Davao City Hall Prepares for Centennial with Restoration and Festive Celebrations
The historic Davao City Hall building is set to undergo a significant repainting and exterior rehabilitation project, marking a key milestone as part of preparations for its upcoming 100th anniversary. Work on this initiative is scheduled to commence next week, with completion targeted in time for the grand Araw ng Davao celebration, ensuring the iconic structure shines brightly for the festivities.
Special Holiday Declared for Araw ng Davao 2026
In a move to honor the city's rich heritage, Malacañang has officially declared Monday, March 16, 2026, as a special non-working day in Davao City. This declaration, made through Proclamation No. 1174 and signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto under the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to provide residents with a full opportunity to participate in the Araw ng Pasasalamat and the 89th Araw ng Davao celebrations. The proclamation, dated February 20, 2026, emphasizes the importance of allowing the people of Davao to engage in and enjoy the annual festivities, with government offices and private establishments expected to observe the holiday.
Araw ng Davao commemorates the founding anniversary of the city, established on March 16, 1937, making this year's event a significant historical marker. The celebration will feature a wide array of activities designed to showcase local culture and community spirit.
Festival Highlights and New Additions
The 89th Araw ng Dabaw Festival will kick off on March 1 with the Pasiugdang Pagsaulog at City Hall, setting the tone for a month-long celebration. From March 1 to 31, a captivating three-dimensional projection mapping show will illuminate City Hall nightly, serving as a signature feature paired with the ongoing restoration work to highlight the building's centennial anniversary.
This year's event introduces several new activities to enrich the cultural experience. Key additions include:
- Kanta ug Sayaw Dabawenyo: Scheduled for March 27 at Rizal Park, this event will showcase local music and dance performances.
- Salida Dabawenyo: An inter-school short film competition running from March 10 to 13 at the Cinematheque, highlighting the creativity of Dabawenyos of all ages.
Other official activities feature a blend of sports, arts, and community events, such as:
- BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
- RLC Ironkids Davao Aquathlon on March 21
- 2GO Gwapa Dabawenya on March 20 at the Davao City Coastal Road
- Kundiman at Harana sa Araw ng Dabaw at City Hall on March 7-8 and March 20-22, with local musicians performing traditional and contemporary music
- Mutya ng Dabaw coronation on March 20 at the Usep Gymnasium
- Heritage walking tours at City Hall on March 14 and 21, organized by the CTOO and Office of Culture and the Arts
- School-based tours on March 3, 5, and 10
- Araw ng Dabaw sa Distrito events in the districts on March 9, 11, and 16
- Parada Dabawenyo on March 28 at 6 a.m., followed by Konsierto Dabawenyo in the evening at San Pedro Square
Clarification on Event Timing
It is noteworthy that the Parada Dabawenyo coincides with the birthday of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Willenito Tormis Jr., officer-in-charge of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), clarified that this overlap was not planned intentionally. He emphasized that Araw ng Dabaw is a celebration for all Dabawenyos, focusing on unity and community engagement rather than political associations.
As Davao City gears up for this momentous occasion, the restoration of City Hall and the diverse lineup of events promise to make the 89th Araw ng Dabaw a memorable and vibrant celebration of local heritage and culture.
