Showcasing Davao City’s rich culture and vibrant local arts scene, Duaw Davao 2026 will highlight Dabawenyo talent across different creative fields—introducing the city through creative works in visual arts, literature, films, music, and art markets.
Duaw Davao is one of the four festivals celebrated in Davao City. It is a city government initiative, led by the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), to elevate the experience of both local and international tourists.
Oscar Casaysay, Officer-in-Charge of the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts (DCOCA), shared that a curated set of activities anchored on the city’s arts and culture will take place during the month-long celebration.
“This year’s Duaw Davao will focus more on Arts and Culture which we curated in bigger and convenient spaces,” he said.
“It is high time for us to really highlight the local arts scene sa Davao City ilabi na kay very talented ang mga Dabawenyos in different disciplines of arts (It is high time for us to highlight the local arts scene of Davao City, especially because Dabawenyos are very talented in different art disciplines),” Willenito Tormis Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the CTOO, added.
Part of these activities is an Art Walk on June 20 that will explore art galleries and museums in the Poblacion area of the city.
“We are going to simulate and validate an Art Walk, wherein we will feature different galleries and museum within the Poblacion area. Makita natin, maexperience natin, yung different arts in Davao City (We’re going to simulate and validate an Art Walk where we will feature different galleries and museums in the Poblacion area. For this year’s celebration, we’ll get to see and experience the different arts in Davao City),” he said.
Participating in the walk are tourism stakeholders from tour operators, hotels, and the media to help validate whether the activity is viable for inclusion in the city’s tourism circuits.
Casaysay also said the Art Walk route: starting from the Cinematheque, then heading to the National Museum, followed by a visit to the privately owned Green House Cinema, then to an art gallery at the lobby of My Hotel, and finally to Viviid Kulture. The Art Walk will conclude back at the Cinematheque, where participants will be treated to a film showing.
From June 18 to 26, Dabawenyos can enjoy a film showcase at the Cinematheque as part of the Duaw Davao Film Showcase: Kulay, Sine + Sining. Local Pride-themed films will be screened, and patrons may also visit art booths at the art market located just outside the Cinematheque, where they can purchase artworks from local artists and merchants.
A larger film and arts exhibit, tourism showcase, and food bazaar is also set to take place at the Abreeza Ayala Mall from June 22 to 24 for the Duaw Davao: The All-In Expo. Alongside artists, stakeholders from the tourism and academic sectors will also take part in the activity.
“We will fuse with this activity discussions about the voices of our young people on the arts, in tourism, para makahibalo ‘ta what’s in store for us in the next generation (We will integrate into this activity discussions about the voices of our young people on the arts and in tourism, so that we can know what’s in store for us in the next generation),” Casaysay said.
He added that this year, the DCOCA and the CTOO partnered with Fête de la Musique, an annual week-long music celebration running from June 19 to 27.
Dabawenyos are encouraged to join and visit these activities, and get to know Davao City through the arts. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal