Davao City's Parada Dabawenyo Attracts Thousands Despite Sweltering Heat
On March 28, 2026, despite the intense heat, thousands of Dabawenyos gathered to witness the Parada Dabawenyo, a vibrant civic parade marking the city's 89th anniversary. The event featured an impressive display with more than 407 contingents and 50 marching bands, comprising approximately 35,000 participants. These included representatives from private organizations, as well as safety and security personnel, showcasing the community's unity and spirit.
Event Details and Official Participation
The parade commenced at 6 a.m. and concluded around 12 noon, marching from Roxas Avenue down to San Pedro Square. In attendance were several city councilors, such as Jopet Baluran, Sweet Advincula, Enzo Villafuerte, Doce Apostol, Al-Ryan Alejandre, Ralph Abella, Jessica Bonguyan, and Luna Acosta, who marched alongside their staff to celebrate the foundation day. The city implemented a walk-only policy, with exceptions for those needing vehicle assistance, and displayed operational assets from local and national security clusters, including fire trucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Police Colonel Mannan Caracas Muarip reported no untoward incidents or cases of fainting during the program. He also confirmed that the city did not receive any threats throughout the event, highlighting the successful security measures in place.
Political Undertones and Speeches
This year's Parada Dabawenyo coincided with the birthday of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who served as Davao City mayor for many years and as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. The local government emphasized that the event was apolitical, stating the timing was purely coincidental and distinguishing it from the Solidarity Walk as a local government unit (LGU)-led activity.
However, during the program, the parade was temporarily halted to allow speeches from several allies of the Duterte family. These included Atty. Rowena Guanzon, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Atty. Harold Respicio, Ronald Cardema, Senator Bong Go, and Representatives Leandro Leviste and Kiko Barzaga. In her speech, Guanzon urged support for Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential elections, citing accountability concerns. Rodriguez described the parade as historic due to its coincidence with FPRRD's birthday and called for prayers for his health and freedom.
Topacio expressed that the city remains in mourning over FPRRD's detention, alleging injustices in the justice system. Respicio noted continued support for the Duterte family from various regions, while Barzaga and Leviste extended greetings and praised Davao's achievements. Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte declared his support for his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, as his choice for president in 2028, eliciting chants from the crowd.
Mayor's Address and Community Resilience
Mayor Sebastian Duterte highlighted the resilience of Dabawenyos, stating they have grown stronger despite challenges. He thanked safety and security personnel for ensuring public safety and organizers for maintaining joyful activities. The mayor encouraged unity and mutual support among residents, emphasizing the importance of a culture of security to address issues like illegal drugs and insurgency. He also expressed gratitude for the discipline of Dabawenyos, which facilitated his second term as mayor.
Later that day, a Solidarity Walk attended by Duterte allies called for the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and his return to Davao City, adding a layer of political activism to the celebrations.
