Araw ng Dabaw is a week-long celebration of the founding of the city that culminates every 16th of March with a socio-civic and military parade, sports competitions, and fireworks. One of the highlights of the celebration is the selection of the Mutya ng Dabaw (Miss Davao) from among the most beautiful ladies in the land, held every 15th of March.

Davao celebrates its birthday in a grand gala fashion befitting the largest city in Mindanao. The Araw ng Dabaw festivities come complete with a jam-packed, seven-day schedule of trade fairs and cultural presentations. There’s also a colorful civic-military parade and a citywide beauty pageant, featuring the smartest, most charming ladies this side of the islands.

Araw ng Dabaw in Davao, Philippines
Araw ng Dabaw | photo by Lynneth Omandac (Flickr)

Historical documents show that on March 16, 1936 Davao was “created” by Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo when he sponsored a bill in Congress making Davao a chartered city. President Manuel L. Quezon signed the said bill into law on October 16, 1936. The formal inauguration on March 1, 1937 was marked by a grand parade in the poblacion.

The idea of celebrating Araw ng Dabaw was conceived by the former Davao City Mayor, Atty. Elias B. Lopez, a native Dabawenyo. The observance, which started in 1968, has continued to the present. Since its inception, it has been celebrated with weeklong festivities from March 10 to 16, except on 1987’s golden anniversary celebration that lasted for almost two weeks.

Today, the Araw ng Dabaw (Davao Day) has evolved into a celebration of the Davaoeños’ oneness. It is a vibrant feast held every March 16 and together with the Kadaywan Festival, ranks as Davao’s biggest annual event.

Schedule of Activities:

Feb. 18

  • 8:00 am – DACHEA Sportsfestival Opening – City Hall

Feb. 19

  • 1 – 5 pm – DACHEA: Bowling Competition – Dover Mega Lanes

Feb. 22

  • 4 – 7 pm – MUTYA NG DABAW- Selection of 15 Finalists – NCCC Mall

Feb. 25

  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA : Dart Competition – Mama Tsina Dart Station, A. Pichon St.

Feb. 26

  • 3 – 7 pm – MUTYA NG DABAW – Talent Showcase – Gaisano Mall

March 1

  • 5 – 7 pm – MUTYA NG DABAW – Press Presentation – Gaisano South Mall
  • 1:30 pm – Munting Mutya ng Dabaw – Selection of 15 Finalists – Mezz of KFC, Gaisano Mall of Davao

March 3

  • 1 pm – 8 pm – MUSIC FEST Screening – SM City Event Centre

March 4

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration: AGDAO – W. Aquino
  • 7 pm – 9 pm – MUTYA NG DABAW – Selection of 5 Finalists – SM City Event Centre

March 5

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration: BAGUIO – Tambobong

March 6

  • 8am – 5 pm- Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : TALOMO – Cat. Grande / Bago Gallera

March 7

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : MARILOG – Buda

March 8

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : CALINAN – Biao Joaquin
  • 3:30 PM – Munting Mutya ng Dabaw – Talent Presentation – Gaisano Mall Atrium
  • 4:00 PM – MUTYA NG DABAW: Project Design Competition – Victoria Plaza
  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : PAQUIBATO – Sumimao

March 9

  • 10 am – 8pm – Mr. Dabaw 2008 Body Building Competition – Victoria Plaza Activity Area
  • 3:00 pm – Ms. Teen Philippines International ( Southern and Central Mindano Grand Finals – Gaisano Mall Atrium

March 10

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : BUNAWAN – Lasang
  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA: Caterpillar Relay – City Hall Drive
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Proudly Davao ( showcase of Davao made products) – SM Event Centre

March 11

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : TUGBOK – Sto. Niño
  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA: Mario Went To Town – City Hall Drive
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City

March 12

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : TORIL – Daliao
  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA : Sack Race – City Hall Drive
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City

March 13

  • 8am – 5 pm – Araw ng Dabaw District Celebration : BUHANGIN – Sasa
  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA : Egg Relay – City Hall Drive
  • 10 am -9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City
  • 4 – 6 pm – ” Oldies Duet Grand Finals” – Rizal Park

March 14

  • 8am – 5 pm – DACHEA : Book Relay – City Hall Drive
  • 10:00 AM – ARAW NG DABAW GRAND OPENING – Quezon Park
  • 10:00 AM – Balik Dabaw sa 2012 Launching – Quezon Park
  • 9am – 9pm – 80% off – NCCC Mall Wide Sale – NCCC Mall, NCCC Main (Magsaysay), NCCC Centerpoint
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City
  • 12 noon – MUSEO DABAWENYO : Preview – Museo Dabawenyo
  • 3:00 PM – Gaisano Mall Show w/ Celebrity Guests – Gaisano Mall Atrium
  • 7:00 PM – MUTYA NG DABAW – Coronation Night – CAP Auditorium

March 14-16

  • 8am – 5 pm – Lex Talionis Fraternitas, Inc : Shooting Competition – Gold Cup Shooting Range, Laud, Maa

March 15

  • 9 am – 12 mn – TABO : Trade Fair and Flea Market – Rizal Park
  • 9 am – 12 mn – 80 % off – NCCC Mall Wide Sale – NCCC Mall
  • 9 am – 12 mn – GMA Network Grand Kapuso Fans Day – Activity Center -NCCC Mall Davao
  • 9 am – 5 pm – HB1 FREE CLINIC – PhaREX Mascot appearance Free doctor’s consultation, samples and free items – HB1, NCCC Mall
  • 10 am – 12 mn – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City
  • 10 am – 6 pm – KASADYA sa Rizal Park On-Site Performances and Merrymaking – Rizal Park
  • 10 am – 6 pm – KASADYA sa People’s Park: Dance & Music Concert Performances featuring Davao Philharmonic Orchestra, Royeca Ballet, SAMADHI, Kathara Dance Theater and Madayaw Dance Ensemble, Sunken Garden Ribbon Cutting, Cartoon Film Showing, Story Telling for Children and Mascot Promenade – People’s Park
  • 10 am – 7 pm – BEE DRIFTED – Drift Car Show – Victoria Plaza Parking C
  • 1:30 PM – Munting Mutya ng Dabaw Grand FinalsGaisano Mall Atrium
  • 4pm – Jag Walk Fashion ShowPromo Area, NCCC Dept Store, NCCC Mall
  • 4pm – SM City Davao’s Araw ng Dabaw Celebrity Tour – SM Event Centre
  • 7 pm – 9 pm – GARBO SA DABAW : Rizal Park and People’s Park featuring Popong Landero, Magallanes ES, Himig, Kaliwat Theater Collective w/ RODY Project
  • 7:00 PM – Datu Bago Conferment Rites – Royal Mandaya Hotel

March 16

  • 6:00 AM – MISA PASASALAMAT – San Pedro Cathedral
  • 8am – 12 pm – PARADA DABAWENYO Magsaysay – Roxas – Ponciano – Bonifacio – Legazpi – San Pedro
  • 10 am – 9 pm – 80% off NCCC Mall Wide Sale – NCCC Mall Davao, NCCC Main Magsaysay, NCCC Center Point
  • 10 am – 9 pm – Araw ng Dabaw Mall Wide Sale – SM City
  • 12:00 PM – DAVAO CHEERS FOR PACQUIAO: Wide Screen Viewing – Quezon Park
  • 2 pm – 6 pm – BANDA HUDYAKA SHOWDOWN PERFORMANCE – Rizal Park
  • 2 pm – 5 pm – Victoria Plaza Anniversary Show with Globe, Grand Hip Hop Dance CompetitionVictoria Plaza Activity Area
  • 2 pm – 6 pm – 30 Years ng Musikahan at Sayawan featuring: Popong Landero, Rugged Band and Patrick Serras – NCCC Mall Activity Center
  • 3:00 PM – Mini Concert w/ Celebrity Guests – Gaisano Mall Atrium
  • 3:00 PM – Sayaw DavaoeñoNCCC Mall – Activity Center
  • 4:00 PM – Voice Box with the Stars of DavaoNCCC Mall – Activity Center
  • 4:00 PM – SM City Davao’s MUSICFEST FinalsSM Event Centre
  • 6:00 PM – Valerie Concepcion, Ronnie Liang, Jodi Sta. Maria and Vhong Navarro – NCCC Mall Activity Center
  • 8:00 PM – PAHALIPAY NI MAYOR CONCERT – Rizal Park

CONTINUING EVENTS

Feb 27 – Mar.17

  • 10 am – 10 pm – Agri – Industrial Trade Fair – SM City

Mar. 1 – Mar. 30

  • Mall Hours – Greenhills Manila goes to NCCC Mall – Mall Area, Leasable area, NCCC Mall

Mar. 1 – Mar. 30

  • Mall Hours – Araw ng Davao Mall Food Festival – NCCC Mall Parking Area

Mar. 17

  • 10 am – 8pm – Karambural Arnis Tournament – Victoria Plaza Activity Area

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