Most Davao festivals are colorful and lavishly cheery, but the Tabanogan Festival has something different. Aside from the extraordinary shows and displays around there’s something to be watched in the sky.

“Tabanogan” means kite flying. Thus, the emphasis on kite design and flying. There are other activities that highlight this special day, things that not necessarily connects with kite flying, but which makes the day extra festive. Tabanogan Festival, an age-old tradition, raises the hopes and spirits of Davao people sky-high.

The Tabanogan Festival especially features kite flying and kite design competitions. On kite fest day, June 29 of each year, expert kite designers, makers, and flyers gather together to display and fly the kites they have meticulously hand-crafted for the occasion. Many Davao City folks are skilled kite makers.

Kites are mostly of big sizes, delicately crafted, artfully designed, and engineered to precision. It’s not just important to come up with beautifully designed kites—they should also fly. And this means balance, accuracy, and other important aerodynamics principles. The kites should gracefully glide on Tabanogan Festival day.

The big kites are commonly called “Tabanog,” a Cebuano term. They are also sometimes called “gurion.” When perfectly constructed they steadily glide in the air. If not, they wildly go around in small circles, hitting other kites—if they ever take off and soar. Tabanogan Festival kites should be the best in the craft, and their makers the best in the skill.

The Tabanogan Festival coincides with the feast of St. Peter, a patron saint to Roman Catholics in Davao City. And because of this, religious celebrations also happen at the city plaza, or the Osmena Park. The center of religious activities is at the San Pedro Cathedral at the corner of C.M. Recto and San Pedro Streets.

The church has an interesting history. It was built in 1847 after the Spanish conquistadors drove off the Bagobos from the land. It’s the original site of the church and the east wing is part of the original altar. When visiting the city on a Tabanogan Festival day, it’s a good idea to see the church.

Of course, the church and the Davao City government are behind all the celebrations. There is street dancing and a float parade on the historic Bolton River near Davao City Hall, among other activities. Religious procession parading the St. Peter icon is a major part of the fun-filled Tabanogan Festival.

The Tabanogan Festival is a morale booster reminding Davao folks of their rich and colorful heritage and their religious beginnings.