The 21-member Kadayawan sa Dabaw, represented by the SinagTala Dance Company of St. John Paul College of Davao, wowed the crowd with their medley of Mindanao dances at the 2017 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Parade street performance held on 28 January 2017 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
The Kadayawan Sa Dabaw was one of the 35 performing groups during the event which included international contingents from Germany, Japan, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and the US, as well as local performing groups from Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland and Cathay Pacific, among others.
Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and sponsored by Cathay Pacific, the parade route started at HKCC and ended at Salisbury Road, also in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Chinese New Year extravaganza is now on its 22nd year and this was the 3rd year that the Philippines participated in the parade. The Masskara Festival and the Dinagyang Festival performed in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Kadayawan sa Dabaw also performed on 29 and 30 January at the Hong Kong Well Wishing Festival 2017 at Lam Tsuen Wishing Square in Tai Po.
Tourism Promotions Board Chief Executive Officer Cesar Montano led the Philippine government officials who came to Hong Kong to support the Kadayawan sa Dabaw. Also in attendance were officials from the City Government of Davao headed by City Administrator, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.
Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla hosted a welcome lunch for the performing group and the City Government of Davao officials on 27 January at the Philippine Consulate General.
Department of Tourism Marketing Representative for Hong Kong and Macau SARs, David Leung, coordinated the Philippine participation at the Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade.
