Araw ng Dabaw 2008

I didn't participate much on this particular event. Not that I don't like the street parade of colors and dances, I just like Kadayawan better than the city's birthday. One reason is, Kadayawan is fruits, people, dances, and flowers. The festival of all festivals.

If you don't know what Kadayawan is, here's a link. Pictures here.

March 16, 2008.

Araw ng Dabaw 2008 (pictures courtesy of Jonald)

































History of Davao

In 1930's there was an issue of whether who should rule Davao, the Japanese or the local Davaoeños. The issue has led to the creation of the city.

Today, Davao City is known as the Little Tokyo for most of the people that lived here are descendants of mostly Japanese soldiers. Japanese where able to gain access to a vast land where mostly abaca is planted. Davao was the biggest producer of Abaca in the world. Despite laws on restricting foreign people to own lands, they managed to marry local women particularly those with Datu lineage, using dummies to buy lands or renting at local landowners.

In 1930's, Davao was completely under the control of Japanese. By 1939, their population grew to 17,900 and the presence of Japanese at this time becomes a national problem.

On March 16, 1936 Davao Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo filed Bill No. 609, an Act creating the City of Davao. The City of Davao was to be formed by combining the capital town of Davao and the municipal district of Guianga. This made Davao City the largest city in the world with a territory of 2,244 square kilometers or 244,400 hectares.

On October 16, 1936, the bill was signed into law by President Manuel L. Quezon. The following year, on March, 1937, Executive Proclamation No. 132 was issued that formally organized the City of Davao.

It was during the term of Mayor Elias B. Lopez that the celebration of the foundation of City of Davao was made a week-long celebration that culminated on March 16.

Today, it is the most progressive city in Mindanao and the most livable city in the country. Top five when it comes to Best Human Resource and top ten Best Asian Cities.