Author: DAVAO TODAY

City celebrates 69^th 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 city?s 69th Charter Day celebrations early morning today, but the dreary weather did not dampen the spirit of Davaoe?os, 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 year?s 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 Duterte?s emphasis on security.

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