Performers showcase their talents during the ‘Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan’ at the San Pedro Square last year. This year, the dance competition will be held at the Davao City Coastal Road.
Photograph courtesy of PIA-XI
Share
Davao City — The annual “Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan” grand showdown will take place 16 August along the Davao Coastal Road, marking the first time the street dancing competition will be held at the seaside venue instead of its traditional site at San Pedro Square.
Event organizer Harold Quibete announced the venue change, citing that the new location will allow for larger crowds and a wider performance area.
The City Tourism Office confirmed that 13 contingents will compete in the flagship event, including five entries in the school-based category and eight in the open category.
The school-based division will feature the Sta. Ana Performing Arts Guild of Sta. Ana National High School, Mana Performing Arts Ensemble of Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Tribung Bago Gallerahanun Performing Arts Guild of Don Enrique Bustamante National High School, Lapu-Lapu Elementary School Performing Arts Company and Paalab Cultural Dance Group of Assumption College of Davao, and the San Roque Central Elementary School Dance Troupe.
Competing in the open category are the Lumad Mainitnon Folkloric Group of Mainit, Surigao del Norte; Sindac Anib Performing Ensemble of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Balangay City High Performing Arts of Mati City, Davao Oriental; Nagadaya Dance Artist Ensemble of Pantukan, Davao de Oro; Ka’Aniyogan Performing Arts Guild of Tarragona, Davao Oriental; Hamungaway Performing Arts Group of Panay National High School in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato; Alegria Dance Company of Sarangani; and Saug Kadagaya Dance Company of Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
The city government has increased the event’s prize money this year. The open category champion will receive P1.5 million, while the top school-based entry will win P1 million.
Quibete said Davao City has allocated P68 million for the 2026 Kadayawan Festival to cover 26 events, up from P60 million in 2025.
Local authorities plan to deploy approximately 19,000 security and emergency personnel across the city, drawing from the Davao City Police Office, military units, disaster response teams, and volunteer groups.
Davao City Police Office spokesperson Police Maj. Ma. Teresita Gaspan said local agencies are maintaining close coordination to keep the festival safe and orderly.
