The Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) announced on Friday the opening of registration for Sayaw Kadayawan, a theatrical dance competition depicting indigenous epics, folklore, and traditions in Mindanao.
Sayaw Kadayawan is open to all dance groups of students, out-of-school youth, and community-based performers, with the competition also highlighting inclusivity by welcoming participants as young as seven years old.
Each entry must present a dance medley rooted in authentic legend, folk story, cultural practice, or documentary of significant socio-cultural or political events of indigenous communities.
The entries must be submitted online, accompanied by a narrative about the performance and a group portfolio.
Interested participants must submit their entries online via Google form (https://forms.gle/Uy1UN1QG7UTMmMRE9) on or before July 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Performances are required to feature live musical accompaniment, with musicians counted among the group’s 10 to 25 members.
Solo performers may be included, provided that their performances are interspersed into the medley and limited to one-third of the total performance time.
Each presentation must run between six to eight minutes, with another one minute allotted for setting up and clearing props. The props must also not exceed five feet in height and three feet in width with only two risers allowed.
Additionally, the use of fire, fire crackers, smoke grenades, party poppers, live animals or killing of live animals are strictly prohibited.
For more details on the guidelines, mechanics, criteria, and prizes, interested participants may refer to the Kadayawan sa Davao Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheKadayawanFestival. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal