNS (The Outstanding Women Award
in the Nation’s Service) and TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men Award), and music awards
with the Catholic Mass Media, Katha, Awit, and National Press Club.

Mode of Reception: Her book The Shared Voice: Chanted and Spoken Narratives from the
Philippines bagged the 28th National Book Awards, Arts category.