DAVAO CITY – The 2024 Kasikas sa Kadayawan of the 39th Kadayawan Festival on August 17 kicked off with impressive performances from Davaoeño artists, featuring original song compositions from the winners of this year’s “Pahalipay ni Pulong Para sa Kadayawan Songwriting Competition.”

At least 45 participants submitted their entries for the songwriting competition, sponsored by the Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Partylist and Ato ni Bai, by posting on their Facebook accounts. Three winners were declared before their Saturday live performance and awarding at San Pedro Square.

The top entries that are featured in the 2024 Kasikas sa Kadayawan were “Maisug Kong Banwa” by Kemako featuring Tatot and Isla (grand winner of the songwriting competition), “Indak Pakpak” by Jan Lester Quibol (first runner-up), and “Dayon Gihapon ang Kadayawan” by Jovit Leonerio (second runner-up).

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, on behalf of his father, First Congressional District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, along with the PPP representatives, personally handed the award to the grand winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up of this year’s Pahalipay ni Pulong Para sa Kadayawan Songwriting Competition.

The Kemako bagged P300,000, a plaque, five sacks of rice, and another 15 sacks for any foundation of their choice, while Quibol took home P200,000, a plaque, five sacks of rice, and another 10 sacks for his chosen foundation. Leonerio got P100,000, a plaque, five sacks of rice, and five more for his chosen foundation.

Special awards were also awarded to the Top 3 Most Viewed Facebook Videos, which include "Selebrasyon Kadayawan" by Roger Kent D. Ostia with 177,000 views, "Maisug Kong Banwa" by Kemako ft. Tatot and Isla have 159,000 views, and "Madayaw" by Niel Drex Cortez (SSNTHC) has 79,000 views.

For the Congressman Pulong's Choice, Kemako featuring Tatot and Isla for "Maisug Kong Banwa" and Jan Lester Quibol for Indak Pakpak received the same award with special awards: plaque and P15,000 cash, respectively. The remaining participants received P5,000 and two sacks of rice as consolation prizes.

Sandino "Tatot" Jabonete Libres, on behalf of the Kemako, thanked Rep. Duterte and the sponsors of the songwriting competition for initiating an activity that brings the artists together, just like their team, to create music not only for the competition but to inspire the entire Davaoeños.

"Thank you, Congressman Pulong. To the sponsors (of the competition) and organizers (of tonight's event), thank you very much. It was a challenge for us to create our music. We may not have the same interests, but we were able to unite for this event," Libres said.

Rep. Duterte earlier said the songwriting competition aimed to celebrate Davao City’s resilience and unity, capturing the vibrant spirits of its people through music even in the face of recent challenges and various concerns.

A vast crowd of visitors and spectators came together to experience the live performances by the local artists, cultural groups, and some showbiz personalities at the Kasikas Kadayawan. Kasikas, meaning "to make sound or noise" in Cebuano, aimed to celebrate Mindanao's lively culture with music and dance.