City celebrates 69th Charter Day with grand parade, concerts, shows
Bodybuilders flex some muscle during today’s Araw ng Dabaw parade. Click here to view more pictures. (davaotoday.com photos by Keith Bacongco)
By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY — The rain may have delayed the grand traditional parade that was supposed to kick off this citys 69th Charter Day celebrations early morning today, but the dreary weather did not dampen the spirit of Davaoeos, particularly Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Even if it rains fire or rocks, even if volcanoes explode and even if it floods, what is important is we can show to the young the spirit of Davao, Duterte said in a television broadcast before the festivities.
The theme of this years celebration is a nod to the Filipino youth: Cleanliness, Health, The Future of the Youth. (Read Duterte’s official message.)
We in the government service who have been here for a long time, who are already in our sunset days, we are passing it on. In a few years from now, there will be a new mayor. We need to show the young that they have to be ready so that when their time comes, they would know what to do, Duterte said.
Despite the rain, the parade continued. What stood out, however, were not the usual floral-inspired and Lumad-inspired floats but the military and police contingents. It was an apparent showcase of Dutertes emphasis on security.
In the fleet, composed of more than 100 contingents, were armored cars of the urban anti-terror unit Task Force Davao and its M-16-clutching soldiers, firemen in full gear on their trucks, war-painted Marines on vehicle-mounted speedboats, cowboys on horses, big-bike riders in leather jackets, drum and bugle corps from schools, street dancers in ethnic costumes, beauty queens, fruits and flowers showcased in the grandest floats, government officials, 911 rescuers, and fist-raising activists.
Everyone was there, even enterprising vendors who found an opportunity to sell hats and umbrellas.
Aside from the parade, a showdown of musical performances at the Rizal Park called Banda Hudyaka will start at 2 pm. Shows are also scheduled at the malls.
The original cast of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother, including Cassandra Ponti who is a Davaoea, will hold a show at SM City Davao. Gaisano Mall will also hold its own Munting Mutya pageant in the afternoon.
A concert will be held at the PTA Grounds, featuring various ABS-CBN stars and local talents.
Duterte also sponsors Alay Konsyerto ni Mayor at the Rizal Park, featuring popular pop band Hale and actress Anne Curtis.
Post-Araw ng Dabaw events include the First Davao Great Outdoor Week at Riverfront Corporate City (March 6-12); Piging sa Da’n at Roxas Avenue and Agro Industrial Trade Fair at the PTA Grounds (March 10-16); City Government Services Expo at SM City Davao (March 11-18); Bangka Rally at Times Beach; Randy Santiago Mall Tour at SM City Davao and Araw ng Dabaw Street Party at SM City Parking C (March 18); First Invitational Airsoft Competition at SM City Development Area (March 18-19); and John Lloyd Cruz Live at SM City Entertainment Plaza (March 19). (Cheryll D. Fiel/davaotoday.com)
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