Star-studded. Actor Richard Gutierrez and members of the Sexbomb Girls during Saturday’s parade. Click here for more pictures. (davaotoday.com photo by)
The grand traditional parade that was the highlight of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration (the city turned 70 years old Saturday) was organized and presented as a diorama. Nora Fe Alajar, head of secretariat for the Araw ng Dabaw festivities, said they made sure that Davaoeos would not only be entertained but educated as well of Davao’s rich history. The parade was an attempt to depict how the various sectors have helped the city progress through the years.
More than 300 groups converged at the Magsaysay Park as early as 7 am yesterday. The major roads and intersections in the city, such as Claro M. Recto, Magsaysay Avenue and San Pedro Streets, were closed to traffic. Security was tight.
The festivities, however, were not be spared from the presence of politicians, who evidently used the occasion at least to be seen. The secretariat had warned that it would strictly implement the ban on campaign materials during the activity. Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he could not prevent the possibility of politicians showing up at the event. “I cannot prevent anybody from greeting us, from greeting the people of Davao City,” he said. “This is a free country and this is not an exclusive exercise for the city where we can bar anybody from joining the stage.”
Progressive partylist groups such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis and Suara also joined the parade, as well as contingents from the police, the military and the Task Force Davao. (Cheryll D. Fiel/davaotoday.com)
