THE 82ND founding anniversary of Davao City kicked off on March 1 amid tight security, with up to 4,000 personnel from the city, regional, and other auxiliary forces deployed throughout the city on shifting schedules from March 1 to 19. The opening program of the Araw ng Davao featured a 3D mapping light show that showed the different icons of the city at the facade of the City Hall. “We are showing the history of Davao and this is important so we know where we came from and where we are headed,” City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Chief Regina D. Tecson said. The more or less 15-minute light show will be up until March 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. This year’s Araw ng Davao celebration seeks to highlight not only the city’s history but its diversity. Ms. Tecson said that for the first time, the Mutya ng Davao Search held on March 2 included a member of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) community. “For the first time also, we will be conducting the Ginoong Davao pageant for male Dabawenyos who embody the Dabawenyo spirit and the Reyna Dabawenya for transgenders,” she said. — Carmencita A. Carillo

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