Cyril Pauya

The Icons of Kadayawan

[๐‘๐„๐€๐ƒ] ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ˆ๐œ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Š๐š๐๐š๐ฒ๐š๐ฐ๐š๐ง – Celebrating the Heritage of Davao

The Icons of Kadayawan Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/
The Icons of Kadayawan
The Icons of Kadayawan - Mount Apo Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/
The Icons of Kadayawan – Mount Apo
The Icons of Kadayawan - Durian Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/
The Icons of Kadayawan – Durian
The Icons of Kadayawan - Waling-waling Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/
The Icons of Kadayawan – Waling-waling
The Icons of Kadayawan - Philippine Eagle Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/
The Icons of Kadayawan – Philippine Eagle

Every August, the streets of Davao City come alive with vibrant colors, festive music, and joyful celebrations as Dabawenyos and visitors gather for the cityโ€™s grandest annual celebration, the Kadayawan Festival.

But have you ever wondered about the iconic symbols that have come to represent Kadayawan and the City of Davao? From towering mountains and remarkable flora to cultural treasures that embody the cityโ€™s identity, these Kadayawan icons tell the story of Davaoโ€™s people, history, and natural heritage. Join us as we discover each of these icons, many of which can also be found within the galleries of the National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao.

Complete your Kadayawan Festival celebration by visiting the National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao and seeing firsthand the specimens of the Icons of Kadayawan. We are open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Peopleโ€™s Park Compound.

Makisadya na!

Mount Apo

Rising 2,954 meters above sea level, Mount Apo is the highest mountain of the Philippines and a symbol of the Davao Region. This potentially active stratovolcano is sacred to Indigenous Peoples, who believe it to be the resting place of Apo Sandawa, their revered ancestor. It is also a biodiversity sanctuary, home to hundreds of endemic flora and fauna.

Durian – Durio zibethinus

Durian is dubbed the “King of Fruits” for being an economic and cultural icon of Davao. It is also known for its large size, thorny husk, and distinct aroma. Native to Southeast Asia and naturalized in the Philippines, its unique smell comes from volatile compounds in the fruit, such as esters, sulfur, ketones, and aldehydes.

Waling-waling – Vanda sanderiana

Known as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids,” the Waling-waling is an orchid endemic to Mindanao, particularly in Mt. Apo, Mt. Matutum, Lake Sebu, and Davao del Norte. Its striking 7-10 cm-wide rose-violet flowers bloom from July to September. According to tradition, the Bagobo people revered the Waling-waling as a diwata (fairy).

Philippine Eagle – Pithecophaga jefferyi

The Philippine Eagle can only be found on the four islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Tagged as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is considered one of the most endangered eagles in the world, with only about 392 pairs left in the wild.

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Source: National Museum of the Philippines โ€“ Davao Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEyYeNdrk/